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by frost. On account of its hygroscopic property, good results 

 have been obtained in applying it in early spring to aid the plant in 

 withstanding the spring drought, which often causes a great 

 quantity of fruit to drop off. 



Lime is notable in its effect on table grapes. It also tends 

 to hasten the ripening and perfect the colouring of oranges. 

 Deficiency of lime is often accompanied by thick skin and poor 

 aroma. 



WHEN AND HOW TO MANURE. 



The question is often asked : When is it best to apply 

 fertilisers ? Phosphates may be a,pplied at any time from the 

 beginning of the autumn up till the end of the winter. Potash is 

 better applied early in heavy soils, which it has a tendency to clog, 

 so as to give to the winter rains and the frost time to counteract 

 that particularity. The application of lime with it will also correct 

 this tendency. On light dry sandy loam it is advisable to apply 

 potash fairly late, so as to utilise this hygroscopic feature towards 

 storing up moisture in the vicinity of the roots of the plant. 

 Nitrogenous chemical fertilisers it is better to apply in the early 

 spring amongst deciduous trees, and before the trees bloom. In 

 regard to evergreen trees, such as those of the citrus tribe, it is 

 immaterial at what time, so long as the trees are systematically and 

 regularly fed. It is recommended for citrus trees to divide the 

 amount of chemical nitrogenous manure to be applied during the 

 year into two applications. 



Experience will teach the orchardist how to regulate the spread 

 of any quantity of the manure whilst covering an acre of land. 



The following rule-of -thumb practice is found to be fairly correct 

 for such fertilisers as potash salts, and nitrate of soda, sulphate of 

 ammonia, or any fertiliser of approximately the same weight. 



In broadcasting, sowing a handful at each step, the right foot 

 steps forward, and scattering it 12 to 15 feet in breadth, there will 

 be applied 150 to 200 pounds per acre. 



Non- soluble fertilisers, such as bonedust, it is preferable not 

 to sow broadcast for the manuring of orchard or vineyards, as this 

 practice draws the roots from underneath to the surface, where they 

 are periodically hacked about by the tines of the scarifier. A better 

 plan is to set the plough to its full depth of 9 to 10 inches and open 

 a furrow up and down the centre of the land between the two rows 

 of trees or vines and sowing in these deep gutters the amount of 

 insoluble fertiliser it is meant to give to each acre of land. When 

 this is done, the plough is again set to its proper depth and the earth 

 is thrown back on to the manure, which is thus buried under. 

 Should the land be too stiff, or the team too light for opening such 

 deep furrows, the plough can be run once again in the bottom of a 

 first top furrow, and the requisite depth is thus attained. In this 

 manner numerous small rootlets issue from the severed roots of the 

 plants and go and feed on the manure in the deep trough, twisting 



