30 



N. H. AGR, EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[Bulletin 168 



TABLE NO. 23. 

 Atsraoe Weight and Area of Leaves In All Plots. 



The above table is given to show the weight and area of the leaves. It 

 will be seen that the fertilized plots show an increase in both for the season 

 of 1913. The records on the leaves were not made prior to last summer and 

 hence no average can be given. But it is interesting to note that the increase 

 has been constant throughout the fertilized plots regardless of the fact that 

 the twig growth is not increased. 



On examination of the leaves from Plot 1 they showed that the palisade 

 cells were quite short and the second row about half the length of the first 

 row. The parenchyma tissue is loose and the chlorophyll has a yellowish 

 cast, in marked contrast to that seen where the trees are cultivated. These 

 records were made during July of 1913. The area of the leaves was taken 

 by the use of a polar planimeter; 100 leaves from each tree were taken and 

 measured then averages were computed for trees in the various plots. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



A five-year average of the results from this orchard do not show an in- 

 crease in the yield of the fertilized plots over those receiving good culture, 

 or a sufficient increase in the growth of the trees to warrant the use of fer- 

 tilizers. We have applied approximately $250 worth of fertilizers in this 

 orchard, not including the cost of hauling it four miles and its application. 

 It is on such light soil as is found in the Woodman Orchard that one would 

 expect trees to respond to fertilizers if they would anywhere, but such has 

 not been the case. Such a light soil favors maturity and there is not the 

 difference in color of fruit between sod and cultivation that might be ex- 

 pected; it varies some with the season, however. What the future may 

 reveal in this experiment can not be told. But in a very positive way this 

 work shows the advantage that has been gained by plowing this orchard 

 land and practicing a good system of culture. 



