SALT. ASHES. CLAY. MANURE. 19 



bushes, for the destruction of insects, with decided 

 benefit, by dissolving salt in water, in the propor- 

 tion of one pound to about four gallons. We, 

 however, proportion this mixture according to the 

 state of the plant upon which we use it : thus, for 

 the gooseberry, we applied early in the spring, 

 before the leaves or shoots were at all developed, 

 a decoction so strong as to whiten the branches 

 without injuring the future crop of fruit ; but on 

 the contrary, after the development of the buds or 

 leaves, we use the proportion named in the article 

 " Gooseberry." 



We have used clay to a portion of our soil, 

 with decided benefit, by applying it late in the 

 fall, upon the surface, exposing it to the action of 

 the frost, and, when meliorated in the spring, dig- 

 ging it in. 



When on a visit to Judge Buel, of Albany, some 

 years since, he informed us that blue or yellow 

 clay applied to light sandy loam, in the manner 

 described above, was a better dressing than barn- 

 yard manure, rendering such soils more retentive 

 of moisture ; and we have found it to be the best 

 application for such a soil. 



Liquid manure, which is useful in many cases, 

 is made in the following manner : Collect a bushel 

 or two of horse droppings, which put in a large 

 tub, together with a handful or two of soot ; fill 

 up with water, and stir it frequently. In the 

 course of a few hours, it may be given to the pots 

 once or twice in the week. It should not be al- 

 lowed to become stale ; the fresher it is, the better. 

 This liquid is more nutritive to potted trees than 

 any thing else, and therefore can safely be recom- 

 mended for every kind of fruit tree grown in 

 pots. 



