-k- 



not satisfactory from a commercial standpoint. 



In closing you may be interested and amused in knovfing that I visited vfith 

 an apple grovrer near Placerville this week who had about 10 Mcintosh trees vrhich 

 were supposed to be another variety \ihen he planbed them. His orchard is in the 

 Sierra foothills at 2,^00 - 3,000 feet elevation. He says the Mcintosh color 

 well and he seems to like them, but he noted that they are inclined to drop 

 heavily at harvest time, 



F, W. Southvdck 



//////////////// 

 SOIL ANALYSES FOR DETERMINING FERTIUZER NEEDS OF FRUIT TREES 



In our talks at fruit grower meetings this past winter, we have stated that 

 leaf analyses are superior to soil analyses in regard to the determination of 

 fertilizer need of fruit trees. In addition, we fiorther stated that the main 

 value of soil tests for orchard soils is for determining lime requirement. 



Since our winter fruit meetings, a brief report on the leaf analysis work 

 at the Maryland Experiment Station appeared in a recent issue of the Maryland 

 Fruit Grower, It was stated that, in 1955, leaf samples vrere obtained from a 

 number of Maryland apple and peach orchards and that at the same time soil samples 

 were obtained under these trees, "Analysis of these leaf and soil samples were 

 made and the degree of correlation studied. It was found that there was no 

 correlation whatever; soil analysis did not, therefore, reflect the levels of the 

 various minerals in the leaves, and cannot be used as a guide for fertilization 

 of fruit trees." 



The statement quoted above is further evidence in support of our thought on 

 the value of soil analysis as a guide for fertilizing fruit trees. However, it 

 is again stated that soil analysis is a valuable tool for deteimining lime re- 

 quirement and should be used as such at periodic intervals by all fruit growers, 



— ¥/, J. Lord 



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POMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 

 12, Apple Orchard Irrigation 



Much has to be learned about the irrigation needs of our Massachusetts apple 

 orchards. Although the average yearly rainfall in Massachusetts is approximately 

 Uh inches, many growing seasons there are one to two months when very little rain- 

 fall occurs. Unless the moisture holding capacity of the soil is sufficient to 

 carry trees through such periods poor tree growth and fruit development will 

 result. On the other hand, the cost of irrigation equipment is such that the 

 orchardist must be certain as to the need and expected returns on his investment. 



