FERTILIZING. 91 



yellow, indicating a deficiency in the soil. Some 

 of our lands considered poorest black-jack ridges 

 in the vicinity of dwellings grow fine trees, and 

 continue to sustain fine crops of excellent oranges. 

 But these trees so located are almost daily replen- 

 ished with accidental deposits of nitrogenous ma- 

 nures (the principal fertilizers needed on black-jack 

 lands), as well as considerable wood-ashes and soot 

 from the daily fires of the kitchen, and suds from 

 the washtub. The flourishing condition of these 

 trees only shows the advantage of manures. 



It is not safe to manure trees at the time of plant- 

 ing. In some instances this has succeeded very 

 well, but only when the manure has been long 

 composted and frequently turned, so that no fer- 

 mentation will occur around the wounded roots. 

 When manuring will be done thus early it is better 

 to scatter it on the ground and turn it several times 

 in the soil some weeks before the tree is planted. 



After the tree has been planted and once started 

 to grow, it is then well to manure it heavily till it 

 begins to bear. Begin with a moderate quantity, 

 applying near the outer extremity of the lateral 

 roots, and increase the quantity every year and en- 

 large the area to which it is applied. When garden 

 crops are planted, scatter the manure broadcast. 

 Aim to make the ground rich rich as a city garden. 

 It will pay for the manure and cultivation if the 

 ground be planted and well cultivated in crops, and 

 especially if planted in vegetables where a market 



