Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-09-13
FARM and HOUSEHOLD.
ManurinC Apple Orchards.


In most places apple orchards first
fail for lack of suitable manure. They
are much more exhaustive of mineral
plant food than is generally supposed.
This is especially true after they begin
10 bear fruit. Before that there is con-
siderable abstraction OF potash from
the soil, as is shown conclusively by
the amount of potash found in apple
tree wood. Every experienced house
wife knows that wood from apple trees
makes the strongest I've of anything
that is usually burned in the kitchen
stove. We have heard that in bearing
trees the amount of potash is greater
in the smaller limbs and twigs than in
the trunk. 1t is probable that in the
bearing tree the demand OF the fruit
for potash brings "a larger proportion
to the outside layer of wood, between
which and the bark the sap mainly Cir
culates. The heart of the tree is main
ly grown while the demand for potash
was less active.
When apple trees begin TO bear there
is a greatlyincreased demand for heavy
manuring, especially with mineral fer
tilizers. Large amounts of potash are
required in changing the sour and acid
juices OF green fruits TO the pleasantly
Favored sweet Of the same fruit after
il has ripened. Seeds also require both
potash and phosphoric acid for their
development. If these minerals are
not present. the fruit cannot be per-
fected, 1t is not for nothing that the
tree casts large portion of its fruit
soon after setting. 1t is an endeavor
by the tree TO adapt its load to its abil-
ity to perfect it. In some kinds OF fruit
which cannot drop, as grapes, The dan
or of overlooking is greatly increased.
We believe that in all localities adapt
ed to fruit growing. a large proportion of
the homemade manure may be more
profitably applied to the orchard, and
especially TO orchards now in bearing,
than To any other farm crop. There
have been two reasons why manure has
not been more generally applied to APP
pie trees. One is the idea that trees
do not need manuring, that the crop is
a natural product requiring no care.
The other reason is directly opposed 20
this. II notion that fruit is so uncer-
tain that it is not safe to risk throwing
manure away in applying it TO ORCH
ards. Each of these ideas has been
shown to be false. Apples will not
grow without manure, but if fertilizers
in the right amounts and of proper
kinds are applied, they may DC made
as sure of producing a good result as
anything in farming can be.
Few except the most successful fruit
growers realize the profit that may be
made from an apple orchard in full
bearing If properly managed. In years
of low prices it is not uncommon for a
good crop TO net 800 or more per
acre over and above the cost of gather
ing and marketing. Some years the
profit has been much greater than this.
OF course TO secure these results the
borer. codling moth and other insect
enemies must be destroyed. but the
means of doing this are known, and by
their full or partial crop may be grown
every year. When trees como to this
stage their productiveness is largely d
question of the nanuring they receive,
and it cannot be applied too literally.
American Cultivator.