FERTILIZERS AND MANURES. 67 



is freely used, this substance becomes perfectly inodorous. 

 Guano and poudrette are the best possible manures for 

 the cabbage tribe and other plants that need phosphates 

 and nitrogen. Both these manures are exceedingly power- 

 ful, but their effects do not last beyond one season. The 

 fertilizing properties exist in the right proportions to be 

 taken up at once by the plants, and nearly all their nutri- 

 tive properties are exhausted the season they are applied. 

 If in a hole or dry ditch are deposited all the leaves or 

 vegetable refuse that can be collected, and over this is 

 poured daily the house slops, and all smell prevented by 

 the timely application of charcoal or woods earth, a com- 

 post is formed exactly similar in its constituents to farm- 

 yard manure, and containing all the eight substances by 

 which plants are artificially fed. (Lindley.) 



Liquid Manure. — Almost any manure may be applied 

 to the soil with benefit in a liquid state. Liquid manure 

 generally implies urine or the drainings of dung heaps 

 and stables, chiefly consisting of urine and the dissolved 

 excrements of animals. Diluted more or less as required, 

 it can be applied about once a week to plants in any stage 

 of growth, ami is particularly useful to those grown in 

 pots. The soil should not be oversaturated with it, and it 

 should be used alternately with pure water. Do not give 

 it to plants that are in a state of rest. 



Composts. — The composting of manure should take 

 place, as a general thing, as fast as it is made. In the 

 garden, out of sight, there should be a compost heap for 

 receiving all kinds of rubbish that can have the least 

 value as fertilizers. Make a shallow excavation of a 

 square or oblong form, with the bottom sloping to one 

 end. Into this collect the litter and sweepings of the 

 yards, decayed vegetables of all kinds, brine, soapsuds, 

 and slops from the house, woollen rags, leaves, green 

 weeds, and garden refuse. After it has accumulated a 



