6 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



ready for immediate use. They should be laid up 

 one year at least, and turned over two or three times 

 during that time. Of all soils, loam seems to be the 

 most productive, and is in most general use. I shall 

 enumerate two only, yellow and brown : these should 

 be procured from old pastures, if a sheepwalk the 

 better, and the surface or turf part only taken up, 

 not more than two inches in thickness ; and if it 

 will crumble when rubbed in the hand, so much the 

 better, it being of rather an unctuous nature. 



The next kind of soil in request is peat, which is 

 the soil the common heath grow 7 s in, and is found on 

 extensive commons. 



Bog-peat soil is procured in low swampy grounds, 

 and is below the surface ; it is composed of ve- 

 getable fibres, and requires to be much exposed to 

 the sun and air before it is fit for use ; it is chiefly 

 requisite for the growth of orchideous plants. 



Leaf soil is that into which dead leaves are con- 

 verted, that are collected together into heaps or pits 

 and there left to decompose : this will not be proper 

 for use under two years. 



Rotten wood is that which has mouldered from 

 decayed trees. 



Bog soil is that which is found in low springy 

 ground and also in old woods, the latter of which 

 is the best. 



Dung is also used to some extent in cultivating 

 exotics : it ought to be good stable manure, well 



