niot r.KOiNcs or tiif. 



solutiDU of Muriate of l.iint in tlic proportions of ^ oz, and 1 oz. 

 to '2 pillons of water. This produced no perceptible diirercnce 

 between the i^rowtli of the phmts so treated and others of the 

 same kinds, standing:: in the same pit to wliich had been aj)plied 

 Muriate of Lime. Some plants of Spira'a lissa, Armeria, IVtu- 

 nias, and N'erbenas had the same solution given them freely, but 

 without the sliijhtest cliani;c in their growth beinii; produced. 



Silratc (.f Soda, in the |)roporti(ms of A oz. and 1 oz. to eight 

 galloris of wafer, lmpro\ ed the growth of Armerias and broad 

 leaved and shrubby Statices. but it ratlier injurc^d tlie small leaved 

 species. The strongest solution a|)peared best for the Armerias, 

 and most injurious to the Staticcs. A solution of Nitrate of 

 Soda of the same strength, proved very beneficial to fresh sown 

 seeds just as germination commenced, and caused many kinds to 

 vegetate nuich (piicker than they otherwise would have done. 

 The seedlings also grew much more raj)i(lly afterwards. This 

 salt has no elTect after the first a])plicati()n, except when it is 

 used too strong the second time ; in that case it much injures 

 l)lants, especially if they are in pots. A strong dose does more 

 injury upon the secon(l apj)licati<)n than the first, although a 

 month or two should have elapsed. If Nitrate of Soda is ap- 

 plied to sickly j)lants it invariably proves fatal, whether the 

 solutions are weak or strong ; but plants in the open border will 

 bear it if twice as strong as those in pots. M'hcn applied to 

 plants in rapid vegetation, it stops their growth immediately, 

 and if too strong, causes the leaves to curl and die at the edge. 

 But after these first effects are overcome flowers appear in more 

 profusion. On the contrary, if applied just before the com- 

 mencement of growth it produces rapid growth and less bloom. 

 Nitrate of Soda should never be used to plants which are liable 

 to damp off in winter, for it absorbs moisture in damp weather j 

 it is however a mistake to suppose that when applied in summer 

 to plants in pots it keeps the soil moist ; this happens only when 

 the air is saturated with moisture ; at other times the nitrated 

 soil is as dry as any other. 



M^oolwich Humus. — A substance dug up in large quantities when 

 excavating the docks, and apparently composed of ancient leaves 

 and branches, proves to be excellent material for mixing with 

 the ordinary soil, and for growing nearly all kinds of plants in 

 pots. Coniferous plants, V^erbenas, and several kinds of hardy 

 and half hardy shrubs, annuals and bulbs were made the subject 

 of experiment, and in all cases grew vigorously. When turned 

 out of their pots their roots were found clinging to any lumps of 

 the Humus which were left unbroken ; after being exposed for 

 some time this humus makes an excellent substitute for leaf 

 mould. 



