44 WIKTEE GEEENEKIES AT HOME. 



kinds of plant-food already mentioned, decayed vegetable 

 and animal matter. 



It is hardly necessary to be very exact in determining 

 the proportions of this mixture for different plants. In 

 general, it may be said, soft-stemmed plants require a 

 somewhat lighter or looser soil than those with hard or 

 woody stems. Such as grow rapidly and bloom profusely, 

 like the Fuchsia, should doubtless have a larger propor- 

 tion of the leaf-mould or manure, perhaps one-half or 

 more. The Rose certainly needs more clay than the 

 Cactuses, natives of sandy plains ; and the Ferns seem to 

 have a special liking for leaf-mould. In taking up any 

 of the latter, or other plants from the woods, you will 

 do well to bring the soil in which they have been growing. 

 So also you may obtain hints as to the best soil for all 

 plants, by ascertaining their natural conditions. 



Great importance was once attached to the proper com- 

 position of soil for different plants. For instance, it is 

 said of the weavers of England, that they were noted for 

 the superiority of the Carnations cultivated in their cot- 

 tages, and that the secret of their success lay in the use 

 of this formula : " One-year-old horse-manure, one-half, 

 and good garden soil, leaf -mould, and coarse sand, each 

 one-sixth, duly mixed, and exposed all winter to frosts." 

 You will still find some books and amateur florists very 

 particular in this matter, insisting upon a specific com- 

 bination for every distinct class of plants. But Mr. 

 PETER HENDERSON", the author of several books on flori- 

 culture, and himself a cultivator of large experience, tells 

 us that he uses about the same soil a rich compost of 

 decayed loamy sod and leaf-mould, or manure for all 

 kinds of plants in his numerous greenhouses. So I think 

 you may safely do the same. At any rate, you can con- 

 sult with Judge Kent's gardener in any emergency, and 

 perhaps obtain from him all that you need, already pre- 

 pared. 



