1899.] ESSAYS. 108 



for it is estimated that an oidinaiv apple croj) removes from an 

 acre of soil about 50 lbs. nitrogen, 40 lbs. i)hosphoric acid and 

 75 lbs. potash. This amount, yea more, must be relumed to 

 the soil annually to supply the trees with food to produce fidl 

 crops of fair smooth fruit. 



ORCHARD FERTILITY. 



For apples and pears give a liberal dressing, 10 cords per 

 acre, of good strong stable manure in November, evenly on sur- 

 face extending far beyond the outer branches, and alternate the 

 next November with one ton wood ashes or 300 lbs. muriate of 

 potash, and 500 lbs. fresh ground bone. The great advantage 

 of early fall manuring of our orchards is found in the strong and 

 vigorous bud and spur development in bearing trees and in all 

 that rich, luxuriant orrovvth of foliao:e in the followino^ spring 

 and summer, for the reason that the rains soon dissolve the 

 mineral salts and carry them down in the soil, where the 

 millions of rootlets feed the trees and plants. For the peach, 

 plum and cherry trees use a compost of swamp muck, one year 

 old, that has had a liberal mixture of fresh lime and salt well 

 incorporated. Now, at the time of applying, to the above add 

 300 lbs. potash and 500 lbs. fresh ground bone. Notice we 

 apply to all stone fruits nearly double the amount of phosphoric 

 acid to perfect the pits ; a very essential point in producing 

 high class fruit for market or storing for future sale. 



ORCHARD CULTURE. 



In all young orchards of apples and pears, and in all orchards 

 of peach, plum and cherry trees, always keep the entire surface 

 clean from all grass and cereal crops. Do not plow deep, but 

 use the Wheel-Cutaway and Acme Drag Harrow. Start culti- 

 vation as early in Spring as possible, have all the soil in good 

 tilth, and by April 20th sow 12 lbs. clover seed mixed as 

 follows : 4 lbs. red, 4 lbs. Alsike, and 4 lbs. American grown 

 crimson. Cover with smoothing: harrow and roll down smooth. 

 Now, if you do not have sheep or hogs to turn into and feed 

 down this clover crop in July and August, then plow under 



