32 



Jar form around this litter. Set the branches on fire and when 

 half burnt down, add weeds and other rubbish, and gradually cast 

 earth over them to keep down the flames. The flame should not 

 be allowed to break through and expend itself. Constant watch- 

 ing is necessary. As the fire breaks through, the heap should be 

 opened and a layer of branches and weeds added, and on them 

 again a layer of earth. The fire should be spread through the 

 whole heap and a large amount of earth may be burnt by con- 

 tinually adding to those places where it appears the strongest. 

 The earth to be burnt may be of the stiffest nature. 



Mr. Caunell, the great Fuschia grower of Woolwich attributes 

 much of his success to using no soil for his Fuschias until 

 it has been burnt. The following is his plan : " I build up 

 with bricks a rough furnace about one foot high, and if I can 

 get some old bars to form a draught so much the better. 



The size of the fire is that of the largest old tea tray that can 

 be procured, A good coke fire is made up and the soil being 

 handy it is put on the tray and with a bricklayer's trowel 

 turned over while hot. In this way a considerable quantity can 

 soon be slightly burnt and purified and can then be stowed 

 away in any old boxes to be ready for use as required. I am 

 convinced that no dung ought to be used for pot plants until it 

 has undergone this process." ED.] 



PARASITIC PLANTS. Such as root into other living plants, and 

 derive their nourishment from thence. Some root into the 

 stem or branches, as (viscus) the Misletoe ; others attach them- 

 selves to the root, as Hypocistus. 



PEATY SOILS. The formation of peaty soils is produced from 

 very opposite causes,_and it is interesting to contemplate how the 

 same effect may be produced by different means, and the earth, 

 which supplies almost all our wants, may become barren, alike 

 from the excessive application of art or the utter neglect of it. 



PERFECT PLANTS are divided into conservative and repro- 

 ductive. The conservative organs are such as are absolutely 

 necessary to the growth and preservation of the plant, includ- 

 ing the roots, trunk, branch, leaf and fruit. 



