GENERAL PRACTICE. MANURES. 5? 



autumn for assisting trees that have borne very heavily to develop their buds. It must, 







however, be used with discrimination, as needless supplies are liable to cause late growth 

 in the trees, which must be studiously guarded against as highly inimical to bearing. 

 Never use liquid manure when the soil is very dry, as the practice is at least wasteful, 

 and may be injurious. 



Mulching. Covering the soil around trees as far as the roots extend conserves moisture 

 in summer, encourages the roots to ramify through the surface soil and secures a regular 

 supply of food, provided the mulching is applied whilst the soil is moist, or after a 

 thorough supply of water or liquid manure. A 'couple of inches in thickness of partially 

 decayed stable or farmyard manure is suitable. From its slow decomposing nature 

 nourishment is steadily afforded, and the resulting humus is a great attraction to the 

 roots, and hence they permeate it in every direction, whereby the trees are greatly 

 benefited. Heavy mulchings of very crude soapy manure are undesirable. They are 

 objectionable in appearance, exclude air, and the manurial elements are too rank to be 

 sought by the roots. To assist the fruit in swelling mulchings should be applied when 

 the crop is fairly set, renewing as the material is reduced so as to maintain the thickness 

 above indicated. The manure, being of a sweet, rather lumpy nature, permits air and 

 rain to pass freely through it, serving the double purpose of keeping the soil moist 

 and enriching it. Mulching varies as to time of application and continuance with 

 different fruits, which will be referred to under each kind. It is advantageous in strong 

 soils by preventing the surface cracking, and in light soils it keeps the surface cool and 

 moist, whereby the roots are attracted and retained there instead of penetrating 

 unfavourable subsoils and inciting fruitless growths. 



Watering. When trees are distressed through drought to the extent of casting some 

 of the older leaves prematurely, the swelling of the fruit is seriously hindered, and the 

 buds for a future crop prejudiced. It is absolutely essential that water be given in dry 

 weafher always before the trees are distressed, and in sufficient quantity to moisten 

 the soil thoroughly. Frequent sprinklings are worse than useless, but a good watering 

 say five gallons to every square yard will sink to the roots. It must be applied 

 before the soil becomes parched, for when this contracts and forms fissures four times 

 the quantity of water is required to bring it into a moist condition that would suffice 

 at a seasonable time. It should be given as required from the time of the fruit setting 

 to its perfecting. The chief point is to make sure of its necessity and then afford a 

 thorough supply. Waiting for rain is often, or usually, a great mistake. A fortnight or 

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