FRUIT-GROWERS’ REPORT. 
389 
One half peck of this composition upon the most sandy soils 
of Wisconsin, will be an abundant supply for a ten-year-old 
% 
appletree, and should be scattered annually over and dug into 
the soil in which the tree feeds. 
In the limestone regions it will be needed but sparingly, if 
at all, where the roots of the tree can penetrate among the 
limestones, as there will be a supply of lime from that source, 
until the trees have attained considerable age. 
But potash is required on all lands, and must be supplied 
annually. The quickest, cheapest and best way to do this is 
to wash every part of the tree you can, in the spring just 
before the buds burst, with a ley from wood ashes, strong 
enough to set an egg on end when dropped in it; and if an 
ounce of salt be added to each pint of ley, it will greatly 
improve it. This can be put on with a common white-wash 
brush; a dry day is better for this purpose than a wet one, as 
it will give the washing time before it is washed off by the 
rains, to consume all the cocci , or scales, and the eggs of the 
aphis, or green lice. The result of this wash will be percepti¬ 
ble not only in the fresh appearance of the bark of the tree, 
freeing it from all mosses and decaying scales, but in the free¬ 
dom of the tree from insects, and an increase in its growth. 
There is scarcely an insect which preys on the tree, either in 
the root or branch, which will not be destroyed by this wash. 
And it is just the manure the tree requires for its own support. 
There is no fruit tree or shrub in the garden or orchard, of 
perennial growth, which will be hurt by it, unless it be too 
strong. It should not float an egg, nor have too much salt in it. 
Considerable potash may be supplied to the ground by cov¬ 
ering it w T ith a coating of fresh leaves in the fall; this would 
also form an excellent manure for the support of the tree. 
Although it is true that that the young trees of an orchard 
before their roots intermingle, will get sufficient food in the 
rich virgin soils of most parts of the State, yet this will not 
be true after that period, and especially, where the land has 
been exhausted by cropping, during the period of their growth. 
When the roots have intermingled, or if crops are raised, the 
