20 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING 
killed outright here with frost, although they are hardy in 
Washington. 
It is an excellent idea to apply a fertilizer rich in potash in 
the fall just before cool weather comes on; this will harden up 
plant tissues, tend to check rampant, soft growth, and give the 
plants vigor to go through the winter. Sulphate of potash, 
muriate of potash or kainit are excellent fertilizers for wet, 
sour or mucky lands which are always lacking in potash. 
Where it is possible, plant a crop of velvet beans (Dolichos 
multiflorus), cow peas (Vigna catjang), or beggar weed (Desmo- 
dium molle), plowing the whole under or in some way burying 
it in the soil, and it is an excellent idea to do this before any 
planting is done. I plant the Canavalias (C. gladiata and C. 
obtusa) in my grounds on account of the nitrogen which their 
roots collect and for the great amount of humus the decaying 
vines produce, even though they may be something of a nuisance 
at times by climbing over other things or being in the way under 
foot. 
Liquid manure is very useful, especially for potted plants or 
many delicate things. Such things as the greenhouse and hot- 
house terrestrial orchids when planted in the open ground are 
benefited by applications of weak liquid manure every week or 
so during the growing season. A teaspoonful or a little more of 
nitrate of soda dissolved in a gallon of water is a quick acting and 
handy fertilizer for pot plants. If a handful of chicken-, sheep- 
or well-decayed cow-manure is put into a ten-quart pail full of 
water and the mixture is allowed to stand a day or so it will 
make fine liquid fertilizer, and it may be applied every week or 
ten days through the growing season. 
