Established Fruit Trees 



the soil is fairly dry. Old trees which bear heavily 

 require plenty of manure, and they seldom get it. 

 A newly-planted tree is often a " spoilt child," 

 overfed and unruly, whilst the faithful old trees 

 are neglected and starved. 



It is quite impossible to over-manure raspberries 

 and black currants, for the fruit is produced on young 

 wood. 



Fresh or " hot " manure should not be placed 

 against the bark. A protecting " collar " of soil 

 should first be drawn up around the tree with a hoe, 

 and this will prevent any damage to the bark. 



FEEDING. 



Fruit trees in bearing do not as a rule receive 

 sufficient attention in the way of manuring. Many 

 trees only produce fruit in alternate years for this 

 reason, and growers should remember that the fruit 

 buds for next season will suffer unless extra food is 

 given to trees carrying a heavy crop of fruit. In 

 such cases three applications of manure will be 

 necessary each year. 



During July, when apples and pears are carrying 

 heavy crops, the land around the roots should be 

 thoroughly soaked with diluted liquid manure 

 from cowsheds or stables. This should be done after 

 rain, if possible, or, in a dry season after a previous 

 soaking with plain water. The main object of this 

 particular feeding is to plump up the fruit buds 

 which are being formed for the next year. 



The annual mulching should follow in November, 

 as described above. 



The third feeding should be given in early spring, 

 when artificial manures should be applied as a top- 



35 



