THE MANUAL OF GARDENING. 
27 
ing that our readers have had some little experience in the cul- 
ture of plants, or at any rate have a taste therefor, which will 
insensibly lead them to reflect on the nature and habits of vege- 
tables, (and knowledge thus gained is the most to be relied on,) 
we proceed to make the following general observations on soils*: 
The Acacia , Melaleuca , Metrosideros, Banksia, and the great 
body of New Holland plants, thrive in a compost formed of almost 
equal portions of light loam and savannah. 
, The Amaryllis , or Lily tribe in general, Agapanthus, Olean- 
der, Pelargonium or Geranium, Gardenia or Cape Jasmine, 
and Citrus or Orange tribe, in 3 parts loam, 1 decomposed leaf, 
1 sand, 1 manure. The Citrus may have rather more manure; 
or, what is perhaps better, the surface of the earth may be co- 
vered with it, or an occasional watering of fluid manure may be 
given. 
Camellia , Thea, Fuchsia , Passijlora, Tecoma, Myrtus , Big- 
nonia — light loam and decayed leaf, in about equal proportions, 
and a small quantity of sand. 
Epacris, Erica , Kennedia, Azalia , Rhododendron — three- 
fourths savannah, one-fourth light loam. 
Loam formed by the decay of soil from an old pasture of natu- 
rally light land, is the best, and, where plants are kept, a supply 
of it should always be in readiness. It will usually require a 
twelvemonth to prepare it by the decay of the roots, and by fre- 
9 quent turning and exposure to the atmosphere, to give the seeds 
which would otherwise lie dormant, an opportunity to sprout. 
Savannah, or peat, as it is indifferently termed by gardeners, 
is in its natural state a dark earth, found in certain localities, 
which may have been at some former day submerged. Its con- 
stituents are loam, sand, and decomposed vegetable matter, prin- 
cipally the latter. It may be artificially compounded by a mix- 
ture of surface woodland-earth and fresh sand ; the white sand, 
such as is used by glass-blowers, is a good kind. It is, however, 
unnecessary to form this compost, as, in all cases where the 
natural savannah is not attainable, a larger proportion of wood- 
land-earth and sand may be used, than is recommended above. 
Woodland-earth, or leaf mould, may be obtained from the 
forest, or its equivalent may be formed by an accumulation of 
leaves, placed where they may decompose ; that from the woods 
) is, however, better, as the fibrous matter, collected with it tends 
to keep the particles distinct, and aids the growth of the roots. 
Many cultivators carefully sieve the earth with which they pot, 
to remove all fibrous matter; but that is an error: only the large 
lumps and coarse extraneous matter should be rejected, as the 
other keeps the whole from cementing, and gives the small fibres 
a chance to search for food, and also acts as a filter for the water. 
