8 - 



The suggested rates of fertilizer for normal applications are the same as 

 in former years . 



Normal Rates of Fertilizer for Bearing Appl e Orchards 



App roxim a te Amounts per Tree 



Potential bushel 

 yield of tree 



Less than 15 

 15 - 25 

 More than 25 



Nitrogen Potash Ammonium Nitrate 



required required Nitrate of Potash or 0-15-30 8-16-16 



Pounds Pounds 



0.66 1.3 



0.66-1.00 1,3-2.0 



1.33-2.00 2.7-A.3 



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

 cations 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 hand applications. Ferti- 

 lizer 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 maintain- 

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

 maintained between 6 and 6.5 „ If a soil test shov7s that the pH of soil is 5.5 

 or below, magnesium sulfate sprays should be applied to prevent possible occur- 

 rence of magnesium deficiency. It takes from three to five years before dolomitic 

 limestone is effective in correcting magnesium deficiency. When magnesium sulfate 

 sprays are used, apply two to three sprays of epsom salts at the rate of 20 pounds 

 per 100 gallons of water. These sprays should be timed by calyx, first and sec- 

 ond cover sprays. To avoid possible incompatibilities, the epsom salt sprays 

 should not be combined with the regular insecticidal and fungicidal sprays. 



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

 most common material used. The rates of application per tree vary v/ith age and 

 size. Apply one-quarter pound of borax to young trees, one-half to three-quarters 

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

 mature trees. Boron may be applied as a foliar spray on a trial basis, 

 Polybor-2 or Boro Spray applied at one-half pound per 100 gallons of spray 

 one and three weeks after petal fall have given satisfactory results in New 

 York State, 



The amounts of fertilizer applied to trees which have received annual appli- 

 cations of 200 pounds or more of hay mulch per tree may be materially reduced or 

 entirely eliminated. Tree performance should serve as a guide in determining 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 v/ith 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. 



