330 THE FLORIST. 



it a rule when turning up vacant pieces of ground to the action of frost, 

 to lay upon the exposed soil some rotten manure, adding a considerable 

 portion of vegetable refuse reduced to mould for such purposes. This 

 mould is obtained by taking all the refuse possible from the garden, 

 throwing it into a heap t > rot, and turning it two or three times during 

 the summer. The decomposed vegetable matter is admirably adapted 

 lor the growth of plants for culinary purposes. 



During the winter I go over the ground intended for the Brassica 

 family, pouring on a large quantity of this liquid, in order to allow the 

 winter rains an opportunity of washing it down, so that the ground is 

 greatly benefited. 



The above is also applicable to Gooseberry and Currant bushes. I 

 have a large basin made round the root of each, and about the end of 

 November I apply two large pans full of the liquid to each plant ; 

 afterwards I level in the earth that had been previously taken out for the 

 purpose of forming the basin. 



About the end of January, after the bushes have undeigone their 

 winter pruning, they again receive a similar supply before commencing 

 to put the ground in neat order for the season. Kaspberries and Straw- 

 berries are also greatly benefited by the use of this liquid. In applying 

 it to Raspberries the method recommended for Gooseberries is suitable, 

 and where it is applied to Strawberries it increases the crop twofold. 

 Mr. Rivers strongly recommends it for Roses, He says, " I have 

 found night-soil mixed with the drainings of the dunghill, or even with 

 common ditch or pond- water, so as to make a thick hquid, the best 

 possible manure for Roses j poured on the surface of the soil twice in 

 winter, from one to two gallons at each time. December and January 

 are the best months ; the soil need not be stirred till spring, and then 

 merely loosened 2 or 3 inches deep with the prongs of a fork ; for poor 

 soils, and on la\\ms, previously removing the turf This method I have 

 adopted for several years, and have found it most efficacious." 



When night-soil is not to be got, I take as next best cow-dung made 

 into a thick liquid of the consistency of porter, and apply it in larger 

 quantities than when night-soil is employed. 



John Fleming, Gr. 



Bloomhill, Car dross, Dumbarton. 



PLAN OF FLOWER-GARDEN. 

 The annexed design for a flower-garden represents a mode of laying out 

 a rectangular piece of ground, and may either form a centre or be laid 

 out in pairs or fours. The edging should be formed of dressed stone, 

 which should be a rule with all architectural gardens. The outer 

 border, formed of turf or dwarf box, is admirably adapted to set off the 

 colour of the flowers in the inner beds, and forms a kind of frame to the 

 picture. The quarter-circle beds at the angles should always be 

 planted with very bright-coloured flowers, to balance the proper pro- 

 portion of colour and Grass. 



