52 BITTER PIT INVESTIGATION. 



As regards yield, the heaviest was obtained from plot 6, with superphosphate and potash ; 

 and the lightest from plot 1, with a complete fertilizer. 



If the second year of the experiment be selected as a typical one, the results as regards Pit and 

 yield are just the same. 



The check row of 15 trees in the second year's experiment had 9 '57 per cent of Pit ; while 

 the average of the manurial plots was 14-46 per cent., so that the fertilizers have not had the effect 

 of diminishing the Pit. There were two plots slightly below the average of the check row plot 7, 

 with 7 per cent.; and plot 5, with 9 per cent, of Pit. 



The average yield of the trees in the check row was 52 Ibs., and of the manured trees 69 Ibs. 

 Ordinary superphosphate and potash gave the highest yield of 103 Ibs. per tree. 



A complete fertilizer gave the highest amount of Pit and the smallest yield. When potash was left 

 out, there was the smallest percentage o\ Pit. The highest average yield ivas produced ivith superphosphate 

 and potash. 



4. AT GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT ORCHARD, BLACKWOOD, SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 



On account of the unpropitious nature of the season there has been a practical failure of the 

 crops, each of the 39 trees only producing, on an average, 7 fruits. Nevertheless, the few fruits carried 

 by the trees were carefully examined immediately they were removed, either by winds or by harvesting. 

 The windfalls were considerably in excess, and the occasional pitted apple was found only among them. 



The rainfall for the year was only 15 inches, as compared with 23 inches in 1913, and the average 

 rainfall for six years has been about 28 inches. 



The effect of green manuring with peas has not yet been tested at Blackwood, but Mr. Quinn 

 informs me that a new plot will be established for this purpose later. 



TABLE XXII. RESULTS OF MANURIAL EXPERIMENTS WITH CLEOPATRA APPLES AT GOVERN- 

 MENT EXPERIMENT ORCHARD, BLACKWOOD, SOUTH AUSTRALIA SEASON 1914-15. 



Clean. Pitted. Per 



Per No. of No. of , cent. 



Test No. Manure. Tree. Trees. Fruits. On Trees. Windfalls. On Trees. Windfalls. Pitted. 



Ibs. 



1 No manure .... 3 42 30 12 



2 Superphosphate . . 1 3 22 7 15 

 ( Superphosphate . . 1 



( Lime 2 



( ( Superphosphate .. 1 



4 J ci i 1 e i i 



\ Sulphate of potash . . | 



( Superphosphate . . 1 1 



5 j Sulphate of potash J 3 23 8 15 

 ( Sulphate of ammonia . . J j 



6 No manure .... 3 19 4 15 

 Superphosphate . . 1 \ 



Sulphate of potash . . i 3 24 11 13 



Sulphate of ammonia . . 



Lime 2 ) 



8 Lime 2 3 18 8 10 



Q f Sulphate of potash . . i ) q i o 



* \ Sulphate of ammonia . . | } 



10 j Superphosphate .. 1 ) lq ? , , - 

 , " 1 Sulphate of ammonia . . J j 



11 Stable manure .... 56 3 14 3 11 



12 No manure .... 3 25 9 16 



13 Sulphate of iron J 3 3 3 



The yield was so small, and the amount of Pit so infinitesimal and so restricted, that no indication 

 was afforded of the action of the manures. 



