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Bulletin 183
March, 1924
Agricultural experiment Station
College of Agriculture, Meat Virginia Hnibertfitp
HENRY G. KNIGHT, Director
Morgantown
EXPERIMENTS IN FERTILIZING
PEACH TREES
(TECHNICAL)
Fig. 1. — Peach Slzer Lne«l In Stains Peachee From the Various Fertiliser Plot*.
The Different Grade* Were Welshed ou the Spring Balance* Shown In
the Foreground.
BY
H. L. CRANE
Publications of this station will be mailed free to any citizen "t" Wesl Vir-
ginia upon written application. Address Director of the West Virginia Agri-
cultural Experiment Station. Morgantown, W. Va.
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION STAFF
FRANK B. TROTTER, A.M., LL.D
GEORGE R. LYMAN, Ph.D
HENRY G KNIGHT, Ph.D
C. E. STOCKDALE, B.S. Agr
JOHN C. JOHNSTON
AGRONOMY
R. J. Garber, Ph. D.
Agronomist
T. E. Odland, M. S.***
Assistant Agronomist
T. C. Mcllvaine, M. S.J
Assistant Agronomist
K. S. Quisenberry, B. S.
Junior Agronomist
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
E. A. Livesay, M. S.
Animal Husbandman
E. C. Stillwell, B. S.
Junior Animal Husbandman
Chas. V. Wilson, B. S. Agr.
Junior Animal Husbandman
R. H. Tuckwiller, B. S. Agr.*
Assistant Animal Husbandman
CHEMISTRY
Henry G. Knight, Ph. D. Chemist
Chas. E. Weakley, Jr.
Assistant Chemist
F. B. Kunst, B. A.**
Assistant Chemist
T. B. Leith, B. A.**
Assistant Chemist
T. J. Cochran, B. S.
Junior Chemist
DAIRY HUSBANDRY
Ernest L. Anthony, M. S. Agr.***
Dairy Husbandman
H. O. Henderson, M. S. Agr.
Associate Dairy Husbandman
Warren Gifford, B. S. Agr.
Assistant in Dairy Husbandry
G. M. Trout, B. S.
Junior Dairy Husbandman
ENTOMOLOGY
L. M. Peairs, M. S. Entomologist
W. E. Rumsey, B. S.**
Assistant Entomologist
FARM ECONOMICS
A. J. Dadisman, M. S. Agr.
Associate Farm Economist
J. H. Shaffer, B. S. Agr.
Junior Farm Economist
F. D. Cornell, B. S.***
Junior Farm Mechanician
President of the University
..Dean of the College of Agriculture
.Director of the Experiment Station
Agricultural Editor
Chief Clerk
HORTICULTURE
M. J. Dorsey, Ph. D.
Horticulturist
H. L. Crane, M. S. Agr.
Associate Horticulturist
H. E. Knowlton, Ph. D.
Associate Horticulturist
K. C. Westover, B. S. Agr.
Assistant Horticulturist
Ernest Angelo, B. S. Agr.***
Junior Horticulturist
L. F. Sutton, B. S. Agr.f
Assistant Horticulturist
Troy M. Currence, B. S. Agr.
Assistant in Horticulture
H. P. Sevy, B. S.
Assistant in Horticulture
PLANT PATHOLOGY
N. J. Giddings, Ph. D.
Plant Pathologist
Anthony Berg, B. S.***
Assistant Plant Pathologist
L. H. Leonian, Ph. D.
Assistant Plant Pathologist
E. C. Sherwood, M. S.
Assistant Plant Pathologist
POULTRY HUSBANDRY
Horace Atwood, M. S. Agr.
Poultry Husbandman
SOILS
E. P. Deatrick, Ph. D.
Associate Soil Technologist
P. C. Daughenbaugh
Assistant in Soil Technology
VETERINARY
C. A. Lueder, D. V. M. Veterinarian
• In co-operation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washing-ton, D. C.
'• In co-operation with the State Department of Agriculture, Charleston, W. Va.
*•• On leave of absence.
tin Co-operation with the Reymann Memorial Farms, Wardensville W. Va.
Jin Charge of the Maggie Sub-Station, Maggie. W. Va.
Experiments In Fertilizing
Peach Trees
Fertilizer experiments on peach trees have since 1911 been one
of the main lines of work of the Department of Horticulture at the
West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. The first work of
this kind at this station has been supplemented by other plots, this
bulletin setting forth in considerable detail the results obtained on
many phases of the fertilizing of peach trees.
In the first report of the West Virginia experiments in 1915
it was pointed out that there were few experiment stations working
on this subject. Since then a number of stations have reported ex-
periments which have contributed valuable information. In order
that the growers in West Virginia may have at hand a brief state-
ment of the results of the more recent experiments conducted else-
where, a short abstract of these investigations is given here. The
results of earlier investigations have been reviewed in the earlier
report on these experiments.
PEACH FERTILIZING EXPERIMENTS AT OTHER
EXPERIMENT STATIONS
The Virginia Experiments
Ralston (6)* reports on the Virginia experiments, the data presented
being for the first three crops of a young orchard. There were three series
of plots: one under intense cultivation, a second under moderate or what
might be termed commercial cultivation, and a third in sod. The following
table gives a summary of the three years' work.
•See references on page ~'i of thin bulletin,
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
TABLE I. — Yields of Fruit in Pounds on the Plots of Different
Treatment — Virginia Experiments.
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Intense Cultivation
2708
2996
2848
1943
2914
3059
2181
18649
Moderate Cultivation ....
1819
1251
934
1285
1298
2095
1442
10124
Sod
1325
1030
1061
712
1319
1344
995
7786
Total Effect of
Fertilizers
5852
5277
4843
3940
5531
6498
4618
It will be seen that nitrogen gave consistent gains over the check plots.
Phosphorus and potassium, on the other hand, gave substantial increases in
yield only under conditions of intense cultivation where the water content
of the soil was presumably higher than in the checks. Under intense culti-
vation there was practically no difference in the yield produced by any one
of the three elements, but under moderate cultivation only nitrogen was of
benefit. In the combination plots a very interesting condition was found,
nitrogen-potassium gave the greatest total increase; nitrogen-phosphorus yielded
more than phosphorus alone, but the yield from the three elements in
combination fell below that of any treated plot and was but little above
the yield of the checks.
The low yield when potassium was applied to the trees was reported
in the work of Alderman (1), Whitten and Wiggans (11), Reimer (7). McCue
(3) also found in the Delaware experiments that where phosphorus alone was
used in comparatively large amounts it had a tendency to reduce the set of
fruit. The results of the Virginia experiments indicate: first, that peaches
cannot be grown successfully in sod; second, that good cultivation is more
important than fertilization; and third, that under the best culture the applica-
tion of commercial fertilizer was a profitable practice.
The Ohio Experiments
In 1915 the Ohio Experiment Station (9) started a fertilizer experiment
on Catawba Island in an orchard planted in a "gravelly clay loam, probably
somewhat low in humus and in only a fair state of fertility." This experiment
has run five seasons and during that time on account of adverse weather
conditions only one full crop and one light crop have been produced. "The
results of these two seasons' work are insufficient in themselves to form a
basis for cultural recommendations, but they are worthy of consideration in
that they suggest what one might expect, especially as they agree in the main
with those of McCue and Alderman." The greatest gains in yield were
secured on the plots where nitrogen was used. Nitrogen combined with
phosphorus gave a larger yield than nitrogen alone, but when potassium
was added the yield was below that of nitrogen. Plots treated with phos-
phorus or potassium gave poorer returns than the untreated plots, but when
they were combined the yield was slightly better than the checks.
March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 5
The Oregon Experiment
The Oregon Experiment Station (7) conducted one experiment on the
fertilizing of peaches "and this owing to frosts some years, lack of uniformity
in the trees, and failure to get the yields for one year, has not been very
satisfactory. The value of nitrate of soda in this orchard has been so evident,
however, that the meager results obtained are worth reporting."
The trees were eighteen years old when the experiment was begun in
1915. The vigor of the trees had been declining for three years before the
experiment was started. Analysis of the surface soil showed that it contained
an abundance of potassium, calcium, and magnesium and but small amounts
of phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulphur. The organic matter was low. The
fertilizers were applied from the middle of February to the latter part of
March.
In the Oregon experiment no increase in yield was secured from phos-
phorus and potassium or from 1 to iy2 pounds of nitrate of soda per tree.
When the amount of nitrate of soda was increased to three pounds a much
larger yield was secured than on the checks. To quote from the report: "While
this experiment cannot be considered a very satisfactory one it is, neverthe-
less, very evident that nitrogen is the chief need of peach trees on this soil."
The Missouri Experiment
The Missouri experiment (11) has been running for a number of years
but the crops in most cases were killed during the winter. In the early history
of the experiment it was reported that the peach was the only fruit that
gave any returns from applications of fertilizers, and that all the plots which
received nitrogen alone, or in combination, had the best set of fruit. Further-
more the nitrogen-treated plots had a heavier foliage than the non-nitrogen
treated plots. In 1917, Whitten (12) reported that more trees were alive
in the nitrogen-treated plots than in any of the others. Whitten and Wiggans
(13) in a later report on this project (1919) summarized the work to date
and said, "No visible effects are observable where potash or phosphorus
has been applied to peaches in past years, either singly or in combination.
On young peach trees the use of nitrogen is justified on account of less
mortality of the trees in the orchard, stronger, more vigorous growth, better
recovery after winter injury, and in some years it has increased the fruit
crop fully 50 percent."
The Delaware Experiments
In the early reports of the Delaware experiments (3) it was stated that
while phosphorus had little effect upon the receptivity of the stigma, its
influence was harmful rather than beneficial especially when the larger
amounts were applied. From these studies no conclusions could be drawn
as to the influence of nitrogen upon the receptivity of the stigma when alone
or in combination with other fertilizers. In their tests on longevity, vitality,
and vigor of pollen, the indications were that potash had a greater influence
than any of the other fertilizers. Pollen from plots receiving nitrogen seemed
to lose its vitality sooner than pollen from any of the other plots.
In a later report (4) on the Delaware experiments, McCue concluded that
any effect that nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium had upon the color of the
peaches was secondary, and sa:d that the poorer color of the peaches from the
plots receiving nitrogen was due to the dense foliage which followed nil rate
applications. The outstanding fact brought out in this experiment was
the effect of nitrate of soda on fruit production. He stated that, "There
seems to be little danger of over-feeding the peach with nitrogen in the
form of nitrate of soda. In brief it may be said thai the larger the amount
of nitrogen used per tree, the greater the financial returns from the invest-
ment."
Nitrogen has been thought by some to produce wood lacking in strength
as compared with that produced by phosphorus or potassium or various
6 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
combinations of the two or by all three. The work of McCue (5) indicates
that wood produced on trees heavily fertilized with nitrate of soda was as
strong as where phosphorus or potassium was used singly or in combination.
It will be seen from this brief review of the experiments in fer-
tilizing peaches at other stations that the influence of nitrogen is
outstanding in increasing growth and yield. In view of the trend
of these experiments it will be of interest to follow the results from
the use of fertilizers on the peach in the West Virginia experiments.
THE WEST VIRGINIA EXPERIMENTS IN FERTILIZING
PEACHES
Three separate experiments are reported in this bulletin. Two
of them were started in the spring of 1911, and the third in the
spring of 1915. A preliminary report and description of the first two
experiments was published as noted above by Alderman (1), and a
report of the third is given here for the first time.
The Sleepy Creek Experiment
The Sleepy Creek experiment was carried on in the orchard of
the Sleepy Creek Orchard Company at Sleepy Creek, Morgan
County, W. Va. The trees of the two varieties used, Waddell and
Carman, were six years old at the beginning of the experiment in
1911. The soil is a thin, red, shale loam, low in fertility, belonging
to the Upshur gravelly silt loam, a soil type which is widely dis-
tributed over the Eastern Panhandle counties of the State.
At the time the experiment was begun nine plots were laid
out each consisting of a single row of nine Waddell and eleven Car-
man trees. Only eight trees. of each variety were used as record
trees. The others being at the ends of the rows, were discarded.
In the spring of 1913 there were more plots added because, as the
experiment was originally planned, there were no plots receiving
only nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. The soil of these three
plots, especially that of the Waddell Plots 11 and 12, was much
better that that of the older adjacent plots, owing to a slight hollow
which caught the wash from the higher land. The treatment of the
different plots in this experiment is set forth in Table II.
March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 7
TABLE II.— Treatment of Plots in Sleepy Creek Experiment.
Plot
No.
Treatment
Application in Lbs.
Per Tree per Year
1
Nitrate of Soda
Acid Phosphate (167c)
1.5
2 5
2
Nitrate of Soda
Muriate of Potash
1.5
1.0
3
Nitrate of Soda j
Acid Phosphate (16%)
1.5
2.5
Muriate of Potash
1.0
4
Check _
Acid Phosphate (16%)
2.15
5
Muriate of Potash H
1.0
Nitrate of Soda j
1.5
6
Acid Phosphate (16%) .
2.5
Muriate of Potash
1.0
Nitrate of Soda
1.5
7
Acid Phosphate (16%)
2.5
Muriate of Potash
2.0
Nitrate of Soda
1.5
8
Acid Phosphate (16%)
2.5
Muriate of Potash
3.0
9
Caustic Lime
1000 lbs. per acre
every third year
10
Nitrate of Soda
1.5
11
Acid Phosphate (16rr)
2.5
12
Muriate of Potash
1
1.0
The Cherry Run Experiment
The second experiment was carried on in the Fulton orchards
at Cherry Run in Morgan County. The fertilizers in this test were
applied when the trees were first planted in 1911 in order to study
the effect of fertilizers upon trees from the time of planting until
time of maturity. The variety used was Carman and each plot
consisted of a single row of 20 trees. The arrangements of the plots,
the fertilizers used, and the rate of application are shown in Table
III. As the experiment was originally planned, none of the plots
were to receive nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium alone. Therefore
in 1915, as in the Sleepy Creek experiment, three plots were added.
