130 

 BOOK NOTICES. 



Several pamphlets have been sent to the editor, which will be 

 noticed as space and occasion permit. The following will be of interest 

 to fruitgrowers : — 



"The composition of Apple-tree Leaves" by F. T. Shutt, M.A., F.I.C., 

 F.C.S., Chemist to the Dominion Experimental Farms. The above is 

 the title of a useful paper, the separates of which have just been distri- 

 buted, that was read by Mr. Shutt before the convention of fruit-growers 

 of the Dominion, held at Ottawa in February last. The work was 

 undertaken with the object of suggesting a rational method for the ap- 

 plication of fertilizers to apple orchards. Analyses are given of the 

 leaves of five of the best known varieties, at two different stages of 

 Growth-— on 25th May when the leaves were just unfolded and on 20th 

 September when they had fully matured. The results are given in 

 tabular form, arranaged under the following heads : — i. Composition of 

 Leaf, showing the percentages of moisture, organic matter and ash. ii. 

 Percentage composition of important constituents in Ash, giving the 

 amount of phosphoric acid, potash, lime, magnesia, oxide of iron and 

 silica, iii. Nitrogen in Organic matter. iv. Weight of Fertilizing 

 Constituents in 1,000 lbs. of Leaves, namely, Nitrogen, Phosphoric 

 Acid and Potash. 



From the data in the above table we ascertain the extent to which 

 the soil is exhausted by the apple-tree as regards its leaves. This is 

 valuable knowledge. We are told that Mr. Shutt intends to make a 

 complete series of analyses of the apple tree in which the old and 

 young wood as well as the fruit will be included. We shall then have 

 definite knowledge by which the fruit grower will be able to obtain the 

 best results, and will be able to carry on his operations with precision 

 and without doubt as to the results. Below are Mr. Shutt's con- 

 clusions, founded upon his scientific investigation, and it will be seen 

 that they coincide exactly with the results which have been arrived at 

 by practical orchardists after many years of experience and trial, with 

 the important diffei^ence that the scientific man knows that his results 

 must be accurate, while the man who has only his practical experience 

 to back him only thinks he is right without knowing the reason why :— 



