The Canadian Horticulturist. 155 



sloping platform. This platform should be about a foot high — high enough to 

 allow slipping a pail under it to catch the liquid in. This platform should be 

 larger than the bottom of the barrel, with cleats nailed on the side to prevent the 

 liquid from running off. The front of it ought to be sloped, like an obtuse- 

 angled letter V, with cleats fastened to it, but not coming quite together at the 

 point. These conduct the manure to the opening left at the point, where it falls 

 into the pail placed for its reception. The bottom of the barrel should be filled 

 with stones, brick or pottery, to keep the manure from packing down solidly and 

 clogging up the holes, which should be made for the escape of the liquid. On 

 top of this drainage fill in with manure from the cow stables, and pound it down 

 well. Add water slowly at first to allow it to get thoroughly soaked through 

 before leaching begins. When you notice that it begins to trickle out at the 

 bottom of the barrel, add it in greater quantities. 



That which first runs off will be very strong. It will be about the color of 

 thick coffee. Dilute it until it has an amber look. This will be quite strong 

 enough for safety. Too strong a liquid manure is worse than none at all. When 

 you use it apply close to the roots of the plants. It is too precious to be wasted 

 by putting it where there are no roots to make use of it. Twice a week is often 

 enough to apply it. This is the best of all fertilizers for pot plants. 



GROWING DAHLIAS. 



Sir, — I would be pleased to have some instructions about growing dahlias. 



C. E. H, Toronto. 



The tubers of the dahlia should be separated, leaving a small piece of stalk 

 with each. In order to have them bloom early in the fall, these should be started 

 in a hotbed, or in boxes or pots in the house, and toward the end of May it will 

 be safe to plant them outside. The soil for the dahlia bed should be made 

 very rich in order to secure the best results. A liberal watering during the dry 

 weather will be of great benefit, and if a little liquid manure could be applied to 

 the roots occasionally it would be of great benefit. Four feet is a good distance 

 apart for planting. 



KNOT-PROOF PLUMS. 



Sib, — Are there any varieties of plums that are free from the black-knot, or nearly so ? 



J. McAiNSH, Belton, Ont. 



Reply by Geo. Cline, Winona, Ont. 



Plums in my orchard, free from black knot for 18 years, are German Prune, 

 Coe's Golden Drop, Glass, Huling's Superb, Pond's Seedling, Reine Claude, 

 Washington, Victoria, English Samson, Bradshaw, Yellow Gage. 



Plums that have not had much knot are Duane's Purple, Yellow Egg, 

 Imperial Gage, Columbia, Munroe, Egg. 



The worst for rot are Lombard, Gen. Hand, Golden Gage, McLaughlin. 



