Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1922-03-17
GOOD Fertilization OF ORCHARD SOILS
BY c. c. Vincent,
Head of Department Horticulture University of Idaho
Reprinted from Idaho Farmer.

crop is removed in the form of hay.
The depletion of the soil of nitrogen
and organic matter, in my estimation,
has been the limiting factor in the
production of large-sized apples in
many of the orchards in Idaho and the
figures presented above l believe bear
me out in this contention.
Not only does lack of nitrogen and
organic matter in the soil affect the
size and quality of the fruit, but tree
growth as well. When the soil shows
this condition the trees are not max
ing normal growth, the foliage is
small, scant, OF pale, unhealthy color
and drops rather prematurely in the
fall. The tree ordinarily blossoms pro-
fusely, but owing to the lack Of vital
ity of the trees, many of them fail to
set fruit.
The essential elements of plant
growth are nitrogen, potash and phos-
phoric acid. Chemical analysis shows
that many of our orchard soils are de-
ficient in nitrogen, but contain sufii-
cient amounts of potash and phOs-
phoric acid for tree growth. Feed the
trees nitrogen in the form of nitrate
of soda or sulphate OF ammonia, and
they will respond very quickly to such
treatment. Such are the observations
made elsewhere and there is reason to
believe they will work under our con-
ditions. However, we must remember
that nitrogen will not supply the or
ganic matter. hence the necessity of
blowing under green manures.
heterogeneous Fertilizers.
Lewis of Oregon, commenting on
the use of heterogeneous fertilizers,
says: The trees have been very
quickly Refrigerated, the foliage be-
coming thick, green and luxuriant, the
wood growth satisfactory, the bloow
| increased, percentage of set greatly in
| creased, the fruit becoming larger, of
| finer quality, the trees giving a much
| larger yield, and the fruit on the whole
| being of good color and, unless an eX-
cessively large amount of nitrate is
used, of good commercial color"
Stewart of Pennsylvania has also
found that nitrogen has been most in
fluential in improving both yield and
growth.
/ Assuming then that many Of our or
/ chards are in need of nitrogen, what
amounts should be applied in order to
| secure best results? While definite
experimental data are lacking on this
point in Idaho, our growers would no
doubt profit by following the recon-
mendations made by investigators in
other well-known fruit-growing Sec
lions of the United States. These rec
concentrations for the use of nitrate as
a fertilizer for apple orchards are as
follows:
! Young trees up to years of age
doing poorly, one-half to two pounds
per tree.
Trees to 10 years growing poorly,
two to three pounds per tree.
Trees 10 to Is years old, making an
Indifferent growth, five pounds per
tree.
Old trees declining in productivity,
8 to 10 pounds per tree.
The time of applying the nitrate of
sod is important The prevailing opin.
ion is to apply early enough in the
season in order that the plant food
may become available for the growth
before the natural supply in the soil
is ready for use. The evidence pre-
sented in Oregon, Ohio and Pennsyl
vania indicates that the most efficient
time to apply is just after the buds
start and just before the blossoms
open. Early applications ordinarily
will give decided increases in the crop
! the first year by producing larger and
more vigorous blossoms, thus increas.
, ing the percentage OF fruit set
The common method of applying the
fertilizer is to scatter broadcast under
the trees, about two feet from the
trunks and well out beyond the spread
of the branches.
Remember that the future farmar