30 SOILS AND MANURES. [CHAP. n. 



Cow-dung is what is called a cold manure, as 

 it gives out scarcely any heat while decaying. 

 It is never used for making hotbeds; and though 

 when dug into the ground it yields nitrogen to 

 the plants, it is in a much less degree than 

 horse-dung. Cow-dung is seldom used in gar- 

 dens, except in cultivating bulbous plants, in 

 which case it is useful from the slowness with 

 which it decays. 



Liquid animal manure from stables and 

 cow-houses, or the drainings of dunghills, is a 

 very strong, and, in some cases, useful kind of 

 manure. It is, however, seldom, if ever, used 

 for gardens; but a kind of liquid manure may 

 be formed on a small scale, by pouring water 

 over cow-dung or rotten stable manure, and then 

 using it for beds or borders. 



The other animal manures are generally too 

 strong to be used safely in gardens. Pigeons' 

 dung is a hot manure, only used in composts 

 for auriculas, and seldom employed except by 

 commercial florists. Guano is the dung; of the 

 sea-fowls which frequent the Guano Islands on 

 the coast of Peru; which, after having lain 

 almost unknown for centuries, was, a few years 

 since, brought into notice, and almost into 

 general use. It is now, however, seldom used 

 for gardens, as it is very strong, and requires 

 great care in its management. Pigs' dung is 

 soft and cold, and possesses the properties of 

 cows' dung, but in a less degree. Bone dust 

 is principally useful in agriculture for grass land 

 and for turnips, from the great quantity of 

 phosphate of lime and gelatine which it contains, 

 and which make the crops raised on it very 



