2«2 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



beds, the kind generally used is not rich, neither is the soil from 

 old commons, which is generally preferred. Now, in the growth of 

 plants, more especially for the purposes of exhibition, it is customary 

 to limit the size of the pots for certain kinds of plants, and,hence 

 those who aim at high cultivation have to seek in rich compost what 

 the plants, under other circumstances, would find in a quantity of 

 soil ; in fact, they endeavour to concentrate, in a given space, the 

 fertility of a larger volume of material. 



Without entering into the rationale of the subject, it is well- 

 known that annual and soft-wooded plants require more manure 

 than shrubs and trees, and hence, to get the greatest quantity of 

 nourishment into the smallest space, without, at the same time 

 making the soil or compost unhealthy, is a secret worth knowing. 



Although much has been written in favour of guano, superphos- 

 phate of lime, and other manures, we never use them. In the stable, 

 the cow-shed, and sheep-walk, all that is required for horticultural 

 purposes may be found, and hence no risk need be run of this being 

 too strong, or that too weak. If it were given as a problem, " What 

 is the best compost to prepare for the general cultivation of soft- 

 wooded plants?" the following would be our answer: — Procure 

 from a suitable place two cart-loads of rich loam with the turf on, 

 and as free from oxide of iron as possible ; then get from the nearest 

 stable, where the horses are highly fed, a large cart-load of dung, 

 selecting that which has been thoroughly soaked with urine — for it 

 must be recollected the urine carries off the soluble salts of the food 

 of the animal, and the excreta the mineral, and hence it is very 

 important that both should be had. When you have got the loam 

 and manure home, place each in a separate bean, three or four yards 

 apart, shaking the manure out, and mixing it together just the same 

 as you would to prepare it for a hot-bed, only do not allow it to 

 heat too violently ; to prevent which it will be necessary to shake it 

 out every three or four days ; in a fortnight it will be fit for use ; 

 then commence, as you would to form a hot-bed, by marking; out the 

 ground, say six feet long and four feet wide, and upon this place a 

 layer of the hot dung nine inches deep, and then a layer of loam, 

 and so proceed, reserving a good layer of loam for the top, until all 

 is used. In forming the bed, beat the manure firmly as you proceed, 

 but leave the loam loose, and square the work up properly at the 

 last. Then place over the heap loose litter to the thickness of 

 twelve or eighteen inches, and cover the whole with mats closely 

 pegged down ; the object being to excite fermentation, and to pre- 

 vent the escape of the ammouia and other essential gases. 



The heat may remain in this state for a fortnight or three weeks, 

 or until the heat begins to decline, then turn it over, taking care 

 to throw the side into the middle, and to mix the loam and dung 

 thoroughly throughout. The covering must be again put on as 

 before, and remain on until fermentation has almost ceased. Here, 

 then, we have a compost as rich as the manure it is formed of; but 

 it is so strong that great caution must be exercised in its use, or 

 injury will be the result. To prepare it, however, lay it out in thin 

 ridges, fork it over once a week to expose it to the ameliorating 



