334 
THE GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE. 
[May 20, 
stones, ivory, apes, and peacocks, as well as the gold and 
silver which they brought, as well as for the Almug, or 
Algum-trees. The parts of India which were reached at 
the earliest times were Crocala, now Curachee (at the 
mouth of the Indus), and Barugaza, now Baroach, in the 
Gulf of Cambay. These ports are very little distant 
from, and can easily communicate with, those on the 
coast of Malabar, and even with Ceylon; and thus we 
may account for precious stones, cinnamon of Ceylon, and 
pepper, forming such early articles of commerce. But 
the merchants who visited the Malabar coast for pepper 
must have touched at the very ports in the neighbourhood 
of which Sandal-wood grows, and from which, we have 
seen, it must long have been exported as an article of 
commerce. The Ophir and Tarshish of the above pas- 
sages of Scripture must have been to the southward of 
the Red Sea, and one of them, at least, we conceive some 
part of India. From thence the whole of the above cargo 
might at any time have easily been obtained ; it strikes us, 
therefore, that any wood or tree which formed a part of 
the cargo and was thought worthy of record, must have 
possessed some remarkable properties not common in the 
trees of the Medi region. dal d formin 
a straight trunk, though not large, and being close-grained 
and possessed of such remarkable and agreeable fragrance, 
could not fail to attract the attention of any merchants 
visiting the coasts where it grew. As it was equally 
well fitted for making pillars or terraces, as for musical 
instruments, so we conceive that there is no other tree 
better entitled than the Sandal-wood, to be the Almug 
of Scripture,—‘‘ the king made of the Algum-trees ter- 
races (pillars, 1 Kings, x. 12), to the house of the Lord, 
and to the king’s palace, and harps and psalteries for 
singers; and there were none such seen before in the 
land of Judah,”—2 Chron. ix.11,. Sandal-wood, from 
its texture and agreeable odour when handled, is well 
calculated for making musical instruments. It is less used 
for such purposes in the present day, because, being ex- 
pensive, and not very ornamental, its peculiar property, 
that of fragrance, is of little value, on account of the 
polish with which fashion. requires that all instruments 
should now be covered. Though this does not amount 
to proof, yet probability is in favour of the Almug being 
Sandal-wood, as it has been supposed to be by Celsius 
and others. The principal difficulty with regard to its 
being so is from the name, Algum, occurring also in 
2 Chron. ii. 8, when Solomon asks of Hiram, king of 
Tyre, to send him ‘also Cedar-trees, Fir-trees, and 
Algum-trees, out of Lebanon.’’ Hence it has been sup- 
posed to be a produce of that mountain. But Rosen- 
miller has justly remarked that in the parallel passage in 
1 Kings, v. 6, 8, 10, there is no mention of Almug- 
trees, but only of Cedars and Firs; and he therefore 
infers that the addition of Almug-trees in the later 
passage, that is, in the book of Chronicles, appears to 
have been the interpolation of a transcriber. 
ON VEGETABLE MANURES,. 
(Continued from page 284.) 
Lime-Leaves.—100,000 parts of green air-dried Lime- 
leaves contain of mineral substances :— 
260 parts of silica 
lime 
2» Magnesia 
potash 
8. 4,» soda 
48 ,,. alumina 
162. ,, oxide of iron and manganese 
81 ,,. sulphuric acid 
680 ,, . phosphoric acid 
224 ,, chlorine 
8,491 parts of mineral substances. * 
Although when the Lime-leaves are ripe, the greatest 
Ripe Fir-leaves contain a greater proportional quantity 
of potash and soda than other dry leaves, because their 
resin protects them against the extracting power of water. 
The amount of nitrogen they contain is unknown, but is, 
probably, trifling. 
comparison of the mineral substances contained in 
the leaves of Conifers with those of other forest-trees 
shows that they are inferior to the latter as a litter ;_be- 
cause if 3000 lbs. of Coniferous leaves are brought (mixed 
with dung) on one Magdeburg acre of land, it will derive 
from them only 39 Ibs. of lime, 6 Ibs. phosphoric acid, &c. 