8 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
TABLE III. — Treatment of Plots in Cherry Run Experiment.
Plot
No.
Treatment
Applicatio
n in Lbs.
Per Tree
1911-13
1914
1915-18
Nitrate of Soda
.75
1.25
1.00
1.75
1.50
1
Acid Phosphate (16%)
2.50
2
Nitrate of Soda
Muriate of Potash
.75
.50
1.00
.75
1.50
1.00
Nitrate of Soda -,..
.75
1.25
.50
1.00
1.75
.75
1.50
3
Acid Phosphate (16%)
2.50
Muriate of Potash
1.00
Acid Phosphate (16%)
1.25
.50
1.75
.75
2.50
4
Muriate of Potash
1.00
5
Check
6
Acid Phosphate (16%)
2.50
7
Muriate of Potash H
1.00
8
Nitrate of Soda |
1.50
The soil in the plots of the Cherry Run experiment is a yellow
shale belonging to the DeKalb shale loam, and is low in fertility.
Soil analyses from each of the original plots in this experiment, as
well as from the one at Sleepy Creek, were published in W. Va.
Experiment Station bulletin 150 by Alderman (1).
The Elberta Experiment
The third experiment, also located at Cherry Run, was started
in 1915 with four-year-old Elberta trees in the Fulton orchards.
The plan of this experiment was somewhat different from that of the
others. To avoid cross feeding, plots five trees square were used,
while records were taken only on the nine interior trees, the other
sixteen forming a guard row about each plot.
The soil in this experiment belongs to the DeKalb shale loam
and was originally somewhat more fertile than that of the other
two experiments, yellow in color, and contained more sand and
gravel.
This orchard was planted in the spring of 1911 and was cropped
with corn in 1911 and 1912, and with tomatoes in 1913. In 1914 the
orchard was cultivated until mid-summer when a cover crop of crim-
son clover was sown. This cover failed and there were only a few
March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 9
scattered plants in the spring of 1915 when the experiment was
started. The accompanying diagram in Table IV shows the ar-
rangement of the twenty-four plots and the materials and amounts
of each fertilizer applied annually to each tree.
10
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
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March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 11
Time and Methods of Applying the Fertilizers
In each of the West Virginia experiments the fertilizers were
distributed by hand as evenly as possible around the trees under
and beyond the spread of the branches for a distance of two or
three feet. The materials were harrowed or disked into the ground
by the usual orchard cultivation. The dates of application are shown
in Table V, except in the Elberta experiment where nitrate of soda
was added earlier or later than the regular time on three plots, in
order to study the effect of the time of application on the trees.
TABLE V. — Dates of Fertilizer Applications.
Experiment j 1911 I 1912 1913 | 1914 I 1915 ] 1916 I 1917 I 1918 I 1919
Sleepy Creek
May May I May j May I May j May I May j May
19 22 26 19 27 I 23 23 28
j May | June j June | May j May | May | May | May |
Cherry Run I 19 8 1 3 I 20 I 26 I 22 24 I 27
| May | May | May | May | May
Elberta I I I I I 26 I 22 I 24 I 28 I 26
1920
May
20
The plots in all the experiments were cultivated during the
growing season and a non-leguminous cover crop, usually rye, was
sown each year, except in the plots indicated where other crops
were sown. The growth of the cover crops in most cases was small,
and was not sufficient to increase materially the low humous content
of the soil.
Methods of Taking Measurements
The circumference of the trunk was measured at a point midway
between the head of the tree and the ground. The sum of these
circumferences was divided by the number of trees in the plot, and
this average used as the trunk circumference of the plots under
consideration.
The method of measuring shoot growth was as follows: ten
terminal growths were taken at random at different points on each
tree. The average length of these ten shoots was entered in the
notes as the record for each tree. The average of these tree recoids
was taken as the record for each plot. As noted under each experi-
ment, in some instances shoot and trunk measurements were made
annually and in others less frequently.
12 w. VA. AG-R'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
EFFECTS OF FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS ON GROWTH
OF THE TREES
Growth and yield are now regarded as the most accurate measure
of tree performance. Growth is expressed in trunk enlargement
and shoot extension. Yield, broadly interpreted, may be tentatively
measured by the set of fruit buds and the set of fruit, but finally
in the quantity and quality of fruit produced. Consequently the re-
sults secured on the effect of fertilizers will be considered under two
main headings: First, the effect of fertilizers on growth, and second,
the effect of fertilizers on fruit production. The data from the three
experiments will be presented in detail under each of these sub-
divisions.
Tree Growth in the Sleepy Creek Experiment
Unfortunately the trunk circumference was not obtained for the
trees in this experiment until the fall of 1918, just before the trees
were pulled out. When the experiment was started the orchard was
seven years old and had produced three crops.
TABLE VI. — Effect of Fertilizers on Trunk Circumference of Car-
man and Waddell.
Plot
No.
Treatment
of the Plots
Average Trunk
Circumference
in Inches, 1918
Gain in
Inches Over
Checks
1
N P
N
N P
Check
P
N P
N P
N P
Lime
N
P
21.62
18.29
18.50
17.24
16.25
20.98
18.54
20.29
20.45
21.70
16.87
18.75
4 38
2
K
1 05
3
4
K
1 26
5
K
— 99
6
K
3 74
7
K*
1 30
8
j^**
3 05
9
3.21
10
4 46
11
— .37
12
K
1.51
• Doubled
• * Tripled
Table VI shows the trunk circumference which resulted from the
applications of fertilizers for nine years. Wherever nitrogen was
used the trunks were larger than those of the checks. Phosphorus
or potassium applied alone had very little effect on trunk circum-
ference. The growth was nearly one inch less, however, when the
March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 13
two were applied in combination. In Plots 7 and 8 where the
amount of potassium was increased when applied with nitrogen and
phosphorus there was an increase in trunk growth over the check
but not over the plot receiving nitrogen alone. The trees in the
plots receiving lime had trunks almost as large as in any of the plots
receiving nitrogen. As pointed out above, these results are based
upon the trunk size at the end of the experiment and do not neces-
sarily indicate the actual gain in each plot.
In addition to taking the trunk circumferences as a measure
of growth the terminal shoots on each tree of the different plots were
measured annually. The average length of the terminal shoots on
each plot is given in Table VII.
14
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
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March. 1924 J
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
15
With both varieties, the plots receiving nitrogen made an aver-
age annual shoot growth of from four to seven inches more than did
the checks. Waddell responded in terminal growth somewhat better
than Carman, making about one inch more growth per year. The
growth was a little less than the check when phosphorus or potas-
sium was applied alone. When applied together, however, there was
a slight increase in each variety. Lime gave a very slight increase
in terminal growth, but this slight increase is interesting in view
of the fact that since the peach uses so much calcium it might be
expected to respond favorably to lime applications. Wherever nitro-
gen was applied the terminal growth was increased, even to the
end of the experiment Avhen the trees were no longer profitable
from a commercial standpoint. The vigor of the trees declined with
age, but the application of nitrogen prolonged the period of profitable-
ness, so that when they were pulled out, the trees receiving nitrogen
were making more growth and were producing heavier and more
profitable crops than the trees which had received no nitrogen.
In order to study the response of trees with low vigor, poor
growth, and low production, Plots 4 and 5 were each divided into
four parts so that one-half of each variety was left as in the original
experiment, and to the other half four pounds of nitrate of soda per
tree were applied in each spring, 1916, '17, and '18. The results are
shown in Table VIII.
TABLE VIII. — Effect of Nitrogen on the Terminal Shoot Growth
of Trees of Low Vigor in Plots 4 and 5 of the Sleepy
Creek Experiment.
Waddell:
Plot
No.
Average Terminal Shoot
Growth in Inches
Av. Yearly Av. Yearly
Growth in Gain from
Treatment
1916
1917 | 1918
Inches Nitrogen
4
4
5
5
Check
4 lbs. N
P K
4 lbs. N P K
3.20
19.80
4.40
19.80
8.33 | 2.26
13.10 5.00
7.59 4.90
14.36 | 9.07
4.59 |
12.63 8.04
5.63
14.41 | 8.78
Carman:
4
Check
4.40
10.22
2.53
r,.71
4
4 lbs. N
19.60
11.83
8.30
13.24
7.53
5
P K
4.20
10.09
6.26
6.85
5
4 lbs. N P
K
17.30
12.26
8.36
12.64
5.79
16
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
Fig. 2. — Waddell, Cheek Tree. Notice the Very Short Growth and Sparse Fol-
iage. Picture Was Taken July 27, 1916.
Fig. 8. — Waddell. This Was a Check Tree Until May 23, 1916 When 4 Pounds
of Nitrate <>t Soda Were Applied. Notice the Long Growths, Dense
Foliage, and Vigorous Condition of the Tree as Compared to the One in
Figure 2. Pictures Were Taken at the Same Distance from the Trees on
.Inly 27, 1916.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
17
F"ig. 4. Waddell. This Tree Received Phosphorus and Potassium From 1911
Until Time the Picture Was Taken, July 27, 1916. Observe That the
Condition of the Tree Was no Better Than That of the One in Figure 2.
Fijs. B. — Wnddcll.
r,. Waddcll. I his Tree Received Pkoapkoni and Potassium Froai ipii
Until the Spring of I9I« \\ hen 1 Pounds of Mlrnlc of Sodn Were \|i|>llcd
on Hay 23. Compare With Figure I picture Wtu Take* Jolj -~. """•
18
,W. VA. AG-R'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
The trees of each variety which received nitrogen made con-
sistent gains in growth over the checks and over the trees receiving
both phosphorus and potassium. Table VIII shows a great increase
in growth following the first application of nitrogen. The trees
receiving nitrogen made from 5.79 to 8.78 inches more growth an-
nually than did those which did not receive it. During the last
year of the experiment the growth resulting from the nitrogen
applications was much reduced in all plots but the same general
trend of the influence of nitrogen prevailed. The condition of the
plots is further shown in Figures 2 and 4 illustrating the growth
of the non-nitrogen treated plots compared with Figures 3 and 5
which illustrate the character of the foliage and the growth in the
trees receiving nitrogen. These pictures were taken the last of July,
1916, following the first application of nitrate of soda.
Tree Growth in the Cherry Run Experiment
As noted above, fertilizers were applied to the plots in this ex-
periment from the time of planting in 1911; no trunk measurements
were made, however, until the fall of 1914. Table IX shows the
trunk measurements in 1914 and in 1918.
TABLE IX. — Effect of Fertilizers on Trunk Circumference of Car-
man in the Cherry Run Experiment.
Plot
No.
Treatme
nt
Circumference
in Inches
Increase in
Inches in
Gain Over
the Check
1914
1918
Four Years
1
N P
7.85
16.65
8.80
4.37
2
N
K
7.44
14.85
7.41
2.98
3
N P
K
7.91
15.45
7.54
3.11
4
P
K
4.30 ' 9.45
5.15
72
5
Check
5.87
10.30
4.43
6
P
11.55
7
K
12.30
8
N
14.20
As in the previous experiment, the trunks made the greatest
increase in circumference where nitrogen was applied. In Plot 4
the trees were smaller in 1914 than those in the check; by 1918 these
trees although still smaller than the check trees, had grown faster.
No potassium was applied after 1916.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
19
TABLE X.— Effect of Fertilizers on Terminal Shoot Growth of
Carman in the Cherry Run Experiment.
d
Z
Average Length of Terminal Shoot
■
V
II
c
_ o
c
o
a.
Treatment
Growth in Inches*
< =
si
re
1912 | 1913| 1914 | 19151 | 1916
| 1917
> re
1
N
P
| 54.00 I 53.30 I 43.30
42.95
42.96
13.29
41.63
10.94
2
N
K
36.00 f 51.50 43.20
38.36
42.84
13.65
37.59
6.90
3
N
P K
| 46.00 51.50 44.30
37.97
41.28
12.06
38.85
8.16
4
P K
24.00 ( 32.50 | 32.50
29.40
33.72
9.21
26.89
—3.80
5
Chec
| 30.00 1 39.90 | 33.90
36.26
36.96
7.17
30.69
6
P
34.02
36.00
10.71
26.91
.12
7
K
34.01
34.68
7.95
25.54
—1.25
8
N
1 1
41.93
46.56
14.04
34.17
7.38
* No effect of fertilizers evident in 1911.
It will be seen from Table X that the trees which received nitro-
gen made the longest terminal shoot growth. The leaves on these
trees were larger, more numerous, and of a darker color, and in the
fall they held on later. The combined application of phosphorus
and potassium in Plot 4 decreased shoot growth as compared with
the check. When the effect of phosphorus in Plot 6 is compared
with the growth of check Plot 5 for the same years, there is a very
slight gain. On the other hand, in Plot 7 from 1915 to 1917 the use
of potassium resulted in a retardation of 1,25 inches compared with
the checks for the same years. No benefits were secured from the
addition of phosphorus or potassium or both in combination with
nitroeren.
Tree Growth in the Elberta Experiment
In this experiment the trunk circumferences were measured
at the start and once each year thereafter. The average trunk cir-
cumference of the trees in each plot is given in Table XI.
20 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
TABLE XI. — The Effect of Fertilizers on Trunk Circumference in
the Elberta Experiment at Cherry Run.
