1905.] Experiments in Fruit Growing. 



627 



a certain extent, be due to the peculiarities of the soil at 

 Woburn is possible, but this cannot be regarded as the sole, or 

 even principal, explanation, because the same absence of effect 

 has not characterised the results with other fruit plants, and as 

 each of these plants shows certain differences in behaviour under 

 manures, it is probable that the peculiarity in the case of apple 

 trees is more due to the nature of the plants than to the char- 

 acter of the soil. 



That the chemical composition of the soil is but a poor guide 

 to manurial requirements of fruit trees must be evident from the 

 very different behaviour of different kinds of trees in the same 

 soil, while the paramount importance of dung in the case of 

 gooseberries at Woburn proves that the physical condition of 

 the soil is, in some cases at any rate, of far more importance 

 than its chemical composition, for these plants will fail and 

 even die in a soil which contains abundance of chemical food. 

 Another striking instance of the same fact is seen in the circum- 

 stance that it was on currants and raspberries that artificial 

 manures had the greatest effect, although these were the two 

 varieties of fruits which were planted in that part of the farm 

 where the soil was much richer than elsewhere. 



In conclusion, it is pointed out that the results obtained at 

 Woburn are not such as to make it advisable for a grower to 

 spend any money in manuring apple trees, especially in heavy 

 and fairly fertile soil, unless he had ascertained by an actual 

 trial on his own ground, and by a trial extending over several 

 years, that such manuring would repay him. In the case of 

 gooseberries, dunging the greater part of the plantation is 

 recommended, and reserving only a small portion for trials with 

 artificial manure and with no manure. In the case of currants, 

 raspberries and strawberries, the same experimental treatment 

 seems desirable as with gooseberries wherever dung or some 

 manure containing a considerable proportion of organic matter 

 is procurable at a moderate cost ; where this cannot be obtained, 

 the bulk of the plantation might be treated with artificials, and 

 only a small portion reserved for treatment with dung. In no 

 case, except for the purpose of trial, is a heavier dressing than 

 12 tons per acre, or its equivalent in artificials, recommended, 

 and in no case should any conclusions be drawn as to the action 



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