Seer etree enncit 
1843.] 
THE GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE. 
135 
= RL 
Lord Brougham (Greasley’s).—Quite as good as the pre- 
white good ; colours bright, and well balanced. 
Squire Plumiree (Hufton’s).-—A fine flower; petals 
rather long; colour well distributed ; the layers are 
rather difficult to root. 
Mrs. Brand (Ely’s).—Large and well-formed; rather 
deficient in dark stripes ; when strongly grown and in 
proper colour it js first-rate: with us, it is termed a 
«© catch flower,” from its uncertainty. 
Wm. Caxton (Bly’s).—Pod long, not apt to burst; the 
flower is of medium size, thin of petal, but marks well. 
Robert Burns (Mansley’s).—A fine and double flower, 
equal in point of marking to Ely’s Lord Milton and 
Greasley’s Lord Brougham ; consequently ranking in 
the first class. 
Tallyho (Woolley’s).—Serrated, as one of the exploded 
Picotees ; utterly worthless as a show flower. 
Bonpland (Wilmer’s).— Finely marked, with a good 
pod; petals rather long, but a clean, useful flower. 
Lord Durham (Tomlinson’s)—Fine and very lively- 
coloured ; of good form and size. 
Rainbow (Cartwright’s).—A good old sort, apt to expand 
with its petals much disordered; a shy propagator, 
and difficult to get first-rate. 
Squire Ray (Hufton’s).—A remarkably clean flower, 
with its colours well balanced; follows close in the 
wake of the first-rate ones before alluded to. 
Betsy (Lovegrove’s).—Large, but will not do for this 
part of the country, one-half of the petals being almost 
destitute of bizarre ; desirable only as a border fiower. 
King Alfred (Gregory’s).—An old flower, with good pro- 
perties ; a superior second-rate. 
Eclipse (Hasom’s).—A large and gaudy flower ; outer 
petals large and well-formed ; strongly-marked, the 
centre often coming rather confused. 
Taglioné (Pickering’s).—A beautifully-marked and showy 
flower, of medium size, differing in colour from most 
other sorts ; in this variety there appears to be almost 
too great a preponderance of the crimson markings.— 
J. ¥F, Wood, The Coppice, Nottingham. 
(Zo be continued.) 
AMATEUR’S GARDEN.—No. IX. 
Tux potting of plants is an operation easily performed, 
though the principles upon which success is founded are 
not so well understood as the proper treatment of plants 
makes it necessary that they should be ; a fact rendered 
Sufliciently obvious by the miserable specimens too gener- 
ally met with. And why is this? Simply because the 
cultivator, instead of examining for himself whether his 
tnanipulations are in accordance with the laws of nature, 
rests satisfied with following in the footsteps of his prede- 
Cessors, without inquiring whether their practices were 
right or wrong; and hence but little pains have been 
taken to apply properly the necessary elements of vege- 
table organism, which nature everywhere so bountifully 
spreads around us. 
Tt is an undoubted fact, that all plants like fresh soil 
and leaf-mould; and any person who has a supply of these 
two, with good peat and silver sand, may, without any 
further assistance from soils, grow any plant in existence. 
A plant in a pot is in the most artificial state in which 
it can be placed; as its roots instead of being some degrees 
warmer than the atmosphere which surrounds them, as 
they would be if planted in the natural soil, are from the 
current of air constantly passing round the pots, and the 
consequent evaporation from its surface, some degrees 
colder. This circumstance alone is enough to account for 
our precarious success 5 but when in addition to this, it is 
recollected that the roots are constantly alternating between 
@rought and moisture—that they are violently excited at 
one time and actually flagging for the want of water at 
another,—the wonder is, that the cultivation of delicate 
and 'finely-rooted plants is not attended with more disap- 
pointment than has hitherto been experienced. 
The general {method pursued in potting plants, till 
‘Within the last ten years, was to sift the soil as fine as 
possible,—to use little or no drainage ; and when the plant 
xequired more pot-room, to give it only a very small shift, 
and that at some stated period. In truth, plants were 
Subjected to a regular routine of mapagement, as invariable 
4s day succeeded day ; quite irrespective of their consti- 
tutional peculiarities and diametrically opposed to nature. 
ut since the sifting of soil has been to a considerable 
Cie dispensed with, larger pots have been necessarily 
Wee and a consequent improvement in cultivation has 
he the result.—Almost all the garden authors from 
He time of Abercrombie to Sweet, and from Sweet to 
a Ag day, with few exceptions, recommend soil to 
tee ‘ed, and the indispensibility of giving plants a small 
ae is insisted upon. _ And what is the 
thewiae his? the roots, from their disposition to extend 
ar ths i laterally, are constantly matted round the side 
3 ae 2 as as the action of the root and branch 
eat agit > 80 soon as the root ceases to" extend 
tate aie 1 the branch likewise, at least to a considerable 
lect a i ct ‘i natural consequence, small, stunted, bushy 
matted a at e the result ; whereas, if the same were 
SESEy ce n c Open ground, for the well-prepared border 
mye cs pest vatory, the roots would extend themselves 
migioee ie cau pric branches grow with a luxuriance 
a ‘ er other circumstances. As a proof of this 
'Y point to the new conservatory in the Horticultural 
Gardens at Chiswick: the p}; Nee et 
ing with a luxuriance whi we ae ean Be AUS 
eA ch in g tances has given 
them a chathcter quite dissitilay to that un Sth 
are known in Gh milar to that under which they 
pot-culture, while the plants in’ pots are 
little better than those we see in ordinary greenhouses, 
except that they are more profusely set for bloom 
—a difference mainly attributable to the highly-elaborated 
secretions of the plants consequent on the superior light- 
ness of the house. These things teach us that confine- 
ment of the root is confinement of the branch, and that, if 
we wish to rival the luxuriance of nature, we must 
approximate nature more closely in the pot-culture of 
our plants. 
