12 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



whereby he may increase his product in the largest degree, 

 without at the same time correspondingly adding to its cost. 

 In consideration of this subject, I propose to present very 

 bricHy a few thoughts arising out of many years' experience, 

 that may tend to give some light in the direction indicated. 

 What I have to say will have special reference to the apple 

 and the pear, and will be confined to trees that are already 

 in bearing. A tree, like every other result of vegetative 

 life, is a wonderful production. It is fixed in, and grows 

 out of, the soil. It is acted upon by the sunshine and 

 atmosphere, and is watered by rains. It has a period of 

 youth, of maturity and of old age. The conditions of sun- 

 light, air and moisture are much alike throughout any given 

 district, but all soils within such district do not equally 

 produce perfect trees. Science has shown us that some soils 

 contain more of certain substances than others, and that in 

 this fact largely lies the explanation of the difi'erence in 

 productiveness. A plant is made up of a variety of elements, 

 a few existing m considerable proportions, while others are 

 found only in small quantities, nearly all, however, being 

 indispensable. Most of these are furnished by the soil and 

 air in sufficient quantities for perfect growth. A few others 

 are required in larger amounts than nature unaided is able 

 to supply, and these it is the business of the cultivator to 

 provide. It is comparatively easy to ascertain just how 

 much of each of the various elements are required to produce 

 an annual crop, as it can all be removed and subjected to 

 analysis, in order to determine what has been taken from 

 the soil. In the case of a tree this is. not possible, because 

 all of the product of any one year in the shape of wood, 

 leaves and fruit, cannot be isolated ; and therefore guess- 

 work has to take somewhat the place of actual knowledge of 

 what is demanded for continued growth and fruitfulness. 

 Chemical analysis, however, docs give us very nearly the 

 proportions of the special amendments required, and our 

 own judgment must be relied upon to indicate the gross 

 quantities. 



Fertilization. 



Any fairly good soil will supply all of the elements 

 necessary for the production of full crops, except potash, 



