146 The Principles of Fruit-growing 



Plat 1. Check (unfertilized). Pounds 



Plat 2. Nitrate 2^ 



Dried blood 3^ 



Acid phosphate 10 



Plat 3. Nitrate 2^ 



Dried blood 3 }/% 



Potash 2 



Plat 4. Acid phosphate 10 



Potash 2 



Plat 5. Check. 



Plat 6. Nitrate 2^ 



Dried blood 3^ 



Acid phosphate 10 



Potash 2 



Plat 7. Same as Plat 6, plus lime 12 to 25 



Plat 8. Manure 400 



Plat 9. Check. 



"The quantities are pounds for a mature tree in bearing. 



"This test should be located in a typical part of the 

 orchard, and should include not less than five average trees 

 of the same variety and age, in each plat. All the trees 

 should be labeled and carefully measured at a fixed point 

 on the trunk, and definite records of their growth and 

 yields should be kept for at least three years. Frequently 

 good indications of the orchard's needs may be obtained 

 in less time than this, but at least this time should be 

 allowed and more should be used when necessary." 



Peaches. Wheeler says that "peach trees are less in 

 need of lime than apple trees, yet liming is nevertheless 

 often desirable, even for its indirect benefits. The fertilizer 

 demands for peaches are much greater than for apples 

 for the reason that the trees grow far more rapidly and 

 bear early and abundant crops. On poor soils generous 

 fertilization must be provided from the outset, but if the 

 land is very rich or heavily manured, fertilizer may be 

 omitted for the first year or two. If the soil is very poor, 



