The Osceola times., 1876-02-19
GARDEN MtNCRES,
scmr or the uest Approved. a,i How Co
Apply Them.

Some kinds of manurcs are more ieItil-
izing than others most of them are ca
pablo of increasing the productive powers
of the various substances with which
they are suitably mixed. The virtues of
some are slowly extracted and assimi-
lated by the soil preparatory to becoming
plant food; Others form temporary slim
ulants, and are utilized at once. The
| judicious application Of artificial ma
| nures to benefit all kinds of vegetation
requires great care and much considera-
tion. With many it is quite as easy 10
do harm as good. have not much faith
in many of the mixed and prepa ed ma
nures which aie frequently recommended
for horticultural purposes. The following
few are most favorable to the production
of hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and other
elements highly Dropitious to the devel-
opment OF vegetation.
G.ano is one of the very fine stimu-
lants which can be used for soft-wooded
free. growing plants of all sorts. For
plants in pots it should be reduced TO
and given in liquid state. The pro-
portion IN which IT is applied should be
regulated by the strength of the plant,
and more especially by the quantity and
age Of the roots; it has tendency to
burn the points of young and tender
roots. From half TO one ounce to every
gallon OF water is safe solution in most
cases; it is better to give il weak and
often than strong and seldom In apply
ing it here II should be sprinkled over
the surface Of the ground above the roots
when it is raining. when il gets washed
down without burning the leaves; wa
tering to wash ii down is not so effectual
Before the vegetables are half grown is
the best time to use IT, The influences
of guano are not lasting; what is of great
advantage this season is Of very little
next. Some kinds of guano are very
inferior To Others; the true article is of
a light-brown color and. when unadul-
teratcd, the whole melts away like soap
when put into water.
Bones are of great value for mixing
into any substantial compost. They last
longer when mixed with the soil than
any other kind OF manure. They do not
lose much of their power the rst wear
| they are in the soil. Decomposition
takes place to a considerable extent the
second season; but this depends good
deal ON their surroundings. In poor
| sandy soil they are eaten up much
quicker than in heavy loan. Peaches,
apples, pears, plums, and all such fruits
may all be improved bv bone manure.
When quantity is placed well down
among the roots, the annual forking in
of dung which disturbs the roots, is not
necessary. Halfinch bones are the best
and most suitable size for using where
they are put into large body of soil.
Some bones are boiled to extract their
organic matter before being broken; but
those crushed without being boiled are
decidedly the best and most powerful.
! have great aversion TO bones which
have been dissolved with acids, more es.
pecially vitriol, the effects of which in
many instances have been very injurious.
SCOT contains a great deal of ammonia.
and Is. q very wholesome manure, and is
not s9much used as it should be. Five
or six'bushels of it is as powerful rs two
tons of ordinary dung. 1t may he spread
on the surface of the ground and dug
down, or it may he sown over and among
the vegetables when they are growing.
Like guano, it has a tendency to burn
the leaves; therefore, it should be put ON
while it rains. Onions, turnips, and car
rots are particularly benefited by IL in
more ways than one. The grubs and
flies, which do such havoc among these
vegetables in many places, do not ap-
proach where the SCOT is. Where these
crops are grown, it should not only be
dug in, but also scattered over them, i'm
mediatcly they are above ground. 1t
may be mixed with the soil for potting
all kinds of plants, as few worms will
enter or work where it is. When dis
solved in water, and given in liquid
form, it has a very excellent effect.
Cow dung is 50 much used that little
need he said about it, 1t is the principal
manure in most kitchen gardens. I'm
stiff damp soil il is somewhat cold, un-
less mixed up with lighter material, such
as short straw or horse droppings. For
light sandy soil, the heavier it can lie
used the better. This is the kind of ma
nure generally used for top or surface
dressing, fruit trees, etc. 1t may also he
used in mixing with the soil in which
these and similar subjects are planted.
Wherever there is poor soil requiring 10
be fattened, or starving plants to be led,
it cannot be wrongly used. When dis
solved in water, it forms very excellent
stimulant.
Horse dung is rs good q manure as the
former for many things and in certain
soils. In low living cold soils or retentive
clays it may be used extensively. 1t
should not be quite fresh, at the same
time il must not be too much decayed.
While rotting it in heaps it heats, and is
very liable to become burned unless fire.
quently turned and exposed To the action
Of the air. It is gercrally plentiful among
litter for mulching, and its value for
forming mushroom beds is well known.
Amongst various other manures not
80 much used us the preceding. night soil
is more powerful than either COW or horse
dung. 1t is seldom or never used else
where than in the kitchen garden. 1t is
quite amazing how celery, kale, and
plants of the brassca tribe thrive on il.
The smell is offensive. but when mixed
with dry soil and dug into the ground
Immediately it is placed on il, there is
very little disagreeableness about it,.
Autumn is the best time TO dig it in,
when the ground in which it is mixed is
in capital order in spring. Leaf soil is u
light manure, but very favorable to the
production of roots. 1t does not last
long under heavy crops; but taking all
its qualities into consideration, it is one
of the most useful materials that can be