Vv MANURES 83 
young tender fibres, and the plant will eventually 
suffer. The contents of a tank from a covered yard 
would be much too strong; but, as to one which 
receives the storm-washings of an open yard, it is a 
fortunate circumstance that after rain is the best 
opportunity for applying liquid manure, viz., just the 
time when such a tank would be full and probably 
not much too strong. 
This should be remembered as a possible error for 
an assistant to make; he may be apt to think that 
when the ground is dry is the time for liquid manure, 
but it is not so: the drier the ground and the season 
the weaker the manure and the purer the water that 
should be given. If in a dry time lquid manure 
is available, and it is desired to put it on, 1t would 
be advisable to give a thorough soaking with pure 
water first. But, as I have said, it fortunately 
happens that liquid manure is generally to be had 
just when it is advisable to apply it—after a good 
rain. 
An ordinary labourer, besides the mistake of 
thinking ‘‘ the good” is in the dregs, of which he 
may be convinced by a comparison with tea-leaves 
after tea has been made from them, is also apt 
in watering Roses or fruit trees to put it all much 
too close to the plants. He should be reminded 
that as his hand is at the end of his arm and he 
cannot take hold of anything pushed against his 
shoulder, so the mouths of the roots are at their 
extremities, and it is there they should be fed. 
The Rose bed should be equally soaked all over. 
Another mistake that may be made is this :—‘‘ I 
have only got a certain amount of liquid manure, 
and that healthy vigorous plant does not want it, I 
G 2 
