MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. 4L9 



The different kinds of fruit, for instance, quite likely require differ- 

 ent elements of plant-food, or these in different proportions. But we 

 are as yet unable to say, this tree needs so many pounds of nitrogen, 

 so many of potash, and so many of phosphoric acid, of which the par- 

 ticular soil furnishes so many of this, and so many of that, leaving just 

 so much to be supplied by applications of fertilizers. And probably it 

 will be a good many years before we will reach this state of absolute 

 knowledge, if ever. 



We know, says Mr. W. J. Green, in Ohio Farmer, that pears will 

 thrive best on heavy soil, and quince trees require a damp soil, but we 

 give little consideration to the elements in the various kinds of soils. 

 The best that we can do is to supply our trees with about what we think 

 is required, basing our judgment upon experience. Fruit trees require 

 at least a dozen different chemical elements, but nearly all these ele- 

 ments are present in most soils in sufficient quantities. There are only 

 three elements, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, that we are likely 

 to be called upon to supply to any ordinary soil. 



Stable manure, as everyone knows, contains the elements named, 

 but it is not always suitable for fruit trees. It may safely be used on 

 thin, poor soils, and upon old apple orchards. In such cases there is 

 nothing better. 



1. On rich soils no nitrogen is required for fruit trees, and to ap- 

 ply fertilizers containing nitrogen in such cases is not only wasteful 

 but harmful. 



2. When the soil is naturally poor or has become exhausted, as 

 shown by v» eak growth, stable manure, nitrate of soda, sulphate of 

 ammonia or ground bone may be tried and useful. 



3. On apple orchards that have borne several crops, wood ashes 

 (leached or unleached), ground bone or basic slag should be applied 

 annually. 



4. On peach, cherry and pear trees use fertilizers containing phos 1 

 phoric acid and potash, but little or no nitrogen. Enough of the lat- 

 ter element- will usually be found in ground bone. Stable manure, 

 blood, etc., induce too strong growth. — Popular Gardening. 



THE GRAPE INDUSTRY IN MISSOURI. 



[Read at the annual meeting of the American Nursery Association.] 

 Mr. President : That you have requested me to say a few words 

 about the grape interest in Missouri, I suppose is only due to the fact 

 that Missouri grapes and Missouri wines have a good name and well 



