370 
EXTRACTS— H O R TIC U LT U R E. 
of the under leaves also be taken off, and then lay the plants carefully in the 
new trench. Dig in the earth, and close it well, treading it firmly round the 
roots. Let the same operation be performed with respect to as many rows as 
you wish to transplant into the trenches to be vacated, placing them in a sloping 
direction. If possible, let the plot originally be laid out to face the south. The 
plants by receiving this check, will stand the frost better, and have larger flowers 
in the spring. 
To Prepare Vegetable Mould quickly. —As early in November as the 
leaves of trees can be collected, let them be brought in a considerable quantity, 
into a close place, and dressed up there in the form of a hot bed. Let this be 
well saturated with the drainings from the dung-heap, with suds from the wash¬ 
house, and with urine from the stable and cow-house, where this latter article can 
be procured. Let this bed or heap be covered and lined with fresh stable dung, 
to make it heat. When the heat is sufficiently subsided, let the leaves be un¬ 
covered and turned over, to mix the dry and the wet well together, and if mois¬ 
ture be required, let them have it of the same description, repeating the process 
till all be reduced to fine mould. This will be ready for use in two months from 
the time of collecting the leaves, and to prevent any waste of the liquid recom¬ 
mended, a layer of maiden earth, of two feet thick, should be made the substra¬ 
tum, which would receive any of the valuable liquid that would otherwise run to 
waste. Leaves of slow decomposition should be avoided, as those of the oak &c. 
which, however, are the best for retaining heat in hotbeds and pits. The leaves 
of Fir should also be avoided, but those of the Sycamore, Elm, Alder, Maple, 
and all the soft kinds are best suited for the purpose. This compost should be 
kept dry, in an airy place, and ridged up, so that the rain cannot wash out the 
salts with which it abounds.— Doyle’s Practical Gardeniny. 
On Salt petre as a Manure. —It should be sown on the land in March 
and April, in the proportions of one and a half cwt. per acre. It may be ad¬ 
vantageously used upon all soils, but particularly on gravelly or burning soils. 
Used as a top-dressing, it is peculiarly applicable to present crops, and it is 
most profitably applied to lint, corn, and grasses permanent and artificial. Its 
effect upon clover is extraordinary, upon meadow-land it is great; but as it 
presses on the stronger grasses, it may, and I believe does sYnother the dwarf 
herbage. I doubt its having strength to bring wheat to full maturity, though 
its effect upon the straw is immediate and very great. It is easily spread in an 
unmixed state. It does not seem to produce any effect upon the succeeding 
crops. The cost of one and a half cwt. last year, was 33s. The bent corn ma¬ 
nured with it yields well; but there are doubts whether it will produce a corres¬ 
ponding yield of wheat. No mildew appears to attend it; but it produces a rank 
and dark appearance in the straw of wheat .—Journal of Agriculture. 
Cardoons. —The soil chosen for the growth of Cardoons should be deep and 
light, but not over rich. The seeds are to be sown about the middle of April, in 
trenches about six inches deep, by twelve inches wide, into which a small quan¬ 
tity of rotten dung, must previously be dug. The rows should be set four feet 
asunder, and the seeds sown three or four together, about eighteen inches apart. 
When the young plants have acquired a few leaves, they should be thinned out 
to single plants. They require much moisture. Choose a dry day, at the end 
of October, to commence the operation of blanching. Tie up carefully the 
leaves and branches with strong matting, and then bind the plant closely round 
