174 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ August, 
(2.) After this, for a number of years, I used sheep-dung, and found it excellent, 
though not without drawback, as in cold wet seasons I had to deplore the same 
defect, viz., dingy grounds in Carnations, and barred petals in Picotees. At that 
time the pots may have had something to do with it, as we never thought of 
I 
growing a pair of layers in a pot of less size than 10 in. inside diameter, and never 
more than three in a pot of 12 in. or 13 in. In dry seasons this answered well, 
and I well remember how fine I grew those two good old bizarres. Admiral 
Curzon and Lord Eancliffe. The mode adopted was as follows:—I procured a 
bushel of sheep-dung ; this I placed in a tub, adding about double the quantity 
of water; of this I used about one quart to six quarts of water, watering 
alternately with the liquid so prepared, and pure water, if the season was wet and 
cold ; if fine, I used the liquid with every watering during the time of blooming. 
(3.) I used nothing else for a long time, with one exception, till recently, when, 
having a difficulty in procuring sheep-droppings, I turned to nitrate of soda. 
Previously to this I had used the liquid drainings from a cow-house, using not 
more than a pint to a gallon, the drainings before being so mixed being largely 
diluted with water, I found it strong enough when given alternately with pure 
water, but it did not answer, consequently I went back to the sheep-dung. 
(4.) My experience of nitrate of soda is such, that for a dry season I should 
prefer it to all other liquid manures—^provided I could get it pure; but in 
general, it is so very much adulterated, that it can rarely be so obtained. The 
general mode of adulteration appears to be the mixing of a large proportion of 
rough salt with it, the worst thing that could be used, as it causes the soil on 
the top of the pots to cake, besides injuring the plants. As I use nitrate of soda 
largely for agricultural purposes, in order to be certain of its purity I never use 
any but what comes direct from the ship. The proportion used is one ounce to a 
gallon of water, this being applied throughout the time of blooming. It should 
be dissolved, either by mixing in water a few hours before using, or by pouring a 
small quantity of hot water upon it. 
(5.) During the last two years I have used Peruvian guano, in the proportion 
of one ounce to the gallon of water. In damp cold seasons like the last I have 
found it to answer well, and would continue to use it, but that every successive 
year’s lot of guano is inferior in fertilising properties to that of the previous 
year. I assume this to arise from the fact that as the beds are worked down¬ 
wards, they contain less of the manurial matters suitable for these flowers. 
To the beginner I would say be sparing in the application of liquid manures, 
and especially see that the pots are well-drained, and are elevated at least two 
inches from the ground, so that the surplus water may drain away at once. 
To the following varieties, S.B. Sir J. Paxton y C.B. Eccentric Jack, Warrior, 
and Lord Raglan; P.F. Mayor of Nottingham and Lord Derby; S.F. Clipper ; 
R.F. Flora’s Garland and Lovely Ann, if the plants are strong and in good health, 
I would advise that no liquid manure be given, until the leading flower-bud begins 
to show colour. 
