160 



ating nature, and highly recommendable for 

 such plants as delight in a moderate and well 

 digested manure. 



In its simple state it is hardly fit for any thing 

 except annuals, as its extreme lightness, like 

 the peat, renders it unable to support arbores- 

 cent plants with any degree of credit : however, 

 when mixed with loam, or any other soil of a 

 more firm texture than itself, it is particularly 

 useful for West India plants, geraniums, and 

 annuals in general. 



The best manner of procuring it is to have 

 several large pits dug in the most convenient 

 part of the woods, into which may be annually 

 raked all the leaves in the vicinity, together 

 with the general surface of the ground pro- 

 duced by them in preceding years, which will 

 materially accelerate their decomposition ; so 

 that in a few months, they become a perfect 

 mould, and fit for use. 



Of animal manure, that procured from old 

 hot-beds is, I think, most suitable for composts 

 in this department. It likewise should not be 

 used for plants until rotted to a perfect mould ; 

 to promote which, it should be well mixed with 

 a small portion of loam in the compost yard, 

 whereby they will become better incorporated, 

 and more fit for use ; it is necessary however, 

 not to add too much loam to it in this process, 

 as it is so much easier to add afterwards than 



