i6o 
A flask of prime Cider is the crowning enjoyment in Tennyson’s charming description in 
“ The Pic-nic 
“ There on a slope of orchard, Francis laid 
A damask napkin, wrought with horse and hound ; 
Brought out a dusky loaf that smelt of home, 
And, half cut down, a pasty costly made, 
Where quail and pigeon, lark and leveret lay, 
Like fossils of the rock, with golden yolks 
Imbeddied and injellied ; last with these 
A flask of cider from his father’s vats, 
Prime, which I knew; and so we sat and ate.” 
CHARLES HENRY BULMER, M.A. 
Appendix.—Orchard Manure. 
The following formula for artificial manure has been published by the “ Hereford Society 
for Aiding the Industrious,” under the name of “ WitJis Universal Manure .” In these exact 
proportions, it has been found to possess excellent fertilizing qualities, and it has the additional 
recommendations of being cheap and easy to make. 
Cwt. 
qrs. lbs. 
Cost (about). 
Take :— 
£ s - d - 
Finely sifted Dry Earth 
... 15 
0 0 
030 
Finely sifted Coal Ashes 
10 
0 0 
030 
Kainit, finely pounded 
0 
3 0 
036 
Nitrate of Soda, finely pounded... 
0 
3 0 
0 12 0 
Best Peruvian Guano ... 
2 
0 O 
... 180 
Best Bone Meal 
1 
2 O 
0 12 0 
Pure Dissolved Bone ... 
*> 
**• O 
I O 
1 12 6 
Superphosphate of Lime 
1 
O O 
060 
Coprolite, or Phosphorite powder 
1 
O O 
046 
35 
I O 
^5 4 6 
The ingredients must be of the best quality and mixed thoroughly together. Pass the 
compound through a quarter inch screen. The cost per ton, at present prices, including labour, will 
be about £3 5s. ; and something less than half a ton per acre every third or fourth year will suffice, 
since its effects will be found very durable. 
When the composition of this manure is compared with the proceeds resulting from the 
analyses of the ash of the tree and fruit of the Apple and Pear (see pp. 122—3), it will be seen that 
it is admirably adapted to supply their requirements, and can scarcely fail therefore to prove very 
beneficial in the orchard. So far as experience has gone, this has been found to be the case. It 
may be added that for single trees as pyramids or espaliers, the quantity required would be from 
5lb. to 6lb., forked in to the depth of a few inches, in early spring around the trees. 
