_o_ 



most of the grov/ing season. It is not entirely clear ho\r heav>- "lulching in- 

 creases grov/th and yield of orchard trees, but some possibilities may be 



X • 



1-ulch favors the absorption and retention of rainfall, thus con- 

 tributing to a more adequate and constant water :. up ply . It will absolutely 

 prevent soil erosion. It tends to keep the surface of the soil nore loose 

 and open and favors air e^cchange, thus helping to keep up the oxygen supply 

 in the soil. Recent investigations have shown that roots will not function 

 if the oxygen in the soil air is reduced belo^7 one-half the nornml percentage. 

 As the nulch decays, '."lineral nutrients are added to the soil. It is quite 

 possible that the presence of liberal aiuounts of organic niatter and humus 

 helps to keep -linoral nutrients in available form aiid prevents thern from being 

 fixed i}i unavailable form. 



i'^ulching is mpst advisable (l) v/here there is a convenient and cheap 

 source of material, (2) on comparatively steep slopes, io) on rough, stony 

 land, (4ji on loose, gravelly soils likely to suffer from lack of \;ater during 

 dry periods, (s) on varieties apt to drop hea-vily near harvest time, and (6) 

 where root injury from cold is foarod. I'hG possible objections are- (l) 

 cost, (2) danger of firo, and id) danger of injury from mice. 



Few if any mature orchards can produce enough material between the 

 trees to be effective as a mulch. 'I'lie usual source is v/aste hay, the supply 

 of which is almost nowhere adequate « '-^he question arises as to whether it 

 would pay to purposely grow mulch outside the orchard. It is my belief that 

 a fruit grov;er can afford a cost up to MJlOtCO per ton and that under favorable 

 conditions the grov/ing of mulching m.aterial outside the orcliard is likely to 

 be economically profitable. 



^'or neai-ly twenty years the IJassachusetts -^r.periment Station has 

 been carrying on experiv.ients in orchard soil mcuiagement and fertilization. 

 On the basis of results from these and other experiments and from observa- 

 tions of orchards, certain statements bearing on orchard practice m.ay be 

 made. Soils and other factors of management vary so greatly that these 

 statements may not apply in all orchards, ^'articular ly, direct benefits 

 in yield from the addition of potash, to nitrogci; miay not be always obtained. 



i^ruit trees grovm in sod will not continue to r.iake satisfactory 

 grovrth and produce good crops without added nitrogen, -"ruit trees under 

 cultivation may grow aiid produce v/ell for several years without fertilizer 

 applications, if on a naturally fertile soil, ^i^oral fertilization vri.th 

 nitrogen alone vri.ll stimulate grovrth and production for 5 to 10 years, a,fter 

 ■which production is not sustained. Potash added to nitrogen vd.ll sustain 

 production better than nitrogon alone. 



»/o have us yet no evidence that phosphorus added to nitrogon and 

 potash v/ill directly increase yields. Phosphorus, however, is essential to 

 good grov/th of cover crops, thus increasing th.e organic matter v.hich may 

 increase orchard yields. 



Siigg.sat-LQ;aii. Xjr.. thQ .Pare of .FsmjuT. ^sjcj^-jxc^ 



During the vri.nter months sprayers should be overhaulted in order that 

 they may be in good v/orking condition vvhen the spraying season arrives. Some 

 of the items v/hich should be checked over are listed belov;i 



1. Sprayers should be overhauled aimually. 



