Feeding the Tree.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 155, 13 May 1909, Page 3

Feeding the Tree.

Feeding of fruit trees that have borne heavy crops of fruit is an operation which will repay attention. A heavy

crop of fruit makes a great demand on the root for supplies and the food required is of a specialised kind. Phosphate is the sheet anchor of the cultivator of fruits. All fruit trees in bearing should receive a manuring of superphosphates every year, quite irrespective of any other treatment. About from three tn six ounces of superphosphate should be sprinkled on the surface soil covering the space occupied by the roots of a fruit tree, varying the quantity within the abovenamed limits according to the size of the tree. Fork this lightly into the soil, and let the rain soak it down to the roots. This timely and judicious feeding will increase the weight of fruit produced, improve its flavour,and also benefit the tree by the effect it will have on the enlargement and maturation of the fruit buds required for the production of next season's crop.

If a fattening pig goes off its feed and rejects its food, or part of it, the meals should be reduced to half, and be made less rich, until the animal feeds again with relish. Give just as much food as is cleared up, and no more.

An American writer recommends turpentine and new milk as a cure for all pig ailments. For the young pig six weeks old, a teaspoonful of turpentine in half a pint of milk would be sufficient, whereas for a mature pig a tablespoonful in a quart of milk could be used.

Young sheep and ewes in lamb die if they are forced to eat stinkwort, when the plant is flowering and moistened by rain.

A good horse is one with many good, few indifferent,and no bad points—one bad point neutralises many good ones.

Arsenite sprays for destroying insect pests and Bordeaux mixture for killing fungi, have been tried in combination, but the result has not been altogether satisfactory.

The canning industry in a large region in the United States, reaching from St. Louis to Brownville, Texas, is becoming a most important one. The motto of every successful fruit grower there is, "Sell all you can, and can what you can't."

According to a prominent writer it is wise to take the children to the soil and train them to grow the flowers and vegetables that thrive in the gardens of their great grandparents.

The London carcase butcher prefers a medium sized lamb,from 36 to 381bs. Such a lamb will bring a better price comparatively than a heavier one.

A horse will eat grass when he refuses all other foods, and will often be induced to cat bran or oats if a little grass is sprinkled or mixed with them.

The young sow should be bred about eight months old, so as to have her first litter at a year old.

The best pigs are found only among the best breeds, and it is useless to look for them elsewhere. Any bandy man on a farm can ring pigs as effectively as a vet., and a great point .is not to omit on?.

Straw, when dirty throws (Hit quantities of ammonia, which is one great cause of blindness in horses.