135 



the maximum shown by the best of the cultural methods. 

 And these results have been obtained merely by spreading 

 the proper fertilization over the surface of the ground, 

 above the majority of the tree roots, and letting the rains 

 carry it down, — and we also have other quite similar gains 

 from this same combination elsewhere. 



A GENERAL FERTILIZER FOR APPLES. 



In view of the evident importance of proper fertiliza- 

 tion in many orchards, we have derived from our present 

 experimental results a general fertilizer that should n ^et 

 the needs in most cases until the particular requirements }1 

 the given orchard can be ascertained. This general f tr- 

 tilizer is one carrying about 30 pounds of actual nitrogen, 

 50 pounds of actual phosphoric acid (PgOg) and 25 to 50 

 pounds of actual potash (KoO). Where potash is not 

 known to be lacking the smaller amount should be used, or 

 after a little testing it may even be omitted entirely. With 

 the smaller amount of potash, the essentials of this com- 

 bination are carried in 500 pounds of a 6-10-5 fertilizer or 

 its equivalent, and this is the amount recommended for an 

 acre of bearing trees W;here most of the ground is to be 

 covered. For younger trees these amounts should be re- 

 duced approximately in proportion to the reduction in area 

 covered. 



In. our work about half of the nitrogen is carried in 

 nitrate of soda and the other half in dried blood. This 

 combination gives a quick action and also one that is pro- 

 longed well through the season. There is also no objection 

 to stable manure or to leguminous covers for a part or all 

 of the nitrogen, where they are available and have been 

 shown to pay. With the other elements any of the ordi- 

 nary carriers should be satisfactory and hence those that 

 are actually least expensive or most convenient should be 

 chosen. 



If nitrates are used, the applications should not be made 

 too early. From present indications, the best results with 

 nitrates can probably be secured from applications made 

 some time between the setting of the fruit and the first of 

 July. An incidental advantage of this delay appears in the 

 opportunity that it offers to vary the rate of application 



