154 JOTTINGS OF A GENTLEMAN GARDENER 



How to Make Liquid Manure : There are many ways of 

 making liquid manure, and I give two of them here. 

 Obtain a large barrel a beer barrel or a paraffin cask 

 answers very well. Light a little fire in it, and when the 

 wood is beginning to crackle, turn the barrel over in order 

 to exclude air, and the fire will go out. Then put about a 

 peck of fresh horse, cow, or sheep dung, or old pig manure 

 into the barrel, and half fill it with water. Add a quarter 

 of a peck of soot, stirring it in, and then fill up the barrel 

 with water. For three or four days the mixture should 

 be frequently stirred. The liquid is then drawn off for 

 use. 



The second method is rather less messy. Get an old 

 sack and put inside it a mixture of one peck manure and 

 about a quarter peck of soot. Tie the sack up, and suspend 

 it in the barrel of water from a stake laid across the 

 barrel. Allow to stand several days, stirring meanwhile, 

 then draw off for use. 



The liquid drawn off in both cases will be very strong, 

 and probably of inky blackness. That made by the 

 second method will usually be the weaker of the two. 

 But in any case it is necessary to dilute the mixture very 

 considerably before applying it. A small jar holding 

 about a pint should be used. Usually one of these pots 

 full will be quite enough for a gallon of water, if not too 

 much. The general rule is to dilute until a nearly clear 

 solution is obtained. A gardener once told me he diluted 

 his till it looked " almost like weak tea," and so weak that 

 he " would scarce mind to drink it " himself. 



Feeding : Some Practical Points : You have now a 

 can of diluted liquid manure ready for use. Well now, 

 we will go to the flower border together. We find the 

 soil is dry. Shall we apply the food at once ? No, cer- 

 tainly not, or the roots of the plants may be injured. 

 In such a case first give the plants a good watering with 

 clear water. 



After half an hour or so the liquid manure may be 

 applied. The amount (about i gallon) can be distributed 



