THE EFFECTS OF FERTILIZERS IN A CULTI- 

 VATED ORCHARD. 



J. H. GOURLEY. 



SUMMARY. 



1. — This bulletin gives the results of various cultural and ferti- 

 lizer treatments on a bearing Baldwin apple orchard for a 

 five-year period. 



2. — The factors considered are yield, growth and size of fruit. 



3. — The five-year average shows all methods of treatment to be 

 superior to growing trees in sod as regards yield and size of 

 fruit, and growth of tree. 



4. — Cultivation annually every two weeks until September 1st, 

 has given results on yield and growth superior to cultivation 

 every other year, including a cover crop the alternate years 

 of cultivation. 



5. — A good system of culture, namely, cultivating the orchard 

 every two weeks until midsummer, then seeding down with 

 crimson clover, has given practically as good results on yield 

 of fruit and growth of tree as that obtained by the addition 

 of a complete fertilizer or when either phosphoric acid, 

 potash, or nitrogen are used in excess in the complete 

 fertilizer. 



6. — Up to the present time we have not received any cash return 

 for the fertilizer that has been used in this orchard. 



7. — The size of fruit has been increased by the use of fertilizers, 

 especially by the use of excess nitrogen and potash, as shown 

 by the percentage of No. 1 apples. 



8. — Both the area and weight of the leaves were increased by the 

 use of fertilizers in the year 1913, no records being taken of 

 these factors previously. 



9. — Lime had no appreciable effect on any of the factors consid- 

 ered. 



10. — Color of fruit has not been increased by any combination of 

 fertilizers employed. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The investigations which have been conducted up to the present 

 time on the problem of maintaining soil fertility in the apple 

 orchard, lead to but one general conclusion, namely, that it may 

 or may not be necessary to use commercial fertilizers. This 

 general conclusion would lead to the specific recommendation of 



