MANURING FRUIT TREES.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3540, 30 July 1920, Page 5

MANURING FRUIT TREES.

Next to skilful planting, pruning and spraying, manuring is a subject which should receive attention, but which very seldom does. Undoubtedly many trees grow, carry crops, and do well for years without the aid of any manure. In small gardens when they are growing in restricted space, and where the soil has to carry a crop of vegetables as well there is a need of giving the trees a little help. It is at the same time a mistake to think that a heavy application of manure will revive a sickly, deceased, and blighted tree. The best cure for a sick tree is the fire heap, it is also a mistake to over-feed a vigorous growing tree which is already making a superabundance of wood. The tree that should be manured is the one that is healthy and is giving regular crops of fruit. Young trees should not be manured till they have been planted at least twelve months. The most important manures necessary are phosphates to assist in the formation of the flowers and seeds, potash in the development of the fruit, and nitrogen to produce healthy foliage. The best phosphatic manures .are bonedust, basic slag and superphosphate, the first being the most - la§ting ; Vand as it also supplies nitrogen, the most efficient. A tree that is running to' foliage and giving no fruit can often be induced to crop by having a dressing of superphosphate or bonedust applied. Potash can be supplied by sulphate of potash or wood ashes, but as most soils contain potash which can be made available by the application of lime' it is advisable to give a dressing of lime which will often have the desired effect. Nitrogen is best supplied by nitrate of soda, or sulphate of ammonia and should only be given to trees which are not making healthy or sufficient foliage and never to vigorous growing trees. Bonedust, basic slag, superphosphate, sulphate of potash, lime and wood ashes should be applied during winter, but ■nitrate of: soda “or sulphate of ammonia should be applied in spring after grcwtll has commenced