Treatment
1 Soybeans
2 Soybeans P K
3 Crimson Clover
4 Crimson Clover P
5 2 Lbs. N
6 Check
7 4 Lbs. N
8 6 Lbs. N
9 2 Lbs. N P
10 4 Lbs. N P
11 6 Lbs. N P
12 Check
13 Check
14 2 Lbs. N P K
15 4 Lbs. N P K
16 6 Lbs. N P K
17 Manure
18 Manure P
19 4 Lbs. N K
20 4 Lbs. N on 6-15
21 P K
22 Check
23 4 Lbs. N on 3-25
24 4 Lbs. N on 7-15
Av. of all checks
Average Trunk Circumference in Inches
E «- °
._ « «
re > .e
C5<0
19141 19151 19161 19171 1918
8.05
7.95
7.82
8.52
8.75
9.48
9.97
8.00
9.15
9.45
8.11
7.90
7.91
8.33
10.18
7.52
8.43
7.88
8.25
7.86
7.88
8.83
6.82
8.16
Discarded
10.91
10.69
10.23
11.27
11.34
13.01
13.29
10.76
13.08
12.47
10.60
10.16
11.07
11.65
13.65
10.82
11.91
10.76
11.22
10.77
10.81
12.84
9.88
10.72
12.52
12.52
12.23
12.54
11.80
13.86
14.75
13.07
14.87
13.37
11.02
11.76
12.14
13.39
14.83
13.20
12.66
13.08
13.26
12.55
13.03
14.33
11.73
11.90
14.29
14.94
13.02
12.70
12.71
15.25
16.57
14.50
16.53
14.46
11.65
13.25
13.94
15.87
17.40
14.62
16.59
14.94
15.14
13.55
15.43
15.39
14.03
13.26
15.26
15.66
14.72
13.35
13.39
17.37
17.10
16.25
17.64
15.28
12.39
14.21
14.63
16.66
18.47
17.55
17.75
15.55
15.73
14.86
16.70
16.42
15.25
14.17
1919
17.41
17.22
16.42
14.47
15.29
18.32
18.32
17.85
19.20
16.28
13.52
15.14
15.67
18.43
20.01
19.65
19.62
16.75
16.88
15.62
18.09
17.85
17.95
15.51
1920
c
(0
t_
0>
re
U)
V
re
>•
■—
o
X
E
<0
17.68
18.15
17.79
15.15
16.00
18.98
19.11
18.80
20.18
16.71
13.79
16.23
16.25
19.11
21.09
20.80
20.20
17.27
17.54
16.34
20.06
18.55
19.19
16.52
9.63
10.20
9.97
6.63
7.25
9.50
9.14
11.80
11.33
7.26
5.68
8.33
8.34
11.78
10.91
13.38
11.77
9.39
9.29
8.48
12.21
9.02!
11.13
8.36
1.27
1.84
1.61
-1.73
1.14
.78
2.44
2.67
-1.10
—.02
2.42
2.55
4.92
3.41
1.03
.93
.12
.66
2.77
Unfortunately Plot 1 had to be discarded at the end of the second
year because borers had killed all of the trees except one. Plot 5,
which was adjacent to Plot 1, lost four record trees from the same
cause. The soil of these plots -was light and borers were hard to
control. Although the orchard was "wormed" regularly each season,
borer injury may account for the smaller growth of the trunks of
Plot 5, also for the shorter terminal shoot growth in this plot.
Plot 11 lost, early in the experiment, three of the record trees
from peach yellows. This plot received 6 pounds of nitrate of soda
per tree and Plot 14, which received a complete fertilizer, failed to
show a gain over the average of the check plots, but both showed a
slight gain when compared with the nearest check.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
21
^-•"Sk
Fig. 6. — Average Tree in Plot 2. Received Soybeans as Cover Crop, Phosphorus,
and Potassium. *
Kig. 7.— A
verage Tree in Plot 3. Received Crimson Clover klone
the Trees In This Plot Were
Notice That
. .A*fr.ine i rrr in i mm *>. iu*rrni*ii i rMiisini i mh er tiooc >i»iiee i miii
the Trees in This Plot Were Large and Muro \ iuonms Than Those of
Plots 2 or I which Received Phosphorus and Potassium. Smaller size
of Trees May lie Due In Toxic Effect ol' These Materials or hi Lessened1
Soil Moisture due to Greater Cover Crop Growth.
•Picture taken August 1921 after the experlmenl had been discontinued.
22
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
Fig. 8. — Average Tree in Plot 4. Received Crimson Clover, Phosphorus, and
Potassium. Compare With Figure 7. *
Fig. 1). — Plot 1 in the Foreground and Plot 2 in the Background. Notice the
\ cry Poor Stand and Growth of Soybeans on Plot 1 as Compared to
Plot 2. This Difference was Due to the Phosphorus That Plot 2 Re-
ceiveil. Picture was Taken August, 15)10.
•Picture- taken August 1921 after the experiment had been discontinued.
March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 23
Even though the cover crops of soybeans and crimson clover
were not heavy, significant gains were made in trunk circumfer-
ences over the nearest check. The greatest growth in cover crops
was on the plots which received acid phosphate and muriate of potash.
The cover crops would probably have been better on Plots 2 and 4
had the fertilizer been applied uniformly over the plots rather than
in a circle around the trees. Plot 21 which received acid phosphate
and muriate of potash made a greater growth than the average of all
checks, but a lesser growth than Plot 22, the nearest, and strongest
growing check.
The greatest increase in trunk circumference was made by the
trees receiving stable manure alone. When acid phosphate was
applied with the manure to Plot 18 the resulting growth was slightly
less than with manure alone. Plot 18 made more terminal growth,
however, than Plot 17, and out-yielded it considerably.
The effects of fertilizers on the increase in trunk circumference
in this experiment are not clear-cut as many inconsistencies are
evident from a study of the gains in trunk circumference in the
various plots as compared with that of the nearest checks. The
preponderance of the evidence regardless of how the increase in
trunk circumference is considered, however, is in favor of trees re-
ceiving nitrogen. Check Plot 22 was adjacent to Plot 18 of Table
IV. These plots made a similar increase in trunk circumference.
On the other hand, Plot 18 which received manure and acid phos-
phate yielded approximately 75 percent more than did the check
plots. The trees of Plot 16, which received 6 pounds of nitrate of
soda, 4 pounds of acid phosphate, and 1 pound of muriate of potash
per tree made an increase in trunk circumference during the six year
period of 1.31 inches less than that of check Plot 22. This plot yielded
about 80 percent more peaches than did the check plot. Several
other similar cases could be pointed out. From these data there
is an indication that the increase in trunk circumference was not as
good an index of the vegetative condition or of the fruitfulness of
the trees as it has been shown to be with the apple.
As in the case of the trunk measurements, record was made
of shoot growth in each plot annually. These data show that the
plot receiving manure and acid phosphate made each year about two
inches more growth than did the plot receiving manure alone. Plot
24 receiving four pounds of nitrate of soda applied about July 15,
and Plot 3 receiving nothing but a cover crop of crimson clover,
made the best terminal growth. The application of nitrate of soda
24
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
Fig. 10. — Average Tree in Plot 14. Received 2 Pounds Nitrate of Soda, 4 Pounds
16 Percent Acid Phosphate, and 1 Pound Potassium Chloride per Tree.
Fig. 11. — Average Tree in Plot 15. Received 4 Pounds Nitrate of Soda, and
Phosphorus and Potassium the Same as Plot 14, Figure 10.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
25
to Plot 24 after the normal season's growth had taken place prolonged
the growing season and produced a greater terminal growth than was
produced in any of the other plots. The smaller increase in Plot 23
was probably due to leaching away of the nitrate of soda before ac-
tive root absorption began. Plots 3 and 4 made a growth nearly equal
to that of the plots receiving the heaviest application of nitrogen,
which was probably due to the organic matter added to the soil which
was rich in nitrogen, both of which would produce good growth.
Plot 3 made more growth than did Plot 4 which received ap-
plications of acid phosphate and muriate of potash. This may
have been due to a retarding action of these fertilizers as suggested
in this and the other experiments. It will be recalled that Plot 3
made a larger increase in trunk circumference than did Plot 4.
TABLE XII.— The Effect of Fertilizers on the Terminal Shoot
Growth in the Elberta Experiment at Cherry Run.
ra
m .
Growl
es
3
= > w
C
c< X
o
Z
Average
Length of Terminal
C u
^» i». In
C O
<■ t- 4)
« .E
4->
Treatment
v *■ «
4) > O
O
O-E J}
D>0
a.
2i>
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
£ ° X
<O(0
<G o
1
Soybeans*
2
Soybeans P K
39.34
28.04
24.96
11.54
23.20
13.68
23.46
3.19
3
Crimson Clover
37.58
38.24
28.79
13.83
25.16
15.47
26.51
6.24
4
Crimson Clover P K
34.75
32.42
15.71
10.37
22.50
12.30
21.34
1.07
5
2 Lbs. N
34.40
24.42
13.02
8.60
17.28
8.58
17.72
—2.55
6
Check
33.45
32.27
17.78
10.18
14.95
8.91
19.59
7
4 Lbs. N
41.42
35.84
22.00
10.21
18.99
13.63
23.68
3.40
S
6 Lbs. N
40.50
31.97
20.31
9.84
17.57
12.17
22.06
1.81
9
2 Lbs. N P
39.32
31.00
14.61
12.78
22.15
12.42
22.05
1.78
10
4 Lbs. N P
45.37
37.02
15.73
11.71
20.43
14.23
24.08
3.81
11
6 Lbs. N. P
39.42
31.68
15.15
11.04
15.47
14.54
21.22
.95
12
Check
37.17
37.63
13.82
10.86
15.47
11.25
21.03
13
Check
40.97
29.30
8.61
9.31
15.90
7.60
18.62
14
2 Lbs. N P K
40.57
31.27
13.12
12.13
22.35
12.82
22.04
1.78
15
4 Lbs. N P K
46.04
36.55
19.01
11.12
23.08
13.98
24.96
4.69
16
6 Lbs. N P K
41.53
29.06
20.98
12.95
25.68
14.58
24.13
3.86
17
Manure
43.66
36.25
14.53
14.26
22.62
13.44
24.13
3.86
18
Manure P
46.62
42.20
22.30
12.66
22.27
11.44
26.25
5.98
19
4 Lbs. N K
44.49
40.91
40.91
11.64
18.76
11.51
28.04
3.97
20
4 Lbs. N on 6-15
43.75
38.77
17.18
12.10
19.29
10.70
23.63
3.36
21
P K
42.69
31.04
9.31
7.85
12.65
8.44
18.66
—1.61
22
Check
41.07
37.55
15.08
10.57
16.37
10.50
21.86
23
4 Lbs. N on 3-25
44.44
36.36
15.63
10.48
19.55
11.44
22.98
2.71
24
4 Lbs. N on 7-15
43.93
42.31
20.77
14.82
25.46
12.04
26.56
6.29
Average of all checks
38.16
34.18
13.82
10.23
15.67
9.57
20.27
* Discarded.
•♦None of the plots received muriate of potash in 1917, 1918, 1919.
26
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
Fig. 12. — Average Tree In Plot 16. Received 6 Pounds Nitrate of Soda, and
Phosphorous and Potassium in the Same Amounts as Plots 14 and 15,
Figures 10 and 11. Pictures Taken August, 1921. Camera Same Dis-
tance From the Trees in all Cases. Notice That the Growth of the Trees
and Density of the Foliage has Been in Proportion to the Amount of
Nitrogen Applied.
Fig. 13. — Average Tree in Plot 21 Which Received 4 Pounds 16 Percent Acid
Phosphate and 1 Pound Chloride of Potash per Tree. Compare With
Figure 14. Picture Taken August, 1920.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
27
W9*
j?J$"
tel
Hl'ftjHj ft*
J^SfiSU Tv J
~~ ~"t Vltffc^^t
j_ ,_y
S|j£-.:."-'-
Fig:- 14. — Average Tree in Plot 22 (check). Notice That This Tree la Larger
Than Those of Plot 21, Figure 13.
■ ■
3CfjflftlKPC» Hi
$& \<$
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■^>
Pi
7-. Sg^^.. :.Tv
-V-vA^^fjSfl| ^
1
Fig. 16. — Average Tree in Plot IS Which Hc.ei* ctl I Pounds Mtralc <>f So. In
on March 2.1 of Knch Vcnr. Notice the Longer Growth* ami Denser
Foliage of 'I'IiIm Tree an Compared to the one in Biffura i i
28
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
LBulletin 183
Fig. 16. — Average Tree in Plot 34 Which Received 4 Pounds Nitrate of Soda
on July 15 of Each Year. Trees Receiving- Late Applications of Nitrogen
Made More Growth Than Those Receiving the Application Early in the
Season. Picture taken August, 1920.
Whenever nitrogen was applied, an increase in terminal growth
was secured, with the one exception, Plot 5, which, as has already
been pointed out, was probably due to injury from borers. In those
instances where different applications of nitrate of soda were given
the data show that four pounds of nitrate of soda per tree produced
slightly more growth than either two or six pounds. Plot 21 which
received acid phosphate and muriate of potash made an average
terminal growth of more than one and one-half inches less than the
average of the checks, and 3.2 inches less than the nearest check.
The results substantiate those of the other experiments in that no
increase in growth resulted from applications of phosphorus or potas-
sium. On the other hand wherever nitrogen was used, except in
Plot 5, there was a marked increase in growth.
EFFECTS OF FERTILIZERS ON AMOUNT AND TIME OF
FRUIT PRODUCTION
The value of commercial fertilizers for orchard purposes must
ultimately be measured by the increase in yield of merchantable
In considering the effects of fertilizers on fruit production,
fruit.
March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 29
three points only will be considered : the number of fruit buds set,
total yield of fruit, and the grades of peaches produced.
The Effects of Fertilizers Upon the Set of Fruit Buds
The set of fruit buds may be of value in interpreting- the results
of experiments. In fact, in some instances, the set of fruit buds may
be a better index of the tendency of a tree to bear fruit than is the
yield, since the latter is affected by other factors such as fungous
diseases, and insects. This is especially true of the peach because
the fruit buds may also be winter-killed or seriously injured by
spring frosts. Consequently in these experiments considerable at-
tention has been given to the set of fruit buds.
