MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 375 



Fertilizers. 



The influence of fertilizing on the health and fruitfulnees of trees 

 is not seen in a single season. It takes several years before the effects 

 of a certain fertilizer on a certain soil can be determined. With cereals 

 and other annual plants it is different. The use of a certain kind of 

 fertilizer on annuals gives unmistakable results in one season. It has 

 been proved by long experience that the liberal use of potash is essen- 

 tial to successful fruit-growing, and, ^s a rule, the most successful 

 growers are those who take cognizance of this fact. In North Caro- 

 lina and Georgia, the great saccess iu peaeh-growing is due largely to 

 the knowledge which the growers have the needs of their soil. Last 

 spring I went through the orchards in the long leaf pine region of 

 North Carolina. The manurial treatment of the orchards I found to 

 be as follows: They are kept cultivated during the summer up to the 

 latter part of June, when the land is planted in cow-peas, which are 

 grown for the purpose of supplying humus and nitrogen to the soil. 

 Nitrogen is the most expensive ingredient ; but when supplied to the 

 soil by means of cow-peas, it costs very little. In order to make the 

 peach trees thrifty and strong and long lived, heavy applications of 

 acid phosphate and kainit are given annually. In place of kainit, 

 muriate of potash can be used. An average application would be 

 about 350 pounds acid phosphate and 500 pounds kainit ( or 150 pounds 

 of muriate.) The cost of this fertilizer is very little; but if this plan 

 is followed, the results will be large yields and the best quality of fruit. 



L. James. 



Crimson Clover. 



Crimson clover was introduced in this country several years ago 

 by the late Dr. Haradine. Being a great lover of flowers, he was at- 

 tracted to this plant by its great beauty, which is hardly exceeded by 

 the finest flower that adorns yard orgarden. The beautiful deep green, 

 which may be seen all through the winter, when not entirely covered 

 with snow, grows deeper and brighter as spring advances, until early 

 in May, when the flowers appear, and the field changes from a deep 

 green to a brilliant crimson, making a sight to behold and remember. 

 At first its value as forage was not understood, and as a soil restorer 

 was unknown, and the progress of the plant at first was raiher slow. 

 Everyone admired its great beauty and numerous plots were grown for 



