44 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



spray does not reach them, is a very beneficial manure. 

 It is the cheapest mode of supplying plants with soda and 

 chlorine, and of course is beneficial to apply to asparagus 

 and other marine plants. The refuse salt which has been 

 used for bacon is the most valuable, as it contains in addi- 

 tion the blood and juices of the meat, which greatly in- 

 crease its virtues. It may be directly applied to aspara- 

 gus without injury, and at the rate of six or eight bushels 

 per acre applied in autumn, it benefits all garden crops, 

 keeping the soil moist and free from insects and worms. 

 It is well to supply it at the same time with lime, in the 

 lime and salt mixture hereafter described. 



Gypsum* Of this a very small quantity will suffice. 

 One bushel per acre yearly is all that is needed. In ab- 

 sorbing ammonia from the manure heap, charcoal dust and 

 leaf-mould are much cheaper. It is the cheapest way of 

 supplying the soil with what sulphur is required. 



Marl, where it can be obtained, may be applied with 

 advantage, especially to sandy soils. It is generally bene- 

 ficial in proportion to the quantity of lime it contains. 



Some marls contain both phosphate of lime and potash 

 in considerable quantities, and hence are of increased 

 value. Before largely applying it, experiments should be 

 made on a small scale, as some marls, upon trial, are found 

 to be injurious. 



Soot is rich in ammonia ; very little of this can be pro- 

 cured, but it should be carefully preserved and applied in 

 small quantities to cabbage and other plants infested with 

 insects. It drives these off, and its ammonia also promotes 

 the growth of the plants. 



The Nitrates of Potash and Soda are applied in a finely 

 powdered state during wet weather by English cultivators, 

 and are found useful upon clays and loams, but of no bene< 

 fit on light, sandy soils. 



Burnt Clay has been found to possess considerable value 