Method of Determining the Set of Fruit Buds. — The method
of estimating the set was to observe carefully the distribution of
buds upon the terminal as well as upon the spur-like growths. If
two buds to each node were set along the entire length of the
bearing wood, the percent was recorded as 100. If the growths did
not have buds set at each node and the set was not so heavy on the
short spur-like laterals the record was correspondingly reduced.
The standard, therefore, for a set of fruit buds of 100 percent was
taken to be two buds at each node, or twice as many buds as nodes.
Instances in these plots where three buds or more were borne at a node
occurred so seldom that only a slight error could have resulted on
this account. Tree-by-tree estimates for each plot were made and
the average of these entered in the tables as the percent for each
plot. Care was taken to see that the winter-killed fruit buds had not
fallen before the records were taken. These fruit buds drop some
seasons before much growth has taken place in the live buds. Con-
sequently records as to set of fruit buds can be taken any time be-
tween leaf fall and the abscission of the winter-killed fruit buds in
the spring. With care and experience the set of fruit buds can be
estimated quite accurately and by this method data can be secured
on a much larger scale than is possible by actual counts.
The Set of Fruit Buds in Sleepy Creek Experiment. — The data
on the set of fruit buds are presented in Tabic XI 11. The two
varieties included, Carman and Waddell, responded somewhat dif-
ferently to the treatment.
30
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
TABLE XIII.— The Effect of Fertilizers on the Set of Fruit Buds
in the Sleepy Creek Experiment.
Carman:
6
Z
Estimated Percent Fruit B
uds Set
CO
S_
o
Treatment
D) E
TO <D
s- O
>
Ol
C °
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
> 4)
<£L
re s:
1
N P
74.0
100.0
100.0
40.0
25.0
71.1
81.6
70.2
26.0
a
N K
73.0
100.0
90.0
25.0
56.6
82.1
85.1
73.1
28.9
3
N P K
62.0
100.0
90.0
20.0
61.6
45.7
66.6
63.7
19.5
4
Check
28.0
60.0
50.0
75.0
10.0
45.5
41.3
44.2
R
P K
58.0
60.0
50.0
65.0
20.0
48.8
43.3
49.3
5.1
6
N P K
83.5
94.0
90.0
25.0
43.3
61.6
61.6
65.5
21.3
7
N P K*
88.0
92.0
85.0
25.0
26.6
78.7
85.0
68.6
24.4
8
N P K**
84.5
98.0
85.0
25.0
63.3
75.7
65.0
70.9
26.7
9
Lime
32.0
75.0
70.0
80.0
33.3
44.2
51.6
55.1
10.9
10
N
80.0
40.0
70.0
53.7
88.3
66.4
22.0
11
P
75.0
50.0
41.6
63.7
36.6
53.3
8.9
12
K
50.0
65.0
28.3
55.0
56.6
50.9
6.5
Waddell:
1
N P
96.0
100.0
100.0
35.0
80.0
86.2
83.3
82.9
2
N K
100.0
100.0
90.0
25.0
78.3
70.0
71.6
76.4
3
N P K
100.0
100.0
90.0
30.0
80.0
75.0
75.0
78.5
4
Check
57.0
60.0
50.0
85.0
43.3
75.5
70.0
62.9
5
P K
60.0
60.0
50.0
80.0
66.6
82.7
50.0
64.1
6
N P K
96.0
94.0
90.0
40.0
78.3
51.1
83.3
76.1
7
N P K*
100.0
92.0
85.0
35.0
76.6
68.8
71.6
75.5
8
N P K**
100.0
98.0
85.0
35.0
86.6
71.1
80.0
79.3
9
Lime
48.0
75.0
70.0
65.0
70.0
81.6
66.6
68.0
10
N
80.0
45.0
93.3
78.1
91.6
77.6
11
P
75.0
35.0
91.6
70.0
91.6
72.6
12
K
50.0
35.0
80.0
81.4
70.0
63.2
20.0
13.5
15.6
1.2
13.2
12.6
16.4
5.1
12.8
7.8
—1.6
1While by the usual methods of figuring- percentage this column may not
appear correct, it should be kept in mind that in this instance the figures
as given are estimates, and consequently this method of comparison is believed
to be justifiable.
* K Doubled.
* * K Tripled.
Wherever nitrogen was applied the trees set a higher percent
of fruit huds on both varieties. In 1915, however, the plots receiving
no nitrogen set a much higher percent than did the plots receiving
it. Alderman (1) noted this and ascribed it to a severe drouth during
the growing season and to heavy fruit production on the plots re-
ceiving nitrogen. In both varieties the limed plots set a slightly
larger percent of fruit buds than did the checks. Phosphorus and
potassium produced a somewhat larger percent set of buds on Car-
man than on Waddell although in neither case was the increase as
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
31
great in general as with nitrogen. Acid phosphate or muriate of
potash alone or together with nitrogen, did not result in a significant
increase in the percent set of fruit buds.
Applications of 4 pounds of nitrate of soda to the trees which
had been in a low state of vigor decreased the set of fruit buds on the
Carman and increased it on the Waddell, as shown in Table XIV.
TABLE XIV.— Effect of Applications of Nitrate of Soda on the
Estimated Percent Set of Fruit Buds on Trees of
Low Vigor, Sleepy Creek Experiment.
Carman;
Plot No.
Treatment
Estimated Percent
of Fruit Buds Set
1917
1918
4
4
5
5
Check
N
P K
N P K
45.5
32.5
48.8
45.0
41.3
40.0
43.3
28.3
Waddell:
4
Check
75.5
70.0
4
N
72.0
80.0
5
P
K
82.7
50.0
5
N P
K
85.0
81.6
The decreased percent set of fruit buds of the Carman trees
receiving nitrate of soda was probably due to the heavy fruit pro-
duction of those plots, together with the increased vegetative growth
of the trees.
The Set of Fruit Buds in Cherry Run Experiment. — Data were
taken on the effects of fertilizers on the set of fruit buds in the
Cherry Run experiment for five years beginning in 1914.
32
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
TABLE XV. — Effect of Fertilizers on the Set of Fruit Buds in the
Cherry Run Orchard.
Carman:
Est'd
3ercent of Fruit Buds Set|
Percent
Percent
Plot
Treatment
Set
Gain Over
No.
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
Annually1
Checks
1
N P
89.0
95.0
45.5
71.0
73.2
74.74
1.88
2
N K
87.0
95.0
25.7
82.0
77.3
73.41
.55
3
N P K
93.0
95.0
48.5
78.0
71.7
77.24
4.38
4
P K
81.0
97.0
49.2
75.0
65.0
73.45
.59
5
Check
81.0
97.0
52.5
70.0
63.8
72.86
6
P
97.0
54.7
72.0
64.1
71.96
1.14
7
K
97.0, f 34.7
74.0
65.5
67.81
—3.01
8
N
97.0 | 65.5
79.0
72.4
78.48
7.66
1 While by the usual methods of figuring percentage this column may not
appear correct, it should be kept in mind that in this instance the figures as
given are estimates, and consequently this method of comparison is believed
to be justifiable.
While the influence of fertilizers was slight, nitrate of soda in-
creased the percent of fruit buds set. The percentage of fruit buds
set, however, was relatively high except in 1916. The set was lighter
on the plot receiving muriate of potash alone than on the checks.
The complete fertilizer did not increase the percent set over nitrogen
alone. As a whole, while the increase in the set of fruit buds in the
nitrated plots was slight, a study of this table shows that these data
are consistent with the results obtained in other experiments.
The Set of Fruit Buds in the Elberta Experiments. — Data on the
percent set of fruit buds were obtained from 1915 to 1918 only in
the Elberta experiment. These data are given in Table XVI. It
will be noticed that no fertilizer treatment had an outstanding effect
in increasing the set of fruit buds.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
33
TABLE XVI.— Effect of Fertilizer on the Set of Fruit Buds in the
Elberta Experiment.
d
Z
Estimated
Percent of
CO
C CO
re o
O <o
o
Treatment
Fruit B
uds Set
c re
0.
*> 3
3 «-
g <u
v >
,
1915
1916
1917
1918
Q.O
1
Soybeans (2)
2
Soybeans P K
67.77
68.88
70.00
43.33
62.49
.81
3
Crimson Clover
71.66
65.55
68.33
46.11
62.91
1.23
4
Crimson Clover P K
78.88
80.00
81.11
63.75
75.93
14.25
5
2 Lbs. N
80.00
63.33
68.00
52.00
65.83
4.15
6
Check
83.75
64.33
83.57
31.42
65.76
7
4 Lbs. N
86.87
51.11
76.66
27.50
60.53
—1.15
8
6 Lbs. N
89.44
57.14
84.28
31.42
65.57
3.89
9
2 Lbs. N P
67.50
66.25
75.00
43.33
63.02
1.34
10
4 Lbs. N P
68.33
72.22
80.55
51.11
68.05
6.37
11
6 Lbs. N P
68.33
80.00
71.42
41.42
65.29
3.61
12
Check
70.00
46.43
71.00
34.00
55.35
13
Check
63.33
71.25
66.42
47.14
62.03
14
2 Lbs. N P K
71.11
71.25
83.12
45.00
67.62
5.94
15
4 Lbs. N P K
75.55
72.50
82.50
36.87
66.85
5.17
16
6 Lbs. N P K
75.00
71.87
86.25
43.75
69.21
7.53
17
Manure
51.66
72.50
80.83
44.00
62.24
.56
18
Manure P
67.77
76.25
85.62
46.25
68.97
7.29
19
4 Lbs. N K
55.55
71.11
76.66
37.77
b0.27
—1.41
20
4 Lbs. on 6-15
63.33
71.11
71.66
26.66
58.19
—3.49
21
P K
75.55
67.77
77.77
54.28
68.84
7.16
22
Check
71.25
73.75
59.28
50.00
63.57
23
4 Lbs. N on 3-25
75.55
75.55
71.43
32.85
63.84
2.16
24
4 Lbs. on 7-15
67.77
79.00
72.77
11.66
57.80
—3.68
Avei
age of all checks
72.08
63.94
70.06
40.64
61.68
1 While by the usual methods of figuring percentage this column may not
appear correct, it should be kept in mind that in this Instance the figures as
given arc estimates, and consequently this method of comparison is believed to
be justifiable.
(2) Discarded.
In some years the application of fertilizers increased the percent
set of buds over that of the untreated plots, while in other years the
reverse was true. This is to be expected, in view oi the work of
others which shows that plants grown under an abundance of nitrate
may set fewer buds than plants grown under similar conditions but
with a smaller amount of nitrate present. Kraus and Kraybill report
that, "withholding moisture from plants grown under conditions of
relative abundance of available nitrogen results in much the same con-
dition of fruitfullness and carbohydrate storage as the limitin
the supply available nitrogen."
34 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
The data of this experiment indicate that there is very little
if any correlation between the set of fruit buds and the fruitfulness
of the trees. Heavy production has not followed the year of a large
percentage set of fruit buds. In fact the data suggest the opposite,
i. e. in the year of heavy fruit production there has also occurred a
large set of fruit buds, while the opposite was true in years of lighter
yields. It would seem then that the formation of fruit buds has been
affected by the crop borne at the time of their formation.
The outstanding fact brought out in this experiment is that in-
creased fruitfulness is not a result of a higher percent set of fruit
buds, but that it is apparently due to a larger bearing area of the
trees combined perhaps with a better set of fruit. Under the con-
ditions of these experiments many more buds have been set than was
necessary for a maximum production of fruit.
The Influence of Fertilizers on Total Yield
In view of the general trend of the influence of fertilizers on the
set of fruit buds it will be of interest next to consider yield in the
different experiments. This phase of the subject will be taken up
separately for each experiment.
The Sleepy Creek Experiment. — In Table XVII the total yields
for the two varieties, Carman and Waddell, are summarized for the
entire period of the experiment (1913 to 1918 inclusive).
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
35
TABLE XVII.— Effect of Fertilizers on the Total Yield in the Sleepy
Creek Orchard with Carman and Waddell.
Carman:
o
Z
re
o
>
t.
■
o
a
Treatment
Total Yearly Yield in Pounds for Each Plot
0)
<>
>
.5 2
1913
1914 | 1915
1916ft
1917
1918
GO
1
, N P
883.18
592.31
1132.00
595.68
424.50
385.60
668.87
232.65
2
N K
1202.59
698.12
1240.31
650.81
433.00
380.16
767.50
331.28
3
N P K
735.72
618.62
971.50
546.62
263.25
398.00
588.95
152.73
4
Check
657.62
t
641.00
212.25
369.25
301.00
436.22
5
P K
528.17
t
621.60
324.00
375.50
430.64
455.98
19.76
6
N P K
1210.85
620.00
1325.20
703.25
375.50
497.56
788.72
352.50
7
N P K*
1296.53
676.12
1153.00
673.50
421.00
429.25
774.90
338.68
8
N P K**
1186.32
643.75
1340.00
647.93
326.75
493.50
773.04
336.82
9
Lime
70T.70
J.
!
656.25
323.62
377.37
248.00
462.58
26.36
in
N
1015.20
941.63
1244.00
647.80
423.75
723.50
832.64
396.42
11
P
564.67
t
687.00
242.75
288.68
426.00
441.82
5.60
12
K
808.80
t
962.25
395.36
521.011
162.56
570.00
133.78
Waddell:
1
N P
655.10
750.81
1028.00
638.68
330.32
287.75
615.11
328.42
2
N K
418.00
697.37
1002.25
579.42
363.37
335.00
565.90
279.21
3
N P K
301.00
743.43
1039.75
561.00
411.75
348.25
567.53
280.84
4
Check
163.55
402.75
408.12
332.00
218.00
195.75
286.69
5
P K
146.12
276.93
434.62
319.81
183.25
323.75
280.75
—5.94
6
N P K
241.36
836.16
1040.96
719.25
395.68
368.32
600.29
313.60
7
N P K*
298.29
753.93
950.00
616.32
394.43
234.88
541.31
254.62
8
N P K**
541.19
725.60
1036.00
615.75
409.00
289.43
602.83
316.14
9
Lime
228.76
673.56
700.80
516.00
255.44
313.56
448.02
161.33
in
N
266.19
651.25
794.00
470.56
233.21
231.06
441.04
154.35
11
P
197.52
268.00
731.60
587.12
395.12
308.00
414.56
127.87
12
K
183.04
566.64
740.01)
369.43
22U.56
hum::
413.68
126.99
f Crop harvested before records could be secured
tt Brown rot was bad this year.
