1843.] 
THE GARDENERS 
CHRONICLE. 
157 
instruction of your readers. Your speculation on the 
derivation of this word from Mars and ago is certainly 
ingenious ; and J wish it may prove a‘ perfect magistery” 
in your etymological alchemy. But have you not opened 
a better road to the desired object in your article (p. 854) 
on the Lily of Scripture? You suppose, and you quote 
Dr. Bowring’s opinion in support of your supposition, 
that the Lily in question was the Scarlet Martagon. Now, 
as the Martagons all came into the hands of our early gar- 
deners from the Levant, is it not probable that the name 
was imported with them, and properly belongs to some of 
the Saracenic, Turkish, or Syriac dialects ? and is it not 
more likely that, if the philosopher’s stone was evér 
called Martagon, it got that name from the flower rather 
than the flower from it? It would be in full accordance 
with the Eastern style of figure and hyperbole to speak of 
“« the great secret’’ as the Lily of perfection, the Marta- 
gon of metals, the glory of the gardens of Paradise, the 
delight of Solomon, and the joy of the pre-Adamite 
world. It would look something like ‘ malice prepense” 
to send you another wild-goose-chase in this new direc- 
tion, with no greater prospect of success than the proba- 
bility I offer to your notice ; and perhaps to end with 
no greater reward than the small meed of thanks from idle 
wights, whose curiosity is only exceeded by their love of 
ease : every one, as ready as myself to subscribe, your 
friend and obliged servant—P. P. Our kind corres- 
pondent R. finds nothing in the language of the East which 
seems explanatory of the meaning of Martagon. He says, 
indeed, that Mar-an signifies in Persian, ‘ having a body 
like a serpent;” Mar, the name of serpent, being fre- 
uently compounded with other words, and he suggests 
that possibly the spotting of the Martagon Lily may have 
given rise to the name; and this etymology may be the 
true one, if the name was transposed from the plant to 
the philosopher's stone, as seems probable; for we now 
find in an abstract of the Chemistry of Paracelsus, pub- 
lished jin the Theatrum Chemicum, the following sen- 
tence, in a chapter concerning the errors of those who had 
been searching for the philosopher’s stone. ‘* Man 
occult names have been given to the material of this stone, 
chiefly derived from similitude. It has been called vege- 
table, mineral, and animal, but not in a literal sense, as 
those well know who are acquainted with the divine secrets 
and miracles of this stone. Of this kind was Raymond 
Lully’s Lunaria, whose flowers, well known to philoso- 
phers, possessed wonderful virtues. ‘The author of that 
name, however, did not understand that it was to be pro- 
jected on metals, or that anything like it was to be 
prepared from them; but the abstruse mind of the phi- 
losophers regarded it far otherwise. Tn like manner they 
called the material Martagon, to which therefore they 
ascribed some occult chemical action, notwithstanding 
that it really meant nothing more than some hidden simi- 
litude.’’. In this obscure language there is nothing to 
show distinctly whether the name Martagon was trans- 
ferred from the plant to the material of the philosopher’s 
stone, or vice versd, or whether indeed Martagon had 
anything to do with plants; yet as the writer immediately 
goes on to speak of vegetable substances, it is to be inferred 
that he included Martagon among them ; and if so, Mar- 
tan may be its oriental root 
Lime-Water.—Opinions and practice seem very much 
at variance as to this liquid’s destroying worms. I trie 
it a short time ago on several collected together ; it ap- 
peared to incommode them a little, as they moved off in 
double quick time ; but as to dying, I, at least, could see 
no signs of it. The lime was good stone-lime, and the 
lime-water had just been made.— Hibernia. 
Manures.—I may perhaps be excused for saying a few 
words on the subject of concentrated manures generally, 
It appears to me that we have more to learn of the best 
mode and time of applying, and perhaps also the best 
quantity, than of the composition of this class of fertilizers. 
Chemical science indicates with tolerable precision the 
latter ; but a varied, patient, and extended practice can 
alone inform usof the former. As might be supposed, in 
the infancy of a new system mistakes will be made and 
disappointments ensue. This may generally be traced to 
the neglect of some plain principle, or to the want of suf. 
ficient experience. One of the most fruitful causes of error 
has been the idea that almost any quantity, however small, 
of these concentrated preparations, applied to the land, is 
to produce astonishing effects, as if by some magical or 
mysterious influence, and not by merely restoring to the 
soil those inorganic and other substances which had been 
Withdrawn in the crops. The manure-maker has perhaps 
unconsciously encouraged this error, by his recommenda- 
tion of quantities too small to produce any marked effect. 
Another mistake has been, neglecting the sufficient dilution 
of the manure, and thus injuring or destroying the crop. 
These two sources of failure are obvious, and casily avoided ; 
but there are others about which we cannot pronounce so 
decidedly—I allude to the mode and time of application. 
ere we must have recourse to the practical agricultarist ; 
for it is only by carefully conducted, judiciously contrived, 
and varied comparative experiments performed by himself 
(not left to his underlings), that we can ever arrive at the 
truth in this matter. If he deny his active assistance 
and cordial co-operation, the man of science must toil in 
vain; he can never benefit him to any great extent. Itis 
A question which can be decided by actual trial alone, 
whether, for instance, any particular manure had better be 
drilled in with the seed, deposited, mixed with it, above or 
below it, and to what extent ; whether it should be apptied 
broadcast, harrowed in, and the seed sown upon it ; whether 
it should be applied as a top-dressing after the plant is up; 
whether the whole should be thus applied, or by instal- 
ments, how many, and when? