STOKES SEED FARMS COMPANY 



MOORESTOWN 



NEW JERSEY 



Fertilizer 



Hundreds of repeated tests by the various experiment stations of 

 the country have indicated that shade trees, ornamental trees and 

 shrubs, small fruits, flowering perennials, annual flowering foliage 

 plants as well as fruit trees and vegetables are greatly benefited by 

 the use of the proper fertihzer formula. On certain soils, however, 

 fruit trees and shade trees require little fertihzer. For instance, 

 the New York Experiment Station at Geneva has found it unprof- 

 itable to fertiUze fruit trees, whereas the Pennsylvania Agricultural 

 College has found it very necessary. It is, therefore, impossible 

 to enter into the specific fertihzer requirements in the various sections 

 of the country in a catalog of this kind. A few specific examples 

 will be given which it is hoped will be of value. 



The Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale, Cauhflower, Brussels Sprouts, 

 Turnips, Kohl-rabi) require a heav>^ apphcation of nitrogen as they 

 make a rapid growth. Phosphate and Potash should be apphed in 

 proportion. The formula generally recommended before the War 

 has been 4-8-10, but as potash has become so expensive it is beheved 

 that a 2-12-6 wall be equally satisfactorjr. This may be applied in 

 quantities up to fifteen hundred pounds per acre. WTien crop is 

 to be grown for early market, it is, perhaps, advisable to apply a 

 large proportion of nitrate as a basis in the form of nitrate of soda. 



Table Beets, Mangles, Sugar Beets, Swiss Chard — This 

 group probably requires more of the mineral constituents than the 

 above, but otherwise the same recommendations will be true. 



Carrots and Chicory — As this group remains in the groiind 

 throughout the season, nitrate of soda is not usuallj^ apphed except 

 where carrots are gro^mi for early market. They, also, require 

 considerable amounts of the mineral constituents. 



Spinach, Lettuce, Endive, Cress — For this group, nitrogen 

 should be available both in the form of nitrate of soda and in an 

 organic form. It also requires considerable phosphate or potash. 

 For early market, nitrate of soda may be apphed in excess. 



Onions — As a rule, this crop is grown on muck and as this class 

 of soil is imdoubtedl}^ deficient of potash, the fertihzer which is 

 added should contain a large quantity of potash. On upland soU, 

 the fertilizer should also contain considerable potash. 



Potatoes — For the early crop, the formula shoiild contain 

 considerable nitrate as it is desirable to get the crop off as early as 

 possible. Phosphate and potash are also required. For the main 

 crop potatoes, a formula containing two per cent nitrogen, twelve per 

 cent phosphate and six per cent potash wiU prove to be satisfactory. 



Asparagus — Repeated experiments have shown that the jield 

 of asparagus is in direct proportion to the amount of fertilizer used 

 •within certain hmits. The formula should contain a high percentage 

 of nitrogen in proportion to the other elements. Phosphate and 

 potash should be apphed in moderate quantities, the latter in the 

 form of muriate. On sandy soQ, the percentage of potash should 

 be high as this class is generally deficient in this. 



Melons and Cucumbers — Due to the fact that melons and 

 cucumbers are generally grown on sandy soU, the formula should 

 contain a high percentage of nitrogen while the phosphate should be 

 quickly available. The addition of potash wiU help to bring the 

 crop to early maturity. 



Squash and Pumpkin — This group is a gross feeder and, there- 

 fore, requires large amounts of nitrogen. The formula used may be 

 similar to that of melons. 



Celery — As this crop is usually growTi on muck soils, practically 

 the same recommendations will hold true as for onions. 



Peas and Beans — In the garden, these crops are usually grown 

 for earlj' market, therefore, require considerable quantity of nitrogen 

 in spite of the fact that they obtain some from the air. Phosphate 

 and potash may be apphed in moderate amounts as the crop is 

 mature before large quantities are utihzed. 



Shade Trees, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs — In general 

 these require very httle fertilizer because of the wide range of the 

 roots, enabhng them to feed over large areas. However, where 

 trees and shrubs are to be set on poor land, it is advisable to add 

 generous amounts of fertilizer, especially phosphate. If this is 

 done and the growth is not satisfactorj', additional fertilizer should 

 be added around the roots of the trees after the soil has been loosened. 

 Such a fertilizer should contain a jjroportionately large amount of 

 nitrogen. Where trees are being renovated, this is generally one of 

 the methods to produce rapid new growth. 



