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closures, where either quick returns or a dwarfing 

 system are desired, we would abstain from the use of 

 manures as much as possible, unless the soil is a poor 

 character. Some rotten manures should, however, be 

 introduced at planting, in order to give the tree a 

 bold start. We would always collect all the old 

 weedy turf at hand, ditchings, &c. &c., and blend 

 them with the soil : such will conduce more to fruit- 

 fulness and a permanency of character than exciting 

 manures. \Ye are not aware that any particular kind 

 of manure is preferred by the apple : we would use 

 them with regard to their effect on the temperature 

 and moisture of the soil ; thus, for cold and damp 

 soils, we would use horse manure, and for dry and 

 parching ones, that of the cow, which latter is always 

 understood to retain moisture longer than that of the 

 horse. 



When old orchard trees are becoming exhausted, 

 manures should by all means be liberally applied as 

 top- dressings. In this case it is a good plan to lay 

 bare the upper portion of the surface-roots by remov- 

 ing a few inches of the surface soil, and then to apply 

 a circle of compost of good rotten manure, six inches 

 in depth ; or, what would be better, a compost com- 

 posed of equal parts manure and sound fresh loam ; 

 this, with a liberal thinning of some of the most ex- 

 hausted boughs, will throw fresh vigour into half- 

 worn trees for many years. 



K 2 



