464 General Notices. 



arrive at, in the course of my experiments relative thereto, that an infinitely 

 more efBcacious " protecting material" than moss will be obtained by the 

 substitution of charcoal for the purpose, independently of the other advan- 

 tageous properties that it possesses. I admit that, as "G" avers, moss is 

 " an excellent filtering agent," so long as it remains in a fit state to act as 

 such; and, moreover, while its absorbing capabilities last it proves ex- 

 ceedingly beneficial in the way of supplying moisture to the roots of the 

 plant on occasions where, but for its presence in the pot, all humidity 

 might become evaporated, besides acting in some measure as a manure ; 

 but, where the plant was not removed for some length of time, I seldom 

 found it to be an efficient material for drainage, because, in that case, when 

 the moss had not yielded to entire decomposition, which frequently occur- 

 red, it became so compressed by the roots of the plants, and thereby so im- 

 pervious to water, as almost wholly to prevent its escape through the pot. 

 Another objection that I have experienced to the use of moss in pot cultiva- 

 tion is, that it affords a most inviting harbor for worms, slugs, woodlice, 

 and other destructive vermin ; and therefore, I consider, that let its other 

 advantages be ever so great, these cannot counterbalance the injurious ef- 

 fects attending this evil. I have lost many valuable plants through it, and 

 in consequence I now discontinue the application. Now, with respect to 

 charcoal, whether it be wood, peat, or animal, I think that its value, either 

 in agricultural or floricultural application, is not nearly so well known, nor 

 so much appreciated, as it ought to be ; that from wood 1 have long used 

 with the greatest advantage, both in the drainage of pots and as an absorb- 

 ent in the preparation of manure. For the former it is well suited, when 

 placed over the hole in pieces large enough to prevent their falling through, 

 and to the height of about a fourth of the pot, in the same manner as pot- 

 sherds are employed. Owing to its higiily antiseptic qualities, it will con- 

 tinue for several years in an undecayed state, and consequently afford an 

 efficient drainage for a much longer period than moss, while it is calculated 

 not only to act in like manner as a conveyor of moisture to the plant, but 

 will also tend greatly, from its powers of imbibing and gradually giving out 

 any ammonia with which it comes in contact, and other fertilising alkalies or 

 gases that may exist in the soil, to produce a more healthy growth in the 

 plant. "The peculiar property of charcoal," says Mr. Squarey, in his 

 " Treatise on Agricultural Chemistry," "and the only one that makes it 

 useful in connection with the subject of manures, is its powers of absorbing 

 various gases in the pores of its structure, and subsequently yielding them 

 to moisture. It is proved beyond all doubt, that pure, fresh-burnt charcoal 

 possesses the power of absorbing 90 times its volume of ammonial gas, and 

 35 times its volume of carbonic acid gas." And he further states: "If 

 any manure has been applied, containing ammonia in its free state, that is 

 liable to pass off in a gaseous form, the charcoal will absorb it as it rises, 

 and retain it until the first rain, when the gas will be dissolved by the water 

 and carried into the soil, there to be applied for the assimilation of plants, 

 and the removal of the gas by tiie rain from the charcoal, restores its orig- 

 inal powers of absorbing gas ; so that this substance, when applied to the 



