The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1906-03-22

Straw berry Fertilizers.
Whether the strawberry plants are
started in the fall or in the spring, the
latter season should be the time for
the chief fertilizer application for the
crop: =, 1t Is equally true that the plant
and the fruit should be given separate
consideration in the matter of fertiliZ-
ing, irrespective Of the time of appli-
cation. Failure to recognize this fact
in practice is. one of the most frequent
causes for lack Of success with this
crop.
The first object of the strawberry
grower is tQ.get the plant well started.
His first product must be plants-foli-
age, His second object is to make
these plants bear a crop-fruit. Foil
age makts gTeat,dGmand ON nitrogen.
Fruit requires liberal supplies of pot
ash. The rational fertilizing of straw
berry plantations is essentially the
pTactical'Application and proper rela-
tion of ldcse two facts. 1t should not
be inferred that either of these too es-
senIal plant foods alone will produce
tistW,ory results on the portion of
e crcpto which it is specially adapt
ed, Both are: Indispensable to the
normal growth of each part of the
plant, hlt each possesses especial rela-
tious TO the development of a single
part .cf the straw berry plant, and the
prBp0Eti0n Jf t be two materials should
he varied TO meet the requirments Of
taCu OF these parts at the time when
the eg :IopuiQnt Of this part of the
pl4ut:f tie chief work of the plant.
HAB long season of growth before
trUl5 production beglns renders the
GiFi'ioa and prOpOrtI'oning OF the fer
tiitEgr applications, SO as to meet
these agpaI ate. qqlrements, entirely
ieasrblsa. This division of the total
apgllQQt! On. of fertilizer has further
advantsge. Nitrogen is not only the
u1sU costly Ingredient of all fertiliz
err, bat 1T is also the one most subject
to Iets .iA drainage waters. In Sec
tiols where the ground is not thor
Gugtly frozen during the winter, but
is subjected to heavy washing rains
durIn. this season, all nitrogen in ex-
cess 81 the immediate requirements
Cftbe plant is exposed to the danger
o. F.t tlANo waste oeIOIe Ihe eAcees cdh
be-Ws,d ig tie crop. Excessive early
ar-,btHglup5 Of nitrogen, moreover are
asct.'I1'ui6d, by a further disadvant-
age: 200 inQGh nitrogen in the fall or
earlr spring, increases the danger of
sa5tggks from freezing. Liberal
amoUnLs of potash, on the other han 4,
Increase tHe hardness OF the plants,
and diminish TINS danger.
Another progeny OF Chese Two pant
foods, T. on aNeelai lulp JFCance, as re-
lated 10 ths chaIacter Oh the run pro-
ouoo .AcosslNe nitrogen TENDS 10
If.Ho'h /. berI les blOeral potash
IeaDt..g IeLds IN the 0ppoSlte az
Te"uon, aad lhcrease,s5 the shlpplhg
Quality ri LAe lr"lF: WIN these con,
tr-it0g lh lrlnd, the proper aDu
ecoaoaicaI teitiliZing OF the straw
'rii! crop Is con. a'S'lNo'S Siu'pi0'
At least two general appleatlons ol
ter.iiller sh'%Ia De lhade' IN tno cast
OF t-l1 ira4stIanIlng,, tne totai anou9s
o ! teHt 1000 deemed adRlsa pie shoulu
be uEideu' lhto Chree hppllcations'
Ire yplal U1h1tIl% OF lerUllizei W "
~a-d uasu lscessnEHy depeno on local
it, and character 9f the s IL IL mus.
be ftugmLared, however, tnaI 10 In'
cJoris H4betNI teeder' from l, ooV t t'
2,uJ5 pounds er acre VIII cover Cn'
usual range under average eohdltlons
Iheiifrt applca, Oh may 0e compare
HN@F small ms should oe mau'
Wh4-,the ground Is prepared to[ tn'
plants. 1t should be broad casted ah'
proved Of narrowed in' Ihis hrst ap
plicatiQn sh6uid geneially consist o
about dne-thIrd OF the total %amcun %
intended for the crop, IL snoul'
usually consist OF about per cent 0
FETGsphoric acid, . per cent OF nltro
ggu and per cent OF potash Ines
BsatGIIs and proportions Would D
SUPPLIED 10y 2oO pounds OF acid phos
unite, gao gGuuds OF nitrate OF 500
al.leSJ,pQpuds OF hlgh' grade sulphaU
g. potash.
"-Gl>e nroportions of the essentials i
.sg6so7aeut applica tions should b
cfanfad iR accordance with the prin
.trfs' .lfady discussed. A percent
tee rogpos1Lion of 6-3--1O woul
u&u those average requirements;
naturalization would supply thes
rga.ae. la3s In the follwing mixture
E1{-,go. ,i,4ste. 500 lbs nitrate {
a.oa. g,y lis. high grade sulphate
E.s., I'd. ~ lEs. This mat' rial shoul