14 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



consisting of animal excrement. I consider it very 

 undesirable to use anything that has a tendency to pro- 

 duce a pasty, retentive tendency in the loam, or that 

 would rapidly hasten the decomposition of the iibrous 

 part of it. Animal excrement has a tendency to do both, 

 and on that account I never use it for the pine : aU 

 that is added to or mixed with the loam is an 8-inch 

 potful of half-inch bones, and the same quantity of soot, 

 to each barrowful of the loam. These mixtures are 

 highly manurial, have a beneficial mechanical effect on 

 the soil, and offer no inducement to the inroads of worms, 

 but the contrary. 



I have always observed that the most vigorous of 

 the roots are found in the most fibry part of the ball. 

 Besides, turfy loam, free from all slimy matter, is 

 regarded as the best medium for supplying nourish- 

 ment in a liquid state, as wiU be found recommended 

 further on in this treatise. I would therefore re- 

 commend a friable loam, with all the verdure that 

 grows on it — such as the top three, or at most four, 

 inches of an old pasture, where such can be had; 

 and should such not be attainable, and the cultivator, 

 therefore, be obliged to use a heavier soil, I would re- 

 commend that a portion of sand, pounded oyster-shells, 

 charcoal, old plaster, or mortar-rubbish be mixed with 

 it, to prevent its ever becoming compressed or puttied — 

 a condition which is most injurious. 



PEOPAGATION. 



Generally there is little trouble in propagating and 

 keeping up a stock of young plants, as the majority of 

 varieties propagate themselves freely by suckers and 



