1 g On Liquid Manure. 



convenient. The rods {fig. 8.), and rings {Jig. 9.), are made 

 of strong wire, painted green ; but they might also be made 

 9 of wood with iron hooks. The hooks should 

 be made to fit the ring exactly, and the rods 

 \can be made of any length, according to the 

 /nature of the plant they are meant for. Also, 

 when necessary, they can be taken out of the 

 pot, painted, and put together again with very 

 little trouble. 

 Hardy climbers might be trained in the same way ; and if 

 mixed with forty or fifty half-standard and standard roses in 

 flower, under a veranda" or portico, the whole would have a 

 fine appearance, especially if planted in handsome pots or 

 boxes. In such situations they keep in flower much longer 

 than when fully exposed to the sun. 



At a future time I may, perhaps, send you the result of my 

 experience with some other ornamental plants. 

 Holm, near Kilmarnock, 1826. 



Art. VI. On the Importance of Liquid Manure in Hor- 

 ticulture, and the peculiar Advantages of Soot as an Ingre- 

 dient for that Purpose. By Mr. John Robertson, F.H.S. 

 Nurseryman, Kilkenny. 



Amongst the many advantages which horticulture has de- 

 rived from Mr. Knight's enlightened application of science to 

 its practice, we may reckon as not the least important, his 

 earnest and repeated recommendation of liquid manures. In 

 general, liquid manures have not had that importance attached 

 to them by gardeners which they merit. They may at all 

 times be resorted to with advantage : but, in a number of in- 

 stances, and particularly where immediate effect is required, 

 no other manure can be so well applied. To enumerate their 

 uses and preparation, however, would demand more consider- 

 ation than I am enabled to bestow ; — my present object 

 being solely to point out a material for the purpose, which I 

 have long availed myself of with success, though it seems 

 to have been overlooked by most gardeners — it is soot. 



Sir H. Davy characterizes soot as " a powerful manure, pos- 

 sessing ammoniacal salt, empyreumatic oil, and charcoal, which 

 is capable of being rendered soluble by the action of oxygen, 

 or pure vital air ;" all which component parts rank high as 

 nutritious or stimulant manures. On meadows I have used 



