There is no general or sweeping rule which can be applied to manuring and stimulating trees. Some are already in a thrifty, rapidly growing condition, and do not need any pushing; others are stunted, feeble or exhausted, and it is important that these be assisted by manuring. Every cultivator will readily perceive, by an examination of the annual shoots, what is the proper treatment to be given to his trees. Young trees which have made a summer's growth of three feet, more or less, or bearing trees with annual shoots a foot or two long, are growing fast enough. But if the shoots are not over a foot on young trees (and they are often seen only a few inches), and only half that length on older ones, they need special attention.

There are two causes that operate in retarding vigor. One, and a very powerful one, is neglecting the ground and allowing trees to grow in weeds and grass. Unless the soil possesses great natural fertility, this want of clean culture will operate strongly against them, especially if the tree be young or newly transplanted. The other retarding cause, is bearing heavy crops. The only remedy for this feebleness, to be applied at this season of the year, is a top-dressing of manure, to give the trees an early start next spring. The earlier in the autumn that this application is made, the better will be the result. The autumn rains will wash out the soluble parts and carry them into the soil; and the fibrous portions of the manure which remain will protect the surface of the earth from severe freezing in winter. This topdressing is useful even if applied late in autumn, or even after the ground is frozen.

The objection which we sometimes hear, that the manure will wash away on frozen ground, contradicts itself. For if the weather is warm enough for rain to fall, or for snow to melt, or for the thawing of the manure heap, it will at the same time be warm enough to thaw the surface of the ground, and enable it to absorb all the fertilizing portions of the liquid manure. We speak from our own experiments, and never in any case could discover that this washing extended beyond the roots of the trees.