Orchard Fruits and Berries 327 



the crop that may be obtained is largely dependent upon 

 the strength and vigor of plant which has been acquired 

 during this period. Hence, it is desirable that the soil in 

 which the plants are set should be abundantly provided 

 with the mineral elements, particularly with soluble and 

 available phosphoric acid; hence an application of from 

 500 to 800 pounds to the acre of basic formula No. 1 (p. 

 313) is recommended. The nitrogen should also be in 

 quickly available forms, and should be supplied in suffi- 

 cient quantities at time of setting the plant to enable it 

 to mature, and thus to withstand the rigors of winter. 

 Hence, an additional application of 100 pounds of dried 

 blood, or its equivalent in nitrate of soda, is advisable, par- 

 ticularly on soils not previously well enriched with organic 

 nitrogenous matter. In the spring of the season during 

 which the first crop is harvested, an application of a quick- 

 acting fertilizer rich in nitrogen is desirable, since it not 

 only provides for an early and strong growth of plant, but 

 a better setting of fruit, if other conditions are favorable ; 

 and frequently, with a full setting, top-dressings with 

 nitrate of soda are useful, in order to insure the full develop- 

 ment of the crop. Many growers, therefore, who have 

 supplied the soil liberally with minerals and nitrogen, 

 both at time of setting the plants and in the following 

 spring, make top-dressings of nitrate of soda (about 100 

 pounds to the acre), preferably after the plant has blos- 

 somed, in order to insure a sufficiency of this element. 

 This should be applied at this time rather than later 

 in the season, since later applications have a tendency 

 to cause a soft growth of fruit, and thus injure shipping 

 qualities. 



Some growers find it a better practice to supply available 

 nitrogen in the mixture used at the time of setting and in 



