Orchard Fruits and Berries 323 



With these figures in mind, it is obvious that upon soils 

 of poor chemical character, but possessing good physical 

 condition, much larger amounts would be required than 

 upon those soils which are well supplied in this respect, but 

 whatever the soil, the tree will need additional food for 

 proper growth, assuming, of course, that a part of the food 

 necessary is derived from the stores of the soil. Assume 

 also that in any case, and more particularly in the case of 

 sandy soils, lime should be liberally used, because it is a 

 well-known fact that the lime does have a very important 

 influence in causing fruiting and encouraging that vigor 

 and stockiness of wood growth that is so important. 



The foregoing points very clearly to the need of artificial 

 fertilization of peaches. No definite rules can be laid down 

 as to the amounts to be applied, and no suggestions made, 

 except that the moment a tree is hungry, that moment food 

 should be supplied, and the evidence of hunger is so apparent 

 in most orchards that much more fertilizer than is now used 

 could be applied with very great profit. One should 

 remember also that not only is the fertilizer necessary in 

 order to feed the plant, but that an ample supply of food 

 contributes to the power of the tree to resist insects and 

 fungous attacks, to outgrow slight injuries, which would 

 result in the absence of proper nourishment in very materi- 

 ally injuring the fruit prospects. 



In order that the tree may be fed the moment it is 

 hungry, an abundance of plant-food, especially the minerals, 

 should be at its command. It is necessary to be more 

 careful with the use of nitrogen. It has already been 

 mentioned that it is well to have the soil in good condition 

 before setting. It is not so necessary with peaches as 

 with apples and pears, but it is a good practice to make an 

 application of 300 to 500 pounds to the acre of a mixture 



