TRAINING THE TREES 95 



r (1) 100 to 200 lbs. muriate; or 



, (2) 100 to 200 lbs. sulphate; or 



(3) 400 to 800 lbs. kainit; or 



^ (4) 1000 to 2000 lbs. wood ashes. 



For pounds of different materials per tree, divide each by 50, 

 and sow it broadcast under each. 



Practically the same amount of fertilizer is recommended for 

 the pear and quince as for the apple. The stone fruits, as cher- 

 ries, plums, peaches, etc., are given a little heavier dressing of 

 nitrogen and phosphoric acid, but: not quite so much potash. 

 Grapes require tbe same as apples; only about 20 lbs. less of 

 potash per acre. Small fruits, as currants, gooseberries, and 

 raspberries require about the same as grapes, but more nitro- 

 gen. 



Too much nitrogen is to be avoided, as the tendency will be to 

 run to growth rather than fruit. The potash may be applied in 

 the fall, also one-half the phosporic acid; but the remainder 

 should be applied in spring. Potash is generally considered 

 the most important constituent, since fruits withdraw much 

 larger quantities of it than the nitrogen or phosphoric acid. 



(3) Training the Trees. 



Whether to start the limbs high or low on fruit trees depends 

 upon the kind of fruit under consideration, and even different 

 varieties of the same kinds. Some varieties have natural droop- 

 ing habits, and will require higher trunks than others which 

 grow more erect. The Burbank plum, for example, has a very 

 umbrella-like top, and when laden with fruit bends to the 

 ground, and hence needs a comparatively long trunk. Many 

 other varieties of plums have a naturally upright growth, and it 

 is an advantage to start the head rather low. With apple trees 

 four to five feet is considered about right, depending again upon 

 the character of the variety. Peaches are headed comparatively 

 low, — from twelve to eighteen inches at setting. It is more 

 difficult to work the soil about low-headed trees, and it is 

 thought that the circulation of air is checked, thus favoring 

 fungous diseases as well. High heading also has its faults, in 

 that the fruit is not so easily harvested; the trees are more 

 likely to break down; the damage from windfalls is greater, 

 and the expense in pruning and spraying is larger. It is advis- 

 able to visit orchards and get ideas of this question before pur- 



