THE BEAR-QUICK APPLE 315 



ticular condition of sap is required before a tree can 

 transform potential leaf matter into potential flower- 

 matter. When a tree is riotously strong, making shoots 

 four or five feet long in one summer, and thick with 

 leaves the sap is not rich enough to form flowers. It is 

 like a strong but watery stream, which bustles along 

 without thickening. It is probably lacking in saccharine 

 matter. 



It is for this reason that good judgment in manuring 

 is called for. The system of manuring ground for poor 

 and for fertile land should differ considerably. The rich- 

 soil fruit-grower who applies a heavy dressing of yard 

 manure to land which he is preparing for fruit trees 

 makes a rod for his own back. He wastes money on 

 unnecessary manure, and wastes more money on recti- 

 fying the early mistake later on, generally by root- 

 pruning. It is wise to root-prune a very luxuriant fruit 

 tree that does not produce blossoms, but it is not wise to 

 create the necessity for root-pruning by over-manuring 

 at the outset. 



A deep, fertile, loamy soil in which trees generally, 

 Roses and garden vegetables such as Peas grow vigorously 

 needs very little yard manure when fruit trees are 

 planted. An old hop garden requires very little either. 

 A piece of pasture broken up might have a dressing equal 

 to twenty-five tons per acre, but no more. 



A very brief consideration will satisfy the fruit-planter 

 that this is a sensible view to take. It will appeal to his 

 reasoning faculties with overwhelming force. 



A person who finds pleasure in seeing a young fruit 

 tree producing its four-feet and five-feet shoots every 

 summer is on the same plane with one who rejoices in a 

 precocious child. It is restriction, not stimulation, that 

 is wanted in both cases. 



