162 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Per year. 



Phosphoric acid aud potash, 10 3'ears, value of crop, 



$725.65 $72 57 



Nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash, 10 years, value of 



crop, $810.20 81 02 



Annual profit from nitrogen alone ........ 55 



Annual profit from phosphoric acid and potash ... 42 39 

 Annual profit from nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash 50 84 

 Annual gain from addition of nitrogen to mineral ele- 

 ments 8 45 



Annual gain from application of nitrogen alone ... 55 



In this experiment the nitrogen was in the form of nitrate of 

 soda, and because of the ready availability of nitrates was doubt- 

 less all absorbed early in the season, and thus did not encourage 

 late growth of leaf and branch. 



In this experiment, too, a continuous application of excessive 

 amounts of organic nitrogen, while probably not of the greatest 

 advantage, did not prove detrimental; the wood ripened well and 

 the fruit, while maturing a little later in some cases, was quite as 

 good as that from trees which received the nitrogen in the form 

 of nitrates. 



Suggestions as to the benefits of nitrogenous manuring are also 

 furnished by the following examples of actual practice. I note 

 these particular examples, because I have full^knowledge of the 

 facts. 



One of the most productive and profitable peach orchards in 

 our State is now twelve years old, and at present shows no signs 

 of decay or loss of vitality. This orchard, with the exception of 

 one year, has received annually per acre, since the bearing period 

 at three years of age : 



Nitrate of soda 200 lbs. 



Ground bone 200 " 



Acid phosphate 200 " 



Muriate of potash 200 " 



The exception noted is, that one year the nitrate of soda was 

 omitted from part of the orchard ; this omission, in the opinion 

 of the owner, resulted not only in a considerable loss of fruit for 

 that year, but in a diminution of the vitality of the trees, which 



