Test Plat for Apples 145 



upon the slowness of the growth of the trees. It is usually 

 much simpler to make a single application of a complete 

 fertilizer in which the nitrogen is present in nitrates, ammo- 

 nium salts, soluble organic compounds and in less quickly 

 available organic forms than to apply nitrates at two or 

 more different times. When such complete combinations 

 are used the danger of loss by leaching is greatly lessened 

 and a satisfactorily continuous but properly decreasing 

 supply of nitrogen for the trees is assured. The fertihzer 

 application should not be made later than just after the 

 time the fruit has set. Many good authorities even advise 

 waiting until this time in order to gage the application 

 according to the probable yield and requirement of the 

 trees." 



As to lime, Wheeler states that "apple trees, as a rule, 

 respond to liming rather better than pear trees; neverthe- 

 less, on very acid soils there are several good reasons for 

 liming even pear trees. An occasional application of mag- 

 nesian lime may be desirable, but if used it should be 

 alternated with applications of purer lime." 



A test plat for apples. — Stewart also gives advice for 

 "determining the actual needs of an orchard," or for 

 making a test : 



"The general fertilizer formula just indicated (page 143) 

 is for use only until the exact needs of the particular 

 orchard can be determined. In other words, it is intended 

 only to meet the immediate demands. If in the meantime 

 one wishes really to answer the question of how to fertilize 

 his own orchard, he can do so by following the plan out- 

 lined in the following table. This plan is especially adapted 

 to the needs of commercial orchardists and to 'com- 

 munity' tests on the part of the smaller growers." This may 

 require some work, but the results should be worth it. 

 J 



