UEMABKS ON COMPOST FOR TOT PLANTS. 81 



of retaining moisture longer than either peat or sand, and at the 

 same time, its own natural dissolubility, which admits the young 

 fibres of the cuttings to push through it freely, as soon as formed, to 

 that which they more immediately like to grow and nourish in, a 

 stratum of which is generally put in the bottom of the pot. 



From its strength it seems more adapted to arborescent plants in 

 general, which have powerful roots, that are seldom able to support 

 themselves in lighter soils, more especially in dry seasons ; while 

 from its purity and sweetness, it may be said to give additional flavour 

 to the most delicate fruits. 



The word Peat, is generally understood to mean common bog 

 earth ; however, that which may literally be termed bog, is by no 

 means proper for our purpose, on account of its wet coagulating 

 nature, and tendency thereby to rot the roots of the plants; at least, 

 if peat is to be taken from those situations, the very surface only 

 should be chosen, as that is found to contain a greater portion of the 

 fine, drying, opening kind of sand, so necessary to this species of soil. 



The places where I would recommend to look for the proper peat, 

 are those dry healthy commons, where it seems to form a medium 

 between bog earth and sand, it is not unfrequently found forming a 

 mere skin, over a bed of pure sand, or gravel. The turf, or sod, cut 

 about four or six inches deep, is always the best for use, as it is in 

 general the lightest, and abounds with sand, as already mentioned, 

 which is, I think, invariably found to be the finest near the surface in 

 such cases. Spots where the wild heath grows luxuriantly should be 

 diligently selected, as producing the best peat for general use; but 

 when it is considered that of the plants mostly cultivated in this kind 

 of soil, some grow in swamps near rivers, others in barren sandy 

 wastes, and more in all their various intermediate stations, as 

 mountains, low lands, &c. &c, especially heaths from the varied sur- 

 face of Southern Africa ; it will surely be obvious, that a supply of 

 every variety of soil should be always at hand, and that the peat 

 answering for one species will not be so congenial as another brought 

 from a very different situation and soil. 



It should be cast into a heap in the compost yard for twelve or 

 fourteen months before used, a practice which ought to be observed 

 with composts in general. 



It is to be used only for such plants as are known to grow natu- 



