452 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



should be remembered, as much of the success of the liquid depends 

 on this. In applying liquid to Vine, Peach, Fig, and other borders, 

 some think it is only when these subjects are in leaf that they need 

 attention in this way ; but poor borders might be wonderfully enriched 

 if some good strong liquid was thrown over them in winter, when the 

 top-growth is dormant. In the case of manure-tanks being attached 

 to dung-heaps, it is generally in winter that these are oftenest filled, 

 and they cannot be too often emptied on to the borders or around 

 trees, and even empty quarters in the kitchen-garden may have it 

 thrown over them — that is to say, where there are not other crops in 

 w^ant of it, or where the supply is greater than the demand. Unless 

 for some special purpose, few are in the habit of giving their vegetable 

 crops regular supplies of liquid manure ; but in many cases it would 

 pay well. Peas and Celery are two crops which may always be im- 

 proved with liquid, and Cauliflower and all this tribe are benefited by 

 it, particularly at the time they are about forming heads. In all 

 cases of giving liquid, it is a great advantage to apply it when the soil 

 about the roots is quite moist. With outdoor crops we generally try 

 to give it after the soil is well saturated with rain. Then it does not 

 run away from the roots, but lodges amongst and near them. 



In watering pot-plants with liquid, how often may it not be seen 

 running out at the bottom as fast as it is put in at the top, and pas- 

 sing away without doing the slightest good ! whereas, if the soil is 

 really dry at watering-time, and clean water is given until it is reten- 

 tively moist, and then give the liquid, little or none of it will run 

 from the soil, but all will remain stored past, as it were, for immediate 

 and future use. All pot - plants, including Pines, which we water 

 with liquid, are always gone over first with clean water, to make the 

 soil thoroughly moist, and then a good supply of liquid manure is 

 given. This is the best way of applying it to all kinds of plants and 

 soils, no matter whether in pot, border, or field. It is generally 

 no loss to allow clean water to drain away at watering time ; but as 

 little as possible of this should take place with valuable liquid. When 

 to apply liquid manure is also a matter of much importance. If weak 

 and cool, few and tender roots may escape being injured by it ; but to 

 use strong water to plants with few roots is always dangerous. Suppos- 

 ing the soil in a Pine-pot to be saturated with guano-water shortly 

 after potting, and just as the young roots were beginning to push, ten 

 chances to one they would never go much further, but growth would 

 stop, and the plant assume a yellow, unhealthy colour. Subject the 

 same plant to similar treatment when it is showing fruit, and has a 

 pot well crammed with roots, and the advantage of it will soon be 

 apparent. The use of liquid manure to all plants should be guided 

 by the same considerations. Some manures, early applied, will burn ; 

 others will cause the soil to become sour and unhealthy, as there are 

 not sufficient roots to utilise the manure ; but with abundance of roots 



