256 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



Bone-meal is a slow-acting fertiliser, and should be 

 applied in autumn at the rate of 402. per square yard, 

 forking it in. Dissolved bones use similarly, especially 

 on chalky soils. 



Bone-ash and bone-black use at the same rate in 

 autumn. Not very generally used. 



Superphosphate of lime is made in two grades, the 

 double and the ordinary. The former is especially bene- 

 ficial to fruit trees grown on chalky soils, as it imparts 

 more vigour to the tree, also more colour to the foliage. 

 Of the former apply Jib. to each tree in June, and again 

 in August. Of the ordinary, apply 302. per square yard 

 in autumn and fork in. 



Basic slag is an excellent phosphatic manure for clayey 

 or rich garden soils. Apply at the rate of 402. to 6oz. per 

 square yard in winter, and fork in. 



How to Use Potash Manures. As a rule, clay soils 

 contain sufficient potash, but it is always wise to ignore 

 this fact in the case of fruit trees growing on such land. 



Sulphate of potash is a very soluble form of potash, and 

 easily assimilated by crops. Apply in autumn or spring at 

 the rate of 202. per square yard. The same remarks apply 

 to muriate of potash. 



Kainit is the cheapest form of potash, and should be 

 applied in winter at the rate of 402. per square yard. Fork 

 it in. 



Wood-ashes contain a good deal of potash, and these 

 may be applied at all times to fruit crops as liberally as 

 possible. 



Lime. This is an important factor in fruit culture. In 

 the case of heavy clays it liberates the latent potash, and 

 assists in breaking up the plasticity of the soil. In old 

 or sour soils it neutralises the vegetable acids, and en- 

 courages the development of the nitrifying bacteria. It 

 is, moreover, of immense advantage to all stone fruits, 

 and without its presence in the soil the trees will neither 

 grow nor fruit satisfactorily. The best form of lime to 



