The suggested amounts of materials to apply in the table are for hand applica- 

 tions under the spread of the branches. When the materials are broadcast over the 

 entire orchard floor it may be necessary to increase the rate of application in 

 order to obtain the same tree response as with the band applications. Fertilizer 

 materials other than those given in the tables may be used so long as they are 

 applied at rates which provide equivalent amounts of nitrogen and potassium. 



The tree's magnesium and calcium requirements can best be met by maintaining 

 an adequate dolomitic liming program. The pH of orchard soils should be maintained 

 between 6 and 6.5. If a soil test shows that the pH of soil is 5.5 or below, 

 magnesium sulfate sprays should be applied to prevent possible occurrence of mag- 

 nesium deficiency. It takes from 3 to 5 years before dolomitic limestone is 

 effective in correcting magnesium deficiency. When magnesium sulfate sprays are 

 used apply 2 to 3 sprays of epsom salts at the rate of 20 pounds per 100 gallons 

 of water. These sprays should be timed by calyx, first, and second cover sprays. 

 To avoid possible incompatibilities the epsom salt sprays should not be combined 

 with the regular insecticidal and fungicidal sprays. 



Boron shoul 

 most common mate 

 size. Apply one 

 quarters pound t 

 large or mature 

 exceed 50 pounds 

 basis. Polybor- 

 one and three we 

 York State. 



d be applied to orchard soils every three years. Borax is the 

 rial used. The rates of application per tree vary with age and 



quarter pound of borax to young trees, one-half to three- 

 o medium age and size trees, and three-quarters to one pound to 

 trees. In no case should the rate of one application of borax 



per acre. Boron may be applied as a foliar spray on a trial 

 2 or Boro Spray applied at 1/2 pound per 100 gallons of spray 

 eks after petal fall have given satisfactory results in New 



The amounts of fertilizer applied to trees which have received annual 

 applications of 200 pounds or more of hay mulch per tree may be materially re- 

 duced or entirely eliminated. Tree performance should serve as a guide in de- 

 termining the extent to which the rates of fertilizer may be reduced. 



In young non-bearing orchards, it may be possible to produce sufficient high 

 quality mulching material for the young trees by broadcasting 500 to 800 pounds 

 of mixed fertilizer per acre. Place the mulch in a band under the spread of the 

 branches. The amount of fertilizer required for the trees with this system of 

 culture will vary with the quantity and quality of mulch applied around each tree. 

 If the trees are not making sufficient growth, one-eighth pound of ammonium nitrate 

 per year of tree age may be applied to the mulch. 



Recommendations for fertilizing peach orchards are given in the following 

 table. The amounts given may need to be increased if the trees are in a heavy 

 sod. A suggested increase would be to double the amount of nitrogen. 



Suggested Rates of Fertilizer for Bearing Peach Orchards 



