THE BEAR-QUICK APPLE 317 



(1) Thin the clusters to not more than two ; if the 

 fruit is for exhibition to one. 



(2) Spread on the ground along or around the trees 

 the following quantity per yard in mixture : two ounces 

 of superphosphate, one ounce of nitrate of potash, half 

 an ounce of nitrate of soda, and a quarter of an ounce of 

 sulphate of iron. Rake it in while the soil is moist in March. 



(3) If the ground is poor and shallow spread along 

 the row over the roots a coat of decayed yard manure 

 two inches thick when the fruit is half swollen. If the 

 yard manure is not available endeavour to give the trees 

 a thorough soaking with liquid manure and then spread 

 on a mulching of spent hops. This treatment will form 

 a valuable supplement to the chemical manure. 



The trees ought now to be so strengthened that they 

 can not only carry a good crop of fruit to maturity, but 

 to form fruit buds, with the aid of summer pruning, for 

 the following season ; but there will be no harm always 

 excepting the case of trees growing luxuriantly in rich soil 

 in giving occasional soakings of liquid manure through- 

 out the summer. 



By a properly correlated system of pruning and feeding, 

 fruit trees could be made to give double the weight of 

 produce that they generally yield now. There is, indeed, 

 an appalling want of knowledge and discrimination 

 apparent in the condition of most fruit trees. We see on 

 the one hand gross, overgrown trees, and on the other 

 stunted and cankered specimens. The ideal tree is 

 moderately vigorous and perfectly clean. It is well 

 furnished with fruit spurs. 



Those who have studied fruit trees closely have fully 

 satisfied themselves that irregular bearing, or at least 

 irregular flowering, can be overcome, and that is a step 

 gained. There remains, however, the risk of frost. Some 



