THE PKINCIPLES OF MANUKING 201 



weeds, interferes with cultivation, and if left on the 

 surface spoils the taste of the fruit. Truffont 1 recom- 

 mends a dressing similar to that previously given for 

 group IV. Other formulas recommend very different 

 quantities, viz., (1) 8 parts of potassium nitrate and 

 6 parts of superphosphate to be applied at the rate of 

 6 cwts. per acre, and (2) 14 parts of nitrate of soda, 

 6 parts superphosphate and 8 parts potassium chloride, 

 to be applied at the rate of 12 cwt. per acre. The 

 author prefers Truffont's recipe. 



Opinions differ also in regard to the importance of 

 manures for fruit trees. Some authorities appear to 

 think that they are of very little use. Others declare 

 that " when fruit trees cease to bear, it is simply because 

 they have exhausted all the fertilising ingredients around 

 their roots and, that the best means of securing an 

 abundant and continuous yield is to give the trees a 

 dressing of manure every year." In the majority of 

 cases manures have a beneficial effect on the yield from 

 fruit trees though there are probably many causes which 

 may counteract it. 



In general, the manures for fruit trees should consist 

 mainly of phosphates and potash with a small proportion 

 of nitrogen, as will be seen from the following recipes : 



1. On calcareous soils 



Superphosphate . . ,4 ozs. per square yard. 



Potassium chloride . . .2^ ,, ,, 



Nitrate of soda . . .1 ,, ,, 



2. On sandy soils 



Precipitated phosphate . .3 ,, ,, 



Potassium chloride . . 2^ ,, ,, 



Nitrate of soda . . .1 ,, ,, 



Gypsum OJ ,, 



J. K. A. S. E., vol. 63. 



