farmers' miscellany. 303 



a gallon of water, and then applied as other liquid manures. Great 

 caution is however necessary in the use of these substances, as too 

 much of them will destroy the life of plants. They should not be 

 applied more than once or twice during the season. The princi- 

 pal benefit from their use, is found in their producing a rapid 

 growth, and giving a fine rich color to the foliage. 



The free use of manures cannot be too strongly urged. All suc- 

 cess in the cultivation of flowers, as well as all kinds of plants and 

 vegetables, will depend upon this. Neither animal nor vegetable 

 life can be sustained without food. And the flowers which orna- 

 ment the garden, are no less dependent on it for the exhibition of 

 their beauty, than those plants which are grown for use, for their 

 perfection. 



III. OF THE CARE OF THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



No littk care is necessary in order to keep the flower garden 

 I Heat and clean. The walks should be kept free from weeds and 

 grass, and covered with gravel not very coarse, and if possible 

 should be made solid with a heavy roller. A handful of coarse 

 salt applied to any tufts of grass which may be seen springing up, 

 iwill soon destroy them. If the walks are through a grass-plat, 

 I the edges should be kept cut evenly with a sharp spade, as also the 

 edges of the flower borders. 



Not a weed should be suffered to appear among the flowers, and 

 as soon as one appears, it should be immediately exterminated by 

 the roots. In this way, by a little watchfulness and attention, in 

 a short time they will cease to appear. But if one is suffered to 

 go to seed, it will scatter its offspring through the whole garden 

 in a little while. 



The earths in the borders and about the roots of the plants 

 should be frequently stirred with a hoe or a gardener's trowel, that 

 .the roots may have every chance to extend. The looser the soil 

 jis kept, the better they will grow, and the beauty and perfection of 

 the flowers depend upon the strength and healthiness of the plant. 

 By this process also, the soil is drained of superfluous moisture, 

 and a free circulation of air is produced about the roots. It should 

 be done very often, and especially in dry weather, and not after a 

 shower or rain. 



All dead branches should be cut off carefully from the plant^ 



