108 
ENGLISH BOTANY. 
selves, lest contagion spread among them. It has been advised, 
and we think it deserving of attention, to dust the sets with quick 
lime or soot, either are gentle stimulants, and possess antiseptic 
properties—are easily applied, and cannot possibly do an injury, 
even if no benefit is derived from their use. With respect to 
manures, we would recommend a very sparing application, if 
any, believing a thorough pulverizing of the soil will be more 
conducive to general health, even without manure. In fact, 
from the present condition of the crop, it would seem advisable 
to abstain from the use of strong stimulants for more than one 
or two years, making up the difference by what we have before 
urged, draining, deep trenching, and planting wide. 
Editor. 
ENGLISH BOTANY. 
Iris. 
To attain a knowledge of the indigenous plants of our country 
is a study which, once mastered, is so full of pleasurable interest, 
so easily accessible, and withal so purely intellectual, to say no¬ 
thing of its usefulness, that we have determined on devoting a 
portion of our space to the subject as often as circumstances will 
permit, with the view to render familiar and plain that which 
at first sight appears abstruse, or at best but a barren and difficult 
