Food for fertilizing during the cold season. About two months before 

 Plants the period of growth begins, apply for each full-grown tree 

 4* a mixture of 7 pounds of high-grade superphosphate and 7 

 pounds of sulphate of potash, by working it in the soil; after 

 which one pound of Nitrate of Soda may be sown on the sur- 

 face. In order to accomplish this application economically, 

 it is well to mix the Nitrate with two or three times the quan- 

 tity of fine, dry soil before applying. The working of the 

 soil must not be so deep or thorough as to start the growth of 

 the tree. An excess of Nitrate is to be avoided, but the 

 amount mentioned is not too much. All other ammoniates on 

 the market must be converted into Nitrate by weathering 

 and the action of the soil bacteria before they can possibly 

 be available for plant food. Nitrate of Soda is a pre-digested 

 ammoniate, and while there is some danger of loss by leach- 

 ing, this is easily avoided by the use of small and frequent 

 applications. With sulphate of ammonia the danger is much 

 greater, as it must be converted into Nitrate before it is 

 available as food, and during this comparatively long process 

 may all be lost by rains and leaching. 



Dried blood, cotton-seed meal and all other ammoni- 

 ates, if used in such quantities as to afford an adequate supply 

 of Nitrate, may cause die-back. No disease results from the 

 proper use of Nitrate of Soda. Besides the possible losses 

 indicated, when other ammoniates are used, there is an actual 

 loss of Nitrogen during the process of Nitration, and all am- 

 moniates must undergo Nitration must be Nitrated before 

 living trees or plants will feed on them. From six weeks to 

 two months after the above applications Nitrate may be used 

 again as above indicated. If desirable, two to three months 

 later a further application of one and a half pounds of Ni- 

 trate of Soda and potash may be made. In the case of your 

 particular soil, it may well be that it is sufficiently rich in 

 potash, and therefore, may not require a large application of 

 it. In any event, the grower must be governed by the condi- 

 tion of his grove and the general character of soil and climate 

 in his particular locality. 



The early decay of orchards as well as failure to set 

 fruit buds, is largely a matter of lack of plant food. Orchards 

 should have Nitrate, applied early in the season, as late sup- 

 plies of Nitrogen are liable to cause a heavy setting of leaf 



