58 



GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



Later Dcinoussv also iiiadc cxiicrimcnts with an increased 

 amount of carbonic acid in the air, and found that of sixteen dit- 

 ferent kinds of plants grown in a mixture of 15 parts carbonic 

 acid in 10.000, all except one showed unproved condition to an 

 average value of 60 per cent. . 



Experiments bv Kisselew, where the gas was punlied and the 

 carbonic acid content raistxl to 17 parts per 10,000, the plants so 

 treated, as compared with the controls, showed thicker stems, 

 denser foliage, larger flowers, earlier flowering and increased 

 weight, while the species of plant that failed to respond to the 

 Dcmoussv treatment was no exception to the general improvement 



1 have 'just had the pleasure of a long conversation with a friend 

 who has been permitted to inspect these last experiments, although 

 1 believe at the place I have in mind the experimental stage is 

 passed and the process of "gassing" plants is being put into com- 

 mercial use in a most satisfactory way. Certainly, if all he tells 

 me is true — and there appears no reason to doubt— the results are 

 not only extremely interesting, but of the highest value both for 

 private and commercial work. . . 



liriefly, the process of fertilizing plants from the air and in- 

 creasing' the crop from 150 to .SOO per cent, as is claimed, consists 

 of purifving carlion di-oxide as it comes from the greenhouse fire 

 or stove', lighted for the purpose, and passing it, after purification, 

 into the glasshouse by means of a perforated pipe. The plants 

 readily absorb the gas and respond with increased leaf, fruit and 



fiower. , , , r 1 ■ 



.\s carbon di-oxide is a waste product and is belched forth in 

 millions of cubic feet from a multitude of chimney stacks; as. 

 moreover, the purification is, I understand, a simple and inex- 

 pensive matter, there seems a great opening for the development 

 of this process. My friend tells me, in addition, that where the 

 gas is used in glasshouses no insect life survives, the plants are 

 fumigated as well as fertilized. 



Carbon di-oxide being so much heavier than air, the process can 

 1)6 carried on quite well outdoors. The gas falls to the ground 

 and is carried slowly among the crop. 



The experiments have not, unfortunately, been carried out m 

 this country, but now that the results arc known and vouched for, 

 there should be no hesitation in applying tests to demonstrate that 

 crops and plants will live and thrive and yield greatly increased 

 crops in an atmosphere that is imiiregnated with large quantities 

 of carbonic acid gas, a waste product that can be had for nothing 

 but the cost of purification and delivery. 



I understand that the matter is being laid before some of our 

 big commercial firms and various research stations throughout the 

 country. M the same time, if some enterprising amateur would 

 install the process and allow its practical working to be thoroughly 

 testetl much good might accrue, as in times of trade depression 

 cverv ounce of help is valuable. It would indeed be an achieve- 

 ment if by means of a waste product the yield of glasshouse or 

 garden could be largelv increased and at the same time the air 

 we breathe kept free from a harmful gas liberated by every fire 

 that burns. — The Garden. 



THE HEPATICAS 



BE.M'Tll-'L'l. Spring flowers rem the iiKpuntains. copses, and 

 woodlands of North America and some parts of Kurope, 

 though not of the British Isles, these are treasures with which 

 to adorn our gardens. Heralds of the days that arc to come. 

 their charming' flowers appear with the advent of the New Year, 

 gradually increasing in numbers until the end of March, when 

 they reach the zenith of their lieauty. The llepatica loves a loose. 

 moist. leafy soil, such as the decayed matter found in the ditches 

 of old woodlands, and a site screened from bright sunshine, such 

 as is provided by Summer-leafing trees or the shade of a wall, 

 evergreen trees being too heavy and dense. Given these condi- 

 tions, the plants will not onlv flo'wer profusely but will seed freely. 

 The favorite haunt of the llepatica appears to be the southern 

 Oak woods of the -Mps. where it is protected from the glare of 

 the sun. It is also s.nid to be one of the mountain plants that 

 creep nearest the Mediterranean wherever the hills approacli the 

 sea. T grow them at the foot of easterly walls and beneath thinly 

 furnished pergolas, positions in which the roots are cool and pro- 

 tected from direct sunshine. Under these conditions they have 

 grown into large clumps, a single plant producing hundreds of 

 flowers. The soil being heavy, much sand. grit, and leaf soil were 

 added when the plantations were made. After a number of years, 

 some of the largest plants show signs of exhaustion, and T find 

 it necrssary to lift and divide them, this beint' done in rarlv 

 Autumn. Although blue, lilac, and purple-flowered varieties pre- 

 dominate, we have white, both single and double, pink, and deep 

 rose, also single niiil double, all producing a charming efTcct. 

 whether in the shaded border, cool rock garden, or other position 

 suitable to their requirements. 



