THE planter's GUIDE. 



241 



the surface. But I am satisfied, were the fruit borders 

 in gardens, and especially in orchards, to be left undis- 

 turbed, unless by the hoe, and were the extension or 

 improYement of pabulum for the roots to be made upon 

 the surface, as just now directed, that the effects would 

 be not less surprising than those which I myself have 

 experienced.''^' 



There is another remedy, which I have sometimes 

 tried, for backwardness in the growth of trees, and which, 

 although I cannot recommend it with the same confidence 

 as the above panacean compound, (if I may so call it,) is 

 yet deserving of the reader's notice. It consists of the 

 juice or moisture proceeding from the dunghill, which, 

 being collected in a well or pit, is pumped up into the 

 water-cart ; and it is frequently used for decomposing 

 peat, or manuring grass-grounds in the spring. When 

 intended for trees, damp weather, or immediately after 

 rain, is the time for applying it, on account of the 

 quantity of ammonia in different forms, and the various 

 salts which it contains. It is poured on in the same 

 slow and gradual way as directed for the water, but in 

 not more than half the quantity at a time. 



As this liquid may be considered as the extract of the 

 most useful vegetable and animal manures, with a strong 

 infusion of urine in a putrid state, so it has probably in 

 its composition too much animal matter to form a proper 

 nourishment, by absorption, for the roots of woody plants. 

 All urine contains the essential elements of vegetables in 

 a state of solution. L uring putrefaction, a great part of 

 the soluble animal matter is destroyed ; therefore, it is 

 proper always to use it in as fresh a state as possible ; 

 or otherwise, to dilute it copiously with water, to which a 



* Note IL 



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