SPECIAL MANURES. 



61 



The subject of special manures is destined to become one 

 of great interest to cultivators. It is yet in its infancy. 

 Many years of careful experiment, guided by patient and 

 laborious analysis, can only carry it forward to maturity. 

 But in the meantime, enough is known to enable orchardists 

 to operate in many instances with great advantage. Not 

 always knowing the deficient ingredient, they may not at 

 once apply the precise remedy. But there are some ma- 

 nures that can never do injury, that will usually be highly 

 beneficial, and sometimes yield extraordinary results. To 

 enable cultivators to experiment with these, the following 

 excellent practical hints are given from the Horticulturist, 

 from the pen of A. J. Downing, its editor : 



" For old apple orchards, upon soil deficient in lime, we 

 would recommend a top-dressing of lime for the first time 

 of 200 bushels to the acre. This will, usually, if the 

 land is in good condition, bring the trees into good bearing 

 condition again. In some soils, the effects will be imme- 

 diate, and in others it will require one or two seasons for 

 the lime to produce its effect.* 



"For middle sized bearing trees, a peck of air-slaked lime 

 to each tree, is sufficient. It is, perhaps, best applied in 

 the autumn, but it will answer very well in the spring. 

 Scatter it evenly over the surface of the ground, as far as 

 the roots extend. It may be ploughed or hoed under 

 slightly, or left upon the surface, as it will find its way 

 downwards in the soil. 



" To keep an apple orchard in the fruit-bearing condition, 

 in a soil not calcareous, and not naturally congenial to the 

 tree, it should be dressed with lime, and with ashes, every 

 alternate autumn, and manured every other spring. The 

 same quantity of spent ashes as of lime, may be used for 

 each tree. 



" For the pear tree, we prefer the following compost. 

 Take a wagon load of peat, or black swamp earth dissolve 

 20 Ibs. of potash in water, and water the peat thoroughly 

 with the liquid. Let it lie a couple of days, and it is fit for 

 use. Or, for the same quantity of peat, use one-third of a 

 load of leached wood ashes, (or ten bushels of fresh ashes,) 



* Oyster-shell lime is the very best some others contain too much magnesia 

 but, perhaps, only a few. 



