HOW TO FERTILIZE. 



83 



iiures — rich in nitrogen, for instance — will cause die-back and 

 fungoid diseases. 



While the trees are young, and in rapid growth, they will 

 bear heavy manuring, just as a growing child will eat more in 

 proportion than an adult ; but if the system of high manuring is 

 continued after they have arrived at the bearing age, eight or ten 

 years, it will almost invariably retard their fruiting, as too rich 

 a soil gives a tendency to make wood rather than fruit. 



Therefore, after the seventh year, the quantity of manures 

 applied should be gradually lessened, and only enough used to 

 keep the tree in a healthy slow growth condition. 



In manures for young trees, nitrogen should be present in 

 larger quantities than for bearing trees, the latter requiring more- 

 potash, jDhosphoric acid, lime, and other kindred manures. 



Yellowish leaves indicate a deficiency of nitrogen in the 

 soil ; dark green leaves show^ that there is plenty of it. 



An ex-nitrogen attracts the rust insect. Slack lime is a 

 good remedy, scattered on the ground and sifted through the 

 leaves. It is better to use this before the trees comence to 

 bloom and when the leaves are dry. 



When the clay is five or six feet, or more, below the surface, 

 so that manures are liable to be washed down below the roots, 

 three or four light manurings — one in January, another in 

 March, another in June, and last in August, are better than one 

 or two heavy manurings. The first should be heavier than the 

 rest, however, as tending directly to help the latest buds and 

 young fruit. Liberal manuring early in the spring as possible — 

 and by this we mean the Florida spring, which begins in Jan- 

 uary — conduces to a larger and finer fruit crop than can be 

 attained when this is neglected. Frequent experience has 

 proven this as an invariable rule, other things being equal. 

 When clay is within three or four feet of the surface, two heavy 

 applications of manure — one in January and the other in July — 

 are all that is necessary, the clay serving as a base to retain it 

 until the roots can assimilate it. 



