AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



325 



Manures continued. 



Garden Refuse. Such refuse as Cabbage leaves, Tur- 

 nip tops, and green vegetable matter of almost any 

 description, is valuable as Manure, if dug in when 

 green. If left to decompose first on the surface, many 

 important gases will escape into the air. 



Guano. This valuable and well-known Manure, ob- 

 tained principally from islands off the coast of Peru, and 

 various other places on the coast of South America, is 

 the excrement of sea-birds. It has been deposited there 

 during the course of centuries, and, since being dis- 

 covered, its exportation has been so extensively practised 

 as to cause uneasiness lest the supply should become 

 exhausted. The quality of Guano obtained from different 

 places varies considerably ; that which is supposed to 

 be the best comes from the Chincha Islands, where the 

 supply has, in consequence, been greatly diminished. 

 The chief fertilising properties of Guano having been 

 ascertained by anah'sis, various artificial manures are 

 now prepared as substitutes, which are very similar in 

 many respects. Pure Guano is far too caustic for use 

 by itself. It should be mixed with about six times its 

 bulk of loamy or charred soil. Thus prepared, it may 

 be used at the rate of about 4cwt. per acre, or, in a 

 small way, as a top-dressing, by spreading thinly and 

 evenly over the surface. For the purpose of watering 

 plants, the proportion of Guano that may be mixed with 

 water varies according to the sort of plant for which 

 it is required. About loz. to two gallons of water may 

 generally be used with safety; some plants will, how- 

 ever, bear a stronger solution. 



Horn Shavings, $c. The refuse obtained from the 

 parings of horses' feet at the shoeing forge, and also 

 all the shavings &c., made in the manufacture of various 

 articles from horns, are most valuable as Manures. 

 Horn Shavings are readily mixed in any compost, and 

 are most beneficially employed in those prepared for 

 fruit trees, or for any plants which have to be grown 

 in pots. If the particles are not very small, they last 

 a long time without becoming wholly decomposed. 



Leaves. These are invaluable as Manure when reduced 

 to a state of mould by a process of gradual decay. They 

 are most beneficially applied to heavy soils and to 

 plants whose roots require somewhat more than ordinary 

 encouragement. Mixed with stable litter, they tend to 

 prevent violent fermentation, and retain, instead, a 

 moderate amount of heat for a much longer period. 

 See also Leaf Mould. 



Liquid Manure. Manure of almost any description 

 is quicker in its action, and may be employed most 

 effectually, in a liquid state. It has, also, the advantage 

 that it may be applied at any season when nourish- 

 ment is required, either by growing crops or plants in 

 pots. Urine is generally too powerful for use by itself 

 as a liquid manure ; diluted with water, to the extent of 

 two or three parts of the latter to one of the former, 

 it may usually be safely applied. Water collected from 

 a heap of farmyard Manure, exposed to rain, contains 

 in solution many most important fertilising properties, 

 and is, consequently, very valuable. Cow-dung is readily 

 obtained, and forms one of the best and least harmful 

 of substances for preparing Liqiiid Manure to be applied 

 to crops or plants of any description. It possesses 

 none of the caustic principles so prevalent in chemi- 

 cal preparations, or, at least, not a sufficient quantity 

 to cause injury when properly used with plants 

 requiring a stimulant. It should be thrown in a large 

 tub, and stirred occasionally, to render the water which 

 is added a dark brown colour. The excrement of sheep, 

 deer, fowls, pigeons; &c., are all of a more concentrated 

 and powerful nature than cow-dung ; consequently, they 

 must only be used in more limited quantities. Soot is 

 one of the best substances for Liquid Manure, as it 



continued. 



always tends to produce a fine dark colour and healthy 

 foliage. It should be placed in a bag, and left soaking 

 in a tub of water, which may be used most effectually 

 in a clear state. Liquid Manure is frequently made by 

 adding a small portion of some highly concentrated pre- 

 paration to a can of water, and applying it at once to 

 the plants it is intended to stimulate. This is a ready 

 and a clean method of preparing it, but one which re- 

 quires some caution in guarding against the dose being 

 too strong. Guano, as previously stated, may be used 

 at the rate of loz. to two gallons of water ; with 

 many plants a stronger solution will do no harm; but 

 this knowledge must be gained by experience. Sulphate 

 of ammonia may be used in a similar proportion. All 

 chemical Manures intended for use when dissolved in 

 water, should be tried first in a weak solution, and 

 the strength increased gradually if results warrant it. 

 Liquid Manures, being ready for immediate absorption 

 by plants, are most effectually employed when the 

 latter are in an active state, and in want of a stimu- 

 lant for assisting the development of their crops, or 

 for sustaining their growth. A tank for collecting the 

 drainings from dunghills, or for the special preparation 

 of Liquid Manure, is very useful in or near a kitchen 

 garden, as a supply may always be kept in readiness 

 for use, and the possibility of waste can also be pre- 

 vented. A slate tank being practically indestructible, is 

 much better than a tub, but one is not always pro- 

 curable. It might be 6ft. deep, partially sunk into the 

 ground, and provided with a wooden covering, to pre- 

 vent leaves falling in, and also to preclude the contents 

 from being exposed to view. A perforated partition is 

 sometimes provided, the solid portions of the Manure 

 being kept on one side, and any of the liquid dipped 

 from the other as it is required. A water supply, either 

 in connection with, or in close proximity to, Liquid 

 Manure tanks, is very important where a large quantity 

 is used. 



Malt Dust. This forms a very good Manure, and those 

 who have used it speak highly of its qualities. It must 

 be kept as dry as possible, and used in a fresh state. 

 Being quick in action, it proves valuable as a top- 

 dressing to fruit and other trees; but its effects are 

 not of a permanent character when otherwise applied. 



Night-soil. An extremely powerful Manure, and one 

 which is rich in nitrogen. Its proper application to crops 

 is generally attended with good results, but Night-soil 

 is not used nearly so much as it might be, partly on 

 account of its offensive odour. This may be effectually 

 taken away by mixing with a deodorizer, such as dry 

 earth, sifted ashes, or, better still, charcoal, or charred 

 peat. Quicklime is frequently recommended, and answers 

 for the purpose ; but it, at the same time, dispels a large 

 proportion of ammonia, which is a great loss to the 

 manorial properties. Night-soil should be prepared in 

 a compost for applying to garden crops ; mixed with dry 

 earth or charcoal-dust, it may be used lightly as a top- 

 dressing for frnit-trees, especially vines, and for many 

 vigorous-growing trees or plants. 



Sea Weeds. In a fresh state, these are frequently 

 used as Manure near the coast, either for digging in the 

 ground or for a top-dressing. The effect on crops is 

 not a lasting one. When burnt, Sea Weeds yield a large 

 proportion of ash, which is peculiarly rich in soda, and 

 consequently valuable as a Manure. 



Soot. The fertilising properties of Soot are very 

 valuable. It has an advantage over many other 

 Manures, as it can hardly be misapplied. It should be 

 kept dry until required for use. As a Manure for land, 

 it may be applied at the rate of twenty bushels, or 

 more, to an acre. Soot may be sown with advantage 

 along the drills intended for Turnip, Onion, Carrot, and 

 similar seeds, as, apart from its manorial properties, it 



