18 



EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[Jan. 



of the whole or a part of the bone. It slionkl be remembered, 

 however, that the bone furnishes some nitrogen as well as phos- 

 phate of lime, while basic slag meal contains no nitrogen. It 

 does, however, supply lime in a considerably larger proportion 

 than the bone, and this is likely to prove valuable on the class 

 of soils under consideration. In some cases it might be ad- 

 visable, in connection with basic slag meal and low-grade sulfate 

 of potash, to give an occasional very light dressing of manure, 

 to furnish nitrogen ; although it is probable that by the intro- 

 duction of a legume as a cover crop the necessary nitrogen may 

 be obtained from the air. 



Pkactical Suggestions. 

 Eor orchard top-dressing the following fertilizer formulas 

 are recommended. In each case the amounts given are intended 

 for an acre. 



The materials recommended should be mixed and applied 

 in early spring. In the case of trees ten or more years of age 

 the mixture should be applied broadcast, covering the entire 

 surface, with the exception of circles about the trunks of the 

 trees equal in diameter to one-third to one-half of the si^read 

 of the branches. There will be few feeding roots within such 

 circles. The practice of piling manure or spreading fertilizers 

 close to the trunks of trees is not to be recommended. ]\fanurc 

 in contact with the base of the trunk increases the probability 

 of injury from insects or vermin, and neither manure nor fer- 

 tilizer so placed is in position to exert its fullest influence in 

 feeding the trees. 



Formula Ko. 1 is likely to prove most valuable on the 

 lighter orchard soils. It supplies a little nitrogen, in which such 

 soils are often deficient and which they have little capacity to 



