HENRY LEUTHARDT NURSERY 21 

Bone dust, and plaster are excellent manure and 
stimulant for trees when used on the surface. No manure 
of any kind should be put in the hole with the tree; it is 
very injurious, causing a rank growth, making the tree 
tender and consequently short lived. 
Wood ashes are unquestionably the best fertilizer 
for all kinds of fruit trees, but they will be benefited by 
the liberal use of most any well-rotted manure, and 
planters should bear in mind that it pays both in the 
quality and quantity of the fruit to fertilize fruit trees. 
The only safe way to apply manure and fertilizers 
to the tree after planted is to dig or rake them into 
the ground—not in actual intimate contact with the 
roots. When so applied, the moisture in the ground 
dissolves them and makes dilute solutions which feed 
the tree instead of damaging it. Fertilizing in the fall 
acts as a winter mulch and enriches the soil for the next 
season’s showing. 
Watering 
Avoid watering fruit trees for too much water harms 
the root system and prevents the trees coming into bear- 
ign. Fruit trees seldom require watering, except in 
very dry weather, then artificial watering is advised. 
If a drought occurs, trees bearing fruit must be water. 
One good watering once a week at night and repeated 
the next morning, is far better than ten times as often 
if improperly done. The right way is to draw away a 
little of the soil from the side of the tree, and allow 
all the water that the soil will absorb to soak in, then 
replace the dry soil. Repeat this the following morning. 
Thinning Out the Fruit 
Many varieties of apples, pears, peaches, plums, 
nectarines and apricots are naturally so productive that 
they set more fruit than the tree can properly mature. 
When this occurs, it is highly important to pick off 
the fruit. As soon as the fruit is fairly set, as a general 
rule, pick off the fruit with a spacing of 4 to 5 inches 
between the fruit. Very young trees should not be al- 
lowed to bear too heavily. 
Acid Soils 
Use lime. Lime is not a fertilizer, but is of benefit 
to the soil through its physical and chemical effects. 
Should be applied once every three years to land which 
is inclined to become sour. The most practical type of 
lime to use is raw ground limestone and air-slacked 
lime. Limestone may be bought, is safe to use and is 
effective. Lime is a safe investment and should be 
added to the soil whether sweet or sour because it will 
improve the flavor and quality of the fruit. 
