110 



supplied bj the air,) are a specific for all trees and woods. 2d. That 

 lime, whether in the form of marl, shell, plaster, or stone lime, is a 

 specific for apple trees ; and that apples are fairest and largest grown 

 in a calcareous soil. 8d. That phosphates, in the form of bones, (which 

 are principally made up of phosphate of lime,) mineral, or rock phos- 

 phate of lime, or prepared superphosphate,* are specifics for pears 

 and grapes. 4th. That ammoniacal manures, as guano, horse dung, 

 urine, are specifics for the peach, and give flavor and spirit to all 

 other fruits. 



Care should be taken to avoid the common fault of setting trees 

 too deep, so that, to live and flourish, they are compelled to form new 

 roots above the old. 



Proper pruning is another important consideration in this connec- 

 tion. All trees should be shaped when they are young, so as to 

 avoid the injury and unsightliuess of mutilating large limbs when 

 they are grown. Divarfs, like hedges, should be pruned pyramidi- 

 cally, so that the lower limbs may not die out, and the sun, air, and 

 rain may have access equally to the under as the upper branches. 

 Peach trees, especially, need to have a large part of the spring 

 growth cut mJane, and a second pruning in August; this double 

 p)runing will throw the sap into fruit buds, make the tree stout and 

 strong, and able, even when loaded, to resist the winds ; and, in 

 place of a few etiolated and drawn out branches, will cause a thick 

 growth, that will carry the fruit-buds back near to the trunk ; and 

 the short, well-ripened wood, will withstand the winter frosts better, 

 as well as the summer tempests. In this way, and by keeping a little 

 heap of coal ashes round the butt, to keep out borers, a crop of fruit 

 will be always sure. Grapes and peaches, to produce /?-mY instead 

 of leaves and wood, need constant and thorough pruning. 



A mere allusion to the subject of mulching will conclude these 

 hints. Though a matter that has received too little general con- 

 sideration, yet, years ago, attention was called by the writer and 

 otliers, in Horticultural and Agricultural periodicals, to the import- 

 ance of mulching trees, shrubs, plants, kc. ; in other words, of 

 covering the suri'ace of the soil, around their roots, with light, porous 



* Prof. Mapes's is most valuable, as it contains guano, and is thus richer in 

 amiaonia. 



