332 Iraxsactions of the American Institute. 



fifteen dollars for fertilizing the soil before the soap has been dissolved 

 in water, surely it is worth more than that sum to apply to flower 

 beds, or to any other plant after it has been employed for making 

 suds. Soap suds, then, is one of the most excellent materials that 

 can be employed in the cultivation of flowers of any kind, from the 

 trailing arbutus, that often opens its tiny petals beneath a sheet of 

 unsullied snow, to the gorgeous Japan lily. Growing flowers need 

 potash. Soap suds will supply that material in the most desirable 

 form. Flowers must have supply of silicate of potash to give the 

 petals that sparkling life-like brilliancy which they possess ; and this 

 material can be supplied in no other manner at so cheap a rate as by 

 saving and apply the soap suds of the kitchen, which costs nothing 

 but a few moments employment, when one has nothing to do. Sand, 

 or silicious material and potash, supply to growing plants substantially 

 the same material that potters employ to glaze their earthenware. If 

 growing flowers can have access to soap suds, or unleached wood ashes 

 and sand, the roots will manufacture a glossy solution which will be 

 spread evenly over the surface of the stems, rendering them stiff" and 

 glossy, thus covering the entire plant — petals, sepals, stems, and leaves 

 — with an impenetrable coat of mail, which will fortify every part 

 against the insidious attacks of mildew or minute fungi. But if 

 strong soap suds be applied directly to leaves and stems, there is danger 

 that the alkali may injure the delicate tissues. For this reason the 

 caustic liquid should be washed off" with pure water. 



It will pay satisfactorily to save all the suds on washing days and 

 have the liquid applied to the flower beds after sundown. By this 

 means fertilizing matter will be added in a liquid condition, which is 

 true form for manure of all kinds to be mingled with the soil. 

 Whatever may be applied in a solid condition, whether it be bone 

 dust, guano, superphosphate or barnyard manure, the fertilizing par- 

 ticles must first be dissolved before the roots of growing plants can 

 avail themselves of any advantage from the dressing. 



The best Soil and Compost for Flowers. 

 Wheat, and all kinds of fruit trees need more or less aluminous 

 matter for their perfect development, while flowers require, as has 

 previously been stated, silicious material, a bountiful supply of ferru- 

 ginous matter, potash, and carbonaceous material, in as great abund- 

 ance as if the stems were to yield luscious fruit. Tlie carbonaceous 

 material which is so eminently essential to the perfect development 



