BACON AND EGGS 335 
it to the tenderness of nature, with only occa- 
sional attention, is to make the heart sick, for it 
is certain to prove a case of hope deferred. In 
the fulness of time the tree and “happy-go- 
lucky ” nature will prove themselves equal to the 
development of fruit; but they will be slow in 
doing it. It is quite as well for the tree, and 
greatly to the advantage of the horticulturist, to 
cut two or three years out of this unprofitable 
time. All that is necessary to accomplish this 
is: to keep the ground loose for a space around 
the tree somewhat larger than the spread of its 
branches ; to apply fertilizers rich in nitrogen ; to 
keep the whole of the cultivated space mulched 
with good barn-yard manure, increasing the thick- 
ness of the mulch with coarse stuff in the fall, so 
as to lengthen the season of root activity ; and to 
draw the mulch aside about St. Patrick’s Day, 
that the sun’s rays may warm the earth as early 
as possible. Moderate pruning, nipping back of 
exuberant branches, and two sprayings of the 
foliage with Bordeaux mixture, to keep fungus 
enemies in check, comprise all the care required 
by the growing tree. This treatment will con- 
_ dense the ordinary growth of five years into 
' three, and the tree will be all the better for the 
forcing. 
As soon as fruit spurs and buds begin to show 
themselves, the treatment should be modified, 
but not remitted. Less nitrogen and more 
phosphoric acid and potash are to be used, and 
