the Growers' Plots (Table 1 lists each dosage as .15 pounds elemental nutrient 

 or .44 pounds for the NPK combination). The trees averaged between six and 

 seven feet in total height at the time of fertilizing. 



Part II. GROWERS' PLOT 



In the spring of 1966, tests on the effect of a variety of fertilizers on balsam fir 

 Christmas tree characteristics were made with the cooperation of commerical 

 growers, members of the New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association. 

 The trees averaged four and one-half feet in height when the experiment was 

 initiated. These trees grew in both natural (volunteer) and plantation stands at 

 ten separate locations in northern New Hampshire and Vermont. Most applica- 

 tions were made in late May with a few delayed until early June. Twenty -eight 

 trees were selected at random for treatment at each of the ten locations, herein 

 called "plots". There were also two control trees selected at random at each 

 location for a total of thirty trees per plot. 



The purpose of the experimentation was to develop some judgments as to the 

 practical effects of individual fertilizers, applied in varying quantity, on some of 

 the tree characteristics influencing balsam fir's desirability as a Christmas tree. 



A. Explanation of Treatments 



Fertilizer treatments were applied at low and high levels of application for 

 each of seven elements or combination of elements. The elements, their codes 

 and the levels are as follows: 



N = nitrogen as ammonium nitrate (33.5%N). Low level, 0.3 lbs. (0.10 

 lbs. elemental N) per tree. High level, 0.7 lbs. (0.23 lbs elemental 

 N). 

 P = phosphorus as superphosphate which is 19% P O . Low level 0.6 

 lbs. (0.11 lbs. elemental P), per tree. High level, 1.4 lbs. (0.27 lbs. 

 elemental P). 

 K = potassium as muriate of potash which is 61% K 2 0. Low level 0.195 

 lbs. (0.12 lbs. elemental K) per tree. High level 0.42 lbs. (0.26 lbs. 

 elemental K). 

 Ca = calcium as agricultural limestone which is 50% CaO. Low level, 

 0.45 lbs. (0.22 lbs. elemental Ca) per tree. High level 1.05 lbs. 

 (0.52 lbs. elemental Ca). 

 Mg = magnesium as magnesium sulfate which is 16% MgO. Low level, 

 0.375 lbs. (0.06 lbs. elemental Mg) per tree. High level, 0.875 lbs. 

 (0.14 lbs. elemental Mg). 

 S = sulphur as powdered sulphur which is 95% S. Low level, 0.45 lbs. 

 (0.43 lbs. elemental S) per tree. High level 1.05 lbs. (1.00 lbs. 

 elemental S). 



11 



