THE PRACTICAL COUNTRY GENTLEMAN 



the time needed for development of tree and 

 fruit, chemical fertilizer should be used annually 

 in the following proportion : 



Nitrate of soda lOO pounds 



South Carolina rock superphosphate . loo pounds 



Ground bone 200 pounds 



Muriate of potash 200 pounds 



Per acre 600 pounds 



The trees should be sprayed several times 

 a year to prevent the ravages of insect pests and 

 fungus diseases. The different formulas for 

 spraying solutions may be had from the dealers 

 in spraying machines or from the State experi- 

 ment stations on request. The work should 

 be done very thoroughly, for on it depends the 

 financial success of the orchard. Do not give 

 ear to any one who says it is unnecessary to 

 spray and till an orchard, for there is no other 

 possible way of obtaining fine fruit. 



Fruit such as apples, pears, peaches, plums, 

 and quinces should be picked by hand, never 

 shaken off or dropped into a basket or barrel. 

 The stems should be left on when picked and 

 fruit placed gently in the shipping box or barrel, 

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