68 SEEDLIXG PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES. 



become hard and firm. A mucli more perfect mamire 

 for the development of young trees is formed from a 

 mixture of guano and superphosphate of lime. This 

 I prej)are each winter, and have found most excellent 

 efiects from an application of six hundred to one 

 thousand pounds per acre in the strong, healthy growth 

 and early fruiting of almost every tree to which it is 

 applied. 



To prepare this quantity of superphosphate, use 

 three hundred pounds of burned bones, or four hun- 

 dred pounds of ground, unburned bones dissolved in 

 one hundred and fifty pounds of strong sulphuric acid 

 diluted with twice its bulk of water, adding one hun- 

 dred and fifty pounds of Peruvian Guano ; the whole 

 to be thoroughly intermixed. The excess of acid 

 changes the volatile carbonate of ammonia in the 

 guano to the soluble but non-volatile sulphate, which 

 is slower, and not corrosive or injurious in its action 

 on j)lants. The resulting mixture being in a semi- 

 fluid state, some absorbing material will be needed to 

 act as a divisor. Peat or swamp muck, nearly dry, 

 will be the best substance, and may be used in large 

 quantities, being itself composed of the ligrfeous and 

 carbonaceous products of the growth of wood. This 

 compost may be spread broad-cast, or strewn in fur- 

 rows plowed near the rows. The necessity of furnish- 

 ing the elements found in this manure may be seen 

 at once in the chemical analyses of the Pear, its bark 

 and wood. 



On tlie farm of Prof. Mapes, several varieties of 

 pears, which with us have not hitherto maintained 

 their European reputation, have been produced, of 



