May, 1931] Studies in Economics of Apple Orcharding 37 



The average of the three years was approximately 37 hours per 1,000 

 mature trees (Table 21), with 6 hours per 1,000 boxes normal yield 

 and 5.6 hours per 1,000 boxes actual yield. 



Fertilizer Cost 



Farm 4 applied a complete fertilizer broadcast over the whole area 

 of the orchard at the rate of approximately 1.500 pounds per acre. 

 Farm 2 used a complete fertilizer spread around each tree. All the 

 other farms used either nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia around 

 each tree. 



Computed on the basis of mature tree equivalent (Table 23) the 

 fertilizer cost was approximately $500 per 1,000 trees. Farm 4 had 

 an expense of $1,897 per 1,000 mature trees. This farm has been fer- 

 tilized heavily for many years and considerable hay has been taken from 

 the orchard. The practice may have paid in the past, but it would be 

 better to discontinue it now. If this farm is excluded, the average cost 

 of fertilizer is $376 per 1,000 mature trees. 



Farms 2, 3, 9, 10, 11 and 12 had more than $400 cost per 1.000 

 trees. Farms 5, 7 and 8 had a cost between $300 and $400. Farms 1 

 and 6 had less than $300 per 1,000 trees. 



Computed on the basis of expected normal yield, the average cost 

 for fertilizer was $83.54 per 1,000 boxes. Excluding Farm 4, the 

 average cost was $63 per 1,000 boxes. Farms 2, 3, 8, 10 and 11 had 

 costs between $60 and $100 and Farms 1, 6 and 7 had costs below $60. 



Computed on the basis of actual yields, the average cost of fer- 

 tilizer was $75.81 per 1,000 boxes. Excluding Farm 4. the average 

 was $58 per 1,000 boxes. Farms 3, 4, 10 and 11 had costs above $100 

 per 1,000 boxes. Farms 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11 and 12 had costs between 

 $60 and $100 per 1,000 boxes. Farms 1, 6 and 7 had costs below $60. 



Since the orchards are for the most part in sod, it is agreed that 

 nitrogen fertilizer is essential. The materials most commonly used 

 are nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia. The quantity varies 

 widely. Some growers with trees 15 to 20 years of age use but three 

 or four pounds of the nitrate, and others with full bearing trees as 

 much as 16 pounds. When sulphate of ammonia is used, since the 

 price is usually about the same as that of the nitrate, the tendency is 

 to apply the same quantity although the actual nitrogen content is 

 higher. Adding the other elements in the proportion of a 7-8-5 com- 

 plete fertilizer practically doubles the cost. ^ There is no evidence that 

 the additional material influenced yield or quality. The two operators 

 who applied a complete fertilizer secured good yields but no higher 

 yields than several who applied only nitrate of soda. 



SOIL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 



Cultural operations are devoted chiefly to the conservation of mois- 

 ture, maintenance of organic matter and rendering available of the 

 nitrogen and other elements in the soil. 



The problem of orchard soil management has been solved in dif- 

 ferent regions by the adoption of dififerent practices. In some areas 



iThe sulphate of ammonia cost approximately $6 per ton, the nitrate 

 slightly more, and complete fertilizer about $40. 



