APRICOTS MANURES. 



S3 



trellis, severing the roots and leaving the trench open ten days to a fortnight. This may 

 be done the third or fourth week in August, or if the tree have fruit, as soon as it is 

 gathered. If the leaves flag, afford a slight shade, but this is seldom necessary when 

 care is taken to keep the soil inside the trench duly supplied with water, yet none should 

 be given unless the foliage becomes limp. The trench may be filled after remaining 

 open the time named. The detaching of the long roots causes others to push and 

 permeate the undisturbed soil, whereby the tree can be safely moved at the end of 

 September. This check to prolonged growth assists the wood to ripen, the buds to 

 develop, and assures speedy and certain rooting. This is essential where the trees are 

 expected to make a good start in the following year. It is also one of the best 

 preventives of gumming, by inducing a thoroughly-matured condition of the wood, 

 so essential in the main branches of a tree through which the sap is to flow ; therefore, 

 see that the trees have their wood well matured in their early years. It is the best way 

 to insure longevity and fruitfulness with a modicum of disease. A slight shade may be 

 necessary after planting, before the leaves fall, damping the foliage if it droop, in 

 preference to soaking the soil. That, however, must be kept moist ; a good watering 

 a few days before moving, and again at planting, with the mulching above advised, being 

 mostly all that is necessary to insure speedy re- establishment and complete success. 



MANURES. 



No fruit tree subsists better in hungry soils than the apricot, and none derives 

 greater benefit from manures judiciously applied. Silica and lime are inseparable from 

 its successful cultivation, for both enter largely into the constituent elements of the 

 fruit, but phosphatic matter is absolutely essential also. Where there is a pre- 

 ponderance of lime and sand, the trees are dwarfed in growth, and the fruits contain 

 more stone than flesh, but when the phosphatic, potassic, and sodic elements corres- 

 pondingly prevail, there is an increase of substance in foliage, wood, and fruit. When 

 they do not, there is an excess of foliage and wood, and an absence of fruit through 

 blossom buds not forming, or if forming, not setting, or if setting, not stoning. This 

 excessive use of stable and farm-yard manure in gardens has made many victims to gum 

 and branches dying off suddenly, giving apricot trees a rueful appearance ; whilst, on 

 the other hand, neglect of stimulating manures has banished from cottages apricot trees, 

 which, when healthy, often yielded sufficient fruit for paying the rent. 



Steamed bone ineal or ground coprolites are excellent for apricots. Half a peck to 



