Manures directly assist vegetable growth by re-charging the soil with those nutritive properties which have been exhausted by the previous crop, and also indirectly by destroying vermin and weeds. The manure from ruminat- ing animals is termed cold, and is suited to a light soil ; that of horses, hogs, and poultry is hot, and suited to a cold heavy soil. All new and fresh manure ferments, and has the effect of lightening the soil, while old rotten manure renders it more compact. The manure of birds (such as guano) is richer than that of any animals. Guano should never, in a fresh state, come in contact with seeds or the roots of plants, as it will destroy them. If animal manures are employed in a fresh state, they should be well mixed with the soil, and given to coarse feeding crops, such as Peas and Beans. Most plants dc better with manure composed and fully fermented before being used. Bone dust is very beneficial for Turnips, GAR 191 GAR Cabbages, &c., and the small quantity required makes it very inexpensive. Common salt is very useful in destroy- ing worms and slugs ; so also is soot, which should be carefully preserved and applied to all Cabbages and Turnips, and also to plants infected with insects. Leaves, straw and general litter thrown together and moistened with lime and salt, and kept damp till decomposed, is the best manure for trees and shrubs ; wood ashes is a good top dressing to most vegetables, especially Onions and Turnips. Hot Bed. — For forwarding seed- lings for early planting. Get a quantity of fresh horse manure and mix thorough- ly with about half of its bulk in straw, rotten leaves, &c., tramping it down in successive layers. In two or three days fermentation will be apparent by the es- cape of steam from the heap. Turn the heap over again and allow it to remain two or three days longer, or until the second fermentation begins. The frame should be eighteen inches high at the back and twelve in front — this gives the proper slope to catch most sunlight. When everything is ready, the manure is placed in and trodden down firmly in layers to the required depth. Then keep the sash closed till the heat rises. It will be too hot to sow the seeds at once, but in two or three days it will subside to about 90°, when soil may be put on to the depth of six or eight inches. The soil should be well-rotten sods mixed with fine old manure in equal parts, and in this the seed may be sown thinly in drills two or three inches apart, and afterwards either thinned out or else transplanted to another part of the frame. Air must be given every mild day by raising the sash at the back. Water with tepid water when necessary, and during cold nights and snow-storms keep the frame covered with straw or mats. If the Hot Bed has been made about the beginning of February, the seedlings will be ready for planting out by the time the weather grows warm. Cold Frame. — Kill the Frame with good rich soil — that taken from old hot beds, mixed with the fine rich manure from them is the best. It should be got ready in Autumn, and young cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce plants

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Manures directly assist vegetable growth by re-charging the soil with those nutritive properties which have been exhausted by the previous crop, and also indirectly by destroying vermin and weeds. The manure from ruminating animals is termed cold, and is suited to a light soil ; that of horses, hogs, and poultry is hot, and suited to a cold heavy soil. All new and fresh manure ferments, and has the effect of lightening the soil, while old rotten manure renders it more compact. The manure of birds (such as guano) is richer than that of any animals. Guano should never, in a fresh state, come in contact with seeds or the roots of plants, as it will destroy them. If animal manures are employed in a fresh state, they should be well mixed with the soil, and given to coarse feeding crops, such as Peas and Beans. Most plants do better with manure composed and fully fermented before being used. Bone dust is very beneficial for Turnips, GAR GAR Cabbages, &c., and the small quantity required makes it very inexpensive. Common salt is very useful in destroying worms and slugs ; so also is soot, which should be carefully preserved and applied to all Cabbages and Turnips, and also to plants infected with insects. Leaves, straw and general litter thrown together and moistened with lime and salt, and kept damp till decomposed, is the best manure for trees and shrubs ; wood ashes is a good top dressing to most vegetables, especially Onions and Turnips. Hot Bed. — For forwarding seedlings for early planting. Get a quantity of fresh horse manure and mix thoroughly with about half of its bulk in straw, rotten leaves, &c., tramping it down in successive layers. In two or three days fermentation will be apparent by the escape of steam from the heap. Turn the heap over again and allow it to remain two or three days longer, or until the second fermentation begins. The frame should be eighteen inches high at the back and twelve in front — this gives the proper slope to catch most sunlight. When everything is ready, the manure is placed in and trodden down firmly in layers to the required depth. Then keep the sash closed till the heat rises. It will be too hot to sow the seeds at once, but in two or three days it will subside to about 90°, when soil may be put on to the depth of six or eight inches. The soil should be well-rotten sods mixed with fine old manure in equal parts, and in this the seed may be sown thinly in drills two or three inches apart, and afterwards either thinned out or else transplanted to another part of the frame. Air must be given every mild day by raising the sash at the back. Water with tepid water when necessary, and during cold nights and snow-storms keep the frame covered with straw or mats. If the Hot Bed has been made about the beginning of February, the seedlings will be ready for planting out by the time the weather grows warm. Cold Frame. — Kill the Frame with good rich soil — that taken from old hot beds, mixed with the fine rich manure from them is the best. It should be got ready in Autumn, and young cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce plants

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