154 FOOD FOR PLANTS 



Other outward manifestations of the tree's health, 

 whether or not food conditions are satisfactory. One 

 of the first indications of a lack of proper nourishment 

 is the character of the foliage. The leaves on a well- 

 fed tree are numerous, large, and dark green in color. 

 They hang on in the fall until killed by freezing 

 weather. 



"The leaves on a tree suffering from lack of food 

 are small in size and rather pale green in color, and 

 this is largely in proportion to the extent of starva- 

 tion. The leaf fall of a starved tree may be as early 

 as August or September. The new growth on the 

 ends of the main branches of a starved tree is often 

 below eight inches in length, whereas eighteen inches 

 is more normal and gives earlier and better results. 

 Much, however, depends on the season, the variety, 

 the individuality of the tree, and other obscure fac- 

 tors, so that no arbitrary figures can be laid down. 

 The beginner would do well, however, to study the 

 trees closely and early come to understand these 

 symptoms of their well being. If a satisfactory con- 

 dition of vigor exists, it is advisable to leave well 

 enough alone, but if starvation in any degree is pres- 

 ent, it is certainly worth while to correct it." 



In Bulletin 174 of the West Virginia Experiment 

 Station, it is stated that, "Of the three common ele- 

 ments of plant food, nitrogen is the only one that has 

 been uniformly beneficial in the orchard that re- 

 sponded favorably to the use of fertilizers. It was 

 of greatest value when applied in readily-available 

 form, such as Nitrate of Soda. The value of phos- 

 phorus seems to be merely in its effects upon cover 



