269 
the minds of those who have indulged too freely in the use of 
other newly-introduced manures. We have, ourselves, had a 
small proportion of rather finely powdered Charcoal mixed with 
sand, for propagating plants in, and never have we previously 
seen cuttings make such rapid growth in the stems, even before 
roots had been emitted, indicating an atmospheric influence 
beneath the bell-glasses. Mr. Rivers, in his cultivation of 
Roses in pots, has successfully used turf, roasted an hour on an 
iron plate. This, he says, chars the underside, and acts most 
beneficially. It is well known that clay, by being burnt, loses 
its tenacity ; and, as Dr. Lindley has suggested, the roots of 
grasses, &c., being charred within the turf may contribute much 
to the benefits that usually arise from its use. 
In America experiments have been tried with Charcoal, in the 
culture of plants, and it has been there considered a valuable 
manure. In Italy also, it has been used in the vineyards with 
success, and apparently, from the statement in the Biblioteca 
Agraria, for agricultural purposes, for some years past, where 
the same quantity to the acre is considered to be sufficient as is 
employed of rags or bones. In Germany, at Munich, where 
horticulturists are fully aware of the advantages promised by 
the use of Charcoal, a regular course of experiments has been 
instituted, the results of which, we hope, ere long, to present to 
our readers. The leaves of Gesnera, Gloxinia, Crassula, and 
others, of similar character, have struck root in Charcoal, and 
made plants. The seeds of some species of Ferns, which have 
been found to be of difficult growth, have germinated quickly in 
powdered Charcoal. 
In addition to the advantages that have been derived from 
the growth of plants in a mixture of Charcoal and earth, and 
also in striking cuttings, and raising seedlings, in pure Charcoal, 
this substance has been tried at Munich, with considerable suc- 
cess, as a preservative of plants. Thus, plants of various sorts, 
as Ferns, Calceolarias, Salvias, &c., were packed in a box in 
dry or very slightly moistened Charcoal, the box was then 
closed down, and laid by for a month. On being opened most 
of the plants were in a tolerably good state of preservation, and 
only some very succulent ones had decayed. Cut flowers also, 
similarly treated, were pretty well preserved for spaces of time 
varying from a week to a fortnight. 
235 . AUCTIEICM. 
