SPECIAL MANURES. 233 



water frequently to stagnate about its roots, producing what is 

 commonly called by farmers " a cold, sour soil." 



Some of my readers, who have not yet studied the subject, 

 may be glad to have me concisely indicate the most approved 

 means of avoiding or counteracting these dangers. 



Manures should be applied to orchards frequently and in mod- 

 erate quantities, rather than in heavy supplies at distant intervals ; 

 and, to avoid unhealthy stimulation, they should be well decom- 

 posed. The best ordinary manure in the United States has been 

 found to be a mixture of dung with an equal quantity of peat or 

 black swamp-earth, chip-dirt, or rotten wood or leaves ; and it is 

 better that this compost should be mixed some time (the longer 

 the better) before it is applied. 



But, in addition, I have shown from the English experience 

 that the apple-tree requires a more than ordinary supply of lime, 

 (say a peck of air-slaked stone or shell lime to each tree, every 

 year.) In the same way the pear is known to require especially 

 potash, iron, and phosphorus. 



Iron is found in sufficient quantity in most clay soils ; where 

 needed, it may be supplied by scattering bog-ore (found generally 

 underlying swamps in America), or iron filings, or the sweepings 

 and scoriae from forges. One pound of crude potash dissolved in 

 water and poured over the compost manure, or half a bushel of 

 wood ashes, to a tree, will be a good yearly allowance of potash ; 

 and half a peck of bones to a tree will supply the phosphorus. 

 For the plum and the quince, salt is found particularly useful, 

 and ashes for the peach. But let it not be forgotten that the 

 apple cannot live on lime alone, nor the peach on potash, only 

 that it is a special supply of these that they more particularly 

 require.* 



* Copperas (sulphate of iron) seems to act as a tonic upon trees If applied to feeble, 

 pale-leaved shrubs and trees, it will often wonderfully invigorate them. It may be dis- 



