FRUIT TREES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1941, Page 3

FRUIT TREES

USE OF MANURE.

i Though excessive growth on fruit trees which bear their fruit on spurs is not desirable, there must be a certain amount of young wood formed every year if the trees are to remain healthy and fruitful, and a nice balance between excessive growth and practically no growth at all has to be maintained. When trees are failing to make sufficient young growth and are all running to fruit spurs, these can be reduced a bit while pruning, but applications of manure, with good clean cultivation, is also necessary. A general manure useful for the development of the fruit and maintaining the health of the tree is also necessary, and this can be supplied in the following! form: —After the wood ashes obtained from burning the primings and leaves is scattered over the ground, a dressing of the following should be applied:— Two parts superphosphate, one part bone dust, one part sulphate of potash, and one part sulphate of ammonia. This is applied now at the rate of 3oz to the square yard, and lightly pointed in with the spade, taking particular care not to go deep enough to damage the surface roots. For trees which are not making sufficient growth, the amount of sulphate of ammonia can be increased to double, and a mulch of farmyard manure will also be an advantage. On light soils a mulch of any kind of organic matter is helpful, either manure, ccmpost heap or even lawn mowings. When breaking down the surface soil! a little later with the scuffle hoe, a’ dressing of lime at the rate of 2oz to the square yard can be worked in. For bush fruits such as gooseberries and currants, the manure should be four parts bone dust, two parts superphosphate, and two parts sulphate of potash. This is applied at the rate of 2oz to the square yard and forked or pointed in. For raspberries, loganberries or similar fruits, two parts superphosphate, two parts bone dust, one part sulphate of potash, and two parts sulphate of ammonia is recom- ! mended. These plants have to be i encouraged to make strong new growth for it is on this that next year’s crop of fruit is produced. They, too, like the backward apples, appreciate a mulch of farmyard manure or some other suitable material in the summer.