324 Fertilizers 



of equal parts of ground bone, acid phosphate and muriate 

 of potash before the trees are planted, especially upon poor 

 soils. For later years the following recommendations 

 are made, based upon the results of experimental work 

 conducted by the New Jersey Experiment Station : 



For young trees two to three years old, before coming 

 into bearing : 



150 Ib. muriate of potash ] 



300 Ib. acid phosphate f to the acre 



100 Ib. nitrate of soda J 



For the first and second year of bearing : 



150 Ib. nitrate of soda] 

 400 Ib. acid phosphate f to the acre 

 100-200 Ib. muriate of potash J 



During mature bearing : 



200 Ib. nitrate of soda 1 



400 Ib. acid phosphate Y to the acre 



200 Ib. muriate of potash J 



These mixtures are by no means inviolable. Conditions 

 modify their use. The character of the growth and yield 

 of the trees will be a suitable guide to the application of 

 fertilizers. If the yield is poor one year, the application 

 of the next spring may be reduced 30 per cent, and also 

 where leguminous cover-crops are grown as green-manures, 

 the amount of nitrate of soda in the mixture may be re- 

 duced 25 per cent. The tree itself will show in its growth 

 indications of either proper nourishment or lack of it 

 which assist in the management of the orchard. (See Figs. 

 30 and 31, Plate XV.) 



Whatever the fertilization, it should be remembered 

 that the soil should be abundantly supplied with decaying 



