oS CULTIVATIOX. 



its constitutional temperament, is suitable for the 

 bulb, may not be rich enough for the radicles 

 which supply the flower and leaves ; and there- 

 fore advise one kind of compost for the surface, 

 and another and richer for the bottom. Mad- 

 dock, for instance, directs that the natural soil of 

 the bed be taken out to the depth of twenty 

 inches, and filled with sound fresh loam to the 

 heig-ht of ten inches ; upon this is laid a stratum 

 of two years' old rotten cow-dung and loam 

 mixed together, twelve inches thick ; and above 

 all another layer of loam, three inches thick, to 

 form the surface. There is reason in thus com- 

 posing the bed ; because, as any kind of animal 

 manure is foreign to the plant, it should only be 

 offered to them ; that is, put within their reach, 

 and if suitable, they will find and partake of it ; 

 and if not, there w^ill be no risk of injury from it 

 being forced upon, or placed in contact with, the 

 bulbs, which, from its property of retaining wa- 

 ter, and inviting insects, might be, perhaps, 

 detrimental to them. And even if placed at a 

 greater depth than their roots can ever be ex- 



