6o STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



their full-crop year, and their blossom indications were as good 

 as or better than in 191 1. They were estimated to have 100 

 per cent of a full bloom in 1913, while the other plats averaged 

 about 30 per cent. 



Looking at the total results, however, it will be noted that 

 the average yields of the checks, or unfertilized plats, have 

 run fairly uniform, producing an average annual yield of 170.5 

 bushels per acre during the last five years. Lime alone (at 

 the rate of i.ooo pounds per acre annually) showed no im- 

 provement over the average check during the first four years, 

 and it is only being brought above now by the addition of a 

 complete fertilizer during the last two years. The phosphate 

 and potash combination here is also poor, although it may 

 have some advantage in location, as indicated by the fact that 

 its adjacent check is the highest producer among them and is 

 now averaging within 38 bushels of the phosphate-potash 

 treatment. The growth on the latter plat also, is nearly 3 per 

 cent less than that of the normal unfertilized plat, and its 

 general appearance is in no way superior. It is evident, there- 

 fore, that these trees are still vitally in need of something, al- 

 though it will be noted that they are receiving the fertilization 

 ■commonly advised for orchards, — largely on the basis of chem- 

 ical analyses. 



This need is being quite thoroughly met on the adjacent 

 plat 6, which differs from No. 5 only in the addition of 

 nitrogen. The mere addition of nitrogen in this case has more 

 than tripled the gain. Also it will be noted that wherever ni- 

 trogen appears in the treatments, very large yields are ob- 

 served, and the foliage and growth of their trees are also very 

 satisfactory, — the average gains in trunk girth ranging from 

 25 to 90 per cent. 



Plat 2, receiving nitrogen and phosphate only, at the present 

 time shows a distinctly better gain than No. 6, which re- 

 ceives potash in addition. This is directly connected with the 

 almost complete crop failure that occurred in the latter plat 

 in 1912, and it is also partly attributable to an unusual amount 

 of crowding that is occurring among the trees of plat 6. It 

 shows, however, that little or no arlditional potash is needed in 

 this orchard, and that its addition thus far has actually been 

 a detriment so far as the yields are concerned. 



