180 A DIALOGUE ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE AURICULA. 



L. How do you procure so much blood ? 



Inf. Very easily, from the butcher who supplies my house with 

 meat. 



L. And what may be the expense of all these materials ? 



Inf. The peat I have in my own land, the blood is given me, the 

 manure and sticks are on the premises, the bone-dust is 3s. 6c/. per 

 bushel, salt Is. 2d., and the lime b\d. 



L. Then all this quantity costs you only a few shillings; you 

 prefer horse to cowdung ? 



Inf. Cow's will doubtless answer, but I have never tried any, 

 having invariably used horscdung, which agrees well with my plants, 

 nothing can do better ; and without prejudice, I like to let well 

 alone. I have given you the componencies, I will now tell you how 

 to mix them, and when to use them : first chop up the peat and the 

 decayed sticks, mixing them well together, adding about a bushel of 

 quick lime equally over it, then mix the blood and half the salt 

 together, and these again with the bone-dust, then incorporate all 

 these thoroughly and throw the remainder of the salt on the top. 

 The compost is now in fine killing order. In this state, if it were put 

 to the root of an oak tree it would destroy it. 



L. It must be kept some time then before it be fit for use? 



Inf. At least twelve months, and should be turned and well in- 

 corporated every three ; after the pernicious qualities are evaporated, 

 it must be stored up under cover, that the rain may not wash out the 

 virtues; if it be kept dry it will remain good for years. When you 

 want to use any, take out the quantity you wish and hand-pick it 

 over to take out the stones and hard knots of heath roots ; but by no 

 means riddle it, rubbing it through your hands is enough. 



L. You have told me that in February the plants will require a 

 top dressing, with something richer than that you use for potting in 

 August ; how must this be made ? 



Inf. Simply by adding a little sheep's dung, or more blood, with a 

 portion of this compost ; keep it till all the unpleasant effluvium has 

 passed away, for few things are so offensive as blood in a state of 

 decomposition. Some persons use night-soil, and various other 

 things, but I prefer what I have named ; this compost will give a 

 brilliancy to the bloom without causing the colours to flash, or sport, 

 as florists call it. 



