62 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



It may occur to the reader that it would be as well to 

 jump at once from the three to the seven inch pot, or even 

 transfer the joung seedlings directly from the seed boxes 

 to the large pot. It would not, most certainly. Why not, 

 cannot be here explained in detail. The principal, and 

 quite a sufficient, reason is, that long before the plant be- 

 came pot-bound, or reached maturity, the soil would under- 

 go chemical changes which would render it unfit for plant- 

 food. This naturally leads to the subject of 



LIQUID MANURE, 



All plants growing in pots lead an artificial life. 

 They must be assisted in every way, if success is de- 

 sired. The roots, being confined to a limited space, cannot 

 roam abroad, as in the garden, for new fields and fresh food. 

 To enable them to bear heavy crops, and produce more than 

 they naturally would, resort must be had to liquid manure. 

 Solid manure might be given them ; but, as it must be first 

 reduced to a liquid to be used by the plant, and is unsightly 

 and disagreeable, liquid manure is to be preferred. 



GUANO ^ 



dissolved in water, makes the most convenient liquid fer- 

 tilizer. Great care must be used in applying it, as it is 

 very dangerous. An over-dose will either kill a plant, or 

 cause it to drop its leaves. To mix it properly, stir into the 

 water used a spoonful of guano. If this gives the water the 



