20 OPERATIONS OF GABDENINGk PART I. 



that which is dissolved; and in order to derive the whole 

 benefit from the manure, the insoluble part must, by agitation 

 or other means, be kept suspended in the liquid, whilst it is 

 being spread over the ground. "* 



FISH. Whenever it can be obtained, fish-refuse is an excel- 

 lent and most efficacious manure for applying to the roots of trees. 



BONES. In Europe bones are accounted a valuable and 

 permanent manure, but slow in their operation. Even when 

 reduced to dust they are not so effective the year they are 

 applied as on the following one. Some cultivators, however, 

 have used them for Cauliflowers in this country, and, as they 

 say, with marked benefit. 



MINEEAL MANURES. 



COMMON SALT. This is strongly recommended as a manure 

 for several of the culinary vegetables, especially for Asparagus. 

 One of our best gardeners in the neighbourhood of Calcutta 

 told me he had applied it plentifully to his Asparagus, but 

 without any particular advantage as far as he could see. 



SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME. This mineral, which is manu- 

 factured by decomposing bones with sulphuric acid (oil of 

 vitriol), is sold in England at about the same price as guano. 

 Mr. Solly says : " It is one of the most valuable of the artificial 

 manures yet produced."! Whether the application of it in 

 horticulture has ever been experimented upon in this country, 

 or to what extent it would 'be likely to prove beneficial, I am 

 unable to say. 



LIQUID MANURES. 



Liquid manure should be applied to plants only when in 

 a vigorous state of growth. All plants are benefited by it 

 administered judiciously, that is to say, not in excess. The 

 copious use of it with culinary vegetables, but more particularly 

 with Celery and Asparagus, I have found of wonderful efficacy. 

 The most convenient way, perhaps, of keeping a supply of 

 liquid manure for kitchen-garden use is, somewhere handy, 

 to sink in the ground a large earthen vessel ; fill this with 

 water, and throw in all such ingredients as happen to be 

 available for the purpose, such as fowls', pigeons', goats', 



* ' Kural Chemistry,' p. 274. f Ibid., p. 278. 