Apples and Pears — As stated above on some soils, fruit trees do 

 not respond very readily to applications of fertihzer. However, 



more recent experiments have shown that appb'cations of nitrate of 

 soda and nitrate have proven very profitable. ^Vhere cover crops 

 are extensively used, the benefit of nitrate of soda may sometimes 

 be questioned as it is possible to accumulate an excess of nitrogen in 

 the soil, thus producing rank growth. 



It is sometimes beheved that the adding of nitrate will affect the 

 color of the fruits in apples and hke-«-ise that basic slag will produce 

 a more highly colored fruit. 



Peaches — Fertihzer requirements for peaches are much higher 

 than for apples for the reason that peach trees grow much more 

 rapidly and produce fruit earher in the life of the tree. On poor 

 soils, fertihzer should be added at the time of planting the orchard, 

 but where the land is verj^ fertile, a year or two may elapse before a 

 fresh fertOizer is applied. Three to five hundred pounds per acre 

 of a fertihzer containing a moderate amount of nitrogen, a large 

 proportion of phosphoric acid and some muriate potash is recom- 

 mended. ^\Tien the trees begin to bear, a larger proportion of 

 nitrogen wiU be required and the total quantity of fertilizer increased 

 to about one-half or, in some cases, even double. Exce.ssive amounts 

 of nitrogen should not be apphed as it may interfere with the ripening 

 of the fruit. The main point to be remembered in fertihzer appli- 

 cations in the orchard is to have a well-balanced fertilizer rather 

 than to pay too much attention to the total amount. It is seklom 

 that too large a quantity is apphed. 



Plums, Cherries and Apricots — Treatment for these fruits 

 does not vary in any important particulars from that of peaches. 

 The same care should be exercised that excessive amounts of nitrogen 

 are not apphed. 



Blackberries, Raspberries, Gooseberries, Currants — The 



apphcation of moderate amounts of fertihzer in a well-balanced 

 formula is recommended. Excessive amounts of nitrogen are to be 

 avoided because it produces the largest proportionate growth of 

 canes which renders the vine irresistant to disease, so all that is 

 required on a small fruit plantation is the additional suitable amounts 

 of phosphate and potash, the proportions of which should be governed 

 by local conditions. 



Strawberries — In starting a strawberry- plantation, the main 

 point to be kept in mind is that plants making a poor growth will 

 produce but httle fruit during the following j^ear. Consequently, 

 when the plants are set in the field, they should have available a 

 fertihzer reasonably weU supphed vdth nitrogen. Ordinarily, this 

 is apphed at the rate of one thousand to fifteen hundred pounds 

 per acre at the time of the setting, and the next year scattered in a 

 ftirrow plowed between each row or bed, except in the early spring, 

 when it may be broadcast by hand so that the second year the 

 amount of nitrogen should be decreased, as there is danger that the 

 fruits will lack color. 



Grapes — The chief requirements of grapes are phosphate and 

 potash, and where nitrogen is used it should be apphed only in small 

 quantities. 



Commercial Fertilizers — We offer a wide range of formulae 

 which we believe will answer every conceivable purpose. The goods 

 are mixed by rehable manufacturers who are hcensed in this state 

 and other states and who guarantee their product. The prices 

 are the usual retail offerings. In addition to this, we offer nitrate of 

 soda, acid phosphate and potash separately. T^Tiere large quantities 

 of fertihzer are to be used, it is ad^nsable to mix your own goods, 

 thereby not only saving the cost of mixing, but the additional 

 freight charges on filler which fertihzer must necessarily contain. 

 If you do not know how to mix fertilizer 3'ourself, it would be well 

 to apply to your countj' agent or e.xperiment station and they will 

 gladly give you instructions. This is in accord with their recom- 

 mendations. 



The following figures represent formulas showing percentages of 

 Ammonia, available Phosphoric Acid and Potash, in the order given. 

 2-10-0 3-10-0 4-10-0 



2-12-0 3-12-0 4-12-0 



2- 8-2 3- 7-4 4- S-4 



2- 8-4 3-10-2 4-10-t 



2-10-2 3-10-4 4-12-2 



2-10-4 4-12-6 

 In making your inquiries for prices, we would advise you to ask 

 the assistance of your county agent in determining the formula 

 which you most need. We shall be pleased to quote per hundred 

 pounds or per ton. Where you are not able to ask the assistance of 

 the county agent, we shall be pleased to make such recommendations 

 as are possible if you will send a description of your .'oil. 



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