THE MANURING OF BUSH AND CANE FRUITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE MANURING OF BUSH AND CANE FRUITS.

A pamphlet issued by the Norfolk County Council Department of Horticultural Education says:—

"Tho main difference between bush and cane fruits as compared with trees is that crops are obtained earlier in the lifo of the former. Trees require to attain a certain age, carrying according to collective factors,'before cropping ia commenced, whereas canes and bushes will commence to bear in the second year in tho majority of cases. Bush and cane fruits will grow on a wide range of soils if suitable varieties are selected, but for best results a deep, friable, welldrained loam is preferable. However, wliero a reasonable depth of soil exists, overlaying a subsoil not too coarse in texture, successful results can be obtained. The feeding of soft fruits is easier than is tho case with trees, as their root systems are nearer the surfaco and the foods can be got to them more easily. Land in good heart is advisable before planting and, if there is doubt about this, manure should be applied beforo planting the fruits, preferably for a preceding crop. As all tho fruits do not require the same treatment it will bo best to deal with each separately. Black currants do best on sandy loams, but can also be grown on heavy soils. Plenty of new wood is required annually for the production of heavy crops. They respond to nitrogenous and potash fertilisers, though phosphates are beneficial. The use of stable manure such as from pig or mixed stock, as a top-dressing in early spring each year is a commendable practice, August being a suitable time for its application. Up to 30 loads per acre can be used where obtainable, but the cost of crop production must be studied. Before applying tho manure a shallow furrow should be ploughed away from tho bushes on either side of each row, about 18 to 24 inches from them. After applying the manure the soil should bo ploughed back, tjiis keeps the manure down. 'The alleys are then ploughed completely, leaving a furrow down the centre. If manure is scarce substitutes must be used. For nitrogen either chemical or organic types are available and sulphate of ammonia 3&cwt per acre.

The repeated use of sulphate of ammonia by itself decreases the yield, no doubt due to the loss of lime in the soil and if this fertiliser is used lime should be given periodically, at scwt per acre in midwinter, in alternate years. Suitable organic manures are meat meals, fish manures and horn meal; theso can be used in July,' at scwt per acre. Potash applications are needed and a dressing of sulphate of potash at 2Jcwt per acre can be used from April to August. Balanced feeding is always wise and on black currants to complete this phosphates should be supplied as superphosphates, lOcwt per acre in July and August. Bono meal at the rate of scwt per acre can be used, it supplies a small percentage of nitrogen (3 to 5 per

cent), which is beneficial. Red currants fruit on old wood and the encouragement of very vigorous yearling wood should bo avoided. Nitrogenous manuring is best wlien kept fairly low and the phosphate potash ratio raised to encourage fruit bud formation and well ripened wood. Unless the bushes show signs of malnutrition such as yellowish leaves and little annual wood stable manure need not be applied. If, however, help is needed a forkful of manure in the early part of the year to each bush will be of great assistance. The following is a good manurial treatment for rod currants in general:—Potash sulphate used at ljcwt per acre, every autumn. On light soils 4to scwt per acre of superphosphates in July, or 4 to scwt per acre of fine bone meal in June. On heavy soils basic slag, lOewt per acre, may be the source of phosphoric acid. With gooseberries the production of wood annually should be aimed at, but avoid sappy growth, which is conducive to mildew. This crop benefits from liming and scwt of hydratcd lime in alternate years will- supply enough. Potash is essential for gooseberries, it enables the bushes to resist diseases. Use sulphate at 1J to 2cwt annually. Phosphates can be used as for red currants, according to the soil in which the bushes are planted. Nitrogenous manures of a tolerably quick action used in early spring will increase the size of tho berries if tho potash supply is adequate. Sulphate of ammonia at the rato of 3cwt per acre is used if the lime contents of the soil are good. Doses of over 3cwt per acre have not been found to he an economic proposition. Raspberries and loganberries require soils with plenty of humus to give the finest results and before planting, if the soil is at all poor, a dressing of 20 to 30 loads of stable manure per acre can be dug in. The. application of a cheap phosphatic fertiliser before planting is an excellent plan; lOcwt per acre of ground rock phosphates may be harrowed in and potash, 2cwt per acre also, at the same time. The annual routine manuring giving good results is 2cwt per acre sulphate of potash in autumn, and a mulching of stable manure in July or August at 15 loads per acre. If stable manure cannot be obtained each year, such substitutes as boncdust, scwt per acre in July, or blood and bone, 4cwt per acre in July or August, can be used. A complete chemical fertiliser which may be used as an alternative to organic manures is made as follows: —One part sulphate of ammonia, three parts superphosphate, one part sulphate of potash; the mixture is used in August and Bto lOcwt per acre. The sowing of manures should be carefully done, even distribution is essential. The fertilisers should be sown over a space as large as the extent of the root area at least.