4.8 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



grapes and apples least. In the ash of strawberries 11-12 per cent, of the phosphate has 

 been found, and 7*45 in that of the Orleans plum. Strawberries may be well grown on 

 irony soils ; but phosphate applications are necessary. Wherever phosphates are applied 

 iron phosphate is formed. This salt is very insoluble, but plants have the power of appro- 

 priating it. Generally, sufficient iron is added to soils by farm-yard manure. Sulphate 

 of iron is the only other form in which it has been applied with advantage, and is found 

 to be useful against fungus. For that purpose half a pound, or where iron is wanting, 

 three-quarters of a pound per rod is ample, or J to 1 cwt. per acre, always using it in 

 tne winter when the ground is wet. Dr. Sachs states : " Iron is indispensable to the 

 development of the green matter (chlorophyll) in leaves," and it consequently influences 

 the colour of fruits. 



Soda. Found in the ashes of all fruits, it might be regarded as an essential manure. 

 Common salt or chloride of sodium is useful on poor, dry soils inland. For strawberries, 

 carbonate of soda has been applied with benefit at the rate of one pound per rod, and 

 where more growth is wanted, salt may be applied at the rate of 1 3 to 2 cwt. per acre. 



Silica. In trees this is most abundant in the bark and in the older leaves. It is present 

 in most soils and ordinary manures. Silica is probably taken up in the form of silicates 

 of potash. It is of a highly indestructible nature, and gives rigidity to the stems and a 

 power of resistance enabling plants to combat their fungoid enemies. That it does this 

 very effectively is demonstrated by the fact that the long-jointed sappy growths of fruit 

 trees fall a prey to fungi, whilst the short-jointed, thoroughly solidified growths are 

 perfectly healthy, though grown under identical conditions. Therefore, if it is not 

 necessary to apply silica, it is essential that the substances named above, setting silica 

 free, or in a form available for being taken up by the root hairs, be applied to the soil. 



Sulphur, manganese, chlorine, and other minerals enter into plant structure, but 

 there is no evidence of their beneficial application. Amongst the matters which fruit 

 trees must have in the soil, we rank, of the inorganic elements first, phosphorus, then 

 potash, lime, and magnesia. Prominence has been given to lime on account of its 

 mechanical influences on soils as well as its chemical properties. 



Nitrogen. All fertile soils contain this in the form of nitrates, ammonia, or in the 

 remains of organic matter ; but originally all has been derived from the atmosphere. 

 It is an absolute essential in the economy of vegetation. Stable-yard manure loses most of 

 its ammonia in the heat-heap ; the residue is of little value" its spirit has fled." When 

 properly cared for it contains 1J per cent. When thrown in a heap and thoroughly 



