| Show horticultural hints NITROGEN OF MUCH BENEFIT any light color on foliage Is indication of need of fertilizer for trees increased prices and increased crops are in store for the fruit growers chop apply nitrogen to weak treen with light green or yellowish foliage it if the trees orchards In Irl bearing heavy crops are ara not making a strong growth this year they may not be able to size up the fruit and set strong buds for next year unless a little additional stimulation Is given advises the new jersey agricultural asperi experiment ment station As lack of nitrogen Is generally the limiting factor in orchard soils the influence of this fertilizer Is felt a almost immediately by fruit trees on healthy peach and apple trees the foliage should be dark green and any general light color on the bollage Is usually the first indication of the need of this fertilizer it may be applied at tiny any time that the trees show need of it the usual recommendation age apple soils ts is for the application of from to pounds of nitrate of soda and to pounds of acid phosphate and on light soils pounds of nitrate of soda in the early summer if the tree lias has a large crop and the foliage shows need of it this supplementary application should be made now where needed A part or all of the nitrate requirement may be furnished by manure at the rate of 8 S to 12 tons per acre in the early spring or by the use of sulphate of ammonia in quantities 25 per cent less than nl BI irate of soda in peach orchards the same mounts of fertilizer are used it if the trees are very vigorous a part or all of the nitrate Is ii often withheld until after the fruit Is set in the case of weak trees it Is well to apply it as the buds buda swell when nhen it will cause a larger percentage of the fruit to set and force the trees into early vigorous healthy growth heavy applications of nitrogen have their draw backs they frequently lower bilg hiness of color somewhat and delay ripening a few days some growers use it for this latter purpose especially on elberta in order to prolong the season nitrate of soda in proper quantities Is also beneficial to young trees enough should be given to force them into a vigorous growth and early enough so that the wood will ripen well in the fall when nitrate Is applied it may be in orchards in which the trees cover the ground well but if the trees are far apart it may be applied to the tree being scattered well out under the spread of the branches growers are adred by the experiment station to examine their orchards and mal make e immediate applications it if necessary |
