MANURES AND SlANUEINa. 



ground, they have a gradual and permanent eftect. In taking up trees from soil where 

 bones have been used as manure, we find every particle within reach of the roots 

 completely enveloped in masses of fibres. Guano, superphosphate of lime, and other 

 prepared manures, are becoming extensively used, and will be advantageous to persons 

 who have extensive grounds to enrich, with limited means of procuring or makino- 

 manure. Those who have but small gardens have the means of making all the 

 manure they require, and that, too, of a kind which we would prefer either to guano 

 or any of the patent manufactured compounds. 



The manner of applying manures and the time to do it require careful consideration. 

 In this country, where we have excessive heat and often excessive drouth in summer — 

 and that, too, at an early period of the summer — solid manures and composts of every 

 kind should, as a general thing, be applied in the autumn; so that during winter and 

 spring they may be dissolved and fitted to yield nutriment to plants when active 

 growth commences. Every experienced cultivator knows that to have a good crop, 

 or a good growth, it must be made early in the season ; and therefore the supply 

 of nutriment should be ready in abundance when growth commences and the 

 greatest activity prevails. Solid manures applied in the spring will probably remain 

 dry and useless all summer — and, indeed, are more likely to prove injurious than 

 otherwise. There are, of course, exceptions to this in the case of certain garden 

 crops of succulent nature, that may with advantage be stimulated with fresh hot 

 manures in connection with a liberal supply of moisture. One of the best methods 

 of maintaining the soil around trees in good condition is to apply every autumn a 

 top dressing of compost. The snow and rains of winter and spring dissolve and wash 

 down its most soluble parts, and place them within reach of the roots by the time 

 they are ready to take it up. At the same time this top dressing aftbrds protection 

 to the roots against the changes of temperature during the winter and spring months. 

 There is, to be sure, some loss in this way of using composts, as a considerable portion 

 is lost by evaporation ; but its advantages are a suflScient ofiset. 



In preparing and applying manures our aim should be first, to have it adapted, as 

 nearly as possible, to the nature of the crops to be grown and the defects of the soil. 

 Second, it should be applied in such quantities as the soil and the plants may require. 

 There are certain garden crops that can scarcely be over-fed, while fruit bearino- trees 

 and many flowering plants may be ruined by excessive stimulants. Third, it should 

 be applied at such seasons as will place it in proper condition to yield the laro-est 

 amount of nutriment during the early periods of growth. These are the main points, 

 and a volume might be written upon them. Our remarks now are merely intended 

 to draw special attention to their importance. 



m 



