FERTILIZING PEACHES 



the leaves and stems. If there is a deficiency of available 

 potash in the soil, the woody parts of the plant become 

 weak and brittle. It is known, of course, that many peach 

 trees break down because they are unable to bear the load 

 of fruit, even though judicious thinning may have been 

 practiced. Of course, trees of all description often over- 

 bear and no application of potash or other commercial plant 

 food could prevent injuries to the limbs through breaking, 

 especially in a heavy gale of wind, such as often sweep over 

 the orchard near the time at which the fruit matures. It 

 has been demonstrated quite conclusively, however, that 

 where potash has been liberally used the trees are much 

 stronger and can withstand the strain to which they may 

 be subjected by the action of violent winds much more suc- 

 cessfully than those trees which have not been so fertilized. 



It is believed that potash compounds are a requisite to 

 the proper development of the fleshy portion of the fruit, 

 which is the crowning glory of the peach. Therefore, the 

 importance of the liberal use of this element cannot be too 

 strongly emphasized in connection with peach production. 



Potash has an active association with phosphoric acid 

 in the formation of protoplasm in the plant cells, which 

 constitute the units, through the medium of which is gener- 

 ated the life activities of the plant Similarly potash is 



Thirteen 



