128 ORCHARDS. 



from the ceiling of an old house, about one bushel, with other 

 litter, was directed to be placed around a pear tree of small 

 size, but of considerable age, which had never blossomed or 

 borne fruit, and had been entirely neglected for many years. 

 This was done early in the Winter. The spot on which it 

 stood was a poor, dry, gray, slaty soil, and was cultivated the 

 following Spring. This tree, at the proper time, bloomed 

 profusely, and a great quantity of fruit set and matured ; the 

 quality being first rate. The next or second Spring, the tree 

 failed to bloom, and gradually withered and died, and in the 

 Fall afforded a small lot of fire loood, showing doubtless, the 

 effects of an over dose of lime, and forced over-bearing. 



These facts, connected with lime and salt, are very well 

 worth the careful attention of the orchardist, and extended 

 experiments on their action and efficiency in promoting fruit- 

 fulness in fruit trees should be a subject of scientific research. 



Fruitfulness in cold clayey soil may be promoted and the lat- 

 ter made equal to the best, for the apple and peach, and for 

 most other fruits. Where there is but little vegetable mould, 

 decayed litter is mixed with the soil, and a moderate quantity 

 of lime spread broadcast about the roots ; the quantity should 

 vary according to circumstances, but, as a general rule, about 

 as much as is deemed sufficient to be spread on corn or wheat 

 fallowed crops, to be applied during the Fall or early Winter, 

 would be about right. 



It should be well mixed with the litter and soil. This kind 

 of soil, in addition to the lime and decayed litter, may be 

 rendered still better adapted to the growth and fruitfulness of 

 trees, if the farmer should have the time to give the soil a 

 dressing of river or any other sand, mos-t convenient for that 

 purpose.. 



The like good eifect is secured by mixing with sandy soil, 

 clay from ditches — even though it should not be rich in vegeta- 

 ble matter — and then apply mulching of any description to 

 keep the soil cool and moist. 



Some English authors recommend the following treatment 

 for trees unfruitful from luxuriance of growth : 



When trees are so luxuriant, as not to bear those prolific 



