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Mexico (Flowers usually rather large)

Flowers usually rather large, racemose, monoecious, apetalous; racemes terminal, or in the axils of the upper leaves, simple, or slightly branched. Leaves alternate, petiolate, undivided, or often digitately three to sevenlobed or parted; segments petiolate or variously confluent, membranaceous or coriaceous, feather-veined, entire or sinuately lobed. Some of the species of this genus are of great economic value. From M. Aipi and M. utilissima, Cassava, or Mandiocca meal, is obtained. The root of the former plant is sweet and wholesome, and is utilised as a vegetable in its native country; but that of M. utilissima is virulently poisonous and bitter. The poisonous juice is, however, expressed in the process of manufacture, and, when allowed to settle, deposits what is known as Brazilian Arrowroot, or Tapioca. From this the Tapioca of our shops is prepared. The species are of little horticultural value. They thrive best in a compost of peat, loam, and sand, to which may be added a small quantity of charcoal. Propagated by cuttings of young, rather firm shoots, inserted in sandy peat, under a bell glass, in bottom heat. M. Aipi (Aipi). Sweet Cassava. This differs from M. utilissima in having wholesome, sweet, reddish roots.

M. utilissima (most useful). fl. yellowish; calyx five-lobed or parted. July. l. seven to five (or three) parted, glaucous beneath; segments oblong-lanceolate or lanceolate, acuminate, quite entire. Stems rising from long, thick, fleshy, cylindrical roots, erect, knotty, somewhat twisted. h. 3ft. South America, 1739. (B. M. 3071, under name of Janipha Manihot.) MANTISIA (from mantis, an insect, to which the flowers have been compared). ORD. Scitamineae. A small genus (two species) of stove herbaceous perennials, natives of the East Indies. Flowers pale violet, with a yellow lip; thyrse loose; scape leafless. Leaves usually narrow, with a long twisted point. M. saltatoria is the species usually seen in our stoves. It thrives in a compost of sandy peat and fibry loam. thorough drainage is most essential. Propagated by divisions, made just as growth commences.

M. saltatoria (dancing).* Dancing or Opera Girls. fl., petal yellow, large, the rest of the flower purple; laciniae dissimilar, the upper one rounded in a kind of blunt spur, two lower somewhat ear-shaped; bracts large, petal-like. July. l. broad-lanceolate, much elongated at the point, with petioles entirely sheathing the stem. h. 1ft. East Indies, 1808. (B. M. 1320.) MANULEA (from manus, the hand; in allusion to the divisions of the corolla). SYN. Nemia. ORD. Scrophularineae. A genus comprising about twenty-five species of glabrous or pubescent greenhouse herbs, or rarely sub-shrubs, confined to South Africa. Flowers racemose; racemes sometimes simple and naked, or minutely bracteate, sometimes compound, composed of many-flowered peduncles; corolla-tube elongated, somewhat erect at top. Leaves often at the base of the stem, approximate or rosulate; stem ones few, opposite, or upper alternate; floral ones small, often bract-like. For culture, see Celsia. M. rubra (red).* fl. golden-yellow, 1/2in. long; raceme interrupted, a little branched. April to September. l. oblong-lanceolate, dentate, narrowed at the base, downy. Stem erect, decumbent at the base, villous. h. 1ft. to 2ft. 1790. Perennial.

