
          386

for many years, in the very fields where
formerly, without the use of fertilizers the
lives of the trees were limited to six or
seven years. On unmanured soils the
foliage of the trees turned yellow, great
numbers of little suckers grew out on the
branches, and the trees were said to have
the 'yellows' and soon died.  The good
effect of fertilizers upon the failing trees is
so marked that many cultivators of 
peach trees believe there is no such disease
as the 'yellows', and that their
early failure is simply due to lack of
proper plant-food.

"The experiments lead, too, to the inquiry
whether many of the cases of plant
& tree failure are not due to want of
proper & sufficient nutriment, rather
than to peculiar diseases. It is certain
that thorough & complete fertilization enables
plants & trees to thrive where, in
other circumstances, they dwindle out
a sickly life." - 7th Ann. Rep. N.J. Exp.
Sta. 1886, p. 16.
        