260 ORCHARD MANAGEMENT 



development of a matured hardy growth. Bones and 

 phosphate rocks are the chief sources of this element. 

 When these are treated with sulphuric acid, the product 

 is called acid phosphate. 



Potash induces the formation of a well-matured growth 

 and high-colored fruit. Muriate of potash, sulphate of 

 potash, and wood ashes are the most common sources of 

 this fertilizer. 



Commercial fertilizers are generally applied to the 

 orchard with a fertilizer drill or by broadcasting and har- 

 rowing them into the soil. This should be done in the 

 spring soon after the trees have started their growth. It 

 is a mistake to fertilize a fruit tree only near the base of the 

 trunk. The feeding roots of a bearing tree are nearly all 

 under the outer branches and between the rows. This is 

 the place where the fertilizer should be applied. 



In maintaining the fertility of an orchard, it is seldom 

 advisable to depend entirely upon commercial fertilizers. 

 They should be used not to replace tillage, green manures, 

 or barnyard manures, but rather to supplement them. It 

 is only on soil of good texture supplied with plenty of 

 humus that the best results with commercial fertilizers can 

 be obtained. 



Pruning. The productiveness of an orchard depends 

 largely upon the skill and attention that is given to pruning. 

 Each tree in an orchard has only as much top growth as 

 its roots can support. The fruit grower desires a vigorous 

 top that will produce the largest and best fruit. Pruning 

 induces this vigor by concentrating the growth into less 

 wood. Many farmers judge the thoroughness of their 

 work by the size of the pile of prunings they have under 

 their trees. Severe pruning induces the growth of water 