M. tomentosa (tomentose). fl. orange; raceme many-flowered, 2in. to 3in. long. May to November. l. obovate or oblong, toothed, thick, densely tomentose. Stem decumbent, dwarf, branched, villous. h. 1ft. 1744. Perennial. (B. M. 322.) MANURES. The use of Manures is to supply nutritive matter for encouraging and sustaining plant growth; any substance, therefore, added to the soil which has the power, either directly or indirectly, of increasing its fertility, may be considered as a Manure. It may contribute directly, by supplying what is requisite, or indirectly, by its action on other substances that might be already present, but not in a suitable state for being absorbed. Growth in plants cannot take place without the main constituent parts of which they are composed being extracted from the earth; and as the production of crops annually necessitates the withdrawal of an enormous supply of certain elements from the soil, it is evident that, were they not restored by some means, exhaustion would, sooner or later, take place. Manures contain, in a concentrated form, the elements requisite for the sustenance of plants, some being much stronger than others, according to the proportion of powerful constituents, combined either in a natural or an artificial manner, in their preparation. The strength of Manures, and their special adaptability for certain crops, must always be a guide to the gardener in disposing of them to the best advantage. In their application to plants at an improper time, or in an improper way, direct harm, or possibly death, may be caused, while the same application, at a suitable season, might be attended with beneficial results. According to experiments which have been made, "all substances entering into the composition of vegetable Manure, or food, must be in a state of fluidity, or in the form of gas or air. The great object, therefore, in the application of Manure, should be to make it afford as much soluble matter as possible to the roots of the plant, and that in a slow and gradual manner, so that it may be entirely consumed in forming its soft and organised parts." Substances of animal or vegetable origin must, therefore, undergo a process of decomposition before they can become absorbed for the nourishment of plants. This may partly take place before they are applied to the soil, or, in some cases, it may be entirely effected afterwards. It is not intended here to describe the nature of different changes which take place chemically, in consequence of the exposure of various substances to the air, or from their being placed in contact with each other. Changes must and do take place naturally; for practical purposes, it matters not so much how they are caused, as how far they succeed in accomplishing their intended purpose in promoting fertility in the soil to which they are applied. All Manures may be, and usually are, divided into two classes. Those composed of vegetable or animal substances of any description are termed Organic; and others, which are of mineral origin, are termed Inorganic.

A few of the different kinds most in use are briefly enumerated below. An excellent plan of applying strong Manures is to mix a proportion with, in many cases, several times its bulk of soil or garden refuse, and so form a fertilising compost, which may be applied to almost any garden crop with excellent results. Composts thus prepared become useful in two ways: the powerful properties of the Manure, when intermixed with soil, become partially absorbed by the latter, and are rendered less harmful; and the decomposition of all the vegetable matter is also at the same time hastened. I. Organic Manures.

Blood. This is extremely powerful as a Manure. It is rich in nitrogen; but the chemical composition varies somewhat, according to the different animals from which it is obtained. Blood is most safely applied to land after being dried, or when mixed with earthy substances to form a compost. Bones. Both for field and garden crops, as well as for fruit and other trees, grown in pots or in borders, bones are extensively employed as Manure. When used in merely a crushed state, their decomposition is usually slow, consequently, the fertilising properties are lasting. If reduced to a powder, and applied, the results are observable in a much shorter time. Bones may be dissolved by throwing them into a compact heap, moistening, and then covering them with earth. In this condition, they soon ferment and crumble, and when thus reduced they may be applied to the land. Crushed bones may be advantageously used with nearly an equal amount of ashes, or with one-third their weight of gypsum. Bone Manure is specially beneficial to crops of Turnips.

Farmyard Manure. By this term reference is made to Manure collected from various sources on a farm. The excrements of different animals possess special fertilising properties, and may be kept separate for particular purposes. For ordinary uses, Farmyard Manures are best mixed together, as then a larger number of different constituents are included in the whole, and are consequently available as plant food. The liquid, as well as the solid, portions, should be retained for affording moisture, to cause a slight fermentation, and also for its own enriching properties. Violent heating by fermentation should not be allowed, but partial decomposition of such Manure before adding it to the soil will render the parts more soluble, and in a better state for being readily absorbed. The value of good Farmyard Manure to all crops, and the method of applying it to land is so well known, that no further reference is necessary.

Fish. Fish are sometimes used as Manure. Their decomposition is very rapid, and the quantity applied to land must be limited, on account of its strength. Fish are more safely used as Manure if mixed in a compost of soil and refuse, so that the powerful fertilising properties may be evenly distributed throughout.

Garden Refuse. Such refuse as Cabbage leaves, Turnip tops, and green vegetable matter of almost any description, is valuable as Manure, if dug in when green. If left to decompose first on the surface, many important gases will escape into the air.

