248 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
anything we can do to help it in this respect will mean an 
increased production or output by the “machine” in the shape 
of timber. 
The artificial manures suitable for these requirements are 
such as contain phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen; for 
example, basic slag, kainit and nitrate of soda. These manures 
have been tested and found to give very satisfactory results. 
Ammonium sulphate has also been used with great advantage 
in forestry. The cultivation of leguminous crops treated with 
basic slag and kainit, to be finally made use of as green manure, 
is strongly recommended in the afforestation of the worst classes 
of waste land. 
When properly applied, these artificial manures have been found 
to give most satisfactory results. As regards the quantity, 3 to 
4 cwts. per acre of basic slag and half that quantity of kainit 
will suffice, but even double these quantities may be used with 
advantage. If the soil is poor in nitrogen, about 1 cwt. 
sulphate of ammonia may be applied per acre. Where the 
physical qualities of the soil require improvement, artificial 
manures may be mixed in the compost heap, and later spread 
over the beds, or we may resort to green manuring in combina- 
tion with mineral manure. This combination tends to make 
heavy soils milder and loose soils firmer, which is of great 
importance, especially in newly-formed nurseries. The basic 
slag may be applied either before or after the ground is broken 
up, and as there is no fear of it being washed out of the soil, it 
may be applied in the previous autumn. In any case it should 
always be applied eight to fourteen days before the ground 
is planted. Kainit must be applied at least three months 
previously, or, better still, in the preceding autumn. 
When the soil is sufficiently rich in humus, these manures will 
then suffice, but when it is deficient in humus, green manuring 
is of the greatest value. The process is very simple. The soil 
is broken up and the manure added, at the rate of 6 to 8 cwts. of 
basic slag per acre, and about half that quantity of kainit. This 
may be added while the soil is being worked up, or it may be 
subsequently scattered over the surface. The breaking up of the 
soil and the application of the manure should take place in 
autumn. In spring, after a light surface wounding, the area 
should be thickly sown with the green manure crop. Leguminous 
plants of different kinds are used, but on the Continent lupine, 
