44 MANURES FOR FRUIT TREES 



tain amount of water, yet porous enough to allow 

 an excess to drain away. 



(7) A certain quantity of organic matter must 

 be present, for it causes the disintegration of the 

 soil, and renders it more friable. It yields nitro- 

 genous matters to the trees, shrubs, etc., and has 

 the power of retaining certain soluble substances 

 in light soils. There must not be an excess of 

 organic matter present, or " sour " land is the 

 result. 



The reason why soils require cultivating and 

 manuring will now be apparent — for profitable 

 fruit growing the soil must be kept in an increas- 

 ing state of fertility. The majority of fruit trees 

 are badly nourished by cultivators in consequence, 

 they not only yield a poor crop, etc. , but also suffer 

 more from drought, sudden changes of tempera- 

 ture, insect and parasitic diseases, than they would 

 if properly manured. Manures are absolutely 

 necessary for trees in a state of cultivation, as 

 fruits and other parts removed extract certain in- 

 gredients from the soil, which are not replaced 

 unless the soil is manured. The fertility of a soil 

 can only be maintained when we add more to it 

 than we take away. The natural " virtues " of a 

 soil must be replaced by the art of manuring ; or 

 in the words of Pope " all nature is but art." 



