70 



acre rather than in amounts per tree, because of the varying num- 

 bers of trees that are planted on an acre. The amounts per tree for 

 any particular case are readily obtainable, however, by dividing the 

 present amounts by the given number of trees per acre. With young 

 trees the amounts may be reduced approximately in proportion 

 to the area covered, making this area correspond with that of the 

 roots so far as possible. 



Table VI. A General Fertilizer for Apple Orchards. 



(Amounts per Acre for Bearing Trees.) 



Nitrogen 

 30 lb. (N) 



Phosphoric acid 

 50 lb. (P2O5) 



Carried in 



Carried in 



100 lb. Nitrate and 150 350 lb. Acid Phos. 

 lb. D. Blood. 



or in 



or in 



200 lb. bone meal. 



150 lb. Ammon. Sul- 

 fate, or in. 



Potash 

 25 to 50 lb. (K2O) 



Carried in : 



50 to 100 lbs. Muriate. 



or in 



100 to 200 lb. low-grade 

 Sulfate. 



300 lb. Basic Slag. 

 For Young Orchards, reduce these amounts in proportion to area covered. 



This table means that a fertilizer carrying about 30 pounds of 

 actual nitrogen, 50 pounds of actual phosphoric acid and 25 to 50 

 pounds of actual potash should be applied on an acre of bearing 

 trees. Where potash is not known to be lacking the smaller amount 

 may be used, or after a little testing it may even be omitted entirely. 

 With the smaller amount of potash, the essentials of the present 

 combination are carried in 500 pounds of a 6-10-5 fertilizer, and 

 with the larger amount they are carried in the same weight of a 

 6-10-10 fertilizer or its equivalent. In the usual ready-mixed ferti- 

 lizers, the nitrogen is likely to be carried in ammonium sulfate, 

 with which some liming may be necessary if many applications are 

 made, and especially if leguminous cover crops or permanent covers 

 are desired. In special or in homemade mixtures, the various ele- 

 ments may be carried in any of the materials indicated in the table. 



In our work the nitrogen is carried in the combination of 

 nitrate of soda and dried blood indicated in the table. This com- 

 bination carries about equal amounts of nitrogen in each material, 

 and it thus gives a quick action as well as one that is prolonged 

 well through the season. The nitrogen, being the costliest and most 

 active ingredient, requires close watching and possible variations 

 in amount, in order to get the most out of it. It may also be secured, 

 wholly or in part, by the use of stable manure or leguminous cover 

 crops where they are available. With the other carriers indicated 

 in the table, we have very little evidence on their relative values 



