31 
Strawberries 
I used runner plants of the Robinson strawberry and gave their roots a thor- 
ough soaking im a solution of the plant food before planting them. Thereafter, the 
plants in one group were fed through their leaves amd those in the other group 
were fed with the usual root fertilizer—small scatterings of bonemeal and sheep 
manure. 
Plants set out June 31 rooted at once and survived the summer. But a sharp 
difference was noted between the groups. The untreated plants were small and 
late in developing; the foliage fed plants were extremely luxuriant, had well- 
developed crowns and healthy dark green leavs. 
Shrub Tests 
In a border where I try out various shrubs, I planted tamarix, budleia, forsythia 
and weigela which arrived on June 10—much too late for safety! I was quite 
aware that it was dangerously late but I wished to experiment and took the chance. 
When I unpacked the shrubs I saw a discouraging sight. Their roots were dry and 
they looked dead. I, nevertheless, soaked their roots in a solution of the plant 
food, set them out and watered them with an abundance of the solution after 
they were in the ground. 
All grew except the tamarix! Not only was life revived in the shrubs by the 
root starter solution but, as time passed, and bi-weekly foliage feeding was begun, 
they showed an amazing vitality and succeeded in extending their growth by 3 
feet of new wood. They, furthermore, went into their dormant period with ex- 
cellent vigor. 
In General 
As I look back over the wet, dismally cold summer 1951, I find myself very 
much awed. Such words as “fantastic” and “unbelievable” do not seem unsuitable 
when used to describe what occurred to my test garden. 
The reaction of a gentleman from Oregon, where conditions are ideal for 
growing things, is significant. He drove several hundred miles to see my foliage 
fed Latham raspberries. Looking at them, he exclaimed, “Those aren’t raspberry 
canes, they’re small trees.” Then, tipping his head back to gaze at the towering 
tips of the canes, he murmured, “Is this true or am I seeing things?” He con- 
tinued to stare as he backed away a few steps and whispered, as if to himself, 
“TI guess this foliage feeding is as real and as fantastic as the atom bomb.” 
It is natural to become enthusiastic when one has achieved something extra- 
ordinary. My garden is a hobby and an escape from a heavy writing schedule. 
When I turn up something unusual in it, I can, if I am not careful, whip up a 
loud and lively enthusiasm. On the other hand, I am a seasoned research man 
in the fields of pathology and bio-chemistry. Such work, as will be granted, does 
not encourage one to go off half-cocked, as it were. 
Insofar as I am concerned, I will use no other method of feeding plants in 
my garden from now on. The effect of nutrients applied to the leaves of plants 
appears to be like a shot in the arm. Plants reach almost immediately, start to 
go places and reach their destinations quickly. 
If you take heed to my words and try foliar feeding, you are going to be 
delightfully surprised. Btt, do please step back away from your plants to avoid 
the swish and rush as they spread out and reach for the sky. 
* * * * * 
In tests at the Riverside Experiment Station, foliar feeding was found to be 
more than 3 times as affective as root feeding, and trees very deficient in nitro- 
gen put on a greatly increased crop as a result of foliar feeding. 
