SOIL AND SirPATION. 277 



trees. Equal quantities of limbs and twigs from the three kinds 

 above-named, were taken, and after having been thoroughly dried 

 (whereby they lost about 44 per cent of water), carefully burned 

 with a moderate heat, yielded as follows : 



Charcoal and Sand 3.180 



Silica 1 .480 



Perphosphate of Iron 2.174 



Potash 12.545 



Soda ;.. 2.000 



Sulphate of Lime _ 2.258 



Lime 23.951 



Phosphate of Lime 21 .699 



Magnesia 7.052 



Peroxide of Manganese 800 



Chloride of Sodium .699 



Carbonic Acid 33.350 



Loss in Analysis w 3.812 



115.000 



These analyses show the wood of the Peach tree as next to the 

 Pear in amount of phosphates, and also the erroneous impression so 

 generally current, that the Peach requires a light, sandy soil. The 

 most vigorous, healthy trees we have ever seen, are growing on the 

 borders of the Ohio river, on what is termed limestone soil, and 

 where perfect drainage is naturally formed by the hills. On the 

 prairies the trees grow rapidly, but to us have the appearance of a 

 forced, green-house plant, and unable to endure aught but genial air r 

 while feeding thus upon one or two of the elements of growth, and 

 at the same time devoid of others requisite to the perfection of healthy 

 wood. Lime and bone : dust, we judge, will be found especially 

 beneficial in perfecting truly healthy trees, capable of enduring the 

 great changes of climate on our western prairies. If to this appli- 

 cation be added the practice of shortening-in during the month of 

 September, and perfect drainage of water from the roots, we believe 

 the tree will be found to endure more successfully the extreme 

 changes of climate. 



The duration of the Peach tree we consider greatly dependent 

 upon the soil being properly drained, and containing the proper pro- 

 portions of food toward forming perfect wood. The doctrine of ex- 

 cretions of vegetables is one which we are yet inclined to support, 

 having been unable to succeed, even with renewed preparation of the 

 soil, in growing two successive crops of the same kind of tree upoa 

 the same plot. 



A rank, luxuriant tree, with shoots spongy, sappy, plethoric, un 



