The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1906-08-01


that have begun to decline. Thus it
can be seen that Mr.. Chenaur has
opened large question, or perhaps we
might say a number of questions.
told Mr.. Chenaur that thought this
decline was not so much owing to the
variety as the condition of the soil
where his Spitzenbergs happen to be
growing.
Of course we all know that there is
much difference in the vigor of diff
ferent varieties of apple trees. But
there is no reason why Spitzenbere
tree that has been planted a dozen
years should be on the decline if the
soil conditions are what they ought to
be. So we must consider what are the
conditions of soil necessary to the
vigorous growth of any kind of apple
tree and then find out what is lacking
if there is decline, whether it can be
restored and how. So the whole ques-
ton of soil fertility must be dis
cussed. That will be taken up in this
department and thoroughly threshed
out. I have been getting ready for
this for several months. 1t is large
subject, but we propose that The
Ranch shall be recognized as an au-
thority an such matters. In this dis
cussion technical terms will be avoid
ed and the matter presented in such
a way that any man with average in
telligence can understand the mat
ter. Of course it will require some
study but the hard problems will b.
solved and the results brought within
the reach of ALL
AS a basis for this discussion l wish
to state what no one will call in
question if he Knows anything about
soil fertility. There are three things
that enter the fertility of all soils, viz,
nitrogen, potash and phosphorus. Ere
quently, instead of the last of these
elements we say phosphoric acid, but
this applies only to a certain prepared
form of phosphorus and that form OF
the element is not always used and
sometimes should not be used, so |
shall say phosphorus and not phos-
phoric acid, unless where the prepar-
ed article is referred to-. The func-
tons of these three elements of fer
tility must in due time be considered
but at present only nitrogen will re-
quire our attention.
II
Nitrogen is the one element of fer
tility that has for it's work the max
ing of vigorous plant growth. With
out sufficient nitrogen in available
form there will be but sickly growth
of trees or plants. Wherever we see
vigorous trees, vigorous potato vines,
vigorous wheat, corn, millet and so on,
we may know that nitrogen is there
in the proper form. 1t is true that
the nitrogen may be in the soil but
not in the available form. That will
be discussed in due time, but the read
err need not worry about that, for
will tell him how he may have this i'm
portant element in the available form
Or in other words, the nitrogen that
I shall recommend to be used will
always be in the available form.
Some one may want to know if
there are not other elements of fer
tility besides the three 1 have named.
Certainly, but they do not fill so i'm
portant place as the three and in
many cases may be dispensed with al
together without serious detriment,
but not so with nitrogen, potash and
phosphorus. These minor elements of
fertility, such as sulphur, iron, lime,
silicon and so on, will be considered
further on. ~
Wherever trees or plants show a
lack of vigor we may know at once
that either nitrogen is lacking in the
soil or that it lacks the available form.
So we conclude without doubt that
the decline of some of Mr.. Chenaur's
trees is owing to the lack of nitrogen.
Wherever the corn, wheat, oats, bar