476 



JOURNAL OF HOBTIOULTOBB AND COTTAGK GAB1>ENEB. 



[ June 2 i, 1877. 



now in fnll beanty, as is also the deep pink, or rather crimson 

 variety, W. Desboioi, a very telling kind when placed among 

 shrubs of brighter hue. The variegated form of W. rosea, 

 though not BO robust as the green-leaved sorts, yet grows with 

 sufficient vigour to take a prominent position, the delicate pink 

 flowers clustering among the light yellow variegated foliage with 

 the most pleasing effect. 



The subject is so seductive that it cannot receive due justice 

 in the compass of a single paper ; I must therefore reserve the 

 Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and other jewels rich and rare for 

 next week. — Edward Luckhubst. 



FEBTILISEBS AND THEIR APPLICATION. 



Very willingly do I respond to the request of " G. 0. S.," 

 who on page 458 aeks for " information of the proper propor- 

 tions of guano, superphosphate of lime, nitrate of soda, soot, 

 salt, &c., to be dissolved in water — i e., how many pounds and 

 ounces should be mixed in ten gallons of water, how many 

 square yards of ground that quantity should be applied to, and 

 what crops will beneficially absorb the ten gallons of water." 



I cannot, perhaps, answer these questions so clearly and 

 categorically as they have been submitted, yet I may possibly 

 refer to them in a mauuer which may be useful. I have had 

 much experience with fertilisers, and feel that I could not have 

 discharged my duties successfully without them ; but I must 

 candidly admit that I have never been at the trouble of wsigh- 

 ing them by ounces and pounds, and apportioning a given 

 quantity to a certain crop or area of ground. Long use with 

 fertilisers enables those to judge by intuition as to the right 

 quantities to apply — these quantities being governed by the 

 State of the crops and the condition of the soil. Let me give 

 an instance of this, and which also affords proof of the value 

 of liquid manure. 



During the sultry season of 18G8 there was scarcely any rain 

 from April until August in the district where I was then en- 

 gaged. The soil was light and porous, and I was satisfied that 

 much water would be necessary to support the crops. In the 

 first place, to enablo the water to be applied effaotually the 

 crops were sown and planted in trenches, and in order that it 

 should be additionally sustaining it was fortified with guano 

 and common salt — guano to afford support, salt to promote 

 coolness and to cause the moisture to be retained. A large 

 old brewing tub was placed as near to the crops as possible, 

 and where it could be reached by the water-cart. This tub 

 would hold about a hundred gallons. When it was filled a 

 large shovelful of guano was mixed with it and less than half 

 that quantity of salt — say 10 to 12 lbs. of guano and 3 to 4 lbs. 

 of salt. This was stirrtd and applied immediately to the 

 crops, pouring it in the trenches as long as the soil could 

 " take it." I cannot say how much was applied to a square 

 foot of ground, but I am ct-rtain that in the case of Peas and 

 Kidney Beans it would exceed a gallon. As soon as possible 

 after watering an inch of dry dust from the surrounding soil 

 was spread over the moistened surface to arrest evaporation. 

 1 had no manure, but the dust answered capitally and kept 

 the roots quite moist for a week. Every crop, therefore, had a 

 thorough watering once a-wetk and no more. The result was 

 that I had a full tupply of vegetables duriog that long-to-be- 

 remembered year when many gardens around me were parched 

 and barren. No mildew appeared on the Peas, which I attri- 

 buted, and still attribute, to the salt; no disease appeared 

 amongflt the Potatoes, and no grubs amongst the Onions and 

 Carrots. Tho salt-aud-guano solution was applied to all crops 

 in the kitchen garden, to fruit trees and to flower beds, and 

 not in one instance did it fail to benefit. 



That narrative of experience does not, however, answer the 

 questions of " G. 0. S." as he desires them to be answered ; I 

 ■will therefore say that 1 lb. of guano and a quarter of a pound 

 cf salt dissolved in ten gallons of water will be a safe strength 

 for applying to all crops which are established in the open 

 ground, and it may be poured on (which is the oaly effectual 

 mode of watering) as long as the ground will " take it," after- 

 wards covering the surface, if possible, with dust, manure, or 

 Bome other mulching material. 



The next question your correspondent requires to have 

 answered is in reference to superphosphate of lime and nitrate 

 of soda. Let him mix IJ lb. of the former and a quarter of a 

 pound of the latter in ten gallons of water, and he will have a 

 solution not easy to be surpassed for any established open- 

 ground crops which require support. Pour it on as long as 

 the soil absoiba it frooly. 



