V MANURES 83 



young tender fibres, and the plant will eventually 

 suffer. The contents of a tank from a covered yard 

 would be much too strong ; but, as to one which 

 receives the storm-washings of an open yard, it is a 

 fortunate circumstance that after rain is the best 

 opportunity for applying liquid manure, viz., just the 

 time when such a tank would be full and probably 

 not much too strong. 



This should be remembered as a possible error for 

 an assistant to make ; he may be apt to think that 

 when the ground is dry is the time for liquid manure, 

 but it is not so : the drier the ground and the season 

 the weaker the manure and the purer the water that 

 should be given. If in a dry time liquid manure 

 is available, and it is desired to put it on, it would 

 be advisable to give a thorough soaking with pure 

 water first. But, as I have said, it fortunately 

 happens that liquid manure is generally to be had 

 just when it is advisable to apply it — after a good 

 rain. 



An ordinary labourer, besides the mistake of 

 thinking " the good " is in the dregs, of which he 

 may be convinced by a comparison with tea-leaves 

 after tea has been made from them, is also apt 

 in watering Eoses or fruit trees to put it all much 

 too close to the plants. He should be reminded 

 that as his hand is at the end of his arm and he 

 cannot take hold of anything pushed against his 

 shoulder, so the mouths of the roots are at their 

 extremities, and it is there they should be fed. 

 The Eose bed should be equally soaked all over. 



Another mistake that may be made is this : — " I 

 have only got a certain amount of liquid manure, 

 and that healthy vigorous plant does not want it, I 



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