The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1919-04-17
RESULTS OF BERRY
FERTILIZATION
by Gordon G. Brown
Continued from last week.

That yields have been materially IN
creased by the use Of fertilizer Is
clearly indicated. First, compare re-
suits from plats receiving nitrate
alone in different amounts and applied
at different times. We are chiefly IT.
terested in average yields on a three
year basis and il is TO this your atten-
tiOn IS directed. Yields are computed
on heaped basis Just as brought from
the field, which Is equivalent 70 a
packed crate Ii seems best to com
pare results for both tests at one time.
IL Will be seen that plats representing
total of 40 pounds nitrate to the
10000 plants, one half of which was
put on in early spring Just as growth
was starting and the balance when
blossoms appeared, gave highest yields.
In Test |. PSI crates have, been secured
versus 230 for the Check, OF a gain of
81 crates per acre. TIE yield for the
check is unusually good and probably
doubles the average for the valley.
The significance of increased Yields by
the use of commercial fertilizer under
such conditions is interesting indeed
This high average Is made possible by
the exceptionally high yield for 1915.
that OF 1913 crates. truly remarkable
record considering that no fertilizer
was applied. Results from similar ap
pllcations in Test are consistent with
those in Test |. Plat 3 shows an av-
erage total of $50 crates per 10000
| plants versus lSS for the Check, or an
increase of 62 crates. or 35 per cent.
In Test 2. only. an opportunity is
otfOrded to note average results from
I the use of one (heayyl 4i0 pound ap-
/ phcation of nitrate put on In early
/ spring only. 1t shows very high ay-
erage for three years, or 244 crates
per acre.
/ A further study reveals the fact that
a total of 220 pounds nitrate put on in
two mstalments, although considerably
surpassed by the heavier applications
in Test 2, is Only very slightly exceed
ed in Test |. The figures on three
year average show 277 crates for the
former versus PSI for the latter. Fur.
thermore, it will be noted that a total
application Of 220 pounds nitrate put
on in two instalments gives yields ex
ceeding that from plats receiving a
similar amount put on at blossoming
time, or from plants receiving a simi-
lar total amount put on during early
spring only. The advantage of putting
on nitrate in equal instaments, wheth.
er in larger or smaller amounts, is in.
dicated. That heavier application;
give larger yields than smaller appli.
cations Is also clear.
Results from the use Of sulphate OF
potash or superphosphate alone ar.
Disappointing. In Tests and 2 the
former gives yields on an average low
er than that of the Checks. This il
also true for the latter in Test ], Will,
the slight increase in Test 2 is negllg
ible.
When Complete Fertilizer" wa'
used, increased yields have been Sc
cured. Results in this respect are con
sistent in both tests. The increases
however, are considerably below tina
given for heavier applications of nj
trate. 1t IS also noteworthy that nj
trate when combined with superphos
phate in the proportions indicated
show smaller yields than the checks
hut when combined with sulphate o
potash increased yields are afforded
Results from the combination of pot
ash and superphosphatea are such as /,
afford little clear cut evidence. il
Test results are satisfactory in tina
considerable increase is shown, but
reverse is found in Test 2.
Owing to the fact that it is hoped t.
place in your hands soon bulIeti
covering this experiment | will not re
fer to the matter of size Of fruit
Complete information in regard to thi
matter will be summarized therein.
TO be continued