As to soot and salt for ten gallons of water, my plan of 

 making would ba to tie about three quarts of soot in a piece 

 of old canvas and suspend it in the water for three or four 

 days, and add also a quarter of a pound of salt; or, if that 

 process were (oj slow I should moisten the soot — making into 

 a mortar, and then thoroughly mix it with the salt water. 

 That solution cannot be applied wrongly to any growing crops, 

 it will benefit all requiring support in dry weather. 



I have now answered as well as I am able all the queries 

 submitted by " G. 0. S.," except the measurable quantity to 

 apply to 80 many square yards of ground. I cannot answer 

 that question to my own satisfaction. I can only say that I 

 have never hesitated pouring a gallon on a square foot of 

 Celery row. Pea row, or Onion bed if it passed away freely ; 

 but often half that quantity is sufficient, according to the 

 nature of the soil and the state of the crop. 



That may be considered an extravagant manner of applying 

 manure, I will therefore tell how the fertilisers may be econo- 

 mised. It is very simple. First, nearly saturate the ground 

 with clear water, and then apply immediately half the quantity 

 of liquid manure that you would give had no pure water been 

 used. Fully half the manure is then saved, and abont the 

 same I-snefit is, I think, imparted to tho crops. When soil is 

 very dry much of the liquid manure passes through it and 

 past the roots of the plants. Scientific people have told mo 

 that this is not so, bnt I do not believe them. I have great 

 respect for the laboratory of the chemist, but greater for the 

 laboratory of nature. I know if guano water is poured on 

 the soil in a flower pot when that soil is quite dry, that guano 

 water passes out of the aperture of the pot in a moment ; 

 but if guano water is applied to a pot wherein the soil is moist 

 the superfluous water passes away in a clear state, so that 

 moisture certainly increases the power of the soil in appro- 

 priating the virtues of manure. This fact has, I believe, been 

 turned to account by Mr. Cannell, who has made provision for 

 collecting the water which passes from the pots and using it 

 over again, and which he considers superior to fresh clear 

 water. Tho most economical way, therefore, of using liquid 

 manure is to apply it when tho soil is moist. 



The strength of the liquid manure above mentioned is only 

 suitable for established crops in the open ground. Crops 

 which are not established — that is, crops recently planted, do 

 not require such liquid ; and to plants in pots it should only 

 be applied at a quarter or half the strength named, according 

 to the nature of the plant and its condition. A Cbtysanthe- 

 mum can take stronger liquid support than a Geranium, a 

 Geranium than a Primula, and a Primula than a Camellia. — 

 A Retired Gardener. 



EOSES. 



To write of Roses during the time that they are in full bloom 

 may seem to some superfluous, but not so to the Editors of 

 our Journal, nor to many I hope and think of its readers. For 

 what can be more appropriate than that everything should be 

 in harmony at such a time as this ? Before these Imes see tho 

 light the Crystal Palace Show will be a thing of the past, and 

 Exeter and other places will have held their shows. Let us 

 talk, then, of Roses, read of Roses ; let us drink (those at least 

 of us who are still non-abstainers) La Rose. We cannot well 

 go on and recommend Rose leaves as articles of food, for here 

 at least we require more substantial diet ; but let the Rose fill 

 all our thoughts during her brief season of blooming, and 

 whatever else we do let us love our Roses. 



This has been a very trying season indeed for Roses, and I 

 do not know any one where we have had more difficulties to 

 contend with. I have had letters from large growers in all 

 parts of the country, and they all say the same thing — no 

 growth. The cold spring kept our trees back at the growing 

 season, and now the fierce heat of summer has come down 

 upon them and is swelling the buds before the shoots have 

 had time to grow. I have Roses in all aspects and under all 

 conditions, and the only plants (for my Roses are not " trees ") 

 that are doing at all well are those that are sheltered by some 

 hedge. My main rosery, which is in a very good position but 

 a little exposed to the east, is very backward, and the Hybrid 

 Perpetuals will not give me a bloom for the shows. I am 

 stioDgly of opinion that where practicable it is highly advis- 

 able that Rose plants should be placed in different positions 

 in tho garden. I am sure, if it were not for my adopting this 

 plan, tiiat year after year I should have been left without 

 blooms of some of the most famous sorts, notably Xavier Olibo, 



