102 ORNAMENTAL WINTER AND SPRING FLOWERING PLANTS. 



consequent usefulness for pot-plants. The best is obtained 

 where the native varieties of the heath flourish in wild lux- 

 uriance. Two qualities are useful ; one from where the Caluna 

 vulgaris grows finest ; such ground is generally damp, and the 

 peat consists of a very flbry mass of decayed sphagnum, heath, 

 and other vegetable matter, containing only a moderate propor- 

 tion of sand. This, after being baked or slightly charred, and 

 mixed with an additional quantity of sand, is applicable for the 

 softer wooded heaths, and for mixing with loam, leaf-mould, or 

 dung for other plants, but not for the hard-wooded varieties of 

 heaths and other fine-rooted plants, for which a much better 

 material is necessary. Those who are acquainted with that ob- 

 tained from Wimbledon Common need no further description of 

 what constitutes good peat ; but, where this is not procurable, 

 that should be selected which contains a large proportion of 

 sand with much vegetable fibre. The best peat I ever met with 

 was obtained from a moss over white freestone. Leaf-mould 

 should be thoroughly decomposed before it is used, and the 

 insect tribe which it contains destroyed by warming the soil 

 thoroughly on a proper iron kiln. Good sand is a desideratum, 

 not only for propagating purposes, but also for mixing with 

 composts. Its qualities are fineness, sharpness, and absence of 

 argillaceous, calcareous, or metallic admixtures : these impurities 

 are removed by washing, and for this reason sea, river, or drift- 

 sand is preferable to pit-sand ; but when only the latter can be 

 procured, it should be cleansed by hand-washing before it is used 

 for delicate plants. 



A few words on manures will close this section. Our motto 

 is, always to make soil as rich as the plants will bear without 

 injury, remembering that as solid manure has a tendency to 

 render the soil cold, close, and heavy, sand or other porous ma- 

 terial must be added in proportion. Many plants are too delicate 

 in their habits to admit of crude manure being mixed with the 

 soil, and to such we prefer giving all that is necessary in a 

 liquid shape, while they are growing most vigorously. Manure 

 for mixing in soils should be thoroughly decomposed by being 

 laid into heaps for several years and cased over with soil r ehar- 

 coal, or some other absorbing substance, to prevent the escape 

 of gases, first mixing with it some soot to destroy insects. 

 During the winter before it is used it should be opened out and 

 turned over several times to equalise the quality, and to expose 

 it to the action of the frost. In mixing composts for pot-plants, 

 the proper proportions of sand and manure should be rubbed 

 together, and thoroughly incorporated, before the rest of the 

 material is added ; the sand aids in finely comminuting the ma- 

 nure, and allows of its being diffused equally through the soil. 



