STRAWCERRIES AND THEIR NUTRITION. 



As I understand the above, it implies that certain plants flourish best when supplied 

 with one or more ingredients in quantity greater than indicated by their composition. 

 This is undoubtedly true in some instances. From the experiments of Prof. Way, it 

 appears probable that ammonia is a means of supplying silica to plants, and therefore may 

 be required in much larger quantity for the growth of highly silicious plants than would 

 be indicated by the nitrogen found in the mature plant. But our present object is to ex- 

 amine Dr. Hull's proofs for his presumed rule. His first statements refer to the inor- 

 ganic ingredients of the strawberry. Three analyses are quoted, one of the fruit, and 

 two of the plant. 



His brief observation, on these analyses, which I need not quote, is sufficiently true — 

 that in " the two analyses of the plant, the analysts coincide in the proportion of thepota.sh; 

 the discrepancy as to the other constituents is striking. In the analysis of the fruit by 

 Jiichardson, the predominance of sot/a will excite some surprise, although the pofos/t holds 

 a second and ver}'^ important position. At the same time the united analyses of plant and 

 fruit exhibit as the proportion of potash, 59.72, and that of soda only 3G.28." I may 

 add that the analyses show in round numbers from 9 to 20 per cent, of phosphoric acid, 

 and 12.26 per cent, of lime. 



" j/ffirtnativc of the general rule," an experiment is adduced as follows: Last year, 

 "a large bed was prepared and divided into three equal portions; one containing po/asA 

 neutralized by muck; another ashes, treated in the same manner; and last phosphate of 

 lime, (bone dust.) Lines of the same plants, extended across the three soils. Boston 

 Pine," and 14 other varieties, " displayed a sturdy growth throughout this entire triple 

 tract; at the same time they exhibited a positive preference for the potash over the ashes; 

 for the ashes over the bone-dust. The section of the triple tract, charged with potash, 

 manifests an advantage this season much more conspicuous, the plants and fruit having 

 gained at least one-fourth over their associates." 



In the preceding experiment, certain varieties furnish different results, which Dr. Hull 

 considers " exceptions to the general rule." " Black Prince and Buir's New Pinebe(;ame 

 almost worthless in the same potash tract; while runners of 1850, transferred from these 

 same plants to the natural soil of my ground, well enriched with ordinar}'- stable manure 

 and street sweepings, have this year produced specimens of fruit nearly, if not quite equal 

 to their best reputation. Buist's Prize also failed under potash nutrition, and devloped 

 tlie richest foliage and finest fruit in the department of phosphate of lime (bone dust.) 

 llovey's Seedling failed in a tract of j)hosphate of lime, yet rejoiced with its luxuriant 

 foliage and fruit in a tract of soil, supplied with lime as its main element." 



Keference is next made to a recipe for keepiiig old strawberry beds in bearing, from the 

 JTriend's Review. The application, attended with remarkable results, was as follows: 



" Of nitre, of potash, of glauber's salt, and sal soda, each one pound; of nitrate of 

 ammonia, one-quarter of a pound — dissolved in thirty gallons of water. One-third was 

 ai)plied at a time," to a bed oO feet by 40. Three applications being made at intervals of 

 a week. Frequent waterings of soft water, were also used in dry weather. 



Various statements are next noticed, from Prof. Johnston's lectures, with regard to 

 the efficacy of potash and soda. 



Dr. Hull concludes from these data, that " the results confirm in the main, the general 

 rule for specific uniform nutrition. Potash, the major ek^ment of the analysis, holds the 

 highest representation in the production of plant and fruit; ashes, (potash and lime — tlie 

 hitter, also, an impoitant substance in the analysis) present the next claim, and j)ho 

 of lime (holding a questionable or minor place in the analysis) produces the least 



