72 PBAGTIGAL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS 



and destroying all its value, it is so much waste, and at the same time 

 there is little use in applying it to any soil which is not actually well 

 supplied with phosphates and potash — the two other important manures 

 referred to above. 



Sulphate of Ammonia. — This is very similar in appearance to 

 Nitrate of Soda, but is if anything a little dirtier in colour. It is 

 manufactured from the ammonia liquor of gas works, and is somewhat 

 stronger and more durable in its action than Nitrate of Soda ; conse- 

 quently it need not be used in such large quantities. Although it 

 may be mixed with Superphosphate, Sulphate of Ammonia should 

 never be used in conjunction with lime or chalk, ashes, or a manure 

 known as ' Thomas's phosphate ' or ' basic slag,' as these drive off the 

 ammonia from it. 



Gas Liquor. — This contains a good percentage of ammoniacal 

 manures, and is stronger in action than Sulphate of Ammonia. A 

 gallon of it should be diluted with at least four gallons of water, and 

 may be used as a liquid manure. » 



Soot. — This is not only a good nitrogenous manure but also con- 

 tains a certain amount of phosphoric acid and potash, and may there- 

 fore be said to be more or less ideal as it contains the three most 

 important plant foods. It is valuable not only for its manurial 

 properties but also for its great value in keeping away slugs, snails, 

 and other vermin. 



Other Nitrogenous Manures. — Under this heading may be placed 

 almost all refuse which has been in a living state at one time or 

 another. The refuse from slaughterhouses, such as dried blood, and 

 meat, hoof-parings, old rags, hides, leather &c., are all more or less of 

 manmrial value, but they do not yield up their food until in a 

 thoroughly decayed state. They are therefore rather slow-acting in 

 the soil, but are nevertheless valuable for perennial crops. 



Phosphatic Manures. — These are derived from phosphates, and 

 have a marked effect in the production and early ripening of fruit, and all 

 garden crops benefit by their presence, as they are compounds of potash, 

 lime, and ammonia^ — all valuable plant foods. Superphosphate of lime, 

 bones, phosphate of ammonia, and phosphate of potash, are the chief 

 phosphatic plant foods used. 



Superphosphate of Lime. — When in a good condition this is a fine 

 greyish powder, dry and friable to the fingers, and not wet and sticky. 

 It has a peculiar smell and tastes very sour or ' limy.' About 1 cwt. 

 of it contains 12-14 lbs. of phosphoric acid, or more than is yielded by 

 a ton of good farmyard manure. It should be used carefully, about 

 1 lb. to every 4 or 5 square yards being sufficient for vegetable and 



