sheep's dkoppings. 173 



hand. This I have found to be the case. Success in 

 the flower-garden cannot be looked for unless the soil 

 of the bed is adapted to the nature or constitution of 

 the subject. 



COWDUNG. 



Old pulverised cowdung is one of the most useful 

 adjuncts possible in choice flower work. In the culti- 

 vation of Auriculas, choice Polyanthuses, Primulas, and 

 even Geraniums, this is most beneficial in conjunction 

 with maiden loam, &c. Every one who has a collection 

 of plants, whether great or small, should procure and 

 lay up in a round heap a load of cowdung every season, 

 so that there may be no lack of it. It will require not 

 less than two years for it to pulverise, and if it is four 

 years old so much the better. The heap should be 

 turned two or three times a year. Two parts of this 

 and one part of good maiden loam, and one part of 

 silver sand, will grow Auriculas and the Primula 

 Sinensis to perfection. This is much better than leaf- 

 mould, more nutritious, and answers the same mecha- 

 nical purpose. 



Sheep's Droppings, 



laid up until very old, are excellent, in conjunction 

 with maiden loam, for various plant purposes, as well 

 as in the fresh state for watering Ptoses and Gera- 

 niums ; also for Auriculas and late Primulas. The 

 liquid manure made with this is no doubt one of 

 the best — if not the best — that can be used to brin? 

 up a first-class flower, and insure a good colour. Put 

 a peck of fresh droppings into a tub holding 5 

 gallons of water, and fill the tub up ; then with a 

 broomstick stir the contents well, and do so again 

 the following day ; then let it settle, and dip the 

 clear liquid out as wanted. Give the plants a good 

 watering with it once a week till the flowering is over, 

 when it may be discontinued for the season. Do not 

 plaster the top of the pot containing a plant over with 

 cowdung, nor with sheep's droppings ; some do this, 

 but it excludes the fertilising properties of the air, 



i2 