* K Doubled.
** K Tripled.
It will be seen from a study of this table that applications of
nitrogen have consistently produced larger yields reaching ;i max-
imum average gain over the check in Plot 10, with Carman, of 400
pounds. Where phosphorus or potassium was added alone "i" in com-
bination the yield fell below that from nitrogen, although in only
one instance, Plot 5 with Waddell, did tin- yield fall below the check.
The addition of phosphorus, potassium, or both with nitrogen did not
increase the yield over nitrogen .alone. It should he pointed out thai
the addition of one and one-half pounds of nitrate of soda per tree
practically doubled the annual yield of both varieties. This small
amount of fertilizer has prolonged the productive life of the tree, and
36
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
Is
seqouf ut q^HOj9 i^Suai aSisjeAV
8
§
gpunod ut pt»T^ aSSJeAV
"S5
a*
■H
I*
Si*
v:
s a
sfC
£ f
*> 9
o
i, .-
BBqOUT Uf q^AOjfi U.}SU8I 88BaBAtf
spunod aj PT»T* eS*j8Ay
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
37
judging from the data presented in Table XX this difference would
have been greater had larger amounts of nitrate of soda been applied
as the trees became older.
The results for Waddell, Plots 10, 11 and 12, show marked in-
creases for all the materials applied. The uniformity of the data
would suggest at once that factors other than the fertilizer applica-
tions were operating. It is true, as previously noted on page 6,
that these three plots were on slightly lower ground and received the
wash from the other plots which probably accounts for the great
similarity in yield. In the limed plots the yield was larger with
Waddell than with Carman. It would appear from these data that
the chief influence of lime in the peach orchard comes from its
influence on cover crop growth.
In the plan of the Sleepy Creek experiment tests were made to
determine the influence of nitrogen on trees of low vigor by dividing
Plots 4 and 5 into two parts. The results of these tests on the half
plots are given in Table XVIII where the yield is entered on the basis
of full plots.
TABLE XVIII.— Effect of Nitrate of Soda on Total Yield from
Trees of Low Vigor in the Sleepy Creek Orchard.
Carman:
Plot
Treatment
Total Yield in Pounds*
or- w
nj "O
O-Q.
Average Gain for
Nitrate of Soda
No.
■ 2-Yrs.
1916 |
1917
1918
3-Yrs. 1918-19
4
4
5
5
Check
4 Lbs. N
P K
4 Lbs. N P K
212.25
317.50
344.50
357.00
369.25
650.25
375.00
596.00
301.00
435.00
430.64
476.00
294.16
467.58
383.38
476.33
173.42
207.50
133.18
Waddell
Check
332.00 1
218.00
195.75
248.58
4 Lbs. N
403.00
376.87
292.50
357.45
108.87
127.80
P K
319.81 1
183.25
323.75
275.60
4 Lbs. N P K 1
293.50
374. 50
U7.25
361.75
86.15
142.37
Total yield for 8 trees per plot.
Nitrate of soda was applied for the first time to Plots 4 and
5 on May 23, l'M6. The effect was noticeable the same season in
each instance, as the yield was increased as much as 105 pounds.
This increase apparently was due to a small drop on the nitrogen
fed trees, and by the increased size of the peaches which resulted
the first season. This point has considerable bearing on peach or-
38 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
chard fertilization, since growers can expect returns from nitrate of
soda application the same season the material is applied on old
trees. It should be pointed out that the increased yield of the
nitrated plots resulted from the same bearing area and from the
same set of fruit buds.
The second year of the experiment the influence of nitrogen on
the yield was even more pronounced than the first year. Figures 4
and 5 show the comparative growth and vigor of the nitrogen-treated
trees. Table VIII shows that the increased yields follow increased
growth. It should be pointed out that the Carman variety yielded
considerably more when nitrogen was applied to the trees even
though the percent of fruit buds was smaller than that of the non-
nitrogen treated plots. This was due to greater bearing area and to
the more fruitful conditions as brought about by the nitrogen appli-
cations. In these tests then, an increase in both growth and yield
resulted from the nitrogen applications.
Alderman (1) presented data which show the picking date of the
various plots in this experiment and the effect of fertilizers on the
maturity of the fruit. Nitrate of soda delayed ripening of the fruit
from two to ten days, depending upon the season. In addition the
peaches produced on the plots receiving nitrogen were not so highly
colored as were those on plots receiving no nitrogen. This difference
in color was largely due to the increased shading from the foliage
on the nitrogen treated plots. However, this was not a serious ob-
jection, and could be overcome to some extent by proper pruning.
The Cherry Run Experiment. — Yield records were taken in this
experiment for four years only. In 1918, unfortunately, some one
harvested a part of the crop during the absence of Mr. Fulton, the
orchard manager. Consequently, the records had to be omitted for
that year.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
39
TABLE XIX.— The Effect of Fertilizers on the Total Yield of Car-
man in the Cherry Run Orchard.
Plot
No.
Treatment
Yield in Pounds
Average
Yield in
Pounds
nnual Gain
\ Pounds
ver Check
1
1914
1915
^17.00"
1916
1917
<.to
1
N P
30.06
751.93
851.87
512.71
224.43
2
N K
5.75
341.00
496.68
742.87
396.57
108.29
3
N P K
49.37
426.87
685.56
830.06
497.98
208.70
4
P K
0.18
172.00
262.31
355.25
197.43
—90.85
5
Check
3.50
190.12
445.62
513.87
288.28
6
P
333.62
559.56
531.00
474.73
91.53
7
K
294.00
474.06
622.80
433.62
50.42
8
N
236.03
646.00
778.20
553.41
170.21
The largest yields in this experiment were secured where nitro-
gen was applied. Where phosphorus or potassium or both were used
with nitrogen the yield was not increased over that of nitrate of soda.
In Plots 6 and 7 the yield was slightly increased when potassium
and phosphorus were applied singly. On the other hand these two
in combination (Plot 4) yielded less than the check plot.
The Elberta Experiment. — The effect of fertilizers, especially
nitrogen, on the yield of Elberta has not been quite so marked in
some instances as in the two experiments above. This may be ac-
counted for in part by greater fertility at the beginning of the ex-
periment. The total yields for six years are given in Table XX.
40
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
= Growtl-
600
50C
V
400
300
200
175
Average of
all plots
Average of
all plots
.2 a
- 0)
til
V L,
- *>
" a
•- 14
«a
5s
fa
w «
i-
5o
41 *
fl 7
5 a
— 4)
a a
a h
- -
its
SS
--
L
GO ©
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
41
TABLE XX.— The Influence of Fertilizers on Total Yield in the
Elberta Experiment at Cherry Run.
CO
t- u
d
Z
•a
> s:
OO
o
0.
Treatment
Total Yield in Pounds
<0 Q)
« 2
1915
1916
1917
1918] 1919
1920
£<
1
Soybeans
Discarded
2
Soybeans P K
52.75
574.93
778.06
796.50
858.75
893.00
3953.99
241.67
3
Crimson Clover
35.50
515.25
641.50
782.62
624.50
875.50
3474.87
—237.45
4
Crim. Clover P K
11.25
455.06 992.00
148.40
941.13
432.75
2980.59
—731.73
5
2 Lbs. N
345.65
597.72
703.35
508.50
873.45
946.35
3975.02
262.70
6
Check
88.31
601.37
658.92
686.97
789.39
767.97
3592.93
7
4 Lbs. N
72.37
759.87
853.31
1002.50
954.00
1569.51
5211.56
1499.24
8
6 Lbs. N
44.93
1007.37
1051.12
989.64
1014.03
1193.76
5300.85
1588.53
9
2 Lbs. N P
204.75
630.75
790.65
494.32
994.05
1365.75
4480.27
767.95
10
4 Lbs. N P
89.75
1054.12
1198.00
704.25
1340.00
1424.00
5810.12
2097.80
11
6 Lbs. N P
48.00
985.31
1218.15
597.06
1003.77
1112.76
4965.05
1252.73
12
Check
15.00
699.00
762.60
536.94
914.94
984.87
3913.35
13
Check
51.06
731.12
676.70
203.94
758.61
845.64
3267.07
14
2 Lbs. N P K
45.25
787.06
831.06
452.16
943.02
1042.25
4100.80
388.48
15
4 Lbs. N P K
29.75
891.62
995.62
916.29
1174.50
1678.50
5686.28
1973.96
16
6 Lbs. N P K
101.50
1199.75
1307.79
1210.00
1306.25
2044.00
7169.29
3456.97
17
Manure
54.75
502.50
1017.00
360.72
1216.80
1421.28
4573.05
860.73
18
Manure P
26.50
795.31
1518.75
1012.75
1696.50
1914.75
6964.56
3252.24
19
4 Lbs. N K
16.50
696.81 1208.25
774.54
1055.79
1085.22
4837.11
1125.79
20
4 Lbs. N on 6-15
14.50
655.81
1041.25
678.25
993.25
1099.25
4482.31
769.99
21
P K
13.75
764.37
957.50
63.25
754.50
767.50
3320.87
—391.45
22
Check
13.25
585.62
1060.29
306.63
1106.64
1003.50
4075.93
2?,
4 Lbs. N on 3-25
0.75
774.56
999.50
554.25
1127.88
1277.01
4733.95
1021.63
24
4 Lbs. N on 7-15
0.50
553.68
996.00
299.25
510.25
1668.25
4027.93
315.61
Av. of all checks
3712.32
One of the most striking" features of Table XX and more plainly
brought out in Figure 19 is the total yield of the Plots 2, 3, and 4 on
which leguminous cover crops were grown. The growth of the soy-
beans and crimson clover was very light but it was better on the
plots to which acid phosphate and muriate of potash were ap-
plied. Plot 2, only, yielded more than the adjacent check Plot 6 or
the average of the checks, while I Mots 3 and 4 yielded less. It was
shown in Tables XI and XII that these plots made greater increases
in trunk circumferences and longer terminal growths than did the
check plots. The cover crops were seeded the last of July or the first
part of August, and by the last of August or the first few da
September, which is the normal picking season of Elberta peaches,
the cover crops had made considerable growth. For the growth of
the cover crops moisture was required which was also needed to
mature the crop of peaches already partially matured. The greater
42 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
growth and leaf area of these trees also required more moisture than
the smaller adjacent check trees. Leaves draw moisture from the
fruit at the time of an insufficient supply in the soil. Since the soil
in this orchard was not retentive of moisture, becoming dry very
quickly even after heavy rains, a growing cover crop materially re-
duced the moisture available for the peach trees. In these experi-
ments the check plots and the other low-yielding plots produced a
larger proportion of the larger sized peaches, while the plots which
the leguminous cover crops were grown produced a much smaller
proportion of peaches of these sizes. This also would indicate that
lack of moisture was the cause of the decreased yield of these plots.
The effect of nitrogen on the yield in this experiment is very
evident from a study of Table XX. Every plot to which nitrogen
was added gave a larger yield than the checks. The increase in
yield was slight where two pounds of nitrate of soda were added
and was much greater when 4 or 6 pounds per tree were used. The
yield of Plot 5 was greater than that of the checks. It was shown in
Tables XI and XII that this plot made less terminal growth and that
the trunk circumference was less than that of the check plots. The
increased yield of Plot 5 shows the effect of nitrogen on the set of
fruit. Table XVI shows that Plot 5 had more buds set than the
checks. Apparently the nitrogen caused enough more fruits to be
set and carried through to maturity to more than make up for the
decreased growth of this plot as compared with the checks.
The increase in yield was not in direct proportion to the amount
of nitrate of soda applied in two of the three series. The yield of
Plot 8, receiving six pounds of nitrate, was only slightly better than
that of Plot 7 which received only four pounds per tree. In the case
of Plot 11, receiving 6 pounds of nitrate and 4 pounds of acid phos-
phate per tree, the yield was more than eight hundred pounds less
for the six-year period than that of Plot 10 which received 4 pounds
of nitrate and the same amount of phosphate. Only in Plots 14, 15,
and 16 were the yields in proportion to the amount of nitrogen ap-
plied. It will also be noticed that the difference in the yield of these
plots was consistent year after year, while there was more fluctua-
tion in the six plots receiving nitrogen. Here it would appear that
the trees of the plot used the 6 pounds of nitrate of soda as efficiently
as others used 4 or, even 2 pounds.
The total yields of Plots 5, 7, and 8, which received 2, 4, and 6
pounds of nitrate of soda per tree, respectively, were in round num-
bers 14,500 pounds; the total yield of Plots 9, 10, and 11, which re-
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
43
1050 26
800
3
u.
022
c
«H
.a
■0
H
750
0
S
eo
•
i
|21
c
5
700
h
I
>
s =
S V
s
- M
12 3 4$
I J e 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
plot
44 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
ceived the same amounts of nitrate of soda and in addition 4 pounds
of 16 percent acid phosphate per tree was 15,250 pounds or a gain of
750 pounds in the six-year period. The total yield of Plots 14, 15,
and 16, where nitrogen was used in combination with phosphorus
and potassium, was 17,000 pounds or a gain of 2500 pounds over
Plots 5, 7, and 8 where nitrogen was used alone, or 1750 pounds
more than Plots 9, 10, and 11, where nitrate of soda was used with
acid phosphate, which could be attributed to the potassium applied
during the years 1915, 1916, and 1920. The data obtained in the two
former experiments do not warrant any such conclusion. Even in
this experiment when potassium was applied in combination with
nitrogen, Plot 19, the yield was not increased over that of the plots
(7) receiving the same amount of nitrogen applied at the same time.
