SFECIAL MANURES. 59 



that can be accomplished is to ascertain the component 

 parts of the different kinds of trees, which are nearly the 

 same in all localities. If it is found that a particular 

 species contains an unusual quantity of some certain ingre- 

 dient, we may safely conclude that such ingredient would 

 oe useful generally as a manure. 



As instances, analysis has shown that the pear, the 

 apple, and the grape, contain, of 100 parts each of earthy 

 ingredients, the following proportions of potash, lime, and 

 phosphate of lime : — * 



Pear. 



Sap-wood. Bark. 



Potash 22 6 



Lime 13 30 ' 



Phosphate of lime 27 6 



Apple. 



Potash 16 5 



Lime f. . . . 19 51 



Phosphate of lime 17 3 



Grape. 



Potash 21 2 



Lime 17 39 



Phosphate of lime 15 5 



The proportions of these ingredients, although not exceed- 

 ing the quantities found in some other plants, are so large 

 as to show conclusively the importance of a proper supply 

 in the soil. They already exist in all soils adapted to the 

 growth of fruit trees ; but their small amount in particular 

 localities, from natural deficiency, or from long cultivation, 

 may render their application a matter of the greatest impor- 

 tance. Such application may be partially made by common 

 yard manure, which contains them in considerable propor- 

 tions ; but wood ashes, in which they mostly exist in large 

 quantities, will furnish them more freely and with a more 

 speedy effect ; as from the large proportion of animal matter 

 in yard manure, too much succulence of growth or even 



a trace of phosphates when 100 grains, and afterwards '100 grains, of the soil were ope- 

 rated upon , and it was only when 1000 grains were used, that a five-thousandth part 

 was detected Yet this minute proportion is equal to about ten cubic feet per acre 

 With a depth of one foot, and supplies the necessary ingredient for heavy crops. 



* According to the experiments of Dr. Emmons. 



