MANURING DATE PALMS. 49 



MANURING, a 



The continual irrigation of the oases and the small extent to which 

 leguminous crops are grown among the palms are probably respon- 

 sible for the low nitrogen content of the soil, as shown by the analysis 

 on page 35. As far as possible the natives seek to remedy this de- 

 ficiency by manuring. Unfortunately, owing to the small number of 

 domestic animals kept, the supply of stable manure is very limited 

 and the use of chemical fertilizers is as yet unknown. 



No manure is given to the young palms w r hen first set out, although 

 where garden vegetables are grown in new land that is being pre- 

 pared for a date orchard, as shown on page 45, the suckers doubtless 

 receive some benefit from the manure that had been applied to the 

 vegetables during the two or three preceding years. When the palm 

 is 3 years old and is beginning to sucker it is manured directly for 

 the first time. A circular trench is dug around the tree, at least 

 3 feet from its base. This is filled with one part of manure to two 

 parts of earth, thoroughly mixed together. Frequently only one- 

 half of the trench is dug and filled the first year, the circle being 

 completed the year following. Subsequently the palm is usually 

 manured only every four years, although some gardeners prefer to 

 give a smaller application every year. 



In the case of older palms the manure is spread on the surface 

 and then worked into the ground, being applied at the rate of one 

 donkey load to each tract of 7 square yards. Strong soils, containing 

 a high percentage of clay or of organic matter and gypsum, are 

 manured less heavily than the light sandy soils. Where garden 

 vegetables are grown among the palms and manured every year the 

 palms themselves receive no separate application. The best time to 

 manure date palms is considered in the Jerid to be from October to 

 January.** 



Only thoroughly rotted manure that is at least one year old can 

 safely be used. The natives recognize it as one of the advantages 

 of old manure that it contains fewer viable weed seeds. Grass v and 

 htraw are carefully removed before the manure is applied. The in- 

 habitants differ as to what kind of manure gives the most satisfac- 



For the practices in this regard in the Oued Souf, see Bui. 86, Bureau of 

 riant Industry, pp. 22-24. 



& According to Charlet (Bui. Soc.^Geogr. d'Alger, 1905), many of the inhabi- 

 tants of the Mazb manure their palms every year, sometimes at the be- 

 ginning of winter and sometimes in February when the sap begins to run. 

 This author estimates 44 pounds of manure as the quantity needed annually 

 by each palm. In the Oued Souf (Bui. 86, Bureau of Plant Industry, p. 23) 

 October and March are considered the best months for applying manure. 

 30618 No. 9206 4 



