FERTILIZERS A.ND FERTILIZING. 3()3 



genous food. The effects are further shown in the increased 

 area of individual leaves, strong, vigorous, sappy growth 

 and long internodes. Very large amounts of nitrogen 

 impair the fruitfulness of the tree, wood formation tak- 

 ing place at the expense of fruit. It has a tendency to 

 retard the maturity of the fruit and large amounts ma- 

 terially increase the amount of rag and the thickness of 

 the rind. 



On the other hand, when the nitrogen supply is not 

 sufficient, the leaves become yellow, the trees have a 

 stunted, starved appearance and do not make a normal 

 growth of branch and leaf. 



Lime. The value of lime as a fertilizer may be viewed 

 from two points : its effect upon the soil and its effect 

 upon the plant. Both of these have a direct bearing on 

 the subject under discussion. 



Much of the fertility of the soil depends upon the 

 number and activity of soil bacteria. These liberate plant 

 food and make it available so that the roots of trees and 

 other plants may take it up. Soils, especially in warm 

 climates, have a tendency to become acid and under such 

 conditions the bacteria cannot live. The presence of 

 lime counteracts the acid condition and it should be ap- 

 plied whenever necessary. Furthermore, it helps to bring 

 about the decomposition of humus and liberates the ni- 

 trogen which it contains. Large amounts of plant food 

 may be liberated by or through the use of lime, hence, in 

 applying it to citrus groves it is best to use it sparingly 

 or, at the time of its use, discontinue the nitrogenous 

 fertilizer and depend upon the amount of nitrogen lib- 

 erated to make up the deficit. 



In the plant, the presence of lime appears to favor the 

 formation of stronger cell walls and thus aids in mak- 



