ST. JOHN: SABLE ISLAND. 51 



"Arrangements for the use of artificial fertilizers. 



" Realizing at the outset that it was probable that the soil of some 

 of the sites which might be chosen for tree planting On the island 

 would be deficient in the elements of fertility needed for the healthy 

 growth of trees, a sufficient quantity of artificial fertilizers was taken 

 to Sable Island with the trees. These included nitrate of soda, mur- 

 iate of potash, superphosphate of lime with a few barrels of quick 

 lime. Instructions were left with the Superintendent as to the use of 

 these after the trees were planted, and the proportions in which they 

 should be mixed. That after mixing they should be diluted with an 

 equal bulk of sand and scattered in small proportion over the ground 

 once a month for three months, leaving a small portion of each plan- 

 tation untreated for comparison. This would probably give the trees 

 at the start sufficient plant food for healthy growth. 



"A natural source of plant food. 



"There is one source of plant food on Sable Island which should 

 not be overlooked. Sea birds are most abundant there. After trav- 

 elling over the greater part of the island and seeing the immense 

 number of terns everywhere, from a rough computation of the num- 

 ber per acre and the acreage of the island we estimated that these 

 birds alone did not fall far short of a million on the island. They feed 

 on small fish, and they are so incessantly active that they consume 

 large quantities and their droppings are seen on every hand. This 

 perennial source of fertility must have its effect. Like the guano on 

 the sea-girt islands in parts of South America this material is very 

 rich in plant food, which is in readily soluble forms and the quantity 

 deposited every year would probably be sufficient to supply a con- 

 siderable part of the small proportion of these elements needed for 

 healthy tree growth. Traces only of these useful elements are found 

 in the clear, pure sand which covers so large a part of the surface of 

 the island, probably for the reason that this fertilizing material if 

 not promptly taken up by plant roots is so soluble that it is soon 

 washed through the porous sand by frequent rains and its accumula- 

 tion is thus prevented. 



"Conditions of climate strong winds. 



"The climate is a very singular one, and one of the chief difficulties 

 in the way of rapid success in tree planting is the force and constancy 



