82 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



In looo lbs. of stable manure there are, say, — 



5 lbs. of nitrogen, at 20 cts. per lb $1 00 



6 II potash, at 7 cts. per lb 42 



2^ 11 phosphoric acid, at 5 cts per lb 12 



Amounting to $1 54 



Or one-seventh of a cent per lb. 



Now potash is a most important fertilizer for the orchard ; (i) it promotes 

 growth, (2) it improves the flavor of the fruit, by causing an increase of sugar 

 and a decrease of acid, and (3) it improves the color of the fruit, and this is very 

 important in apples intended for the market. Apples draw heavily on the soil, 

 and especially upon this element. It has been stated on very good authority that 

 100 barrels of apples draw more heavily on the soil than a crop of 50 bushels of 

 wheat. 



By reference to a table showing the constituents of the apple, the reason 

 will be obvious. 



Analysis ot the Apple Constituents. 



i-iooo parts of apple contains : 



Water .«,.., .831. 



Nitrogen 06 



Ash 2.2 



Potash 8 



Soda - . .6 



Lime 1 



Magnesia 2 



Phosphoric acid 3 



Sulphuric acid . .1 



Silicic acid .1 



From this it is evident that of the most important elements, potash is one 

 while the two other important elements, nitrogen and phosphoric acid, present 

 in small quantities are also supplied in wood ashes. 



With regard to the action of ashes upon the soil, it is important to notice 

 that a heavy application of unleached wood ashes to a heavy soil is damaging 

 to its texture, rendering it heavier still, more tenacious, and inclined to be 

 cloddy on account of the potash. But for this very reason its action on light 

 soils is highly beneficial, rendering it more compact, filling up the pores and 

 keeping it moist. 



It also tends to correct " sourness " in the soil by precipitating the soluble 

 iron salts which are sometimes over abundant. 



Another benefit is that it promotes nitrification, or the process by which 

 nitrogenous matters in the soil are rendered available for the tree growth. 



It is thus evident that ashes have more value than simply for the amount 



