68 FLORA HISTORICAL 



ter, so that the strength of the compost is re- 

 duced, and the salts washed from it, I take (says 

 Mr. Hogg) about seven pounds of damaged salt, 

 and add them to it, either dissolved in water, or 

 strewed over with the hand. This, from an ex- 

 perience of three years, I have found to be at- 

 tended with the most beneficial effect upon the 

 future health and vigour of the plants. During 

 very heavy rains many florists cover their com- 

 post with tarpaulin, or double mats, to prevent 

 the nutritious particles from being washed out : 

 this is also an excellent precaution." 



'' If any objection be started that the quantity 

 of dung is too great in proportion to that of the 

 loam, I answer, that such an objection might be 

 well founded, if the compost were to be used 

 immediately on its being mixed together ; but, 

 as it has to lie six months before it is used, I am 

 decidedly of opinion, that the quantity is not 

 more than is necessary, in order to ensure a lux- 

 uriant growth and a generous bloom.'* 



Mr. Hogg lowers the compost for the Yellow 

 Picotees, and such flowers as are apt to sport in 

 colour, as Humphrey's Duke of Clarence, Plum- 

 mer's Lord Manners, ^c, for these he recom- 

 mends three barrows of sound staple loam, two 

 ditto of old rotten cow-dung, one ditto horse- 

 dung, a half ditto sand, a half ditto lime rubbish. 



