White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1929-01-04
GROWERS REQUEST
DEMONSTRATION PLOTS
BY E. C. Durole

fOr demonstration fertll1ZatlOn plots
on orchards, asparagus and straw
berries. Commercial fertilizers should
give best results if applied during tile
winter months. 1t would be well for
these who would like to fertilize any
one OF these crops, to purchase fer
liners sorae time in the near future
and make the application as soon
as possible now. For the variety crops,
we would recommend the following
fertilizers and rates of application. For
most of the orchard crops, careful
check should be made on the growth
produced last year. Trees which have
produced good growth of to Is in
ches should not be fertilized, at least
not heavily, with any fertilizer, ac-
vording to the best recommendation
ne have been able to get Fertiliza-
ton on an orchard of this kind would
.ugt have tendency to increase the
twig growth and effect the develop
g1ent Of color particularly for apples at
the time fruit should color. Trees which
show only a small amount Of terni-
nal growth, to inches, and which
showed lack of good color and size
of leaves, should be fortified with
either nitrate of soda or ammonium
suIrhate at the rate of to 7 pounds
of nitrate of soda or S to 6 pounds
of ammonium sulphate per tree; for
trees which show medium terminal
growth, not more than III to 8
pounds of nitrate or to 21l pounds
of ammonium sulphate should be
used. This fertilizer should be ap-
p.ed as we said previously, very soon,
and should be broadcasted over the
entire area between the tree rows
and not scattered to closely to the
tree itself as roots will be found not
closer than three feet. For those who
would like to experiment a little, we
would recommend a small plot of
the orchard being fortified with a
ccnplese fertilizer made up of the
same amount of nitrates, (either nj
trate of soda or ammonium sulphate,
preferably the latter) used on the
remainder of the orchard, and then
applying pounds Of superphosphate
and 3 pounds of muriate or sulphate
OF potash per tree to this small plot.
A complete fertilizer of 5-6-8 com
POSITION or such a fertilizer as More
erop L or any other such fertilizer
an be applied in place of the nitrate,
superphosphate and muriate or sui
Pirate of potash. In using the fertili-
ger of SOB composition, it would
be necessary to apply % pounds per
tree to get the same amount of ele-
lnents added to the soil, as would
be added by the amount of the in
dividual fertilizer given above. We
would be glad to have growers check
the commercial fertilizers against
the application of nitrate alone. A real
check on this could be had only if
this work were followed UP over a
i've or four year period. ANY one
Interested in having the County Agent
assist in outlining the fertilization of
the orchard, should write to the Coun-
ty agent.
For asparagus fertilization, I would
recomned essentially the same system
of fertilization, that is, the fertiliza-
ION of the entire acreage with nj
rate OF soda at the rate of 400 pounds
70 the acre or 300 pounds of an1mon-
UNI sulphate. A small plot could then
De marked off across one end, on
which, the same amount of nitrates
would be applied in addition to ESQ
pounds muriate of potash and 400
pounds of superphosphate to the acre.
1t would always be well if a check
strip on which no fertilizer is ap-
Piled, consisting of two rows at the
least, could be left so as to determine
Just what effect the fertilizers have
had. 1t so happens that weather con-
ditions sometimes, seriously effect the
yield and by leaving the check strip,
one can get the results of the fertiii-
cation regardless of weather influen-
ces. 1t might also be well if small
plot could be fortified with manure
acne at the rate Of application which
can be economically applied. We are
f1ndlng that some of our asparagus
fields are being given coat of man
ure which is not economical consider
ing the general farm program, and the
fertilizer needs of the various areas
on the farm.
The above application of CONNER
Ola! fertilizers is on the acre basis
and M. D. Armstrong, extension spec
!!allst in horticulture at the college
mas recommended that two applica-
tons be made, one at this time Of the
year, and the other immediately after
cutting. The one at this time of the
year, should be broadcasted over the
surface and the one Immediately after
CUTTING, applied in the bottom of the
irrigation III bitches. Each application
tnen would require just half the
amount that is given above.
Strawberry fertilization should he
arranged just as those for asparagus
but the amount of fertilizers will be
as follows: ESQ pounds nitrate of
soda or 200 pounds of ammonium
sulphate, 200 pounds of potash and
500 pounds of superphosphate. The
application of these fertilizers should
be made at two different times of
the year, one application now, and the
other Immediately after harvest. At
the Hort meeting at Kennewick, grow
ers stated that much better results
were secured where furtiEzers were
applied directly to the rows than be-
tween rows for strawberry fertiliza-
ton Care must be taken, however.
that fertilizers be supplied at a time
when plants will not be dry for
long period, preferably just before
or during a rain.
E. c. Durdle. County Agt.