256 Coffee Planting. 



without scruple, tumbling in a basketful of dung, 

 and then covering this over, is a slovenly method 

 now well-nigh obsolete. The ground in this case 

 has not the advantage of a good digging up, which 

 in itself is a method of manuring, nor is the manure 

 distributed over the surface as it should be, the 

 consequence being that it is in great measure 

 ivasted. Another fatal objection to manure being 

 put in in great clods or lumps, is the certainty that 

 in this condition it will breed numbers of grubs, 

 worms, Sec., only too ready to attack the roots of 

 the trees. 



Green vegetation of any kind may be applied to 

 the soil with advantage. The best plan is to put 

 it in trenches, as above, or dug in on fiat land ; 

 the more succulent and green it is the better, and 

 the sooner it should be buried after being cut, as 

 decomposition will proceed more gradually under 

 ground than when it is exposed to the atmosphere. 

 It should not, however, be covered over too deeply. 

 Green vegetation, however, may be used to much 

 greater advantage, in combination with mineral 

 manures, and after having been reduced to compost 

 in the heap. 



Woody fibres, it may be again mentioned, are 

 useless as food for plants, unless first decomposed. 

 Under this heading may be classed the bark of 

 trees, wood shavings, sawdust, &c. 



