INSECTS FERTILIZING. 2 5 



be driven away by lime-water, which will also in- 

 vigorate the plant. 



FERTILIZING. 



Stimulants such as guano, ammonia, camphor, 

 etc., should be very little used except it is desired 

 to force plants without regard to their subsequent 

 value. Many plants will grow more freely if occa- 

 sionally given a small quantity of liquid fertilizer, 

 made in proportion of half-a-peck of well rotted 

 stable manure to ten gallons of water, well stirred 

 and allowed to settle, using only the clear liquid. 

 Some plants, as Coleus and Camillias, will not en- 

 dure its use. For the Ivy, Violet and some others, 

 water leached from leaf-mould or decayed wood is 

 most suitable as a fertilizer. 



Guano when used should be in proportion of a 

 teaspoonful to a quart of water. Hen manure may 

 take the place of guano, and is a powerful agent to 

 force bloom. A teaspoonful of aqua ammonia 

 added to a gallon of water is a safe and valuable 

 stimulant. All fertilizers should be used with cau- 

 tion and if the soil is rich and the plant growing 

 and blooming well, it will not be necessary to use 

 them at all. When the soil is fresh it will not be 

 safe to use the fertilizer oftener than at intervals of 

 two weeks ; but later after the richness of the soil 

 is exhausted it may be given once a week, always 

 using care to keep the plant well watered for a day 

 or two after the application ; if the plant becomes 



> 3 



