THE APPLE 31 



Hardwood ashes, at the rate of from, one to two 

 tons per acre, with the same amount of fine ground 

 bone, as in the above formula, will often give as good 

 results. Another formula that would give good results 

 under most conditions is 



400 to 000 pounds South Carolina rock (fine ground) 

 100 to 300 pounds sulphate of potash 

 100 to 300 pounds nitrate of soda 



An application of air slaked lime at the rate of 

 from one-half to one ton per acre will sometimes produce 

 remarkable results, especially wdiere nitrate of soda is 

 used, or if the soil is well supplied with organic matter. 



If the soil be very poor, as indicated by the slow 

 growth of the trees, more nitrate of soda or some stable 

 manure must be used. If the land is rich and the 

 trees are making a large growth of wood, use only bone 

 and potash or wood ashes. The effect of the nitrogenous 

 elements is to increase the leaf action of the plant and to 

 a large development of wood; that of the potash to 

 cause a large development of starch and sugar in the 

 plant and fruit; while the phosphoric acid tends to a 

 large development of the seed or fruit. 



As with stable manure, the best time to apply 

 fertilizers is late in the winter or very early spring, 

 before growth begins, except those containing quickly 

 soluble nitrates, as nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammo- 

 nia, etc., which should be put on just as growth begins 

 in the spring, and in some cases where growth' is weak 

 or when a large crop of fruit is to be matured, during 

 the earlv summer. 



The above formulas may be varied by the gi'ower 

 from season to season, but not far from the above 

 amounts will be needed to keep a good growth under 

 average conditions. Bearing trees, to produce a good 

 crop of fruit and not become exhausted, should make 

 a new growth, as previously stated, of from six inches 



