MANURES 23 



soil. Clapp's Favourite might be better. Fertility, 

 Durondeau and Pitmaston are a good three ; Hessle, 

 Beacon and Fertility, if earlier pears are desired. 



MANURES 



The artificial manures recommended by the R.H.S. 

 are as follows : 4 oz. of Basic slag and I oz. of Kainit 

 per square yard (as far as the roots extend) in the 

 autumn ; follow these in February or March with 2 oz. 

 of superphosphate and I oz. of sulphate of ammonia. 

 Liquid manure stimulates growth of wood, roots and 

 fruit. Soot (l peck to 30 gallons of water) allowed 

 to stand till the liquid is clear, given once or twice a 

 week, is very helpful. Every fruit-grower should have 

 a good supply of some kind at hand. Not a drop from 

 his stables, etc., should be wasted in summer. In a 

 drought it may save his trees. 



But rank or fruitless trees of any age, as a rule, need 

 no manure. If there is a heavy crop, feed well when 

 the growing season is over. Pears are gross and thirsty 

 feeders. Messrs Rivers l recommend " that a peck of 

 soot should be strewed on the surface in a circle 3 feet 

 in diameter round each (dwarf) tree in March. Pears on 

 the Quince in a light, dry soil should have the surface 

 round the tree covered during June, July and August, 

 with short litter or manure, and in dry weather be 

 drenched once a week with guano water (l Ib. to 10 

 gallons), and equal parts of soot, which must be well 

 stirred before it is used. Each tree should have To gallons 

 poured gradually into the soil. Lime rubbish or chalk 

 should be added wherever there is any deficiency." If 

 it be possible, in dry weather allow a stream of water to 

 flow by their roots, or in any case give liquid manure. 

 The roots should never be dry ; cracking often follows 



1 See " Miniature Fruit Garden," p. 64. 



