119 

 MANURING. 



In the cultivation of the Apple and other fruits caro must be taken 

 that the trees are not allowed to suffer through lack of proper nourish- 

 ment. Their wants must be supplied, or otherwise they will fail more 

 or less. Many people seem to be under the impression that if the trees~ 

 are cared for till they reach maturity they ought then to yield crops for 

 all time without receiving anything in return. This is unreasonable, as 

 if the soil is not compensated for what it yields in the shape of plant 

 food the supply of the latter must become exhausted sooner or later. 

 Lack of attention in this respect is the cause of so many fruit trees 

 dying off prematurely, to the disgust and disappointment of their owners. 

 Many trees that go off from supposed diseases or insect and fungoid 

 attacks simply die from sheer starvation through neglect. Cultivators 

 should never allow their trees to suffer through the lack of proper food. 

 Though sometimes soils naturally contain a large amount of plant food, 

 yet this cannot be expected to last for all time. Every crop removes 

 materials in certain proportions, and these should be returned in the 

 shape of manures, in order that the supply may be kept up. An 

 occasional dressing of manure will be of great assistance to old fruit 

 trees, and materially aid in keeping them in a thrifty condition. 

 Special manures are also serviceable to make good the deficiencies in 

 the soil caused by the exhaustion of lime, potash, and other essential 

 materials. 



WATERING. 



When a supply of water, by irrigation or otherwise, is at the com- 

 mand of the cultivator it gives him a very great advantage, as he is 

 able to stimulate the growth of his trees when otherwise they would 

 languish from the effects of drought. But with the Apple and other 

 deciduous fruit trees water must be used with judgment it should be 

 used only when it is wanted and in proper quantities. The number of 

 waterings required must, as a matter of course, depend to some extent 

 upon the season and the character of the soil. Three or four waterings 

 will usually be quite sufficient for all practical purposes in the driest 

 season. If the winter has been dry a good soaking may be given in 

 the spring, just as growth is commencing; another maybe given as 

 soon as the fruit is fairly formed ; the third (and fourth, if necessary) 

 may be given when the fruit is from two to three parts grown. Water 

 after the fruit attains its full size does more harm than good, and causes 

 deterioration in quality. The fruit, also, becomes more tender, and will 

 not keep or carry so well as it would if grown with less water. 



PROPAGATION. 



Propagation may be effected in a variety of ways, but for the per- 

 petuation of established varieties the usual methods are budding and 

 grafting. Grafting is most generally practised with the Apple, the best 



