44 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



It is also argued in favour of unfermented dung, that it goes 

 much farther ; if this really be the case, and that it produces 

 no bad effect on the fruits and vegetables, it will be important 

 to devise other means of producing heat for the production of 

 forced vegetables, and by so doing, reserve for the soil that 

 proper nourishment, which is designed by nature for the food of 

 plants. But this is a matter of much less consequence to the 

 gardener, than it is to the farmer. The former has generally 

 much less space to go over, and his productions are generally 

 of such a description, as to be more sensibly affected by the ap- 

 plication of crude and unprepared manures, which are apt to 

 communicate a rank and disagreeable flavour to vegetables, and 

 are productive of serious injury to the roots of tender fruit-trees, 

 if applied in certain quantities and qualities. In most cases, 

 therefore, we would recommend the application of manure 

 which has undergone a degree of fermentation in the hot-bed j 

 or if it has remained two or three months in that state, it 

 will not be too much, • nless fermentation has been greatly ex- 

 cited. In this state, it will be better for the garden than dung 

 quite fresh, or that which may have lain for a twelvemonth. 



The following table shows the relative constitution of com- 

 mon stable manure, and our usual crops. 



Crops. 



These are chief components of all 

 plants ; 



In some vegetables ; 

 In almost all plants ; 

 In Cucumbers, Garlic, &c. ; 

 Perhaps in all plants ; 

 In Cucumbers, Garlic, &c. ; 

 In all corn, and many other plants ; 

 Potatoes, Onions, &c. &c. ; 

 In most plants ; 



In most plants. 



Next to the dung of horses, that of oxen and other cattle is 

 in general use, and if slightly fermented, is an excellent ma- 



Stable Manure. 

 Carbon, 

 Hydrogen, 

 Oxygen, 

 Nitrogen, 



Carbonate of Lime, 

 Muriate of Potash, 

 Muriate of Soda, 

 Sulphate of Potash, 

 Magnesia, 

 Phosphate of Lime, 

 Oxide of Iron, 

 Alumina, 

 Silica, 



