57* HOW TO APPLY LIQUID MANUEB. 



who sees them ; they are so dark a green that they are almost black, 

 whilst the texture of the leaves is like that of the Hoya carnosa, and 

 the buds, with which they are covered thoroughly, are of immense size. 

 Fibrous masses of soil, in conjunction with thorough drainage, coupled 

 with the constant use of weak and highly clarified liquid manure, 

 constitutes, in my opinion, the ne plus ultra of plant cultivation, as far 

 as the root management is concerned." 



/ In order that the full effects of liquid manure should be felt, 



/without injurjj.it is indispensable, — 1, that it should be weak, 



/ and frequently applied ; 3, that it should be perfectly clear ; 



( 3, that it should be administered when plants are in full 



Vgrowth. If strong it is apt to produce great injury, because of 



the facility with which it is absorbed, beyond the decomposiug 



and assimilating power of plants. If turbid it carries with it, 



in suspension, a large quantity of very fine sedimentary matter, 



which fills up the iuterstices of the soil, or, deposited upon the 



roots themselves, greatly impedes their power of absorption. 



If applied when plants are torpid it either acts as in the case 



of being over strong, or it actually corrodes the tissues. 



" Sir Joseph Paxton collects at Chatsworth the manure water from 

 water-closets, horse-dung linings, and various other sources, into large 

 covered tanks ; the waste, also, from a small bath is emptied into one 

 of these, by which means the solution becomes very thin. The liquid 

 so coUeoted passes almost immediately into a state of incipient or partial 

 decomposition, and thus becomes fit for the food of vegetation ; when 

 drawn off for use, it is always greatly diluted with water, and never sup- 

 plied except when the plants are in a state of aetivity and growth; other- 

 wise he considers the effects would in many cases be prejudicial, rather 

 than otherwise. It is used by him liberally to Vine-borders, Peach- 

 trees, Melons, Cucumbers, Pines, and other fruits, with the most power- 

 ful and satisfactory results ; in fact, the use of plant food in a liquid 

 state, if properly prepared and administered, supersedes in a great 

 degree the necessity for manure in a solid form ; and the produce in 

 favour of the liquid greatly preponderates, being both larger in quantity 

 and weight, richer in colour, and superior in flavour. These advan- 

 tages, however, could not be secured with certainty, unless the solution 

 were so prepared as to suit the habits and requirements of the various 

 plants to which it is supplied. This preparation is of two kinds : — 

 First, by diluting the liquid sufficiently with water to prevent the 

 spongioles of roots becoming glutted with too great a supply of food ; 

 and, secondly, rendering it of a proper temperature by the addition of 

 hot water. Pines reqxdre the liquid at about a heat of 80° Fahr,, and 



