ORCHARD NOTES. 53 



ORCHARD RENOVATION.* 



The work in the "renovation orchard" for the season of 1906 

 consisted of the usual plowing and harrowing, and the applica- 

 tion of the same amounts of fertilizers as in 1905, i. e. two-thirds 

 the amount given during the first three years of the experiment ; 

 or at the rate of about 133 pounds nitrate of soda, 200 pounds 

 of muriate of potash, and 200 pounds acid phosphate per acre, 

 in varying combinations, on the, different plots. 



The effect of the treatment given this orchard is visible as 

 far as the orchard can be seen, and from a hillside one-half 

 mile distant the different plats can readily be distinguished by 

 reason of difference in color and vigor of foliage. On those 

 plats from which nitrogen has been withheld, there is now a 

 decided lack of color and a weak growth indicative of neglect; 

 while on the plats receiving nitrogen, whether alone or in com- 

 bination, a vigorous growth and. rich deep green foliage are 

 evident. On this particular hillside, nitrogen is the one thing 

 lacking; potash and phosphoric acid, either alone or in combina- 

 tion, giving no better results than are found with the check 

 trees. The plat receiving all three elements, however, is decid- 

 edly the best in the lot, although if there is any difference in 

 soil, this is the poorest corner of the orchard. 



The. data given in the tables on pages 54 and 55, continued 

 from last year,* are suggestive. As previously noted, the 

 winters of 1903-4, and of 1904-5, were both exceptionally severe, 

 and many trees were badly injured. While the trees under 

 observation are making a strong effort at recovery, and, in 

 nearly every instance, are forming new tops where the injured 

 portions have been cut away, there was not sufficient vitality in 

 the trees to make this recovery and to form fruit buds in the 

 fall of 1905 for last season's crop. Hence the apparent falling 

 off in productiveness, as shown in column five of the tables. An 

 examination of the trees late this fall, however, indicates every 

 prospect for a full crop again next year. 



* See Bulletin 89 of this Station, p. 18 ; Bulletin 122, p. 190. 



* Bulletin 122 of this Station, p. 193. 



