440 



THE APPLE 



Analyses were made of each application of ashes to determine 

 the percentage of potash, with the following results : 



Since 100 pounds of ashes were applied to each tree annually, 

 these figures show the number of pounds of actual potash per tree 

 each season. Thus, during the twelve years 42.31 pounds were 

 applied per tree and 2031 pounds per acre — an average of 169 

 pounds per acre for the twelve years. The amount of potash 

 applied was much greater than is generally used in orchard prac- 

 tice, from 50 to 100 pounds per acre for apples being the common 

 allowance. 



Unfortunately the amounts of phosphoric acid and lime in the 

 ashes used were not determined, but since the amount of phos- 

 phoric acid found in ashes varies from 1 to 2 per cent, 1 1 per cent 

 being a fair average, we can assume that 1 1 pounds of phosphoric 

 acid were applied per tree each year, or 72 pounds per acre. The 

 average analysis of commercial wood ashes shows them to contain 

 32 per cent of lime, so that there was probably added about 

 32 pounds of lime per tree annually, or 1536 pounds per acre. 

 These amounts are in excess of those commonly thought to be 

 necessary per acre for apples, and therefore this experiment has 

 to do with phosphoric acid and lime as well as potash. It is true 

 that phosphoric acid in ashes becomes available slowly, but its 

 effects should be seen in twelve years, especially since the culti- 

 vation and the plowing under of cover crops were favorable for 

 its becoming available. 



It is held by some that the apple does best on a slightly acid 

 soil, and it may be claimed that in this experiment lime has hin- 

 dered the action of the other ingredients. However, no data 

 could be found to show that an alkaline condition of the soil 

 brought about by lime hinders any specific function of potash or 



