593 



he took over it, but with the tapping implement he used, which is 

 one Mr. MlEKLE obtained from Ceylon, the work can be very 

 expeditiously done, 



C. CURTIS. 



SOIL FOR POT PLANTS. 



The results of a recent experiment with different mixtures of 

 soils on Balsams grown in pots, and the effect of manuring, al- 

 though not having any pretence to scientific value, may neverthe- 

 less be of some interest, especially as in the absence of an ample 

 supply of leaf-mould the difficulty of obtaining a suitable mixture 

 is one that troubles the local amateur gardeners considerably. Red 

 soil, that is, the ordinary granitic soil of the Island of Pinang, is the 

 most easily obtainable and therefore the kind that is mo.t generally 

 used, but without liberal manuring it is of very little use. Coco- 

 nut fibre refuse is also deficient in the constituents of plant food but 

 it may be advantageously used in small quantities to lighten the 

 soil. In the^xperiments above referred to and detailed below, one 

 hundred and eight plants of Balsams, of exactly the same age and 

 size, were divided into six lots and planted in thirty-six pots, three 

 in each pot, and placed side by side under exactly similar con- 

 ditions. Three of each lot were watered occasionally with liquid 

 Poudrette manure, and the others received no manure of any kind. 

 The measurements were made when the plants had arrived at 

 maturity. 



Soil Mixture. 



1. — Soil from Municipal dum- 

 ping ground consisting of sweep- 

 ings of country roads containing 

 a large proportion of decayed 

 leaves. 



2. — Half red granitic soil and 

 half soil from Municipal dumping 



same kind as No. i . 

 —Half Coco-nut-fibre refuse 

 half road sweepings as in 

 I & 2. 



—All Coco- nut fibre refuse. 



Result. 

 Unmanured plants 



in 



high. 



Manured plants 



15-17 

 18-20 in. high, 



ground 



and 

 No. 



■All red 



;oi 



6. — Half red soil and half Coco- 

 nut fibre refuse. 



Un manured plants 12-14 in - 

 high. 



Manured plants 1 8-20 in. good. 

 Unmanured plants 14 in. high, 

 poor. 



Manured plants 1 8- 1 9 in. high. 

 Unmanured plan Is 6-IO in. 

 high, thin as needles. 



Manured plants 12-15 inches. 

 Unmanured plants 6-10 inches 

 high, thin and wiry. 



Manured plants 12-15 inches 

 middling. 



Unmanured plants 9- 10 inches 

 high, weak and useless. 



Manured plants 12-15 inches 

 but not good plants. 



