ANNUAL REPORT, 1934 71 



The Effects of Fertilizer Limitation on Fruit Plants. (J. K. Shaw.) Fertilizer 

 applications were continued on these plots as for the past forty-five years. A sub- 

 soil plow was run along the borders of each plot to cut any roots seeking to tres- 

 pass on an adjoining plot. This leaves a space of three feet between the plots 

 across which it is doubtful if the roots will pass in one season. Leaf burn was, as 

 in past years, severe on some plots, especially the unlimed potash plots. Tree 

 growth is closely correlated with the amount of leaf burn. 



Some work was done with the Thornton test for potash in the trees. This test 

 indicated that the potash in the leaf petioles was high on all the plots receiving 

 potash fertilizers with the exception of the phosphorus-potash plots; it was low 

 to medium on the unfertilized plots; on the unlimed part of the phosphorus and 

 nitrogen-phosphorus plots it was rather high, while on the limed part it was very 

 low; on the plots receiving nitrogen only, potash was very low. 



Role of Potash and Lime in Fruit Tree Nutrition. (J. K. Shaw.) Work on this 

 project was resumed after one year. Peach seedlings homozygous for vigor factors 

 were grown in pots in soil from the unfertilized limed plots of the preceding project. 

 They were variously treated with sulfur and different nitrogen-carrying fertilizers, 

 including peat and manure. Not enough sulfur was used to acidify the soil so as 

 to seriously interfere with growth. Nevertheless some interesting results were 

 secured. 



Effect of Potash and Lime on Apple Trees. (J. K. Shaw.) The Mcintosh filler 

 trees were removed in the spring that they might not interfere with the Wealthy 

 trees, the entire orchard being now of that vareity. The orchard has been in sod 

 and the appearance of the trees rather poor. The sod between the trees was cut 

 with a heavy disc harrow in the spring, improving growth and foliage color of 

 the trees. Yields were not larger than in 1932. 



Yields are higher on nitrogen plots than on phosphorus-potash plots. The 

 addition of potash to nitrogen seems to have increased yields after a year or two 

 following the first application, and these increases have been greater during the 

 past two years. There is as yet no indication that the addition of phosphorus to 

 nitrogen and potash has improved yields. 



Study of Varieties of Tree Fruits. (J. K. Shaw and O. C. Roberts.) The single 

 tree of Macoun produced its first real crop at the age of nine years. The fruit 

 is of excellent quality and less subject to scab than Mcintosh; not so attractive 

 in appearance, but of good size. The variety will probably prove an annual 

 bearer and is promising for trial, but may not prove as productive as might be 

 wished. It is possible that other more desirable candidates for the place of the 

 much desired "Winter Mcintosh" may appear. One of these possibilities is 

 Kendall of which several trees were planted and a considerable number budded 

 in the nursery. 



Golden Delicious fruited well and is regarded as a promising variety. The 

 quality of the fruit is unsurpassed among winter varieties and the yellow color 

 should not prove a serious handicap. It may be recommended for plantings in a 

 limited way for local markets, but will be more successful in regions where the 

 season is longer and the atmosphere less humid, and this may prevent it from 

 becoming an important variety in New England. It is quite resistant to most 

 insects and diseases. The fruit russets easily from spraying, is easily bruised, 

 and must be stored in high humidity. 



Milton has proved to be often of undesirable shape and we now regard Early 

 Mcintosh as more desirable than Milton. 



