316 Fertilizers 



over 90 per cent of the commercial apple-growers in the 

 southern and central sections use fertilizers or manures for 

 their orchards, whereas, in the northern section about 

 70 per cent use manures. In the northern section the 

 orchards are usually located upon soils of a very high 

 natural strength, and which are peculiarly well adapted 

 for the growing of fruits, while in the central and southern 

 sections, the soils in many sections are of medium, if not 

 of very low, fertility. Hence, while the larger proportion 

 of the growers use fertilizers or manures upon the poor 

 soils, a very considerable number use manures for orchards 

 located upon soils which are regarded as of the best ; yet 

 all claim that it is a paying practice. 



There is also a difference in the time at which manuring 

 or fertilizing should begin. When the soil is naturally 

 good the fertilization need not begin with the setting of the 

 tree, as the food obtainable is usually sufficient to provide 

 for a good growth of leaf and wood, and in many cases 

 maximum crops of fruit for a number of years, though 

 even here fertilization should preferably begin as soon as 

 large crops are produced, whereas, on the lighter soils, 

 fertilization should begin when the tree is set. 



The amounts to be applied. 



For these crops, either of the basic mixtures suggested 

 (p. 313) will provide a sufficient proportion of nitrogen, 

 except possibly upon the more sandy soil. On light soils, 

 the necessity for liberal fertilization with nitrogen is fre- 

 quently apparent. In many cases it is possible to obtain 

 the necessary nitrogen from the growing of leguminous 

 crops, as crimson clover, though when these are used they 

 should be plowed down early in the spring, in order that 

 their growth may not interfere with the growth of the tree. 



