AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 325 
Manures - continued. 
Garden Refuse. Such refuse as Cabbage leaves, Tur- 
nip tops, and green vegetable matter of almost any 
description, is valuable as Manure, if dug in when 
green. If left to decompose first on the surface, many 
important gases will escape into the air. 
Guano. This valuable and well-known Manure, ob- 
tained principally from islands off the coast of Peru, and 
various other places on the coast of South America, is 
the excrement of sea-birds. It has been deposited there 
during the course of centuries, and, since being dis- 
covered, its exportation has been so extensively practised 
as to cause uneasiness lest the supply should become 
exhausted. The quality of Guano obtained from different 
places varies considerably; that which is supposed to 
be the best comes from the Chincha Islands, where the 
supply has, in consequence, been greatly diminished. 
The chief fertilising properties of Guano having been 
ascertained by analysis, various artificial manures are 
now prepared as substitutes, which are very similar in 
many respects. Pure Guano is far too caustic for use 
by itself. It should be mixed with about six times its 
bulk of loamy or charred soil. Thus prepared, it may 
be used at the rate of about 4ewt. per acre, or, in a 
small way, as a top-dressing, by spreading thinly and 
evenly over the surface. For the purpose of watering 
plants, the proportion of Guano that may be mixed with 
water varies according to the sort of plant for which 
it is required. About loz. to two gallons of water may 
generally be used with safety; some plants will, how- 
ever, bear a stronger solution. 
Horn Shavings, §c. The refuse obtained from the 
parings of horses’ feet at the shoeing forge, and also 
all the shavings &c., made in the manufacture of various 
articles from horns, are most valuable as Manures. 
Horn Shavings are readily mixed in any compost, and 
are most beneficially employed in those prepared for 
fruit trees, or for any plants which have to be grown 
in pots. If the particles are not very small, they last 
a long time without becoming wholly decomposed. 
Leaves. These are invaluable as Manure when reduced 
to a state of mould by a process of gradual decay. They 
are most beneficially applied to heavy soils and to 
plants whose roots require somewhat more than ordinary 
encouragement. Mixed with stable litter, they tend to 
prevent violent fermentation, and retain, instead, a 
moderate amount of heat for a much longer period. 
See also Leaf Mould. 
Liquid Manure. Manure of almost any description 
is quicker in its action, and may be employed most 
effectually, in a liquid state. It has, also, the advantage 
that it may be applied at any season when nourish- 
ment is required, either by growing crops or plants in 
pots. Urine is generally too powerful for use by itself 
as a liquid manure; diluted with water, to the extent of 
two or three parts of the latter to one of the former, 
it may usually be safely applied. Water collected from 
a heap of farmyard Manure, exposed to rain, contains 
in solution many most important fertilising properties, 
and is, consequently, very valuable. Cow-dung is readily 
obtained, and forms one of the best and least harmful 
of substances for preparing Liquid Manure to be applied 
to crops or plants of any description. It possesses 
none of the caustic principles so prevalent in chemi- 
cal preparations, or, at least, not a sufficient quantity 
cause injury when properly used with plants 
Tequiring a stimulant. It should be thrown in a large 
tub, and stirred occasionally, to render the water which 
is added a dark brown colour. The excrement of sheep, 
deer, fowls, pigeons; &c., are all of a more concentrated 
and powerful nature than cow-dung; consequently, they 
must only be used in more limited quantities. Soot is 
one of the best substances for Liquid Manure, as it 
Manures—continued. 
always tends to produce a fine dark colour and healthy 
foliage. It should be placed in a bag, and left soaking 
in a tub of water, which may be used most effectually 
in a clear state. Liquid Manure is frequently made by 
adding a small portion of some highly concentrated pre- 
paration to a can of water, and applying it at once to 
the plants it is intended to stimulate. This is a ready 
and a clean method of preparing it, but one which re- 
quires some caution in guarding against the dose being 
too strong. Guano, as previously stated, may be used 
at the rate of loz. to two gallons of water; with 
many plants a stronger solution will do no harm; but 
this knowledge must be gained by experience. Sulphate 
of ammonia may be used in a similar proportion. All 
chemical Manures intended for use when dissolved in 
water, should be tried first in a weak solution, and 
the strength increased gradually if results warrant it. 
Liquid Manures, being ready for immediate absorption 
by plants, are most effectually employed when the 
latter are in an active state, and in want of a stimu- 
lant for assisting the development of their crops, or 
for sustaining their growth. A tank for collecting the 
drainings from dunghills, or for the special preparation 
of Liquid Manure, is very useful in or near a kitchen 
garden, as a supply may always be kept in readiness 
for use, and the possibility of waste can also be pre- 
vented. A slate tank being practically indestructible, is 
much better than a tub, but one is not always pro- 
curable. It might be 6ft. deep, partially sunk into the 
ground, and provided with a wooden covering, to pre- 
vent leaves falling in, and also to preclude the contents 
from being exposed to view. A perforated partition is 
sometimes provided, the solid portions of the Manure 
being kept on one side, and any of the liquid dipped 
from the other as it is required. A water supply, either 
in connection with, or in close proximity to, Liquid 
Manure tanks, is very important where a large quantity 
is used. 
Malt Dust. This forms a very good Manure, and those 
who have used it speak highly of its qualities. It must 
be kept as dry as possible, and used in a fresh state. 
Being quick in action, it proves valuable as a top- 
dressing to fruit and other trees; but its effects are 
not of a permanent character when otherwise applied. 
Night-soil. An extremely powerful Manure, and one 
which is rich in nitrogen. Its proper application to crops 
is generally attended with good results, but Night-soil 
is not used nearly so much as it might be, partly on 
account of its offensive odour. This may be effectually 
taken away by mixing with a deodorizer, such as dry 
earth, sifted ashes, or, better still, charcoal, or charred 
peat. Quicklime is frequently recommended, and answers 
for the purpose; but it, at the same time, dispels a large 
proportion of ammonia, which is a great loss to the 
manurial properties. Night-soil should be prepared in 
a compost for applying to garden crops; mixed with dry 
earth or charcoal-dust, it may be used lightly as a top- 
dressing for fruit-trees, especially vines, and for many 
vigorous-growing trees or plants. 
Sea Weeds. In a fresh state, these are frequently 
used as Manure near the coast, either for digging in the 
ground or for a top-dressing. The effect on crops is 
not a lasting one. When burnt, Sea Weeds yield a large 
proportion of ash, which is peculiarly rich in soda, and 
consequently valuable as a Manure. 
Soot. The fertilising properties of Soot are very 
valuable. It has an advantage over many other 
Mannres, as it can hardly be misapplied. It should be 
kept dry until required for use. As a Manure for land, 
it may be applied at the rate of twenty bushels, or 
more, to an acre. Soot may be sown with advantage 
along the drills intended for Turnip, Onion, Carrot, and 
similar seeds, as, apart from its manurial properties, it 
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