306 PEAR GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



are a benefit if placed in the bottom of the hole and covered 

 lightly with soil. If manure is to be had it should be spread in 

 a circle on the surface around the tree, where it serves both as 

 a fertilizer and a mulch to retain moisture. During the first 

 few seasons of the young tree's growth it is an advantage to apply 

 nitrate of soda to the soil, unless the land is known to be rich. 

 For the first application four to six ounces will be the right 

 ■quantity. This should be spread on the surface in a circle about 

 eight inches from the tree when the young leaves are about the 

 size of a man's thumbnail, and while considerable rain is yet to 

 be expected. This fertilizer is soluble and will be carried to the 

 roots by the rains. It is as caustic as lye, and must not be per- 

 mitted to come in contact with the tree or great injury will result. 

 Unless the soil is impoverished, nitrate will hardly be required 

 beyond the second year, except in the case of some tree that is 

 lagging behind. Too much nitrate stimulates rank, soft, sappy 

 growth and is undesirable, while late applications keep the tree 

 active too late in the season. To apply nitrate after the spring 

 rains are over is throwing your money away." 



WATERING THE YOUNG TREE. 



In order that the root system of a newly set tree may become estab- 

 lished quickly, and perform the functions of growth necessary to life, 

 it must not be allowed to get dry, and the soil at all times should 

 have a plentiful supply of moisture. While this moisture must not 

 be excessive for any length of time, the newly planted tree is better 

 off for a good soaking. If planted in furrows the irrigation water 

 may be run through these furrows, thus coming in direct contact with 

 the trees. By filling in the furrows immediately after watering and 

 cultivating the surface as soon as it becomes dry enough to do so, the 

 moisture will be retained much longer than where the furrows are 

 left open, and there will be no baking of the surface of the soil which 

 is always objectionable. After the first watering the soil should be 

 kept as uniformly moist as possible by applications of irrigation water 

 when needed, or by frequent cultivation to conserve the supply already 

 present. 



TREE PROTECTORS. 



Immediately after being set in the orchard the young pear trees 

 should have their trunks protected by means of yucca, stiff paper, or 

 other protectors, of which there are a number of different kinds on 

 the market. These will prevent sun-scald and the so-called sun borers 

 which usually accompany it, and in addition will keep the rabbits from 

 gnawing the bark and girdling the trees. 



Black colored protectors should not be used as there is sometimes 

 severe scalding in hot sections because of the absorption of the sun's 

 rays on account of the color. Such injury to pear trees has never 

 been called to the writer's attention, but in one instance a young olive 

 orchard with black paper protectors about the trunte was observed. 



as 



