6 
BEAUTIFUL GARDEN BLOWERS. 
or hotbed, should be spread over the ground. When 
the time for digging arrives, the manure will be in a 
still more mellow condition, and may be forked into 
the soil about two or three inches. Deep digging 
between hardy plants is entirely out of the question. 
If such were practised the tender roots would be 
destroyed, and the older ones dragged to the sur- 
face, and the result in many cases would undoubtedly 
be death to the plant. 
MANURES FOR THE HARDY FLOWER GARDEN. 
— Speaking generally, the safest manure to use is well 
decayed stable or cow manure, or better still the refuse 
from old mushroom beds and hot-beds. The refuse 
from such animals as the pig, sheep, rabbit, fowls, 
&c., is also of great value, and to secure it in the best 
form it should be well mixed with dry soil, and allowed 
to “ mature ” rather than apply it in a fresh state to 
the soil. In addition to these, leaf-soil is always a 
welcome addition to ordinary garden soil. The best 
way to apply those mentioned is in the form of top- 
dressings or “ mulches ” during the winter months. 
Artificial or chemical manures, if used at all, should 
be given in small doses. About Jauuary or February 
a. little basic slag and kainit may be sprinkled over 
the soil, afterwards pricking it lightly in with a fork. 
In March or April a little super-phosphate of lime 
may be sprinkled over in the same way, very lightly, 
like strewing pepper, and then no harm will be done. 
Good guano is, perhaps, too expensive to be scattered 
freely in this wmy. It may, however, be used in a 
liquid form (an ounce to two gallons of water) for the 
benefit of any choice or rare plant. Kiln Dust also 
