INTRODUCTION: 



The following work describes the results of a study of balsam fir Christmas 

 tree culture developed in 1963 with initial field work undertaken in 1964, and 

 continued through 1966. 



The purpose initially was to test some alternatives that would improve tree 

 form, color, and ultimately the grade of both wild and plantation grown trees of 

 this species in northern New England. 



The experiment, entitled "A Study of Cultural Practices for Balsam Fir 

 Christmas Tree Production" was financed through Mclntire-Stennis funds and 

 the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station and designated as Project 

 MS-1 of the Station. 



The author, who was project leader, acknowledges the work of David R. 

 Noyes, Forester, who was associated with the earlier stages of the project, and 

 the field and office assistance of Harry Berquist and of numerous former 

 students, in particular John B. Cote and Donald A. Wilson. The cooperation, 

 understanding and patience of the members of the New Hampshire-Vermont 

 Christmas Tree Growers Association is appreciated. Gratitude is expressed to 

 Willard E. Urban, Jr., Station Statistician, for his part in setting up the statistical 

 design and in following through on most of the statistical analysis. Dorothy 

 Josselyn and Henry A. Davis of the Analytical Services Laboratory, and Clarence 

 L. Grant of the Center for Industrial and Institutional Development accom- 

 plished the soil and foliar analyses. 



This manuscript is in three parts. Part I deals with the "Main Plots", a study 

 of cultural practices primarily at three northern New Hampshire locations on 

 lands of commercial Christmas tree growers. Part II is called the "Growers' 

 Plots", and analyses the findings after application of a variety of fertilizers at ten 

 locations in New Hampshire and Vermont. Part III presents results of foliar 

 analyses of balsam fir Christmas trees. 



