228 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



Britain, not being so well suited by the damper climate, but several 

 selected forms are used for flower-garden decoration. They are 

 raised^ from seed sown in a warm house or frame in late winter, and 

 the plants hardened in a cold frame. Zea Mays variegata, Japanese 

 striped Maize, and Four-coloured Maize, are good. Those who 

 wish to use Maize for cooking should plant 18 ins. apart in rows 

 5 ft. asunder and gather the cobs before they get hard. 



Malcomia maritima (malco-mia, after Mr. W. Malcolm. Ord. 

 Cruciferae). Only one species is important, and that is maritima, 

 the Virginian Stock, a hardy annual. See Annuals. 



Male Fern, Nephrodium or Lastrea Filix-mas. 



Malope, Mallow (malo-pe, from malos, soft, in allusion to the 

 leaves. Ord. Malvaceae). Tall, strong hardy annuals. Trifida 

 grandiflora has dark rose flowers; there is a white form called alba. 

 See Annuals. 



Malus. See Pyrus. 



Malva, Mallow (mal-va, from malacho, to soften. Ord. Malva- 

 ceae). Hardy herbaceous annuals, biennials, and perennials, the 

 most popular of which is moschata, the Musk Mallow, a hardy 

 perennial with rose flowers in summer; there is a white variety. 

 Any good soil. Propagation by seed or division in spring. 



Mamillaria. See Cactus. 



Manetti. See Rose. 



Manna Ash, Fraxinus Ornus. 



Manures and Manuring. Without a proper choice and use of 

 manures gardening cannot be carried on successfully, and a study 

 of manures should be one of the first tasks of the learner. Virgin 

 .ground, such as is found in new countries, will produce good crops 

 for several years without manuring; but where crops have been 

 grown over a long period frequent manuring becomes necessary. 

 Dealing with natural manures first of all, the following tables will 

 be useful : 



( 12 lb. potash 



i ton of good decayed stable ) 8 ,, phosphoric acid 



manure contains jn ,, nitrogen 



I 1 6 ,, lime 



47 



( 8 lb. potash 



) 3 , phosphoric acid 



i ton of cow manure contains S 9 nitrogen 



' 10 ,, lime 



30 



( 4 lb. potash 



) 4 ,, phosphoric acid 



j ton of pig manure contains - l6 ^ nitrogen 



(35 ,, lime 

 59 



