388 VILLA GARDENING part v 



It will be understood that, as regards the manure to be applied, 

 much must dejDend upon the character of the soil and the kind of 

 crop growing upon it. Phosi^hates may be beneficially applied 

 to root crops, such as Potatoes, Turnips, etc., whilst nitrogenous 

 manures will produce great effect upon all the Brassica family, 

 which are gross feeders. Celery may be overfed, and if so will 

 bolt prematurely, or have hollow stalks. To give Onions large 

 size, with mild flavour, nitrogen is necessary. Peas and Beans do 

 best on laud in nice mellow condition from previous manuring 

 without much aid from artificials, and what little help is given 

 should be in a mild form with liquid manure. Artificials may be 

 given to exhausted fruit trees with advantage. I have used guano 

 on vine borders with considerable effect ; but it should not be 

 applied too frequently, for in course of time it acts injuriously upon 

 the growth of foliage. Exliaustcd Apple, Pear, Plum, and other 

 fruit trees may be watered with liquid manure made from artificials, 

 or such manure as Clay's, Amies', etc., may be mixed with compost 

 and applied as a top-dressing. In the case of old Apple and other 

 trees, holes may be made with a crowbar, and the liquid dressing 

 poured iu two or three times a day till the whole of the soil enclos- 

 ing the roots has been enriclied. As regards the time for applying 

 artificials, very much judgment is required, or the application may 

 turn out useless. If applied in dry weather, or when the soil is 

 very dry, most of the artificial manures, from their volatile nature, 

 will fail in producing the desired residt. They are best applied 

 when the soil is damp, and more rain is expected. If given in 

 dry localities, water first with clear pond water, then give the 

 manure, following up with another dressing of clear water to carry 

 the manure to the roots. As regards 



The Application of Yard Manures, which must in the end 

 form the basis of all good culture — and under this category, so far 

 as gardens are concerned, I include old hotbeds, which are so 

 common in gardens — the first and chief supply of manure to the 

 gai'den comes from the stables, the next in many instances arises 

 from the collection of tree leaves and other waste matters which 

 can be gathered on the place. If pigs are kept to consume the 

 waste vegetables, etc., tliat manure also should belong to the 

 garden. In the application of the manure to the land a great 

 deal depends upon the character of the soil. If it be light, and 

 of small holding cajjacity, the manure should not be applied long 

 before the crop is planted, or the rains will carry its strength 

 away beyond the reach of the roots. In dealing with such land 

 it will be better to mix the manure with some earthy compost, 

 which will absorb the ammoniacal salts ; and this should be 



