AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 443 



by exposure and frequent turning over for a year Or two before 

 using them. 



A pretty deep and rather sandy loam, moderately rich, will 

 suit almost every cultivated variety of hardy flower, shrub, and 

 tree. A few exceptional cases may be found. 



FLOWER COMPOSTS. 



Composts are prepared for particular plants in order to raise 

 them in perfection where the natural soil is unfavorable, or to 

 produce some special effect upon the plant or flower ; and inas- 

 much as this is often attempted upon a mere notion, composts 

 become as numerous as fancy cultivators. 



The following, it is believed, will meet all ordinary demands. 



NO. 1. PLANT COMPOST. 



2 parts of good surface loam. 



2 " leaf-mould or peat. 



2 " spent hot bed or stable manure, perfectly rotted. 



1 " road-wash or sharp sand. 



Let these materials be thoroughly chopped and mixed to- 

 gether, and if the manure was properly rotted beforehand, the 

 compost may be used in a week, being again chopped and mix- 

 ed in the preparatory process. Almost every variety of plant 

 will thrive in it. 



NO. 2. LAYER AND CUTTINGS COMPOST. 



2 parts of good loam. 



2 " leaf-mould or peat. 



2 " rotted manure. 



1 " road-wash or sharp sand, screened. 



1 " charcoal dust. 



To be chopped and mixed as directed for No. 1. 

 Almost any cutting or layer will root and grow in it. A 

 few species of hard- wood green-house plants require for their 

 successful propagation by cuttings that these be set under a 

 bell-glass in almost entirely clear sand. Rather coarse white 

 or silver sand, fine road-wash, or ordinary sharp bank-sand may 

 be used. The latter particularly, if much colored with loam, 

 should be washed before use, and at discretion one twentieth 



