276 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



young man will be happier than in any other place in the 

 world, and he will stay there. 



I could not resist the temptation of saying that to you, for 

 I say it very often when I have an opportunity. But that 

 has not any thing to do with this silo matter. I don't sup- 

 pose you are through discussing that, and Mr. Slade ought 

 to talk upon that subject. He has asked too many ques- 

 tions for a person who does not know any thing about it. 



Mr. Slade. If there are any questions relating to horti- 

 culture, or window-gardening, or growing hothouse plants, or 

 any thing of that kind, Capt. Moore will stand any amount 

 of pumping. It is a rare chance you have to ask him any of 

 those questions. 



Capt. Moore. I have no doubt that all the gentlemen 

 present would enjoy flowers in their houses ; but I do not 

 suppose there is any one in the audience, except the very 

 few ladies who are here, who would care to hear anj thing 

 upon that subject. If the whole house were filled with ladies 

 who desired to know what little I could tell them in regard 

 to the cultivation of plants in the house, or the cultivation 

 of plants out of doors, or any thing of that kind, I should be 

 ready to talk upon those subjects. 



Question. What is the best material for soil to be used 

 in pots ? 



Capt. Moore. Partially decomposed pasture soil. 



Question. Any particular fertilizers better tlian others? 



Capt. Moore. You can give it fertilizers. There is noth- 

 ing better than the top sod of an old pasture, partially decom- 

 posed : but the pot wants good drainage ; that is, plenty of 

 pieces of broken pot in the bottom. Do not crowd the soil 

 into the pot. You want to put it in loosely : the drainage 

 will be better, and the plant will grow better. Otherwise 

 you make it soggy. Do not water over-much ; neither dry 

 up your plant. You cannot tell that a plant is dry [)y sim- 

 ply looking at the earth on the top. The true way of water- 

 ing a jolant in the house is to give it a thorough watering 

 and then let it go, not keep a constant drizzle over it : that 

 keeps the top wet ; and when you look at it you think it has 

 moisture enough. But the soil may appear wet on top, and 

 the roots be dry. I have two large greenhouses where I 

 am growing hybrid perpetual roses as a specialty ; and my 



