The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-02-10
FERTILIZERS FOR
APPLES AND BERRIES

The time is rapidly approaching
when the fruit grower must apply his
fertilizer. The aim of this article ia
to assist the grower to decide in ample
time what practice he shall adopt in
order that his requirements may be
provided for.
Apple Grower
1t must be made plain to the apple
grower at the outset that the only fer
tiIizer from which we have had any
appreciahle response has been nitrate
of soda or some other fertilizer high
/ in nitrogen. On limited scale. ex-
perimentally we have had equally. good
results from sulphate of ammonia.
1t is impracticable to attempt to lay
down any blanket recommendation for
/ all growers. Obviously the age of
4 trees, character of soil, previous cul-
tural methods. pruning. cover or shade
crops, fertilization previously practiced
must be carefully considered before
1 any rational plan may be submitted.
However, for the sake of argument we
will assume various conditions under
which the grower may be working.
First: There is the young orchard,
not yet in bearing. AS a rule such
trees will not need fertilization of any
kind. Generally such trees are planted
on new soils and clean cultivation prac-
ticed Strawberries or other hoed crops
are planted in between the trees. The
fertilization and care given the inter
crop should be sufficient to keep a
healthy tree growing vigorously. On
the other hand, if the trees are receiv-
ing good care but do not respond. the
writer recommends the use of a small
amount Of nitrate of soda ranging from
one half to one pound per tree.
The above will apply to apple, pear,
cherry or peach. The use of nitrate is
recommended as a supplement to good
irrigation and cultivation but not as a
substitute. There are many young
trees (replants) in the old orchard.
Often these trees are badly neglected
in that they are growing in sod and
receive no clean cultivation. These
conditions should be remedied and here
again, nitrate can often be used to
advantage.
Trees just starting to bear must be
handled with considerable care. Often
they are making a vigorous growth |
and heavy fertilization and pruning
will retard the formation of spurs and
production of fruit. If the trees are
making a normal growth. it is doubt |
fol whether the use of nitrate will be |
advisable. On the other hand, if trees |
are starting TO bear heavily and growth |
is but moderate. the use Of probably /
two pounds nitrate per tree will be /
advisable. Such trees as a rule have
not yet been growing in the presence
of a shade crop such as clover or
alfalfa.
Then there is the older orchard. Inl
most cases the grower has been using I
nitrate of soda for a number Of years. Il
The response from its use has been n
very satisfactory in that greater yields
have been secured. Tree growth has
been much more satisfactory. In the II
clover or alfalfa has been Il
grown and turned under. Such a prac-
uce is sufficient 10 furnish enough nj
trogen for several crops If followed bv
clean cultivation, assuming, Of course.
that the soil is average and has not
been depleted of plant food bv pro-
,racted clean cultivation or intercrops.
On the poor sandy soil, more than one
green crop must be turned under to
build up-a soil and provide sufficient
humus.
IL should be pointed out that two
ions Of alfalfa are capable of furnishing
approximately 200 pounds Of nitrogen.
ln amount sufficient To grow 500 box
,rop Of apples in addition TO taking
'are Of tree growth. In most orchards
alfalfa does fairly well. That a great
leal of nitrogen, not formerly fixed in
he soil is now being secured from such
. source. is quite evident Trees grow
ng under such conditions make 3 nor
nal growth and produce well.
Experiments with nitrate Of soda
we're msde with trees growing In the
presence Of alfalfa which had been
eCdcd for several years. Neither the
lfalfa nor the trees have ever been
crtlized. The use of nitrate Of soda
Hdcr such conditions during the wear
When heavy crop of apples was borne
id not increase yields or improve quail =
.r of fruit, which was excellent. 6
.vidently the alfalfa was capable II J
furnishing sufficient nitrogen
On the other hand. there are or
hards making scarcely q normal
uwth on which heavy crop IS ex-
ertcd this year. THE alfalfa may be
rCttg WeH ''ruu out. being largely
.rlseed bv grassy sod. We know thst
o alfalfa is less capable 20 fixing =
trCgen and that the grass takes 4
reat deal of available nitrogen. Con- ci,