320 Preparations fo7' watermg Peach Trees, S^c. 



blossoms often fail in their impregnation, and fall off; and, 

 when they are impregnated and set, they fall off at the 

 stoning ; frequently, although they survive the stoning, they 

 become prematurely ripe and fall off, and very few, if any, of 

 the fruit attain maturity ; while those which do, become 

 vapid and without flavour. These failures I have proved to 

 be the effect of unwholesome food ; and, having, found a 

 remedy in a simple preparation, I beg the favour of such of 

 your readers as have an opportunity, to make a trial of it, 

 and to state the result. Having selected a tree that is in 

 good condition, and well furnished with blossom buds, just 

 as the blossoms are beginning to expand, take a potato fork, 

 and with it make holes all over the surface of the space oc- 

 cupied by the roots (which extend as far from the stem as 

 the branches), at about 18 inches apart, by forcing in the fork 

 to the full depth of its tines, and giving it a gentle heave, by 

 pressing on the end of the handle; then, having dissolved 

 some nitre in water (in the proportion of one ounce to three 

 gallons of water), fill the holes with the solution. No manure 

 must be given ; but if, after the stoning of the fruit, the tree 

 should appear to be unequal to sustaining its crop of fruit, 

 the following preparation may be given, in the same manner 

 as the nitre: — To one gallon of blood add one gallon of 

 water, and one ounce of potash ; stir the mixture well, and 

 let it stand for a week or ten days ; then pour off the solution 

 from the clot, and, mixing one gallon of this liquid with four 

 gallons of water, give it to the trees as above. The remain- 

 ing clot may be dissolved by adding to it one quart of 

 slacked lime and one gallon of water to one gallon of clot ; 

 but this solution must not be given to fruit trees, as it will 

 produce the effect which the nitre is intended to remedy. It 

 will, however, prove a good manure for the cabbage tribe, 

 asparagus, celery, &c. This discovery, which I consider to 

 be of great value, I made some years since ; and, as it is not 

 merely accidental, but the result of a regular course of ex- 

 periments, made with a view of ascertaining the nature and 

 effects of the food of plants, and is founded on physiological 

 and chemical principles, it will, I have no doubt, lead to the 

 establishment of a much more perfect system of manuring 

 than is at present practised. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 

 Weymouth, March 18. 1832. Joseph Hayward. 