It would seem that the differences in the yields between the series
of plots under question were due to soil conditions, to the more vig-
orous conditions of the trees, and to the variation between plots
rather than to the addition of phosphorus or potassium in combina-
tion with the nitrogen. This conclusion would seem justified when
the difference between the size of the trees at the beginning of the
experiment is considered, Table XI.
Stable manure was as effective in increasing the yield of peaches
as was nitrate of soda. Plot 18, which received phosphorus in ad-
dition to the manure, outyielded the plot (17) to which manure alone
was applied. The soil of Plot 18 was slightly more fertile and better
supplied with moisture than was Plot 17, owing to a slight dip in
the land. This was further evidenced by the ranker growth of cover
crops and by the greater amount of moisture in the soil during cultiva-
tion. The difference in yield therefore may have been due in part to
these factors. This experiment shows that manure is undoubtedly
the best fertilizer to apply to peaches, because it not only adds ni-
trogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil but increases the or-
ganic matter as well.
Early applications of nitrogen have been recommended to induce
a better set of apples. In this connection it is interesting to observe
that an application of 4 pounds of nitrate of soda about March 25
on Plot 23 had no effect in this respect. There is an indication that
some of the nitrate of soda was lost to the trees in this plot, as these
trees made less growth, Table XII, than those of other plots receiving
the same amount of nitrate applied sometime in May. It will also
March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 45
be noticed, Table XX, that the yield of Plot 23 was considerably less
than that of Plots 7, 10, and 15 and slightly less than that of
Plot 19.
Applications of nitrate of soda made later than May increased
the length of the terminal growth and reduced the yield as compared
with applications made at this time. From Table XX it will be seen
that the yield of Plots 20 and 24 was less than that of Plot 23 receiv-
ing the early applications. It will also be observed that these two
plots yielded considerably less than similar plots receiving the same
amount of nitrate of soda but applied some time in May, Plots 7, 10,
15, and 19.
From these data it would seem that nitrate of soda should be
applied just before, at, or soon after blossoming period to secure the
maximum returns in yields under West Virginia conditions. There
is not the problem of securing a commercial set of fruit on the peach
as in the case of apples, due to the self-fertility of the former, and as
there is some chance of losing some of the nitrogen when applica-
tions are made as early as March, it would seem wise to delay the
time of applying the fertilizer until May. Late applications cause
the trees to grow later in the season, thus making them more suscept-
ible to winter injury.
The yield of Plots 21 receiving phosphorus and potassium was
less than the average of the checks, and less than the nearest check.
It will be remembered that the yields of similar plots in the Cherry
Run experiment, Table XIX, and that of the Sleepy Creek experi-
ments, Table XVII, either failed to show an increase or yielded
less than the check plots. Under such conditions these materials
should not be applied in combination to peach trees, at least not on
soils similar to those in these experiments. Phosphorus may be
applied to the cover crop with very beneficial results.
The Effect of Fertilizers on Size of Fruit
So far attention has been centered upon the effect of fertilizers
upon (a) growth, (b) the set of fruit buds, and (c) yield. Considera-
tion will now be given to the size of fruit produced under the
different treatments.
In studying the effect of fertilizers on the sizes of peaches in
these experiments the crops of each tree were sized on a mechanical
sizer. The sizes used were: culls (up to 2 inches in diameter) ; choice
(2 to 2 1-4 inches); fancy (2 1-4 to 2 1-2 inches); extra fancy ( 2 1-2
inches up). These sizes are the ones used in packing the various
46
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
packs in the six-basket Georgia carriers. The total weights of the
peaches of each grade produced on each plot and the percentage of
the various grades are entered in the following tables.
The Effect of Fertilizers upon Size in the Sleepy Creek Experi-
ment.— None of the fertilizers applied had a marked effect on size.
The data presented in Table XXI show that the plots producing the
largest percentage of culls did not receive nitrogen.
TABLE XXL— Effect of Fertilizers on the Size of Peaches in the
Sleepy Creek Experiment1.
Carman:
Weight in Pounds
Percent
of the
.
o
Differenl
. Grades
o
Z
u
+>
Treatment
IB
re
o
0.
i
(0 S
— eg
Si
LJ- Q.
2?
X-N
UJw
re
*•
o
h
31
£ J
OCM
2 J
u.Sf
x :-*
1
N P
343.12
2168.15
1162.53
339.59
4013.39 |
8.55
54.02
28.96
8.47
2
N K
256.10
2736.35
1280.43
331.93
4604.81 1
5.57
59.42
27.80
7.21
3
N P K
227.50
1885.61
1211.43
307.18
3631.72
6.27
51.92
33.35
8.46
4
Check
661.82
1080.52
612.51
257.47
2612.32
25.33
41.36
23.46
9.85
5
P K
543.80
1234.80
729.90
336.07
2844.57
19.12
43.41
25.65
11.82
6
N P K
246.93
2825.78
1212.44
433.40
4718.55 |
5.24
59.89
25.68 9.19
7
N P K*
232.43
2429.53
1472.23
515.68
4649.87 |
5.00
52.25
31.67
11.08
8
N P K**
705.01
2565.06
1241.84
626.25
5138.16 1
13.73
49.92
24.16
12.19
9
Lime
370.45
1224.90
863.37
317.54
2776.26
13.32
44.13
31.10
11.44
10
N
249.28
2431.86
1888.06
400.34
4969.54 |
5.01
48.94
38.00
8.05
11
P
699.06
1043.52
595.94
209.18
2547.70 |
27.44
40.95
23.39
8.22
12
K
545.65
1462.29
1084.38
334.84
3427.16 |
15.92
42.66
31.64
9.78
Waddell;
N P
N K
N P K
Check
P K
N P K
N P K*
N P K**
Lime
N
P
K
948.34
656.93
586.26
715.73
629.54
624.10
621.93
448.48
789.63
451.73
601.14
724.96
2304.00
2154.18
2175.25
766.27
666.63
2321.30
1996.72
2307.74
1403.10
1625.57
1431.37
1246.86
410.00
539.99
556.11
229.09
333.20
582.75
598.39
858.08
417.33
520.13
736.81
433.24
28.32
44.26
42.56
8.25
58.18
71.35
30.05
141.04
41.99
47.98
85.15
75.09
3690.66
3395.36
3360.18
1719.34
1687.55
3599.50
3247.09
3755.34
2652.05
2645.41
2854.47
2480.15
25.70
19.35
17.45
41.63
37.31
17.34
19.16
11.94
29.78
17.08
21.06
29.24
62.42
63.44
64.74
44.57
39.50
64.49
61.49
61.45
52.90
61.44
50.14
50.27
11.10
15.90
16.54
13.32
19.74
16.18
18.42
22.85
15.73
19.66
25.82
17.47
.77
1.31
1.27
.48
3.45
1.99
.93
3.76
1.59
1.82
2.98
3.02
1 This table includes the total weight of all grades for the years 1913-18,
inclusive.
• K Doubled.
• * K Tripled.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
47
$
Il
£:
0mi
-;•■■
i ■-
•.•.'■•
a v
48
W. VA. AG-R'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
The Carman check plot produced 25 percent culls, while the
culls in the nitrogen-treated plots ranged from 5 to 13 percent. Like-
wise in Waddell the highest percentage of culls occurred in the
check, while the next highest was in the plot receiving acid phos-
phate and muriate of potash. The total production of culls was
greater in Waddell, the smaller variety. The plots receiving phos-
phorus, potassium, and lime produced approximately the same quan-
tity of culls as did the check plots, even though the total production
of the latter was considerably less. In Carman the nitrogen-treated
plots produced the largest quantity of extra fancy peaches but this
tendency was not so pronounced with Waddell. Taken as a whole,
however, there was no significant difference between the different
fertilizer treatments as to the quantity of extra fancy peaches pro-
duced, although with Carman the four plots producing the greatest
yield of this size were nitrogen-treated.
It will be recalled from the discussion on growth that in this
experiment Plots 4 and 5 were each divided into two parts so that
one-half of each variety was left as the original experiment was
planned, and to each tree in the other half four pounds of nitrate of
soda were applied. The data on effect of nitrate of soda on size in
this test are included in Table XXII.
TABLE XXII.— Effect of Nitrate of Soda on Size of Peaches on
Trees of Low Vigor in Plots 4 and 5 of the Sleepy
Creek Experiment (Seasons of 1917 and 1918).
Carman:
d
Z
*->
o
n
Size of Peaches — Weight in Pounds
Percent
Treatment
»-CM
Q.
—CM
Q.
CM
-«
CM
3
CM
-<*
CM
3
tot
1
CM
1
COT
°y
1
|
1
I
1
I
i
nt
J
-<t
-CM
o
1
f)t
J
-t
-CM
"^
C\J
CM
CM
h
,~
CM
CM
CM
4
Check
17.00] 95.50
235.75|218.00|104.00
670.25|
2.53114.25
35.17|32.53
15.52
4
4 IbN
43.50(264.50
341.00j270.90 164.25
1084.151
4.01124.40
31.46(24.98
15.15
51 P K
17.001 99.06
262.061272.50 136.32
786.94]
2.1612.59
33.30(34.63
17.32
5 4 lb NPK
65.00(251.50
289.25 236.50 228.75
1071.00)
6.0723.48
27.01|22.08
21.36
Waddell:
4
Check
59.74
125.00
132.52
88.24
8.24
413.74
14.44
30.21
32.03
21.33
1.99
4
4 lb N
120.74
212.24
222.24
109.86
4.24
669.32
18.04
31.71
33.21
16.41
.63
5
P K
41.50
98.75
154.50
161.25
54.50
510.50
8.13
19.34
30.27
31.59
10.67
5
4 lb NPK
45.75
180.75
253.50
221.75
56.50
758.25
6.03 23.84
33.43
29.25
7.45
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
49
These data show that although there was a much larger yield
of peaches on the nitrogen-treated plots, the percent falling in any-
one size was about the same as from the plots receiving no nitrogen.
Nitrogen did not increase the size of the fruit, and the additional
fruit borne on the nitrogen-treated trees did not reduce the average
size.
Effect of Fertilizers on Size in the Cherry Run Experiment. —
As shown in Table XXIII none of the fertilizers applied alone or
in combination had any appreciable effect in increasing the size of
the peaches in this experiment. Nitrogen increased the percent of
extra fancy peaches by a very small margin over the trees not so
1
§§
■'»•:•
. *"• •*•*,•
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mim
fo 20 30 +0 S'O 60
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fane
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TTxtra. fane
7
FIr. 21. — Dlngrnm Slunvinn the Inlliu-ii.e of 1 Vrllll/.rrs on tin- BlM «'f < nnniiii
I'ciit-lioM, Cherry Itmi lOxperlincnt.
50
W. VA. AG-R'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
TABLE XXIII. — Effect of Fertilizers on the Size of Carman in the
Cherry Run Experiment (1914 to 1917).
Treatment
Percent of
Each Grade
Plot
Culls
Choice
Fancy
Extra Fancy
No.
0—2"
2"— 2\"
O 1 " p 1 "
21"— up
1
N P
6.13
56.53
28.65
8.67
2
N K
4.47
56.75
35.60
3.17
3
N P K
4.98
61.16
31.51
2.34
4
P K
3.05
45.72
48.26
2.94
5
Check
5.91
62.90
29.65
1.51
6
P
5.27
58.66
34.96
1.04
7
K
3.98
57.53
36.24
2.23
8
N
3.38
50.88
43.68
2.05
treated but lowered the percent of fancy peaches somewhat. Those
fertilizing materials which increased the yield also produced about the
same amount of each of the four sizes as did the check. It will be
seen, therefore, that none of the treatments was outstanding- in
increasing the yield of the larger sizes.
Effect of Fertilizers on Size of Fruit in the Elberta Experi-
ment.— It has generally been held that nitrogen-carrying fertilizers
increase the size of peaches. Whitten and Wiggans (11) state that
during dry seasons in Missouri peaches produced on trees fertilized
with nitrate of soda were smaller than those produced on unferti-
lized trees. The suggestion was made that this was due to the nitro-
gen producing a larger area of foliage which withdrew moisture
from the fruit or at least used the moisture which would have
otherwise gone to the fruit. It will be recalled that none of the fer-
tilizer treatments increased the size of the peaches to any marked ex-
tent in the Cherry Run or in the Sleepy Creek experiments.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
51
TABLE XXIV.— Effect of Fertilizers on Size of Fruit in the Elberta
Experiment (1915-1920 Inclusive).