On cold and damp soils the Hcpatica loses its leaves in Winter. 

 whereas in well-drained soils the leaves arc to a coniderable ex- 

 tent retained. In order to keep them cool in .Summer. I place 



fiat stones about the plants. A prettier way is to jilaiit dwarf 

 Scdunis and Kockfoils among them, as these add additional charm. 

 The first and most important point in the culture of these ex- 

 quisite harbingers of Spring is to lind the site and soil most suit- 

 able to tlieir "re(|uirements. This should be fairly deep, a these 

 little plants are deep rooters, well drained, and with which has 

 been incorporated a goodly quantity of grit and decayed leaf- 

 mould, among which the masses of roots may ramify freely, and 

 in which the plants may remain undisturbed for a number of 

 years. Scatter thin top-dressing of oil over them each Winter 

 when the leaves of overhead trees have fallen. The leaves thus 

 liuried will then become excellent material lor the plants to feed 

 upon, it is remarkable the quantities of flowers a single clump 

 will produce, and this at a time when the majority of plants are 

 at rest. 



Raising from seed is very interesting, as by this method one is 

 never quite sure as to what the result will be. This element of 

 uncertainty is, therefore, very fascinating, and we look forward 

 to new and various color shades. The seed should be sown as 

 soon as ripe in boxes of sandy soil, placed in a cool, shaded frame, 

 or even in the open air, with a slate over it to keep down moist- 

 ure. Some of the seeds will be found to germinate early, whereas 

 others will not do so until the following Spring, when the seed- 

 lings should be pricked ofif singly into good soil and grown on 

 freely. 



The Great llepatica (Anemone Hepatica angulusa), from the 

 hills of Transylvania, is a strong-growing plant, from 6 inches 

 to 10 inches in height, and is the first to bloom, the lovely sky- 

 blue flowers being as large as a crown piece. This handsome 

 species spreads by means of long underground stems, and has 

 large, pale green, five-lobed, woolly leaves. It is a very beautiful 

 and choice plant, which with me, however, takes longer to become 

 established than the common llepatica. A. H. ans^ulosa atro- 

 cccrulca graiidiAora is an improved forin of the Great Hepatica, 

 with flowers of deep purple-blue. These are larger than those of 

 the type, and the plant is more vigorous. 



A. H. rnigulosa Hlaciiia is a charming plant, with pale lilac 

 flowers, the broad petals overlapping. It is ;;lsj said to flower 

 earlier than the type in some parts, but with me this is not so. 

 A. II. angulosa alba produces large single white flowers, and 

 should be included in every collection. 



The common Hepatica (A. H. triloba) is less vigorous than the 

 Great Hepatica, rarely reaching more thaii 10 inches in height. 

 There are several varieties of this, but, to me. the type is the most 

 beautiful of them all. The single flowers are produced in the 

 wildest profusion upon mature plants, these varying in color from 

 pale lavender to sky-blue, each little plant a cushion of bloom. It 

 is nothing unusual for a single plant to produce over a hun<lred 

 blooms at one time, each crowned with a tuft of wdiite anthers: 

 their eft'ect when grouped in large numbers is both striking and 

 superb. 1 grow hundreds of these plants and their amazing beauty 

 each year as this sea of blue arises above the cushions of un- 

 furling leaves is one of surpassing charm. .1. II. triloba alba is 

 a pretty and welcome plant. The numerous anthers, being of a 

 bright reddish color, form a pleasing contrast to the whiteness of 

 the petals. There is also a double white form of this which is 

 attractive, but at present rather a scarce plant. — Gnrdenim; Illus- 

 trated. 



THE LATE JUDGE MAREAN 



{Continued from page 43) 



Ami now that t!ie last wonder has l)ecn wnitijji'lit. tlie 

 tools laid aside, there is solare in the thought that in 

 trreal and little gardens throughout the land ihe heaiileons 

 flowers, called into heing' hv his love and skill and pre- 

 pared for the future development, will hud and unfold. 

 like the ])ac:e of an immortal hook, earryin"' his name 

 down the years in honor and affection, ihaiikful for his 

 lovins: foresi.^fht to carefully arran.cfc for the continua- 

 tifni of his fjreat work, following- his jirinciples in every 

 way. 



And even Ihe eaiili will hulil liiiu (cnilrily \\ho wroutjht 

 it lo such nohle ends. 



To the family of Judge Mare;in we extend (Hir tender- 

 cst sympathy. Their inourninii' is widely shared, for the 

 f^-entle philosopiier of "Dayhreak" cotinted his friends 

 amoncf all classes, and his unfailinc; kindness to all who 

 sou.tjht his advice or l;iid claim upon his time will not 

 soon lie fory'otlen. 



Stuishinc was he in the Winter day; 



And in ihe niid-Suminer coolness and shade. 



lollX SriIEEPERS. 



