356 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
organic manures are beneficial in that they add the important in- 
gredient of humus to the soil. 
The above, then, are the points that the grower must consider 
if he is to arrive at a correct conclusion as to how he should manure 
any given crop. There are of course numerous minor points which 
it is impossible to deal with in this lecture, but the main considerations 
have been set out as briefly and simply as possible, having in view 
the magnitude and complexity of the subject. 
The point which it is particularly desired to impress is that some 
such system as is herein set out is essential, and that it is futile to 
circulate a list of manures or mixture of manures for various diffe- 
rent crops without giving the grower any reason for their adoption. 
Undoubtedly the correct and only way, if the ordinary grower, both 
professional and amateur, is to take an intelligent interest in the 
subject, which all the evidence shows he is willing and anxious to 
do, is to explain the action of the various ingredients of manures and 
to draw up some system on which the ordinary practical man may 
work. 
This is the object of this lecture, which it is hoped to some extent, 
at all events, may be attained. 
Illustrations. 
For purposes of illustration let us now apply this system to a few 
of the crops most commonly grown. 
As in these instances the soil is of necessity an unknown quantity, 
it must be assumed that it is in good balance and therefore in itself 
calls for no special treatment, though, as previously stated, this is a 
matter which the grower must first ascertain, and any deficiency 
discovered must be made good. 
Cabbage. — This crop has already been frequently mentioned. 
It is grown essentially for its leaf, therefore nitrogen must be given. 
For the autumn-planted crop a lasting form must be given to carry 
it through the winter, therefore dung, crushed hoof, coarse meat 
meal or some other high-grade lasting nitrogenous manure must be 
used. The plant has a shallow-rooting habit, therefore the manure 
must not be buried too deep. For the quick growth necessary in 
the spring, available nitrogen must be given, such as nitrate of soda 
or sulphate of ammonia ; some quick-acting manure containing 
phosphates, such as guano or a soluble organic phosphatic manure, 
may also be necessary in the spring to make them heart, but available 
nitrogen is the chief consideration. 
Sprouts and Savoys. — For the same reasons available ammonia 
is essential for these, but owing to their growing season being in the 
summer they will not require such heavy dressings or such lasting 
manure as spring cabbage. More phosphates are necessary than in 
the case of cabbage to induce them to button and heart. They do 
well on meat meal, fish or meat and bone meal, and may be top-dressed 
