50 BITTER PIT INVESTIGATION. 



SUMMARY FOR FOUR YEARS. 



Taking the average yield per tree for four years to allow for the variation of the seasons, the 

 unmanured plots (18 trees) show an average of 601 Ibs.; while the manured plots (36 trees) show an 

 average of 603 Ibs. 



There is practically no difference in the yield between the manured and the unmanured plots, 

 but the effect of the manure is seen in the decidedly superior fruit. 



The heaviest yield among the manured plots was given by the complete manure, consisting 

 of superphosphate, sulphate of ammonia, and sulphate of potash ; while the lightest yield was from 

 superphosphate and sulphate of potash. 



As regards Pit, there is very little difference in the general average between manured and 

 unmanured plots, the former being 5 per cent., and the latter slightly less, or 4.7 per cent. The use 

 of fertilizers does not seem on the whole to influence Pit to any great extent. 



The lowest amount of Pit was associated with the lowest yield in plot 2, with superphosphate 

 and potash, just the same as in the final year of the experiment. The highest amount of Pit was in 

 plot 5, with superphosphate and potash and fine unburnt limestone. It was practically the same in 

 plot 6, with potash and ammonia and limestone added. 



Highest yield in plot 9, with superphosphate, potash, and ammonia. Lowest yield in plot 2, with 

 superphospliate and potash. Largest percentage of Pit in plot 5, with superphosphate and potash, to which 

 fine unburnt limestone was added' in alternate years ; and practically the same in plot 6, with potash, 

 ammonia, and limestone. Smallest percentage of Pit in plot 2, with superphosphate and potash. 



3. AT MB. W. ROESSLEB'S OECHABD, STANTHOBPE, QUEENSLAND. 



The manures were the same as those of the preceding year, only there was no green manuring 

 in plot 5. They were applied on 22nd July, 1914. 



The Cleopatra trees used in the experiment are 14 years old. 



The rainfall for 1914 was 28 inches, just the average for the district, but it was exceedingly 

 dry about the time when the fruit was maturing. 



Although there was a good setting of fruit, there was a very poor yield in the plots, owing to 

 the large amount of fruit which fell before maturing. This was no doubt partly due to the drought, 

 which was considered to be more severe than any previously experienced. In addition to this, in 

 the middle of January there were some high ranges of temperature and sudden changes, so that in 

 the course of a few hours it fell from 105 to 58 degrees Fahr. 



The size of the fruit ranged from medium to large. Although the crop was very light, the 

 percentage of Pit was less than in previous years, and none of the apples were badly affected. Two 

 cases of apples were forwarded to me on the 4th, and arrived on 17th March. When carefully 

 examined, out of a total of 196 apples, 73 were pitted, thus showing a percentage of 37, which was 

 much higher than that found in the fruit when picked from the tree. 



TABLE XX. THIBD YEAR'S MANUBIAL EXPERIMENTS WITH CLEOPATEA AT ME. ROESSLER'S 

 ORCHARD, STANTHOBPE, QUEENSLAND SEASON 1914-15. 



Plot Per No. of Clean Pitted Per cent. 



No. Manure. Tree. Trees. Fruit. Fruit. Total. Pitted. 



Ibs. Ibs. Ibs. Ibs. 

 I Sulphate of ammonia 1 



1 j Ordinary superphosphate 4 8 59 16 75 21 

 ( Sulphate of potash 1 



H 



Buffer tree 10 5 15 33 



