Fertilizers for Peaches and Others 147 



it should receive at the outset from 300 to 500 pounds an 

 acre of a fertilizer containing a moderate amount of nitro- 

 gen derived from appropriate materials, a fair quantity of 

 available phosphoric acid, and a generous amount of 

 potash in muriate of potash. On soils in which potash is 

 naturally very abundant, the supply can be greatly 

 lessened. 



"When the peach trees come into bearing, more nitro- 

 gen will be required than at the outset, and the total 

 quantity of fertilizer may then be increased one-half, or 

 even more than doubled. In the case of peach trees, con- 

 stant watchfulness is required to make sure that neither 

 too little nor too much nitrogen is used. An excess of nitro- 

 gen will prevent proper ripening of the fruit, and of the 

 wood in the autumn, whereas too little will mean abbrevi- 

 ated crops, loss of vigor, and at the same time the lack will 

 create conditions favorable to disease. In any case, ample 

 supplies of phosphoric acid and of potash, as muriate, 

 should be provided to meet any possible need. If a little 

 extra nitrogen is required in the spring, it may be applied 

 in nitrate of soda, or, if the soil is properly limed, sulfate 

 of ammonia may be substituted for the nitrate of soda if 

 desired." 



Plums, apricots and cherries probably require about 

 the same treatment as peaches except perhaps not so 

 heavy, although sweet and sour cherries and plimis are 

 said to need much more liming. 



Quinces are reported as responding to lime in about the 

 same degree as cherries and plums. 



Grapes. — Field experiments by the New York (Geneva) 

 Experiment Station gave confusing and unsatisfactory 

 results not only with commercial fertilizers but with stable 