Size in Pounds
Size % Total
Q.
a
d
— N
7
Z3
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CM s
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Treatment
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1
Soybeans
Discarded
2
Soybeans P K
47.62
809.75
2229.06
722.12
3808.55
1.0 22.0
58.0
19.0
3
Crimson Clover
57.00
756.25
2020.75
666.00
3500.00
2.0|22.0
57.0
19.0
4
Crimson Clover P K
17.40
498.55
1367.86
1094.70
2978.51
0.6 16.7
45.9
36.8
5
2 Lbs. N
66.61
1054.52
2088.60
770.25
3979.98
1.7
26.5
52.5
19.3
6
Check
32.62
704.30
2003.25
813.25
3553.42
0.9
19.8
56.4
22.9
7
4 Lbs. N
113.12
1459.12
2727.99
909.43
5209.66
2.1
28.1
52.4
17.4
8
6 Lbs. N
122.51
1457.19
2636.98
1086.86
5303.54
2.3
27.5
49.7
20.5
9
2 Lbs. N P
47.25
980.18
2406.00
1012.26
4445.69
1.0
22.0
54.122.9
10
4 Lbs. N P
75.00
1024.81
3303.79
1399.87
5803.47
1.3
17.7
56.9124.1
11
6 Lbs. N P
55.69
926.85
2553.76
1363.17
4899.47
1.1
18.9 52.2127.8
12
Check
29.98
621.37
2366.25
902.25
3919.85
0.8 15.8
60.4 23.0
13
Check
26.13
270.88
1542.01
1445.50j3284.52
0.8
8.2
46.9 44.1
14
2 Lbs. N P K
28.37
528.93
2228.42
1355.40]4141.12
0.7
12.8
53.8
32.7
15
4 Lbs. N P K
51.94
1246.40
2788.78
1536.13|5623.25
0.9
22.2
49.6
27.3
IK
6 Lbs. N P K
68.56
1698.34
3445.49
(1655.3816867.77
1 1.0
24.7
50.2
24.1
17
Manure
17.50
257.50 2164.57
(2288.67 4728.24
| 0.4
5.4
45.8
48.4
18
Manure P
32.19
625.40|3801.55
|2521.53 6980.67
| 0.5
8.9
54.5
36.1
If)
4 Lbs. N K
65.90
1258.16|2621.68
| 893.16 4838.90
1.3
26.0
54.3
18.4
2i
4 Lbs. N on 6-15
58.50
1003.5812458.93
920.18[4441.19
| 1.3
22.6
55.4
20.7
21
P K
1 88.57
356.51
1596.41
1270.26|3311.75
1 2.7
10.8
is. 2
38.3
22
Check
32.37
756.68
2404.07
877.3814070.50
0.8
ls.t
59.1
21.5
2!
4 Lbs. N on 3-25
96.32
1230.94
2530.57
831.64|4689.47
2.1
26.2
54.0
17.7
21
4 Lbs. on 7-15
38.00
940.12
2154.82
917.50|4050.44
1 0.9
23.2
53.2 22.7
Difference between total weights given in this Table and Table XX ia
due to variation in weighing; also when the peaches were graded, those badly
damaged by brown rot or scab were thrown out and not weighed.
A study of Table XXIV and Figure 22 shows that the majority
of plots receiving nitrate of soda produced a smaller percent of
fancy and extra fancy peaches than did the checks. Plot 21, re-
ceiving muriate of potash and acid phosphate, also produced a
somewhat higher percent of the larger sized peaches. The data
show that the plots which produced the greatest total yield oi
peaches had the smallest percent of the larger sizes, with the
ception of Plots 17 and 18 which received manure at the rate oi
150 pounds per tree. In these plots the bulk of the crop, 92.4
percent, was fancy and extra fancy, even though the yield was
large. In the check and non-nitrogen-treated plots the yield was
less, and since there were fewer fruits, the size was larger. The
52
W. VA.
AGR'L EXPERIMENT
STATION
[Bulletin 183
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March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 53
probable reason for this influence of the manure was through the
mulch effect before plowing and the better retention of moisture
as a result of the increased organic matter content afterward.
Moisture determinations were not made, but that there was a
greater amount in the manured plots was quite evident during the
growing season. The influence of the manure was more pronounced
on this soil because of its low organic content. The applications
of nitrate of soda produced a greater growth, a larger leaf area,
and a heavier set of fruit, all of which increased the demands on the
soil for moisture. Under these conditions when the soil moisture
became low during dry periods the size of the fruit was first af-
fected.
The percent of fancy and extra fancy peaches produced in Plots
14, 15, and 16 showed that the size of the peaches was reduced in
direct proportion to the amount of nitrate of soda applied. This was
not the case, however, in the other plots where nitrate of soda was
applied.
These experiments indicate that soil moisture plays an important
part in determining the size of peaches. The shale soil on which the
above experiments were conducted is not retentive of moisture,
and consequently the effect of a slight drouth was readily noticed.
On soils better supplied with or more retentive of moisture, size of
fruit might be increased by nitrogen applications. If the best results
are to be secured from the application of fertilizers to peaches the
soil must be well supplied with organic matter, and cultural methods
must be used which are efficient in conserving soil moisture.
Influence of Fertilizers on the Time of Maturity
The effect of fertilizers, particularly those containing nitrogen,
upon the time of maturity of peaches is an important consideration
to the grower. This phase of the subject has been given careful
attention in these experiments because of the direct bearing upon
the time of marketing and hence upon prices. It should be kept in
mind, however, that in some years, depending upon the time of
highest prices during the season, late maturity may be an advantage
and in other years a disadvantage.
The Time of Picking in the Cherry Run Experiment. — In this
experiment nitrogen delayed the time of picking the bulk <>t the
crop from two to ten days. The results for the different seasons
are included in Table XXV.
54
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
TABLE XXV. — Influence of Fertilizers on Time of Picking in the
Cherry Run Experiment.
Carman:
Percent of Crop Harvested at Each Picking
Date
of Pic
king
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
N P
N K
N P K
P K
Check
P
K
N
1915:
Aug.
2
.0
.0
.0
19.8
20.2
14.0
21.3
.0
Aug.
4
.0
.0
2.4
35.1
33.9
30.7
34.4
.0
Aug.
7
7.8
16.4
16.4
45.1
45.9
55.3
44.3
40.1
Aug.
9
34.8
30.4
12.4
.0
.0
.0
.0
23.8
Aug.
13
57.4
53.2
68.8
.0
.0
.0
.0
36.1
1916:
Aug.
1
1.3
2.3
.1
25.5
44.2
31.0
51.5
14.6
Aug.
3
7.8
5.6
4.9
29.7
19.1
27.3
40.1
29.9
Aug.
5
65.8
66.8
69.7
41.5
31.3
35.1
7.3
44.5
Aug.
7
25.1
25.3
25.3
3.3
5.4
6.6
1.1
11.0
1917:
Aug.
6
18.9
19.8
15.8
47.9
63.6
57.9
71.5
36.4
Aug.
8
81.1
80.2
84.1
52.1
36.4
42.1
28.5
63.6
In contrast to the influence of nitrogen it will be seen that the
plots which received potash and acid phosphate either singly or in
combination ripened the crop at approximately the same time as did
the check. The dates given in the table, however, do not quite
show the real difference between the nitrogen-treated and non-
nitrogen-treated plots for the reason that the early maturing peaches
were allowed to hang on the trees in some cases until they became
overripe and those on the nitrogen-treated plots were picked as
early as possible in order to lessen the number of shipments. The
peaches on the nitrogen-treated plots were greener in color than
were those on the non-nitrogen-treated plots but this difference
should not be ascribed directly to nitrogen in view of the reduced
sunlight which reaches the peaches as a result of the denser foliage.
Time of Picking in the Elberta Experiment. — The general trend
of the influence of nitrogen in this experiment is similar to that in
the Cherry Run experiment. The percent of the crop ripe on the dif-
ferent picking dates is given for each plot. A study of Table XXVI
will show that the time of ripening on the different treatments varies
considerably.
The number of pickings varied from 8 in 1916 to 3 in 1920. As
in the previous experiment, except in 1916, the tendency was to pick
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 55
the first of the crop late and the last of the crop early. The data
show that the delay in maturity was generally in direct proportion
to the amount of nitrogen applied : the plots receiving 6 pounds of
nitrate of soda per tree and the manured plots being the last to
ripen. In this experiment as well as in the one at Cherry Run the
treatments which increased the yield delayed the time of ripening.
This is an important point to keep in mind in view of the relation-
ship between growth and yield.
56
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
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FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
57
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58 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
Effect of Lime on Growth. — The various analyses which have
been made of the wood and fruit of the peach show that it uses large
amounts of calcium. The limed plot in the Sleepy Creek experiment
gave some indication of stimulated growth and bearing. In view of
this, it was thought best to make additional tests of the effects of
lime on growth and yield. Accordingly in the Elberta Experiment
a single application of lime was made to three record trees of each
plot in the spring of 1915. Ground limestone was drilled between the
rows at the rate of two and a half tons per acre, this amount being in
excess of the lime requirement of this soil.
It will be seen from the data in Table XXVII that the applica-
tion of lime did not effect the length of the terminal shoot growth.
The seven-year average length of ten terminal shoots per tree was 20.2
feet on the limed trees, and 20.3 feet on the unlimed trees, or one-
tenth of a foot in favor of no lime. The effect of lime on the check
plots was insignificant: Plot 6 shows a loss, 12 and 13 a slight gain,
and 22 a somewhat larger gain. In plots receiving nitrate of soda,
acid phosphate, or muriate of potash, either alone or in combination,
lime did not increase the growth.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
59
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60 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
The outstanding influence from lime came through its effect
upon cover crops. The growth of soybeans and crimson clover was
larger and thicker in the rows which had received lime. As shown
above, however, the limed trees, in Plots 2, and 4 made increased
growth in favor of lime, while Plot 3 showed a loss.
The Effect of Lime on Yield. — The data on yield for the six
years, 1915 to 1920, inclusive are given in Table XXVIII.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
61
Fig 23. — Plot 8 in the Foreground and Plot 4 in the Background. Very Poor
Stand and Growth of Soybeans on Plot S 'Which Received Nitrogen Alone.
Much Better Growth and Stand in Plot 4 Which Received Phosphorun
and Potassium. Picture Taken August, 1921.
Fig. 24. Plot s In the Foreground ami Plot I in the Background. Thla &***
Received the Same Treatment as the Oae Bhowa la Ptfrore 33 Except
That in the Spring of 1918 Whoa Groaad Ltmeetoae at the Rat* <" I i -
Tone per Acre eras tpplled. Llaie la \ erj Beaeatlal lor Soyheaa Growth
in Peach Orehard*. Picture Taken Same Daj as in Phrare M
62
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
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March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 63
This table shows that, as in the case of growth, lime had no
appreciable effect on yield. In the six-year period the average vield
per tree on the limed plots was 85 pounds and on the unlimed plots
85.1 pounds. It will be recalled (Tables VI, VII, XIV and XVII)
that a very slight increase in growth, fruit bud formation, and vield
was secured from lime in the Sleepy Creek experiment. The re-
sults in that experiment, however, are not so clear as in the El-
berta experiment since the soil and the trees were much more
uniform in the latter.
Clean culture has been found to be the most successful method
of producing peaches. With clean culture, however, must go some
system of cover cropping which will hold the soil during the winter
and aid in maintaining the organic matter. Lime has greatly in-
creased the growth of the cover crop. These results indicate that lime
should be used only where needed by the cover crops and should
be applied uniformly over the orchard.
The difference in growth of soybeans due to the application
of lime in the Elberta experiment is shown in Figures 23 and 24,
The lime was applied in the spring of 1915 and the pictures were
taken in August, 1921. It was interesting to note the increased
growth of soybeans resulting from a lime application made six
years previously.
ADDITIONAL PHASES OF THE FERTILIZER PROBLEM
Residual Effect of Fertilizers
The late spring freezes of 1921 killed all of the fruit buds in
the Elberta experiment and as a result there was no crop. Since no
fertilizers had been applied after the spring application of 1920, an
opportunity was afforded of making a study of the residual effect oi
fertilizers. In the fall of 1921 marked differences were evident in
the color of the foliage and length oi the terminal growths in the
different plots. The length of the terminal growth made seemed
to bear a direct relationship to the amount of nitrogen applied. In
order to determine what residual effect, if any, there was from nitro
gen ten terminal shoots were measured from each oi the r<
tire- of different plots. The results of these measurements are
given in Table XXIX.
64
W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
TABLE XXIX. — Residual Effect of Fertilizer as Measured by
Terminal Shoot Growth in the Elberta Experiment.
Plot No.
l
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Treatment
Soybeans — Plot Discarded
Soybeans P K
Clover
Clover P K
N
N ...
N P
N P
N P .
Crimson
Crimson
2 Lbs. N
Check ..
4 Lbs.
6 Lbs.
2 Lbs.
4 Lbs.
6 Lbs.
Check
Check
2 Lbs. N P K
4 Lbs. N P K
6 Lbs. N P K
Manure
Manure P
4 Lbs. N K
4 Lbs. N 6-15
P K
Check
4 Lbs. N 3-20
4 Lbs. N 7-15
Average of checks
Av. Length I Gain Over
n Ft. of
Ten Shoots
11.97
16.98
10.72
11.87
6.58
16.47
16.57
14.25
20.16
24.55
10.12
6.80
8.25
14.31
21.47
16.15
15.87
13.08
13.88
6.95
6.62
13.07
20.13
7.53
Average of
Checks
4.44
9.45
3.19
4.34
8.94
9.04
6.72
12.63
17.02
.72
6.78
13.94
8.62
8.34
5.55
6.35
—.58
5.54
12.60
The plots to which nitrogen had been applied made from two
to three times the growth made by the check plots. Plots 2, 3, and
4, on which leguminous cover crops had been grown, made from 3
to 9.5 inches more growth than did the average of the check plots
and still more when compared with the nearest check. This fact in-
dicates that there was as much residual effect on growth from the
cover crops as there was from applications of 2 to 4 pounds of nitrate
of soda. The combination of acid phosphate or muriate of potash
or both with nitrogen had little effect on shoot growth. The acid
phosphate and muriate of potash combination (Plot 21) resulted in
a growth .58 of a foot less than the average of all the checks, or the
growth on this plot was .33 of' a foot greater than that of the ad-
jacent check plot (Plot 22). At the time the measurements were
made the foliage on the check plots and on the plots receiving acid
phosphate and muriate of potash had turned yellow and many
leaves had dropped, while the leaves on those which had received
nitrogen were still dark green. The data set forth in Table XXIX
therefore indicate that there was, in general, a tree response propor-
tionate to the rate of nitrogen application during the previous year.
March, 1924]
FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
65
This was also observed in the season of 1922, two years after the
last nitrogen application was made.
Effect of Fertilizers on Winter Killing in the Elberta Experiment
A study was made in 1918 on the effect of fertilizers on the winter
killing of fruit buds. The results are shown in Table XXX.