In some countries as, for instance, in the Tyrol, Styria, 
Corinthia, Franconia, Switzerland, and the Black Forest, 
the small twigs of Firs, with their green leaves, are used 
as litter for horned cattle, The manure thus produced, 
must possess some advantages over that obtained from 
dried leaves, as the green ones are richer in potash, soda, 
and chlorine, than the ripe ones. 
*. Pine-leaves.—100,000 parts of green air-dried Pine- 
leaves contain of mineral substances :— 
175 parts of silica 
504 1 
ae ime 
120 ,, magnesia 
297 ,, potash 
264 4, soda 
60 4, alumina 
5,4, oxide of iron and manganese ' 
49 ,, sulphuric acid 
240 5, phosphoric acid 
30 ,, chlorine 
1,744 parts of mineral substances. 
This small quantity of mineral substances found in Pine- 
leaves renders them a less valuable manure than Fir-leaves, 
even supposing them not to lose potash and soda in the 
course of ripening. Nevertheless, the litter of Pine- 
leaves is of the greatest agricultural importance in man: 
sandy tracts of Germany. They supply the soil with ail 
the substances required for vegetation ; and by their quan- 
tity they make up for their bad quality. In those dis- 
tricts the farmers manure their land every two years with 
this sort of leaf-dung, and thus the arid soil is supplied 
with the requisite amount of humus. The quantity of 
nitrogen which Pine-leaves contain is not ascertained ; 
it is probably greater than that of Rye-straw. 
Fir, as well as Pine-leaves, decompose with great diffi- 
culty, owing to their woody texture: and resinous quality, 
It is therefore necessary to let them lie (mixed with ani- 
mal manure,) either in the stable or the dung-hill, until 
they are rotted. It is better stillto put them, when moist, 
in large heaps, where they may heat and be partially de- 
composed ; after which they may be used as litter. If this 
precaution is not taken, the leaves will remain two or three 
years in the soil without alteration; and this, probably, 
explains why, in some parts, a bad opinion is entertained 
of manure obtained from the leaves of Conifers. 
Tt is asserted that the leaves of the Larch yield better 
manure than those ef Firs or Pines, which I cannot decide, 
as I have never experimented upon them. 
Amongst the vegetable substances or remains which are 
used for the absorption of animal excrements, or as 
litter, besides the above-named, many others are largely 
used in different countries; the principal are Heath, 
Turves*,'the so-called forest-litter, the Whin and Black- 
berry, Ferns, Mosses, the refuse of Flax and Hemp, 
and Bull-rushes. Some of them yield a better, others a 
worse manure than straw, as will be seen by the follow- 
ing statements :— 
1.— Heath (Erica vulgaris).—In some parts of Ger- 
many Heath is the only material used for litter; but a 
hundred years hence, it will scarcely be employed, now 
that heathlands are brought more into cultivation. It 
contains much wax and tannin, and as its texture is very 
woody, such manure will lie for years in the ground, if not 
part of their potash, soda, and chlorine, have disappeared, 
or have been carried off by water; still lime, magnesia, 
and phosphoric acid, remain behind; on which account 
Lime-leaves are preferable to Oak or Beech-leaves, as 
litter. 1000 lbs. of green Lime-leaves contain (according 
to Boussingault), 32 lbs. of nitrogen, and, consequently, 
the ripe leaves must also contain a great amount of it. 
