5 o THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



and this is near enough for manurial purposes. Owing to its great affinity for moisture 

 it should be stored in a very dry place. 



Sulphate of Ammonia. This is manufactured from gas liquor, and is also subject to 

 adulteration, therefore should be purchased under a guarantee of containing 24 per cent, 

 of ammonia. Ammonia is not so subject to be washed away as is nitric acid, and 

 therefore, though not quite so quick in action as nitrate of soda, is more lasting in 

 effect. A simple method of testing the purity of sulphate of ammonia is to throw a 

 handful on a nearly red-hot shovel, and if it entirely disappears the manure will be 

 genuine. Of the two great nitrogenous manures referred to perhaps sulphate of ammonia 

 is the best for soils inclined to be cold and wet, as nitrate of soda, by its deliquescent 

 nature, would make them wetter and colder ; therefore is more suitable for hot, dry soil. 

 Neither should be used alone for fruit trees or they might, and would if used too freely, 

 promote luxuriance at the expense of productiveness. Sulphate of ammonia may be 

 used at the same rate as nitrate of soda, and the addition of twice the bulk of mineral 

 phosphate and half the quantity of potash will enhance their value for the purpose in 

 question, namely, maintaining healthy growth with productiveness. 



Other sources of nitrogen exist than those mentioned. Carrion has been used for 

 fruit trees and vines, but rightly abandoned. Fish is excellent, but is only available 

 near the sea ; yet its concentrated forms are valuable. Seaweeds possess value equal to 

 farmyard manure. Malt-kiln dust is rich in nitrogen, and forms an excellent surface 

 dressing for fruit trees in pots. Horn-dust contains 15 to 17 per cent, of ammonia, and 

 is a first-rate article for mixing with soil for potting strawberries, and as an ingredient 

 of the compost for fruit-tree borders. Blood dried and ground to powder contains 12 to 

 16 per cent, of ammonia. Mixed with an equal proportion of wood ashes we have an 

 admirable stimulant for vines. A good handful per square yard is equal to a foot in 

 thickness of stable manure of the usual strawy nature. Soot is efficacious as a manure 

 owing to its ammonia, and a peck per rod, or 40 bushels per acre, is a proper dressing 

 to apply. 



Farmyard Manure. This, like a fertile soil, is a happy mixture of many essential 

 elements. There is, however, much variation in manure of this kind. Strawy stable 

 litter is of little value, but that soaked with the urine, which is often allowed to drain 

 away, is increased tenfold in value. All manure yards should be provided with a paved 

 waterproof bottom so inclined that all moisture shall run into a sunk space, whence it can 

 be drawn and applied to the strawy heap, or be otherwise economically used. Failing 



