54 ON THE APPI-ICATION OF LIQUID MANUllE. 



The liquid should never be applied to those kinds of Carnations 

 that are of a iiigh colour, such as Rowhottom's Victory, Ely's 

 Mayor of Ripon, Hardman's Complete, Warwick's Hero, scarlcj 

 bizarres ; Cartwriglit's Rainbow, Lee's Duke of Kent, pink 

 bizarres ; Taylor's Festival, Potter's Champion, scarlet flakes ; 

 Heath's Navarino, Leighton's Bellerophon, purple flakes ; Tyso's 

 Princess Victoria, Fletcher's Duchess of Devonshire, pink flakes, 

 &.C. These and similar kinds should not be gi'own too rich ; the 

 compost should be composed of more fresh loam than is usually 

 given in gi'owing for competition, or the3' will be apt to run into 

 one colour. 



It is usual in the culture of the Polyanthus, to give it a con- 

 siderable portion of well-rotted manure, in order to obtain a rich 

 dark gi'ound colour, but I find that by applying the liquid this is 

 eflfected much more satisfactorily, the ground being of the richest 

 possible hue. This is essential in obtaining a perfect Polyanthus, 

 the gi-ound colour being the first property of that flower. 



The liquid is highly beneficial for self-coloured Ranvmculuses ; 

 it is far preferable to top dressing the bed with night soil, as is 

 generally done. I prepare the liquid for this class of plants by 

 providing a quantity of shcej^-dung in a tub, and pouring water 

 upon it, allowing the liquid to be very strong ; this I pour upon 

 the bed between the rows of plants. The beneficial efiects im- 

 parted, are soon visible by the improved verdure of the plants, and 

 the fl.owers are much increased in size, and the petals firmer and 

 stronger. The richness and variety of colour, in the blossoms of 

 this beautiful genus of flowering plants, have often brought to my 

 mind those beautiful lines of Thomson, Mhere he says. 



" Who can paint 



" Liko Nature 1 Can imaginatiou boast, 

 " Amid its gay crtatioii, hues like hers? 

 " Or can it mix them with that matchless skill, 

 " And lose them in each other, as appears 

 " In every bud that blows ! " 



The class of Ranunculuses to which I apply the liquid, are 

 such as Naxara, Condorset, JEii Noir, Kennes Argentina, Variat, 

 Violet Fonce, &c. I never use it to any striped kind. 



When Hyacinths have thrown uji their flower stems, I pour the 

 liquid between the rows of plants; it makes the flowers much finer 

 in colour and size. 



