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Dunstan Times, Issue 790, 8 June 1877, Page 4

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Plungo all potted plants during the ■winter that are exposed to Dost, whether hardy or tender. A frost which could never reach the roots below the surface may destroy all the fibres if the pot bo exposed. Tanners’ spent bark, decayed hardwood, sawdust, charcoal, coal cinders, gravel, and sharp sand are suitable materials for the purpose. Never allow the surface of the soil, in a pot or in the ground, to be long without stirring, unless it be naturally very open, as is the case with peat earth. When you pot a plant remember to give one-fourth in height of crocks (broken pots) or other drainage to the other three of compost or soil; and cover the drainage with a little gravel ■or coarse soil the size of shot, to keep the compost from getting down into and choking it. Train or support all your plants in a natural manner. Climbers do not look well hanging about, and trailing plants should not be made to climb. Grow each as it would grow naturally, and supply only what in such cases Nature does not. Eapid growth makes a mild flavour-, slow gi owth a strong one; therefore grow vegetables quickly and fruits moderately. The exceptions are only where size is valued higher than flavour. AYben stable dung intended to be used for manure cannot be turned into the soil at once, but has to be left in heaps, it should be mixed with an equal quantity of soil, and each heap to be covered with about three inches more to absorb any ammonia that may be thrown off. Never leave stable clung about in heaps if it is intended for manure. The pungent smell observed near one arises from the ammonia (its most powerful fertilising property) passing away into the atmosphere. The heap will gradually sink as the gases formed by decomposition escape into the air, and the residue will be comparatively worthless, as the excessive heat engendered by want of proper care will have caused the heap to “ burn.” To prevent this, and to secure a gentle, steady heat, for forming a hotbed and similar purposes, the heap should be frequently turned, shook out, watered if too dry, and each time the outside should be turned in. The best “ stock” a man can invest in is the stock of a farm ; the best “ shares” are the ploughshares; and the best “ banks” are the fertile banks of the rural stream ; the more these are broken the better dividends thev pay. To restore exhausted land sow it down with grass, and feed off with sheep. When plants are to be taken up from the open border for the purpose of potting they should be prepared for the change by thrusting down a sharp spade or gravel trowel all around a circle of each plant the size of the pot intended to be used. The plants should be watered well and sheltered if necessary, and in the course of a week or two new roots will have formed within the ball of earth left undisturbed, and the potting may be done with safety.—The Queenslander.