TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. 



123 



It may be that in time a heavy dressins,- of floats on a 

 young orchard tilled with cover crops will supply enough 

 phosphoric acid yearly for the orchard's need. Possibly that is 

 the cheapest way to provide for the future. To supply pres- 

 ent need soluble phosphates are required, and floats do not 

 take their place. Even a moderate dressing of acid phos- 

 phate will supply more pih'osphoric acid than the annual crop 

 removes and leave a residue each year as .available as floats, 

 for the future. 



As to nitrogen, nitrate of soda is quickest in its effects 

 on the trees and least lasting, and is thus particularly adapt- 

 ed to some of the needs of the orchard. Bone, tankage and 

 cotton-seed meal are more valuable for lasting effects where 

 thev are desired. 



Discussion. 



Dr. Jenkins: There is one other thing I would liketo^ 

 say. In experimenting with one orchard we tried a certain plan, 

 and the year following there was an increase. I think the 

 crux of the whole matter is that no man can give a cook- 

 book receipt for the use of fertilizers. No one can give a 

 rule that will be a sure guide in all of the different orchards 

 of the state. That is one of the things that makes up the 

 joy of farming; a fellow has got to learn what is best to 

 use on his own trees and his own farm, and under his own 

 conditions as he finds them to exist, and he cannot be taught 

 out of any book or from the single experience of any one 

 man. 



One thing that I would like to say is that it seems to me 

 in the settlement of some of these questions, such a thing, 

 for instance, as the effect of the dift"erent potashes, that the 

 pomologist of this state might well undertake an experiment 

 of that sort in one or more orchards of the state, and get 

 some information on that subject that would be more val- 

 uable than any we have now. I should be very glad to co- 