Besides these three sorts of leaves, those of Elms, 
Birches, Ashes, Yoke-Elms, Poplars, and Willows, 
are used as litter.. They all are more rich in lime, 
magnesia, and phosphoric and sulphuric acids, than the 
straw of the Corn-plants ; and as they probably also contain 
more nitrogen, it follows that they are preferable for litter. 
fir-leaves.—Although most of the Fir and Pine-leaves 
drop in winter from the trees, they also fall to the ground 
in other seasons, especially during strong gales or heavy 
showers ; which is to be taken into account when they are 
to be used as litter. * 
100,000 parts of green air-dried Fir-leaves contain of 
mineral substances :— 
836 parts of silica 
1,290 i 
) 45 yolime. 
78,4, magnesia 
440, potash 
196 5, soda 
165, ~— alumina 
1 5, oxide of iron and manganese 
74 4,  sulplinric acid 
192 ,, phosphoric acid 
27. ,, chlorine _ 
3,150 parts of mineral substances. 
© 2 Ditech y sh 
* The reader is requested to observe, that in former papers 
the proportions of parts, by the misuse of dots for commas, have 
been made to appear like decimal quantities instead of whole 
numbers. This requires correction through several previous 
properly prepared previous to being ploughed in. It 
therefore ought to remain for a long time either under the 
cattle or in the dung-hill. 
100,000 parts of young air-dried Heath contain of 
mineral substances :— 
582 parts of silica 
518 >. dime 
164 >» magnesia 
94 » potash 
200 x» soda 
45 » alumina 
53 » oxide of iron 
90 » oxide of manganese 
102 » sulphuric acid 
15 » phosphoric acid 
chlorine 
1,958 parts of mineral substances, 
Hence it follows, that, although Heath does not furnish 
the best, litter, still it is preferable to the straw of Cerealia, 
as it is richer in lime, magnesia, potash, soda, and 
chlorine. Rye-straw used as litter acts the first year of 
its being used, as its decomposition is very quick ; whilst 
Heath being woody, and decomposing slowly, affords a 
durable and protracted nourishment. The decomposition 
of Heath is retarded by its wax and resin, of which it 
contains 6 per cent. To destroy these substances, and to 
soften the woody texture, it is advisable, previous to being 
used as litter, to throw it into large heaps, where it 
may heat ; by which means, the tannin (so very noxious 
to growing crops), of which Heaths contain perhaps from 
4 to 5 per cent., will be destroyed. i 
Heath is}preferable to Rye-straw, also, on account of its 
great quantity of nitrogen, which, although its amount has 
* Name of a piece of green turf or Heath, cut out with a sharp 
iron instrument. 
| ple of under-drainage, practised on the clay- 
et been ascertained experimentally, will be greater 
than that of ripe Rye-straw, as the former is always cut 
where fodder is scarce and all straw is used for the food of 
cattle. Heath supplies the scanty sand with humus, thus 
maintaining it in a more humid state. 
Heath is best sown as litter for sheep, for it will most 
easily decompose when the manure remains for a long 
time. But in such cases, straw should be frequently 
placed upon it, otherwise the wool may be injured. 
The four-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) is said not to 
be such good manure as the common Heath ; this I 
cannot decide upon, not having analysed it. It is known 
that cattle will not eat it, but this does not prove it to be 
bad manure, because the Lupine is also rejected by cattle 
although one of the best manures. 
With Heath are also collected the Crowberry (Empe 
trum nigrum), the Sweet Gale (Myrica Gale), and the 
Andromeda polifolia ; and it is probable that these thre? 
plants form even better manure than Heath itself. 
(To be continued.) 
'AMATEUR’S GARDEN.—No. XX. 
Few plants are more generally attractive, or, when 
well cultivated, more deserving of a place in the green 
house of the Amateur, than the Hydrangea hortensis; 
and it would be difficult to name a greenhouse-plant which 
at this season is so admirably adapted for a bed in the 
flower-garden. In its natural state, with delicate pink 
flowers, it is very beautiful ; and when changed by art to 
the soft crerulean blue of a cloudless sky, it is still moré 
lovely. Many of the readers of this Paper have seem 
and admired the noble specimens of this plant exhibited 
at the Horticultural Society’s and other fétes, and as # 
short detail of the treatment they receive may not be wi 
interesting, I subjoin it. 
