86 



BITTER PIT INVESTIGATION. 



The Manager favours me with the following points of interest :— The crops of 1910 and 1911 

 were the worst for Pit experienced for many years, and ; T believe, since this orchard commenced 

 to bear. The conditions of those years were heavy rains in January and February. Owing to the 

 ploughing under of the green manuring crops as late as August in both years, the conditions during 

 the early growth of the apples may be considered as droughty. This would allow of a check in 

 growth before Christmas, and favorable conditions afterwards. 



In 1911, the green manure crop was ploughed under in June. Good heavy rains fell in 

 November and December. Good rain, ov^er ] inch, fell on 6th January, 1912. For the remainder 

 of the apple season, it was decidedly droughty. The past season (1911-12) was not regarded with 

 us as being favorable for pit. 



Table XV.— Manurial Experiments with Apple Trees (Cleopatra) for Bitter Pit at 



Batuurst Kx pkriment Farm— Season 1911-12. 



Manuring per Acre — 1911 



Plot I. — Check — Absolutely unmanured " 



Plot II. — 1 cwt. Sulphate of Potash 



3 cwt. Ordinary Superphos- 

 phate 



Plot III. — 1 cwt. Sulphate of Ammonia 

 3 cwt. Ordinary Superphos- 

 phate 





Results. 











Yield. 















Per Cent. 

 Pitted. 



Tree No. 



Good 

 Fruit. 



Pitted 

 Fruit. 



Total. 





lhs 



LUDi 



lhs 



lbs. 





1 





M 



223J 



2 -01 



2 



99ft 





233 



2-14 



3 







183 



1 -09 



4 



944 



K 



249 



2*01 



5 

 6 



277 

 190 



n 

 n 



278| 

 191* 



0-45 

 0'78 



Totals for 6 Trees 



1,339 



19£ 



1,358 1 



— 



Averages for 6 Trees 



223 



3*208 





1-42 



1 



133 



1 



133| 



0-56 



2 



297 



8 



305 



2-62 



3 



214 



9 



223 



4-04 



4 



5 



234 

 265 



i 

 i 



t 



234J 

 265f 



0-10 

 0-28 



6 



194 



3 

 4 



L94f 



0-38 



Totals for 6 Trees 



1,337 



in 



1,356 J 





Averages for 6 Trees . . 



222 '8 



3*25 





1-44 



1 



261 



10 



271 



3-69 



2 



284 



L6 



300 



5-33 



3 



172 



1 



173 



0-58 



4 



281 



5 



286 



1-75 



5 



185 



i 



185| ■ 



0-40 



6 



219 





220* 



0*57 



Totals for G Trees 



1,402 



34 



1,436 1 . . 



Averages for 6 Trees . . 



233-6 



5-66 



- 



2-36 



