farmers' Miscellany. 301 



garden. It is from them that plants derive their food, and they 

 live by food as well as animals. Many seem to have an idea that 

 if plants are freely supplied with water, they have all that is ne- 

 cessary to promote their growth ; but this is a great mistake. Wa- 

 ter is essential to the life of plants, but at the same time there are 

 very few which will not die soon if they had no other food. In- 

 deed, this can scarcely be considered as food, being principally neces- 

 sary to dissolve those substances which are their proper nutriment. 

 It is only in this form that they can imbibe nourishment, and too 

 free a supply of water becomes injurious to the life of vegetables. 

 Hence the necessity of draining land which does not admit an easy 

 passage off for the water. 



The dung of animals must always be the chief dependence in 

 the article of manures. This consists of both animal and vegeta- 

 ble matter, and contains all the elements of plants. To prepare it 

 for use in the flower garden, it should be well rotted by lying in 

 heaps for two or three years, so as to be reduced to fine particles. 

 In this way it will incorporate readily with the soil, and many of 

 its parts will dissolve in water easily, and afford a rapid supply of 

 food. Good manure from the stable-yard, well rotted, is as good 

 as any that can be used. 



Poudrette is a manufactured manure, possessing very powerful 

 qualities, and would probably be found very valuable in the flower 

 garden. It is prepared for this purpose, and put up in boxes so as 

 to be easily transported. It may be applied to the whole surface 

 of the soil, and then incorporated with the rake, or, which is pro- 

 bably the preferable mode, it may be applied to the roots of the 

 individual plants. A small quantity placed upon the seeds when 

 they are sown, is said to cause them to germinate with great vigor. 

 GuanOj imported from tropical islands, is a most powerful manure, 

 and requires much care in using. A very small quantity is suflH- 

 !cient for a whole flow^er garden. It may be conveniently used by 

 dissolving it in water, and applying it around the roots of plants 

 twice a year. 



Much valuable manure may be saved by collecting all the weeds, 

 leaves, twigs, and dead plants, &c., which are taken away from 

 ;he garden, and forming a small compost heap with them. To do 

 ;his, whenever a quantity of these materials is added to the heap, 

 :hey should be covered with a layer of earth, or stable manure, 

 ivhich is better, and so by adding to the quantity continually, in 



