THE PINK. 115 



retains a proper quantity, and discharges a super- 

 fluity/' &c. Gardeners who cannot meet with such 

 soil ought to use artificial means to form it, by 

 bringing together different kinds: sand and stiff 

 loam being the principal ingredients required., the 

 one for strong soils, the other for light. 



' Before I use fresh dung loam, I always take the 

 precaution to strew over it a little quick lime, well 

 slacked, and in a hot state, to correct any acidity, or 

 decompose any injurious saline compounds. Lime 

 also is an excellent application for the destruction of 

 slugs, snails, worms, and other injurious insects, as 

 well as for the dissolution of inert vegetable matter. 

 e You will excuse the minute detail, which I have 

 entered into more fully than I intended when I sat 

 down; but as I took the pains to make the experi- 

 ment, I give it you because I have every reason to 

 be satisfied with the success of it. 



< Before I conclude, I beg to call to your recollection 

 ' that I am neither gardener nor florist professionally, 

 ' but that I commenced the cultivation of flowers, in 

 ' the first instance, with a view to amuse a depressed 

 ' state of mind, and reinvigorate a still more sickly 



