January, 1919.] SOD, TILLAGE AND FERTILIZERS. 27 



be compared with the first five plots which received no fertiUzer 

 treatments whatever. This plot received annually the follow- 

 ing quantities of fertilizer per acre : 



70 pounds nitrate of soda, 

 116 pounds basic slag, 

 52.5 pounds sulphate of potash. 



The fertilizer was broadcast over the entire soil area of the 

 plot, and was applied usually about the time the trees were in 

 bloom or a few days later, but on one occasion, due to very wet 

 land, it was not applied until late in June. 



An effort has been made from time to time to discover any 

 particular effect of the basic slag on the appearance of the fruit, 

 growth of tree, fohage, fruit buds, etc., but nothing of a striking 

 nature could be seen or that would in any way set it off from the 

 other fertiUzed plots. The yield of this plot averages the highest 

 of the five fertilized plots and was the highest in yield per tree in 

 five of the ten years. It is not yet clear whether this is due to the 

 basic slag or to some other cause. The yield is practically the 

 same as in Plots 4 and 5, being 258 pounds per tree, or 188.48 

 bushels per acre, as compared with 262 and 268 pounds respec- 

 tively for the other two mentioned. In size the fruit ranks the 

 same as in Plot 5, thus showing no superiority in this regard. 



In growth, however, this plot shows a superiority over the un- 

 fertilized plots and averages 9.08 inches twig growth per tree. 

 The color of the foliage of this and the subsequent fertilized plots 

 appeared identical with that of Plots 4 and 5 for the first six 

 years of the experiment, but since that time a clear line of de- 

 marcation has been seen. The fertilized plots have taken on a 

 darker green color, the leaves are larger and the general ap- 

 pearance of the trees stronger than those in the unfertilized plots. 

 This increased growth of wood should ultimately bring about an 

 increase in the yield. 



Plot 7. 



This plot receives the following fertilizer per acre: 



70 pounds nitrate of soda, 

 109 pounds acid phosphate, 

 52.5 pounds sulphate of potash. 



