ANNUAL REPORT, 1931 235 



This orchard was originally used as a test of different fertilizers and con- 

 tained one plot which had received no fertilizer. In 1925 this plot was in very 

 poor condition and since then it has received nitrate of soda at the rate of 500 

 or 300 pounds per acre. It is interesting to note that these trees have steadily 

 improved in vigor, and for the past two years the crop has compared favorably 

 with that of the fertilized plots, considering that the trees are considerably 

 smaller. 



Comparison of Cultivation and Sod in a Bearing Orchard. (J. K. 



Shaw). This experiment has continued as modified in 1927. The sod plot re- 

 ceiving potash in addition to nitrogen continues to give an apparently larger 

 jneld of Mcintosh and possibly of Baldwins than the companion plot receiving 

 only nitrogen. The sod plot receiving 500 pounds per acre of nitrate of soda con- 

 tinues to yield slightly better than the plot receiving only 300 pounds. The cul- 

 tivated plot with 300 pounds per acre of nitrate yielded more in 1931 than the 

 plot without nitrogen, but not such a remarkable excess as in earlier years. 



It seems doubtful whether an orchard can be maintained in sod so as to 

 give maximum yields, even with rather liberal applications of nitrogen. 



The orchard formerly used in a study of head formation in apple trees is now 

 used for a fertilizer test, and regarded as a part of this project. Three of the 

 seven plots received no fertilizer from planting to 1931, while the other four 

 received nitrate of soda at the rate of 200 pounds per acre beginning in 1925. Be- 

 ginning in 1931 two of the unfertilized plots received nitrate at the rate of 300 

 pounds per acre applied in the fall, while two of the nitrate plots received muriate 

 of potash in the spring at the rate of 200 pounds per acre. There are no indica- 

 tions that potash has increased yields, while the fall nitrogen applications after 

 the harvest could not influence the crop in 1931. The nitrogen plots yielded 

 between two and three times as nuxch as the plots which never have received 

 nitrogen. 



Comparison of Clover Sod and Grass in a Sod Mulch Orchard. (J. K. 



Shaw). This orchard was limed in the spring of 1931 and the fertilizer treatments 

 continued as before. White clover continues to prevail in the potash-phosphorus- 

 lime plots, but the yields in 1931 were only about one-half those of the complete 

 fertilizer plots. The percentage of fruit dropping was, as last year, larger on the 

 complete fertilizer plots. 



Tests of DilTerent Amounts of Nitrate of Soda. (J. K. Shaw). This 

 project has been modified by applying the fertilizer only in the non-bearing 

 j'ear. This calls for omitting fertilizer in the spring of 1932. Yields continue to 

 be larger with larger amounts of nitrogen. 



Comparison of Cultivation and Heavy Mulching for Apples and 

 Pears. (.1. K. Shaw). Most of the pear trees have been removed from this 

 orchard. Since it is apparent that cultivation without nitrogenous fertilizers 

 is not a wise orchard practice, the cultivated plots received nitrate of soda at 

 the rate of 300 pounds per acre beginning in 1931. The Mcintosh trees have 

 apparently responded to this treatment, giving the largest j'ield of any year 

 except in the heavy crop year of 19.30. The Wealthy trees have given a less 

 distinct response but the crop was very small, this being the off-bearing year. 



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

 The old ".soil test'' field was replanted in the spring of 1931 with own-rooted 