The cuttings are taken off the plants when about a? 
inch long, which in plants forced into flower at this sea~ 
son is generally about the middle of February. They are 
taken off close to the old wood, and when trimmed 
and inserted in cutting-pots filled with light sandy 
soil, are immediately plunged fin a close moist heaty 
in which they root with great freedom and_ rapidity: 
Being rooted, they are potted singly into small sixty-sized 
pots, in a rather strong turfy loam, using the turfy parts 
only; and as often as they require it, are re-potted into 
larger pots, until they reach 32s or 24s, in which they 
are left to flower. 
From the time of potting up to the end of July they 
are kept under glass, but are regularly attended with 
water, (occasionally manure,) and as much exposed to the 
full influence of the light as possible; the objects being t0 
keep the plants dwarf and to get as great a quantity 0 
highly-elaborated sap deposited in the plant, and the 
flower well formed and the wood perfectly ripened before 
the winter season. After July, they are placed at the foot 
of a south wall, and exposed fully to the sun, gradually 
withholding water as the leaves begin to assume the 
autumnal tint, and keeping the soil only sufficiently moist» 
to prevent the roots being dried up after the leaves have 
fallen. By this season, if properly attended to, the ter 
minal bud will be as thick as strong Asparagus ; and the 
only care during the winter, will be to keep the buds free 
from damp, which may be effected by placing the plants 
and covering them with kiln-dried fern, or straw. A 
This is the process of management the first season ; 1? 
the second, the first plants should be introduced into the 
forcing-house in January; the second the middle of Mareb, 
and the third be allowed to break naturally : this will give 
a succession of flowers from April until November, which 
may be used either for the decoration of the {greenhous® 
or flower-garden, 
After the first crop has flowered and the wood is pretty 
firm, say the middle of June, the plants are cut dow? to 
within two joints of the root, and the soil shaken tO 
them ; they are then repotted into small pots, and ater 
wards treated asin the first season; only observing , 
retain three or four branches instead of one, and to give 
the plants a 16 or 12-sized pot at the last shift ; they a 
then be forced the third season,’ and will make] sple™ E 
plantg for the flower-garden. 
It is singular that the Hydrangea never makes 4} ‘ 
into fresh soil during the time it is in bloom, and it * 
from this reason that many are disappointed in obtainité 
blue flowers ; because the plants bave not any roots 12 the 
new soil, and therefore cannot extract the matter from | ie 
soil necessary to the chemical change which the Oni 
undergo. I believe all fresh soil containing oxide of ir a 
will produce blue flowers, providing the plants are orrave 
in it from the eutting-pot, but the same soil will 
little or no effect on old plants.—W. P. Ayres. 
a root 
HOME CORRESPONDENCE. 
Ernarum.—Article on Rose-budding, p. 317 b, for “bast-bo 
read ‘* back-bound.’” : letter 
Drainage.—In_ your last Paper, I perceive * anor 
signed “J. S. F.,”” which speaks of an ineffectual P™ f 
Jands i 
Gloucestershire, and in which he deprecates Cees 
any part of the retentive soil for covering in such A ton 
Having individually practised with unvarying po aiaeel 
several years, the principle of Pearson’s under~ ae six 
both on arable and pasture-land, to the extent of ee half- 
hundred acres; laying the Pearson plough-drains # 
rod distances apart, on the arable land, and mata 
Separation of the drains on pastures, according £0 
stances, I take leave to recommend to “J. S+ ers) 
to all Gloucestershire clay-land owners and oFrodges) of 
purchase a short pamphlet, written by Mr- 
und”? 
green. Heath is especially valuable in sandy districts, | 
on a dry airy shelf in'the greenhouse, or in a dry shed, , 
~ 
— ee eee 
