CULTURAL HINTS. 
135 
j Let us not be misunderstood, however; for when pure turfy loam without dry 
1 mure is used in pot-culture, the slight tinge of colour in the liquid superadded 
(dnot be productive of injury. What we wish to combat, is the false notion, 
\ it the colouring matter is the manure. The truth must prevail, in proportion as 
lienee and faithful analysis extend their influence ; yet, while we assert that the 
liemical salts of steeped manures are the fertilisers, and that if the colouring matter 
' drainage from the mixen were perfectly discharged by lime not used in excess, the 
)ar fluid would retain its efficiency, we still give the preference to these agents, 
8 products of natural fermentation, over any salts prepared by art in the laboratory. 
As an analogy, we would cite the well-authenticated facts of the rapid germi- 
tion of seeds which have passed through the viscera of birds. The Pimento 
3es which furnish the allspice of commerce, are quickly raised by berries, thus 
ipregnated by animal juices. Nature presents numerous similar examples, 
hich art cannot imitate ; and therefore we arrive at the inference, that as the 
iturally prepared liquid manures are the products of a species of slow combustion 
\r which vegetable and animal matters are resolved into their elements, they must 
) most congenial to plants, as in fact they derive their origin from them. 
While thus sanctioning the use of animal liquid manure, we must protest 
jaiust a dirty and injurious method which we have seen freely practised; namely, 
1^ applying fresh cow-dung, stirred up in a tub of water, till it can be poured 
firough the nozzle of a water-pot. The water passes down and conveys to the 
)il the dissolved salts, and liquefied gall of the manure ; but a cake of dry, effete 
Latter is deposited on the surface, which prevents the ingress of air and of water, 
he reason assigned is, that the manure keeps the plant cool ! This is a vulgar 
rror which may lead to much mischief. 
CULTURAL HINTS. 
Things in themselves apparently very insignificant are often found upon 
avestigation to exert a powerful influence on the welfare of plants under artificial 
reatment, even when viewed abstractedly from other conditions, and no more 
scribed to their action than can be legitimately and directly proved to/ spring 
rom them. And though many of the operations of the cultivator may, separately 
j onsidered, seem scarcely to affect his charge, yet it is a number of these working 
ogether, either for an advancing or a detrimental end, that forms the chasm 
oetween the best and the worst of culture. The more, therefore, that we can 
nultiply the former and diminish the latter, the more completely shall we develope 
he capabilities of plants. 
However trivial a thing may appear when viewed singly, or however circum- 
