238 MANURES FOR TREES 



Kainit occurs as a deposit in certain parts of 

 Germany. It contains about 24*5 per cent, of 

 potassium sulphate (= 13'20 per cent, of potash) ; it 

 also contains about 13 '22 per cent, of magnesium 

 sulphate, 14"33 per cent, of magnesium chloride, and 

 about 30"35 per cent, of sodium chloride. It 

 supplies potash to a soil, and helps in the ripening 

 of fruits. It should be applied to all soils deficient 

 in potash ; and it enters into the composition of 

 most special manures. 



Chloride of Potash or carnallite, a double 

 chloride of potash (muriate of potash) and 

 magnesia, is also used as a manure, but it cannot 

 be recommended in lieu of kainit. 



Lime or calcium oxide has been used for 

 manuring fruit trees since the time of the Romans. 

 It is a constituent of all plants, and helps in the 

 formation of tissues. It is a valuable manure in 

 more ways than one. 



That able writer, Mr. Donald McDonald, says 

 that " the absence of lime in the soil is the cause 

 of the infertility of many gardens ; and I would 

 strongly recommend those who have found their 

 fruit crops unsatisfactory from some unaccountable 

 reason to try what a dressing will do. It is 

 particularly valuable upon the heavier classes of 

 soils, and when slaked it may be scattered over 



