36 



generally to be found more or less in most soils. Yery often, however, 

 the land does not contain a sufficiency, and then a dressing will be 

 beneficial. .For soils rich in vegetable matter lime is useful in 

 neutralising the acids that form, and it helps to make the alkalies, 

 potash and soda, soluble, and the land more open and friable. The 

 best mode of applying lime is by annual surface dressings of from seven 

 to ten hundred weight per acre. Lime can also be supplied to the land 

 in the form of marl, gypsum, bone dust and superphosphate. 



Potash. In a good many soils this material is deficient, but it is 

 generally abundant in volcanic soils. It may be supplied economically to 

 the land in the form of wood ashes, which has also a useful mechanical 

 action upon the soil. In more concentrated forms this manure can be 

 supplied by chloride of potash, nitrate of potash and sulphate of potash, 

 but these materials at present are somewhat too costly for general use. 



Kainite. This valuable potash manure merits special attention, as in 

 Europe it is found to be cheap and effective. It is found in natural 

 deposits in Germany, and its use is extending rapidly. Kainite is not 

 only rich in potash, out also magnesia, and it contains about 25 per cent. 

 of common salt. 



Nitrate of Potash This is known commonly as nitre or saltpetre, and 

 in addition to potash yields nitrogen in large proportions. 



Nitrate of Soda. In Europe this fertiliser has become very popular 

 of late years, and large quantities are used. It is found in the rainless 

 regiors of Chili and other South American countries. This material 

 contains nitrogen to the extent of about 17 per cent., and is a good 

 stimulating manure for fruit trees. Apply in two dressings, one when 

 growth is starting, and the other when the fruit is half grown. 



Sulphate of Ammonia. This valuable fertilizer is obtained from a 

 bye product in the manufacture of coal gas. Jt contains from 20 to 25 

 per cent, of ammonia. When used singly it should be applied in two 

 dressings of half a hundredweight per acre in the early spring, and when 

 the fruit is about half grown. It is applied most effectively when mixed 

 with three times its weight of bone-dust or superphosphate^ 



Bone dust The fertilizing value of bones is well known to all culti- 

 vators, and they make one of the best manures for fruit trees. Bones 

 contain a large amount of phosphoric acid, one of the principal 

 requirements of plants, in the form of phosphate of lime and other 

 useful substances, such as nitrogen and ammonia. Bones may be applied 

 when simply broken into small pieces, and in this form they make an 

 orchard fertiliser that will last for a long period. But bones are 

 generally reduced to the form of dust, or meal, when, of course, the 

 action of a given quantity is quicker, but less durable. The action of 

 bones as a manure will also be increased by rotting them previous to 

 applying the material to the land. This is effected by placing the bones 

 in heaps, moistening them with water, urine, etc., and covering them 

 with e.arth. Bone-dust may be applied in annual dressings of four or 

 five hundredweight per acre. The best time to use it is in the autumn 

 or early winter. 



Superphosphate of Lime. This is a valuable fertilizer, and a main 



