* 
326 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Manures—continued. 
materially assists to keep down the larve of destructive 
insects. 
Woollen Rags or Refuse. In some places, these are used 
with great success as a fertiliser for Potatoes and all green 
crops; but, as they are slow in decomposing, the effect 
produced is extended over a considerable period. The 
Rags should be chopped up in small pieces, and buried 
in the soil. 
II. Inorganic Manures. 
Ammonia. One of the chief component parts of 
Manures, and one which has a powerful stimulating 
action on the growth of plants. It is formed by the 
decay of organic matter in the soil, and also in the air; 
and, being very soluble in water, is rapidly brought 
‘to a suitable state for assisting vegetation, by a plentiful 
supply of nitrogen. Ammonis may be supplied to plants 
by the application of organic Manures capable of forming 
it, or by the use of ammoniacal salts. These latter 
must be cautiously employed, as they are extremely 
powerful, and their effects are almost immediate. As a 
dressing for land, they may be applied at the rate of 
about 2hewt. per acre, in moist weather, or just before 
rain, which will quickly carry them into the earth. 
Ashes. 
coal that may be left as the remains of a fire, form ex- 
former, may be injurious to the latter. Peat Ashes 
are also of great benefit. The peat must be thrown 
out, dried, and then burnt until it becomes charred 
through, and reduced to cinders. These latter form a 
valuable dressing for the soil. 
Gypsum, or Sulphate of Lime, has been applied with 
success to crops of Turnips, Potatoes, &., in quantities 
of one bushel on sandy, to five or six bushels on clay 
soil. It acts most beneficially on soils which are 
naturally dry, or have been made so by artificial 
drainage. It is not much employed as a Manure in 
this country. : 
Time is a valuable Manure for some soils and plants ; 
but to others its application proves very injurious, See 
Liquor of Ammonia, at the rate of loz. to 4 gallons of 
Vater, has also a beneficial effect; but, as the strength 
Varies, it should not be applied in larger quantities. 
Marie. These are composed of carbonate of lime 
mixed with clay, sand, or loam, and frequently with 
S sulphate e and 3 of lime. They are adapted to 
improvement of soils which are not already suffi- 
_ Giently charged with lime. Marl is improved by exposure 
to the sun, and especially to the frosts of winter, before 
spreading it on the land. 
i eee of Soda. A powerful Manure, used to a con- 
siderabl ent, and deemed especiall i 
ny Sts a pecially beneficial to 
Eu crops; ìt is foun “a large quantities, in beds, and 
11 tion on the soil in some parts of South 
oe It 48 Imported into this country as a chemical 
pes agg age manufacturing purposes. Its 
W Pea. ne very similar to those produced 
Manures—continued. 
Salt. On some soils no apparent benefit is derived 
from the use of Salt. Such lands as are near the sea- 
coast, and occasionally receive deposits from the salt 
spray, which is often carried far inland by storms; or 
such as contain chlorine and soda in any other form, 
and in sufficient abundance for meeting the requirements 
of crops, are not affected by it. But in other situations, 
when used at the rate of five to ten bushels per acre, 
very material results have followed. Its great affinity 
for water has the effect of attracting dews and atmo- 
spheric vapour to the growing vegetation. Salt is also 
useful for destroying slugs, worms, and larvæ. 
MAPLE. The common name for Acer campestre 
(which see). 
MAPPA. Included under Macaranga (which see). 
MARAJA PALM. See Bactris Maraja. 
MARANTA (named after Barthol. Maranti, a Vene- 
tian botanist, who died in 1754). Arrow-root. ORD. 
Scitaminee. A genus comprising about ten species (with 
numerous varieties) of stove herbaceous perennials, with 
tuberous or creeping rhizomes. They are natives of 
tropical America, but are cultivated in the East and 
West Indies, Sierra Leone, &c. Inflorescence terminal, 
loosely dichotomous; ` branchlets few-flowered; pedicels 
short, one-flowered, often twin, ebracteolate. Leaves 
sheathed, with or without petioles. Stems sometimes 
short, few-leaved; sometimes tall, branched, occasionally 
rather woody at base. The Arrowroot of commerce is 
extracted from the tubers of several species of this 
genus. A number of species formerly included under 
Maranta are now removed to Calathea. Marantas 
thrive in a compost of two-thirds good turfy loam and 
one-third leaf mould and sand, and like abundance of 
water, heat, and atmospheric moisture when growing. 
As soon as growth is furnished, the plants should be 
kept rather dry until the following spring, when they 
must be shaken out and repotted. The general remarks 
under Calathea (which see) apply equally well to 
Marantas. 
M. albo- ite. li 
bo — (white-lined), A synonym of Calathea ornata 
M. lia (narrow. leaved). fl. pale bluish, in a lax, zigza 
panicle: July: i. smaller than those of M arundinacea, an 
narr at the base. Trinidad. small arun 
dinacea. (B. M. 2398.) = 8 
M. arundinacea (reed-like). Indian Arrowroot. f. white, very 
fugitive. July and August. J. ovate-lanceolate, rather pilose 
below. Culm branched. h. 6ft. to 10ft. Tropical America, 
before 1732. (B. M. 2307.) 
ö m bicolor (two-coloured).* Z. orbicular, ground colour = 
rface 
aucous-green, with ar-shaped blotches of polished 
—.— 5 oe the mide and margin ; Rael page a 
s . l razil, An old but pretty spreading 
Species. (B. R. 786; L. B. C. 921.) 8 
Chimborazo). Z. 6in. to 12in. or more in 
length, ground colour Cane green, N a zigzag zone of olive- 
green traversing the entire length, a little distance from the mid- 
rib, the outer of the zone bordered with white. Ecuador, 
- „An elegan , with a dwarf and distinct habit. SYN- 
15 hea chimboracensis. 2 
concinna (neat).* f. yellow, on short radical scapes. l. 
wes ovate, pale bright green, the base of the principal veins 
ed by an oblong blotch of deep green. South America, 1874. 
A neat, dwarf, perennial. * 
x coriifolia (Coris-leaved). A synonym of Calathea ornata 
M. de: 3 : 
1 e Breall so l. pale green in the centre, with brown 
poten (white-veined). A synonym of Calathea leuco- 
M. . Kerehoviana (Kerchove’s). A synonym of Calathea Ker- 
M. majestica (majestic). A synonym of Calathea ornata 
oe ere . wat 
à and mar! i wo broad grey 
oe 871. A fine plant. 
nitens (shining). . palish green, glossy, barred with dark 
green lines. Brazil, 1880. An egant 8 plant. 