The plots which received nitrate of soda had from 10 to 45 percent
more injury to the fruit buds than did the check plots. The mor-
tality of the fruit buds was greatest where the applications of nitrate
of soda were heaviest or when made late in the season.
TABLE XXX.— Effect of Fertilizer on Winter Killing of Fruit
Buds, Winter 1917-18.
Plot
Treatment
Percent Fruit
Percent of
Percent of
No.
Buds Set, 1918
Live Buds
Buds Killed
13
Check
57
54
46
14
2 Lbs. N P K
54
44
56
15
4 Lbs. N P K
48
44
56
16
6 Lbs. N P K
43
31
69
20
4 Lbs. N on 6-15
46
23
77
21
P K
71
50
50
22
Check
64
46
55
23
4 Lbs. N on 3-25
41
33
67
24
4 Lbs. on 7-15
61
11
89
The time of the application of nitrogen also had an important
bearing on the amount of injury. Plot 23 which received 4 pounds
of nitrate of soda on March 15 had 67 percent of the flower buds
killed, Plot 20 which received 4 pounds <>n June 15 had 77 percent
killed, and Plot 24 which received 4 pounds on July 15 had 89 per-
cent of the flower buds killed.
In the spring of 1922, following a winter of practically no in-
jury to peach fruit buds, observations were made to determine
the number of fruit buds that had died or been killed during tin-
winter. Ten shoots per tree were taken at random for all the
trees in each of the nine plots and the average of the records are
given in Table XXXI.
66
"W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION
[Bulletin 183
TABLE XXXI.— Effects of Fertilizer on Winter Killing of Fruit
' Buds, Winter 1921-22.
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13.27
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.280
20.48
5.74
24.96
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.180
12.27
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23.22
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.153
12.66
1.94
17.97
22
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763
.151
11.63
1.75
19.79
23
4 Lbs. N 3-25
6.57
.712
.136
14.01
1.90
19.10
From this table it will be seen that applications of nitrate of soda
increased the length of the shoots and the length of the internodes,
with one exception, Plot 23. In half the cases where nitrate of soda
was applied the set of frnit buds was increased, while in the other
plots no increase was evident. All the plots receiving nitrate of
soda were found to have more dead buds per node than had the
non-nitrated plots, with one exception, Plot 23 which received the
application early, and as previously pointed out, some of the nitrate
may have leached from the soil before active root absorption took
place, thus accounting for this irregularity. Notwithstanding the
poorer set of fruit buds on some of the nitrated trees and the much
greater injury to all of the nitrogen-fed trees, those receiving nitrate
of soda still produced more flowers per shoot than did the non-
nitrated trees.
Records of a similar kind in other investigations show that
treatments which induce a tree to grow late in the summer or early
in the fall also make the fruit buds more susceptible to injury.
Roberts in Wisconsin (8) working with the sour cherry showed
that the fruit buds which were the most advanced in development
were most easily killed. His results were based upon microscopic
studies of these buds as well as upon field observations. Late
maturity of the trees was not considered a factor in the bud killing,
because with the cherry the trees growing the latest were the least
injured.
March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 67
In contrast to this the studies of Farr (2) with the peach showed
that the "young, vigorous shoots almost without exception were
found to bear buds in a considerably later stage of development than
did the short, stubby spurs If the cessation of dormancv is
a criterion of the susceptibility to winter injury by severe weather it
would seem that the buds on the short, stubby spurs would be
the more resistant and those on the young, vigorous shoots would
be the more susceptible.'" The findings of Farr are in accord with
studies made in this connection which showed that under West
Virginia conditions the fruit buds borne on the short, stubby
growths were much hardier that the buds found on the longer, more
vigorous shoots. The precaution should be taken, therefore, in
this state not to adopt cultural methods or to make fertilizer appli-
cations which would induce the trees to grow too late in the
season.
Effect of Fertilizers on Color of Peaches
In each of the three experiments reported here the fruit pro-
duced on trees receiving nitrogen was not so highly colored as that
from the check plots or from the plots receiving acid phosphate or
muriate of potash. This is an important result of the application of
fertilizers from the grower's standpoint and the recommendations
for counteracting it should be carefully considered. As has been
pointed out the nitrogen-treated trees in general made more growth
and the foliage was much heavier on these plots than on the others.
This heavy dense foliage excluded a large amount of light, while
on the check plots and the plots receiving acid phosphate and
muriate of potash the foliage was less dense thus permitting a larger
amount of sunlight to strike the fruit. The differences- in color of
fruit, therefore, in the different treatments seems to be due to the
amount of sunlight that the fruit received rather than to the fertilizer
treatments.
The most effective means of overcoming the shading of the
fruit in the vigorous growing nitrogen-treated trees is by pr
pruning. The entire tree should be kept thinned out by removing
the small lateral branches here and there throughout the to|>. Trees
heavily fertilized with nitrogen will require heavier pruning than un-
fertilized trees but the tops must be kept open so that small branches
will develop on the larger limbs, [f this is not done each year the
branches in the center of the trees will die and the fruiting area
of the tree will not onh be reduced but it will rise higher with each
68 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 18£
season and in time very little fruit will be borne in the central part
of the tree where it can be best supported.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON FERTILIZING PEACH TREES
Shall the Peach Grower Use Fertilizers?
The results of the West Virginia experiments show that the
greatest yields are secured from trees fertilized with nitrogen or
with stable manure. Experiments in Deleware (3), Ohio (10), Ore-
gon (7), Virginia (6), and Missouri (11 and 13) also show that
nitrogen is in most locations the limiting factor in peach production.
On soils similar to the ones included in these experiments the peach
grower cannot afford to produce peaches without the use of some
quickly available form of nitrogen such as nitrate of soda.
Along with the use of nitrogen should go a system of culti-
vation which will conserve the soil moisture so that it may be
available at the time the trees most need it. The use of cover crops
sown at the proper time for each variety, in early summer or late
fall, will help to maintain or to supply organic matter needed. Care
should always be taken, in view of the relationship existing be-
tween growth and yield, not to have an excessive growth of any
cover crop early in the season which will take up moisture at the time
it is needed by the trees. The cover crop will be benefited by
the liberal use of acid phosphate applied broadcast at the time of
seeding the cover.
How Much Fertilizer Shall He Apply?
Bearing peach trees will respond profitably to comparatively large
amounts of nitrogen. The experimental results indicate that on most
soils in West Virginia the rate of application should be approxi-
mately as follows: Trees one to two years old 1-2 to 1 pound per
tree; trees three to four years old, 2 pounds per tree; trees five to
seven years of age, 4 pounds per tree; and trees e^ght years or older, 5
to 6 pounds. Nitrate of soda should be applied evenly in a circle under
and beyond the drip of the branches, just before, at, or soon after
bloom. If nitrogen is applied earlier than this some leaching from
the soil may take place, or if much later, late growth with the conse-
quent danger from winter injury may occur.
March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 69
SUMMARY OF THE EXPERIMENTS
The West Virginia experimental work on the fertilization of
peach orchards includes three experiments containing 952 trees of
three varieties, Carman, Waddell and Elberta. Two of the experi-
ments were started in the spring of 1911, and the other in the
spring of 1915. The first two experiments were completed in 1918
and the last one in 1921. These experiments were located on two of
the most common peach soils in West Virginia : the Upshur gravelly
silt loam, and the DeKalb shale loam, both being known as poor
soils and containing small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and or-
ganic matter, but relatively large amounts of potassium.
The soil in each experiment was plowed or disked in the spring
of each year. Frequent harrowings were made to maintain a dust
mulch until late summer, when the cover crops were sown. Un-
fortunately the growth of the cover crops was, in many instances,
not sufficient to increase the low organic matter content of the
soil. The fertilizers were applied by hand in a circle under and
beyond the limits of the branches. The date of application varied
from the middle of May to the first of June.
The influence of the different treatments on the trees was deter-
mined by measuring the terminal twig growth, the trunk circumfer-
ence, the set of fruit buds, the total yield, and the size and the time
of maturity of the fruit.
A cover crop of soybeans or crimson clover, although the growth
was slight during some seasons, increased the growth of Elberta
as much as did four pounds of nitrate of soda. Two of the plots with
cover crops, however, yielded less than the checks while the third
yielded only slightly more. It is possible that the light yield was
due to the moisture taken up by the soybeans and crimson clover
at the time the fruit was maturing.
The limed plot on the Sleepy Creek experiment gave some indica-
tion of increased growth and yield, but in the Elberta experiment neg-
ative results were obtained. The growth of cover crops, however,
on the limed areas was approximately twice as great as on the
unlimed plots.
The use of muriate of potash and acid phosphate is not recom-
mended for peaches. Where these two fertilizers were applied to-
70 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
gether there was no increase in growth or yield. Acid phosphate may
be used with good results on cover crops.
Nitrogen was the only fertilizer that has increased the vegeta-
tive growth and yield of fruit sufficiently to be of any economic
importance. Acid phosphate and muriate of potash applied singly,
or in combination with nitrogen, did not increase the growth or yield
over that of nitrogen alone. Application of nitrogen in the form of
nitrate of soda or in stable manure delayed the maturity of fruit from
two to ten days or more depending on the season and the amounts
applied.
Fertilizers had no marked effect in increasing the size of the
peaches. Plots on which the yield was small produced the highest
percentage of culls and also the highest percentage of extra fancy
peaches. Nitrate of soda and manure increased the yield by increas-
ing the number of peaches produced because of a large bearing area,
but the percent of fancy or extra fancy fruit was not increased.
None of the fertilizers had a marked effect on the percent of
fruit buds formed. The increased yield from nitrogen was due pri-
marily to the larger bearing area as a result of greater growth, and
possibly to a better set and smaller drop. An early application of
nitrate of soda did not increase the growth or yield over applications
made about the time of bloom. Some seasons late applications of
nitrogen produced a late growth which was followed by heavier
mortality of the fruit buds during winter. Nitrated trees produced
larger leaves and denser foliage than the non-nitrated trees but the
fruit was poorer in color when compared with the non-nitrated,
largely as a result of shading. Color can be increased on nitrated
trees by adopting a system of pruning which will keep the top
thinned out.
One hundred and fifty pounds of stable manure per tree had
the same effect on growth and yield as 4 to 6 pounds of nitrate of
soda. The addition of phosphorus to manure was not of any direct
value to the trees, but it increased the growth of the cover crops
and also of the weeds. Six pounds of nitrate of soda each for
mature bearing trees was not excessive. When the trees were
young very long growths and heavy foliage were produced which
necessitated heavy pruning to keep the trees open and within bounds.
The results from these experiments indicate that the rate of appli-
cation of nitrate of soda should be approximately as follows : trees
one and two years old, 1-2 to 1 pound per tree; trees three to four
March, 1924] FERTILIZING PEACH TREES 71
years old, 2 pounds per tree; trees five to seven years old, 4 pounds
per tree; and trees eight years or over, 5 to 6 pounds. The residual
effect of nitrate of soda was shown on trees fertilized in the spring
of 1920 which made a terminal growth the following season in direct
proportion to the amount of nitrate of soda applied. Those engaged
in growing peaches on the Upshur gravelly silt loam or the DeKalh
shale loam soils should use some quickly soluble and available form
of nitrogen such as nitrate of soda.
Acknowledgments: Peach fertilization experiments have been one of the
main lines of work of the Horticultural Department at the \V. Va. College
of Agriculture sine- 1911 and the writer wishes to take this opportunity to
give cred't to those who have taken part in them. Professor A L. Dacy
planned and started the Sleepy Creek and the Cherry Run experiments. Profes-
sors W. H. Alderman and E. C. Auchter planned the Elberta erperiment and
had charge of it until 1918. Credit is also due to the present members of the
Horticultural Department for help in obtaining data at different times. The
Experiment Station wishes especially to express appreciation for the assistance
and cooperation of Messrs. S. H. Fulton and M. W. Fulton throughout the
progress of these experiments.
72 W. VA. AGR'L EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 183
LITERATURE CITED
(1) ALDERMAN, W. H., The Fertilization of Peach Orchards,
West Va. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 150. 1-39 (1915).
(2) FARR, C. H., Dormancy and Winter-Killing of Peach Buds,
Trans. Iowa State Hort. Soc. 55: 99-116 (1920).
(3) McCUE, C. A., Some Effects of Certain Commercial Ferti-
lizers Upon the Set of Fruit in the Peach., Proc. of the Am.
Soc. Hort. Sci. 9- 34-41 (1912).
(4) McCUE, C. A., A Fertilizer Experiment with Peaches, Proc.
Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 12: 86-91 (1914).
(5) McCUE, C. A., The Effect of Certain Mineral Fertilizers upon
Strength of Wood in the Peach Tree, Proc. Am. Soc. Hort.
Sci. 13: 113-118 (1915).
(6) RALSTON, G. S., Three Phases of Peach Production in Vir-
ginia, Rept. Va. Hort. Soc. 23 (1918).
(7) REIMER, F. C, Nitrogen Fertilizers for Fruit Trees in the
Roque River Valley, Ore. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 166, 24-26 (1920).
(8) ROBERTS, H. H., Winter Injury to Cherry Blossom Buds,
Proc. Am. Hort. Soc. 14: 105-110 (1917).
(9) THAYER, PAUL, Fertilizers for Peach Orchards, Ohio Agr.
Exp. Sta., Monthly Bui. 4: 380-385 (1919).
(10) WHITTEN, J. C. and WIGGINS, C. C, Orchard Nutrition,
Mo. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 131: 482-483 (1915).
(11) WHITTEN, J. C. and WIGGANS, C. C, Orchard Nutrition,
Mo. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 141 (1916).
(12) WHITTEN, J. C, Nutrition of Fruits with Special Reference
to Hardiness, Mo. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 151: (1917).
(13) WHITTEN, J. C. and WIGGANS, C. C, The Nutrition of
Fruits with Special References to Their Hardiness, Mo. Agr.
Exp. Sta. Bui. 163: 58-60 (1919).
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