52 BEGINNERS^ GUIDE TO FRUIT GROWING 



but on account of the relatively small amount of 

 actual potash contained and of a tendency to acid- 

 ity it is not now used by the best fruit men in this 

 country. 



Phosphoric acid, in connection with potash, is also 

 very important in the growing of fruit. This ele- 

 ment is usually bought either in ground bone or in 

 so-called acid phosphate. While the latter form is 

 somewhat cheaper, the former seems to be rather 

 better adapted to the needs of fruit trees. Another 

 fertilizer carrying phosphoric acid and now becom- 

 ing favorably known for use on fruit trees is basic 

 slag meal (Thomas phosphate powder). While this 

 fertilizer has not been low enough in price in the 

 recent past to encourage its use, it seems to give 

 such decided good results, particularly on sour soils, 

 that it is being used more and more from year to 

 year. 



FERTILIZERS FOR SPECIAL FRUITS 



It is impossible to give exact recipes for the 

 fertilization of particular fruits, though many people 

 seem to expect such statements from the chemists. 

 All that can be done is to ofifer general suggestions, 

 and the following fertilizer formulas are to be con- 

 sidered in that light. These formulas are to be 

 varied as experience may indicate or local circum- 

 stances may require. All figures are given as 

 pounds to the acre, and it is generally understood 

 that the fertilizers are to be put on after the first 

 plowing in the spring and cultivated into the soil. 



For bearing apple orchards Dr. W. P. Brooks 

 recommends :* 



*See Waugh's American Apple Orchard, p. 97. Orange 

 Judd Co. 