Having now said sufficient to prove that “ our ways are 
not nature’s ways,” I will introduce to the Amateur’s 
notice a new system of potting, which may be designated 
the one-shift system, The distinguishing difference of this 
system is, that, instead of taking a plant through all the 
different sized pots, from a thumb to a 24 or 16, or any 
other size that it may remain in permanently, it is removed 
to the permanent pot at once, or at any rate to one very 
considerably larger than is the general custom; thus, in 
purchasing small specimens of new plants, they may be 
placed at once in a 24, 16, or 12 sized pot, in which they 
will remain for four or five years. 
The first hint which I received of this system was some 
ears back, when Clianthus puniceus was first let out. 
‘A cutting of it was at that time given to Mr. Caie, gardener 
to the Duchess of Bedford; who at the end of twelve 
months had grown from this cutting a plant 7 feet in 
height, beautifully branched, and covered with bloom ; 
while the original plant under my care, although attended 
with regularity, would not bear a comparison with it. I 
learnt from Mr. C., that his cutting, directly it was 
established in a small cutting-pot, was removed to a No.4 
sized pot, well drained, and filled with rough turfy loam 
fresh from the field, and’a little leaf-mould. About the 
same time Mr. C. offered me some small plants of Erica 
physodes and pinifolia, but they were in such a deplorable 
condition that I did not consider them worthy of carriage. 
To show me, however, how much I was mistaken, Mr. C. 
removed them from the small pots in which they were 
then growing into-l6s, in rough turfy peat and silver 
sand, and in two years they were handsome specimens, 
18 inches high, from four to five feet in circumference, 
and beautifully furnished with branches. 
Since that time, I have practised this mode on various 
plants with success ; but to Mr. Goode, gardener at 
Ealing Park, belongs the credit of applying this system 
more extensively and with greater success than could have 
been expected. Amongst the valuable collection of plants 
at that place, he has a great number in 24, 16,12, and 8 
sized pots, forming magnificent specimens, which are on 
an average from three to five feet in circumference, and 
which a year since were either in small 60 or thumb-pots. 
They have, in reality, made" from three to four years’ 
growth in one season, and are flowering in the greatest 
profusion. Among other genera, may be mentioned Boro- 
nias, Eri Lesck Iti Pimeleas, Gnidias, 
Helichrysums, Ericas, Epacrises, Chorozemas, Polygalas, 
Roellas, Mirbélias, Dillwynias, Créweas, and Gomphold- 
biums. It is to be hoped, however, as Mr. Goode is a 
constant exhibitor at the Horticultural Society’s meetings, 
that he will in future point out the specimens thus 
rown, to afford visitors an, opportunity of judging for 
themselves, and to demonstrate the superiority of the 
system, Some gardeners who have seen the plants at 
Ealing Park object to the system, and contend that though 
the plants may grow well for a year or two, they will after 
that time die off. On what principle they found their 
objections I am at a loss to determine. 
The principal thing to attend to in this system will be, 
to have the pots thoroughly drained; for if water stag- 
nates in such a mass of soil, all hope of success will be at 
anend. Ingrowing specimenjplants, itis a good plan to 
drain the soil with an inverted pot, as directed at p. 116 
for cutting-pots, taking great care to prevent the soil from 
falling among the drainage, by covering it securely with 
Moss. Porous stones of various sizes, in considerable 
quantities, sticks in a half-deeomposed state, and even 
charcoal for some plants, bave been used, with satisfac- 
The roots of Leschendultia formosa and of 
Chorozemas, thus treated, wrap round the porous stones 
and charcoal in the most beautiful manner. 
