The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1920-03-18
NITRATE OF SODA
NOT CONDEMNED

The impression has gained some
ground that the writer has condemned
the use Of nitrate Of soda as fertilizer
for our orchards and that We are done
with il. Just where such an impress
sion comes from | am unable 10 say.
cannot help but feel that some growers
have simply jumped at conclusions.
The matter Of soil fertility is too big a
pro ilem 10 be dismissed by yes or no.
Our greatest authorities have been
working on the problem for wears and
yet IT must be confessed that much is
yet to be learned. Indeed, even many
of the fundamentals are Vet to be
wOr6 6ed out.
The writer has Just completed ser
les Of articles which were given publ
cation in the local papers regarding the
problem of orchard fertility as he sees
it. If growers would take the time 20
study those articles | am sure a wrong
conception of the proper use of nitrate
of soda would not be gained
Nitrate of soda has been the grow
er's best friend in the Hood River val
ley. We have made more money from
its use during the past six years than
we will probably make from any other
fertilizer in the next ten years. But
we must not overlook the fact that in
MANY orchards il has seved its purpose,
that of providing our trees with nitro.
gen until shade crops such as clover or
alfalfa could exert their full influence.
Our highest authorities claim that com
mercial nitrogen is detrimental to the
growth and functioning of legumes :;
that il prevents bactel ial action and
promotes grasses and weeds instead.
Evidence was introduced to prove this
to be SO. If, then, We are growing al
falfa or clover to gather nitrogen in a
natural way. why apply nitrogen which
may defeat this purpose? Where these
crops have been grown for some time
in the orchard tn ere should now be
enough nitrogen available for our trees.
Should we be unable to maintain a
suitable supply of nitrogen by shade
crops alone. then we may be compelled
to resort to commercial nitrogen. but
the need for this does not exist now.
Should we find eventually that we must
supplement shade crops with CONNER
cial nitrogen we will probably rotate
nitrate Of soda with sulphate Of am.
monla.
The writer in previous articles has
pointed out that our trees consume
large amounts of potash and considera
Bile phosphoric acid that these elements
have no natural source of replenish.
ment such as nitrogen from the air.
For every pound of these elements we
take from the soil we must now or
eventually put back an equivalent if
normal fertility is to be maintained or
built up. We may be able to go on fer
years without any fertilizer containing
potash. for example, and get yields,
but just as surely as the subtraction
principle holds good we are depicting
our normal supply unless we put this
back. This is the reason why the
writer sugge sted that the grower try
out fertilizer rich in potash and phos-
poric acid. If, in the judgment of the
grower, several tons is necessary for a
suitable trial that is Il matter which he
alone may decide. One conclusion is
unavoidable, however. Should the
grower fail to get a response for the
use Of such fertilizer immediat ly his
investment is not lost, but that the sol
at present has enough available plant
food for normal production. Plant
food thus added will be utilized event.
ually. In the meantime normal fertll-
ity is maintained instead of being de-
pleted.
am afraid some growers who are
depending upon their stand of clover or
alfalfa to supply sufficient nitrogen
will be disappointed In many cases
nothing but feeble growth is present
and grasses and sod abound In many
cases little or no cultivation will be
given. Perhaps sufficient irrigation
water will be withheld. If the grower
depends upon that combination this
year, especially with winter injured
trees, he may find himself up against a
hard game. If the soil dries out and
there is warm, quick growing spring
and early summer. such trees are
bound to suffer severely. The only
feasible plan is to plow up such stand
and cultivate, with plenty Of it. But
whether or not blowing is done don t
forget to cultivate in order to conserve
moisture and release plant food. Last
ly, let me urge that you irrigate and
cultivate in very thorough manner.