MANURING OF FRUIT TREES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 551, 19 March 1913, Page 3

MANURING OF FRUIT TREES.

In a bulletin recently issued by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station some interesting particulars are given of a series of experiments in the manuring of appl« orchards in Pennsylvania. The experiments, which extended over three vears, Were conducted in eleven orchards, with an aggregate area of 91 acres, and comprising ten soil types and twelve varieties of apples. It is pointed out by the authors of the bulletin that no recommendation can be made that will be exactly adapted to all circumstances, but as to the results of the experiments they are in a position to state that where a fertiliser is needed good results may be obtained from a dressing of artificial maunre containing 30)b nitrogen, 601b to 751b phosphoric acid, and 501b potash per acre. Young trees require smaller, old trees heavier dressings. Nitrate of s"da should be given after the blossoms fall; other manures during winter or spring. Nitrogen may also be profitably supplied by growing and digging or ploughing in some leguminous crop, such as clover. It is mentioned that the quantities of plant food recommended may be made up as follows per acre: —100!b nitrate of soda 15J per cent, nitrogen, 2501b to 3001b steamed bonemeal 24 per cent, phosphoric acid, and 1001b sulphate of potash 50 per cent potash.