‘As charcoal is said to be the “ life and soul of plants” 
by one jndividual, and a no mean cultivator either, a few 
remarks onits use may not be out of place. In propagating 
plants, cuttings root freely in it ; but if they are not re- 
moved into other soil directly after they have rooted, the 
roots will almost invariably die off. Whether this is from 
the great supply of carbonic acid, formed by the carbon of 
the charcoal combining with the oxygen of the atmo- 
sphere, and causing the roots to perish in the midst of 
plenty, L will not pretend to say 5 but such a result is not 
improbable, a8. We know.that a plant is soon killed 
by supplying it constantly with strong liquid manure, 
“Common wood charcoal,”’ observes Liebig (2d Edit., 
p- 63), “ by virtue merely of its ordinary well-known 
properties) can completely replace ' vegetable mould or 
humus,’” and as ifs the “most indifferent and unchange- 
able substance known,” it must be an excellent thing to 
use in permanent potting 5 because, if the soil is sufli- 
ciently porous to admit ‘the atmospheric air amongst it, 
it must form @ perpetual manure, though it is difficult to 
dding carbon to carbon, as must: be the 
case in adding charcoal to peat-earth, can exercise any 
beneficial influence, By mechanical action in all soils it 
will do good, as well as chemically in soils deficient in 
carbon; but to add to peat-earth is, in my. opinion, 
vaste of an excellent manure. Mr. Barnes, of 
mere W : A 
Bicton, attributes the whole of his success to using char- 
imagine how # 
2 
i r table 
1; but the charcoal he uses is prepared from vege 
ae erefore partakes as much of the character of 
vegetable ashes, which are an excellent manure, as of the 
properties of charcoal, Nature supplies plants with char- 
coal in the shape of decaying vegetable substances, and 
that is the best charcoal that can be used; but, as in 
moderation it will do no harm, the amateur may use it 
until by multiplied experiments he proves whether it is 
advantageous. 
In concluding this article, it may be remarked that the 
principal things to be attended to in this system of potting 
are, to use the soil as rough as possible. Plants potted 
in this way will not require so much attention as those 
pottedjin the usual manner ; because one watering will 
serve them for several days—whereas in small pots, they 
would require constant attention—W. P. Ayres. 
as 
HOME CORRESPONDENCE. 
Fiaing Ammonia.—\ see that several of your corre- 
spondents have alluded to an experiment which I have 
been proposing to the farmers of Suffolk, and of which 
you took notice two or three weeks ago. 1 forward youa 
copy of the Bury Post, in which will appear my Eighth 
by chemists as I have been desirous of stimulating the 
farmers to adopt a mode of experimenting which may be 
of importance to their interests. 
spondents have an opportunity of referring to them, they 
will see that I have forestalled some of their remarks. 
have now superintended the preparation of one experi- 
ment, and hope in a day or two to superintend one or 
two more, with the aid of my more practical neighbours 
[shall then draw up the Schedule referred to in my 
letter, and if you can find room for its. insertion at some 
future period, it may be the means of inducing some one 
to, improve upon it. I think you will agree with me that 
some such scheme of extensive experimental co-operation 
as that which 1 have advocated, and as (I am happy to 
say) the farmers of Suffolk have now proved to be feas- 
ible, is the most likely mode of rapidly accelerating the 
progress of Agriculture.—J. S. Henslow. [The following 
is the letter alluded to :— 
To the Farmers of Suffolk. 
Gentlemen,—I must allow the leaves to go on with 
eir exhalat nm pirati without interfering 
further with these functions for the present, whilst I re- 
quest:your serious attention to.a. few observations I wish 
to make on the result of my appeal to you. When [I an- 
nounced my intention of calling for_not less than fifty to 
co-operate in the way 1 have proposed, I found a very 
decided opinion expressed in all quarters that I should 
not be able to prevail upon so large a number. I had cal- 
culated on the well-known spirit and energy of English- 
men, whenever fairly convinced that any particular course 
is the right course to be adopted: my only fear being 
that I should not succeed in persuading many of you to 
see, as clearly as I do myself, what your present course 
ought to be for securing the speedy improvement of Agri- 
culture. I had also witnessed, during the last two years, 
the great desire expressed by the members of the Had- 
leigh Farmers’ Club for any description of information 
which might bear directly or indirectly upon your pur- 
T find that I have not miscalculated in the infer- 
T have received 
my challenge, and I find from two quarters that I can 
calculate upon receiving from 10 to 15 more. 
tended the preparation of the proposed experiment on two 
or three farms in this parish. 
mised circular, with precise directions how youareto proceed, 
and with it I will transmit a Schedule 4 (for rotten dung- 
aiming at. i is to ascertain whether 
the addition of gypsum to a common dunghill will improve 
the quality of the manure—whic! 
in its simplest Agricultural shape, dives : x 
and theoretical notions. But the decision of this question 
T hold to be a very subordinate purpose to one of still 
greater importance which I have had in view. I am chiefly 
desirous of giving you am example of the manner in which 
your Agricultural experiments ought to be conducted, if 
you would hope to render them available for scientific 
purposes. believe our gypsum experiment to be only 
one of several 
jssue can be fully settled. But every such experiment, 
ic) 
S 
i=] 
& 
g 
cs 
2% 
at 
8 
8 
Lan 
fo} 
¢) 
ow 
i=] 
6 
ay 
a 
a 
oy 
A 
= 
& 
EY 
et 
a 
Es 
bs 
oO 
B 
Z. 
oA 
@ 
2. 
i-a 
ro} 
a: 
= 
upon any farmer to perform yearly one such experiment. 
We can all appreciate the advantages which flow from a 
division of labour ; and many who may not be qualified 
for suggesting correct methods of experimenting for?them- 
selves, might be prevailed upon to act upon the sugges- 
tions of others, provided the precise mode of performing 
