FERTILIZERS AND FERTILIZING. 301 



the amount estimated for every ten boxes of fruit. Fer- 

 tilizing is a more or less local matter, one which it is 

 well nigh impossible to reduce to a matter of absolute 

 facts and figures, and each grower must determine for 

 himself how much his trees require and how much it is 

 economical to use. It has generally been observed in 

 Florida, where commercial fertilizers are largely used, 

 that the grower who fertilizes liberally with the proper 

 material generally meets with the best success. This, per- 

 haps, is not only the result of the additional fertilizer 

 applied, but because a liberal policy along this line leads 

 him to give greater attention to all details connected 

 with the care of the trees. A citrus tree may get along 

 after a fashion and give some returns with poor treat- 

 ment. It may live and eke out a miserable existence when 

 abused and neglected, but in all cases it amply repays 

 good care and attention and will not be profitable unless 

 it is given. 



THE FUNCTIONS OF PHOSPHORIC ACID, POTASH, NITROGEN 



AND LIME. 



Phosphoric Add. This substance is a very essen- 

 tial one and plays an important part in the life activi- 

 ties of plants. It enters into the formation and is a con- 

 stituent of a certain class of nitrogenous compounds 

 known as proteids. Phosphoric acid is found in consid- 

 erable amounts in the different parts of the fruit of citrus 

 trees, but the seeds contain the highest percentage. The 

 fresh rind of pomelos contains .035 per cent.; the pulp 

 .044 per cent. ; and the seeds .315 per cent, and these per- 

 centages may be regarded as close approximations for all 

 citrus fruits. Unless the requisite amount of phosphoric 

 acid be available, the fruit does not develop normally, 



