ON LIQUID MANURE. 



57 



For the purpose of obtaining new hybrid varieties between any two species 

 of the same genus, the process is more tedious, and requires, in order to obtain 

 a good variety, a judicious selection of two species, which, if blended together, 

 are likely to produce one superior to either. The first part of the process is, 

 to cut out the anthers before bursting from that flower which is intended for 

 the female parent ; and when the stigma is ripe, to impregnate with pollen taken 

 from the species which has been selected as the male parent. It is sometimes 

 necessary to cover the impregnated capsules with fine gauze, to prevent any 

 injury to the capsules from the depredation of insects, rather than to prevent 

 the pollen from being carried to the stigma from other plants, which is not likely 

 to do any injury after impregnation has taken effect. Where many hybrids 

 have already been obtained of any genera, new hybrids are still more readily 

 obtained by crossing these amongst themselves, as has been done successfully in 

 fruits and vegetables, with progressive improvements, by T. A. Knight, Esq. 

 and others. Great and rapid improvements are also making every year in 

 obtaining new varieties of Pelargonium, Camellia, Cactus, Dahlia, Calceolaria, 

 Dianthus, Primula, Viola, &c. Many are now obtained by chance, where the 

 varieties are numerous, by sowing their seeds without having been at any trouble 

 in using cross impregnation ; while, during the time the varieties of the same 

 genera were more limited, it required great care to obtain a few, and these only 

 indifferent varieties, compared with what may now be obtained without any 

 trouble whatever. While artificial impregnation is resorted to for the improve- 

 ment of varieties, that of improving them by superior cultivation ought by no 

 means to be neglected. 



ON LIQUID MANURE. 



Manure is an article of great importance to the agriculturist, the horticul- 

 turist, and the florist ; yet, notwithstanding its importance, the subject seems 

 not to have received that attention of which it is deserving. Until the year 

 1802, when Sir H. Davy was requested to deliver before the Board of Agricul- 

 ture a series of lectures on agricultural chemistry, and of which manure formed 

 a very important part, little could be said philosophically to be known on the 

 subject ; and although much has been written, and many new discoveries made 

 since that period, the work of Sir H. Davy will always remain a standard work 

 of philosophical investigation. 



It is not our intention at present to go extensively into the subject of manure, 

 but merely to confine ourselves to practical remarks on liquid manure ; and shall 

 be obliged to some of our readers if they will favour us with additional observa- 

 tions from practical experience. Liquid manure is of essential service as a top- 

 dressing in agriculture at all seasons of the year, and at any period of the growth 



VOL. II. NO. XVI. JUNE. I 



