FERTILIZERS AND FERTILIZING. 31J 



Applying the fertilizer. In applying fertilizer to 

 young trees it should be scattered in a circle of four or 

 five feet radius or more, depending upon the extent 

 of area covered by the feeding roots. It is best that none 

 be applied closer than two feet to the tree as injury may 

 result to the crown roots. Fertilizer for large, bearing 

 trees should be scattered broadcast through the grove. 



After applying fertilizer the ground should be culti- 

 vated. This prevents the formation of a crust on the 

 surface and the wasting of fertilizer. Besides, some 

 materials become fixed soon after being applied, and it is 

 best that they be incorporated with the soil before this 

 takes place. 



Fertilizers are generally applied some little time be- 

 fore growth starts in the spring and again about the 

 month of June. Some growers make an application about 

 October. Care should be exercised in regions where citrus 

 trees are liable to damage from frost that the growing 

 period is not prolonged too late in autumn. The growth 

 should be well hardened up before frost comes. In the 

 hope of evading this evil, Mr. Cyrus W. Butler, of St. 

 Petersburg, Fla., says he fertilizes, "First about the last 

 of January, using a high percentage of nitrogen; second, 

 during May, using a small percentage of nitrogen; and 

 third, in September or October, using little or no nitro- 

 gen." His practice is founded on sound principles. 



