22 FRUIT CULTURE. 



costs less to grow a bushel of large and perfect apples than 

 it does to grow a bushel of small and inferior fruit. 



It is further evident that to produce good crops of 

 apples for any number of years, the ground, after the 

 trees are planted, must have phosphoric acid, potash, and 

 lime returned to it, if we wish to keep up production and 

 fertility of the soil. 



When we remove crops of fruit we take away the 

 materials they have accumulated and absorbed from the 

 soil. It may take many years of fruit growing on a 

 fertile soil, before the exhaustion and injury arising from 

 the removal of the crops will become manifest; but .when 

 injurious results have once become apparent they will not 

 always admit of a speedy remedy. 



Now this brings us to another point. This food supply 

 varies, as we have already seen, in different soils. It 

 varies, not only as a whole, but in its different parts. 

 Sometimes one element, sometimes several may be lacking. 

 If so it cannot yield a full crop. 



This same variation runs through both natural or in- 

 herent strength and condition. You may often take a 

 soil whose natural strength is below the point of profit- 

 able production, and by adding a single substance, a phos- 

 phate, or nitrate for instance, bring it into profitable 

 condition. 



Further, a soil may be so compact that air and moisture 

 cannot get into it to convert the crude materials it con- 

 tains, nor the roots make their way through to obtain the 

 food that has been made available. It may be so loose 

 and non-retentive that the food-ingredients wilt escape. 

 It may be so dry that fertilisers will be useless, and the 

 fruit trees wither on it, or so wet and cold as to prevent 

 their growth. But by proper tillage, drainage, and 