Guano. This valuable and well-known Manure, obtained principally from islands off the coast of Peru, and various other places on the coast of South America, is the excrement of sea-birds. It has been deposited there during the course of centuries, and, since being discovered, its exportation has been so extensively practised as to cause uneasiness lest the supply should become exhausted. The quality of Guano obtained from different places varies considerably; that which is supposed to be the best comes from the Chincha Islands, where the supply has, in consequence, been greatly diminished. The chief fertilising properties of Guano having been ascertained by analysis, various artificial manures are now prepared as substitutes, which are very similar in many respects. Pure Guano is far too caustic for use by itself. It should be mixed with about six times its bulk of loamy or charred soil. Thus prepared, it may be used at the rate of about 4cwt. per acre, or, in a small way, as a top-dressing, by spreading thinly and evenly over the surface. For the purpose of watering plants, the proportion of Guano that may be mixed with water varies according to the sort of plant for which it is required. About 1oz. to two gallons of water may generally be used with safety; some plants will, however, bear a stronger solution.

Horn Shavings, &c. The refuse obtained from the parings of horses' feet at the shoeing forge, and also all the shavings &c., made in the manufacture of various articles from horns, are most valuable as Manures. Horn Shavings are readily mixed in any compost, and are most beneficially employed in those prepared for fruit trees, or for any plants which have to be grown in pots. If the particles are not very small, they last a long time without becoming wholly decomposed.

Leaves. These are invaluable as Manure when reduced to a state of mould by a process of gradual decay. They are most beneficially applied to heavy soils and to plants whose roots require somewhat more than ordinary encouragement. Mixed with stable litter, they tend to prevent violent fermentation, and retain, instead, a moderate amount of heat for a much longer period. See also Leaf Mould.

Liquid Manure. Manure of almost any description is quicker in its action, and may be employed most effectually, in a liquid state. It has, also, the advantage that it may be applied at any season when nourishment is required, either by growing crops or plants in pots. Urine is generally too powerful for use by itself as a liquid manure; diluted with water, to the extent of two or three parts of the latter to one of the former, it may usually be safely applied. Water collected from a heap of farmyard Manure, exposed to rain, contains in solution many most important fertilising properties, and is, consequently, very valuable. Cow-dung is readily obtained, and forms one of the best and least harmful of substances for preparing Liquid Manure to be applied to crops or plants of any description. It possesses none of the caustic principles so prevalent in chemical preparations, or, at least, not a sufficient quantity to cause injury when properly used with plants requiring a stimulant. It should be thrown in a large tub, and stirred occasionally, to render the water which is added a dark brown colour. The excrement of sheep, deer, fowls, pigeons; &c., are all of a more concentrated and powerful nature than cow-dung; consequently, they must only be used in more limited quantities. Soot is one of the best substances for Liquid Manure, as it always tends to produce a fine dark colour and healthy foliage. It should be placed in a bag, and left soaking in a tub of water, which may be used most effectually in a clear state. Liquid Manure is frequently made by adding a small portion of some highly concentrated preparation to a can of water, and applying it at once to the plants it is intended to stimulate. This is a ready and a clean method of preparing it, but one which requires some caution in guarding against the dose being too strong. Guano, as previously stated, may be used at the rate of 1oz. to two gallons of water; with many plants a stronger solution will do no harm; but this knowledge must be gained by experience. Sulphate of ammonia may be used in a similar proportion. All chemical Manures intended for use when dissolved in water, should be tried first in a weak solution, and the strength increased gradually if results warrant it. Liquid Manures, being ready for immediate absorption by plants, are most effectually employed when the latter are in an active state, and in want of a stimulant for assisting the development of their crops, or for sustaining their growth. A tank for collecting the drainings from dunghills, or for the special preparation of Liquid Manure, is very useful in or near a kitchen garden, as a supply may always be kept in readiness for use, and the possibility of waste can also be prevented. A slate tank being practically indestructible, is much better than a tub, but one is not always procurable. It might be 6ft. deep, partially sunk into the ground, and provided with a wooden covering, to prevent leaves falling in, and also to preclude the contents from being exposed to view. A perforated partition is sometimes provided, the solid portions of the Manure being kept on one side, and any of the liquid dipped from the other as it is required. A water supply, either in connection with, or in close proximity to, Liquid Manure tanks, is very important where a large quantity is used.

Malt Dust. This forms a very good Manure, and those who have used it speak highly of its qualities. It must be kept as dry as possible, and used in a fresh state. Being quick in action, it proves valuable as a top-dressing to fruit and other trees; but its effects are not of a permanent character when otherwise applied.