146 



IRISH GARDENING, 



piot-luccd and to (.oin cil it into nitrii; a*.id, 

 which unites witli such sul-^staiicos as hinc. 

 soda, potash. \"v'., ti"" loim nitrate o( Hnic, 

 nitrate of soda, nitrate ol polasli, i\:e. 



Acidity or "sourness" in a soil has an ellect 

 on the nitrifying- bacteria simihir to that pro- 

 duced by soluble organic matter. These 

 bacteria require for their active growth and 

 multiplication an (ilkiili)ic medium, and are 

 inhibited or stopped in their acti\ ity by an acid 

 soil. An acid soil is made alkaline by the 

 addition of a sufficient L|uantit\' of lime, and the 

 increased fertility resulting from an application 

 of lime to land is due, in great part, lo the 

 stimulation o'i the nitrifying- bacteria wiiicli 

 follows. This fact shows how important it is 

 to lime land often and so prevent it from 

 becoming acid. 



A good supply of oxygen and moisture has 

 been shown to be necessary for the growth of 

 the nitrifying bacteria. They derive the oxygen 

 from the air which permeates the soil and 

 occupies the spaces between the particles. It 

 these spaces be occupied by water, as in an 

 undrained soil, or the particles be so closely 

 pressed together as to diminish the space- 

 volume, as happens in a stiff clay, it is clear 

 that the supply of oxygen to the minute 

 organisms will be so limited as to check the 

 work, if not to destroy them. Thus it will be 

 readily understood that drainage promotes 

 nitrification by removing surplus water and 

 allowing air to enter and occupy the space 

 between the soil particles, while enough 

 moisture will adhere to the particles to satisfy 

 the wants of the bacteria. Thorough cultiva- 

 tion and breaking up of the soil also assists by 

 allowing a ready passage to air and water. 



Nitrification is then an important process in 

 the promotion of soil fertility. It is brought 

 about by the agency of certain species of 

 bacteria. These bacteria are found in practi- 

 cally all soils. They are not found in woodland, 

 as the soil is here too acid, due to the decay of 

 large quantities of leaves and other org-anic 

 matter. They are checked in their action by 

 the presence of soluble organic matter. Farm- 

 yard manure should be well rotted before 

 applying to soil, as in this state it contains 

 little or no soluble org-anic matter. A "sour" 

 soil acts adversely on the bacteria ; hence, 

 liming- promotes nitrification by correcting- the 

 sourness. A good supply of oxyg-en and 



moisluie is essential for the acti\ity o'i the 

 organisms. As the oxygen is derived from the 

 air. the siiil nuist be well aerated. The aeration 

 ol the soil, as well as a constant renewal of soil 

 moisture, is elTecled by good drainage and 

 thorough breaking up of the surface la\er. 



(jladioli. 



TIllv.Sl] handsome fiowers seem to have 

 become more popular o{ late ; some 

 handsoiTie specimens and stands have 

 been in evidence at the various horticultural 

 shows this year, and undoubtedly the quality 

 o\ the blooms u as in advance of anything we 

 ha\e seen hitherto. 



Some objection is raised to the large llowering 

 variety, by " cut-fiower " enthusiasts, on the 

 score of " stiffness" and want of decorative 

 value, but we venture to say that if used in 

 large vases, in a bold style and in conjunction 

 with Chrysanthemum Maximum, Gypsophylla or 

 autumn foliage, there are few flowers can equal 

 it in its majestic decorative effects. A really 

 bold vase of such, in the corner of a hall or 

 room, is something- worth looking at, but if 

 stuck in a small vase for table work it is a 

 ghastly failure. Not so, however, with its 

 confrere, the early or small-flowered gladiolus, 

 than which few prettier or daintier subjects can 

 be used for room decoration ; indeed this is its 

 one use, as the early varieties, unless in ex- 

 ceptional circumstances, are rather "lost" in the 

 border. Both sorts are of the easiest possible 

 cultivation, are very inexpensive, and so hand- 

 some that they are worthily very popular. 



Early gladioli can be had in flower olviosl all 

 the year round, with care, while the large- 

 flowered late sorts only bloom for, say, three 

 months at most. 



Both varieties can now be had in a very large 

 selection of shades of colour, and the handiwork 

 of the hybridiser is evident in this as in most 

 other flowers of to-day, some really exquisite 

 results having- been attained. Those who were 

 privileged to see the handsome stands erected 

 at the springs show of the Royal Horticultural 

 Society of Ireland by Mr. Lilley of Guernsey and by 

 Mr. Jones, of Gowran, at the autumn show of the 

 same society, had an opportunity of judging the 

 respective merits of the two varieties. We have 

 already said that both are of the easiest cultiva- 

 tion, but while the early likes a sandy light soil, 



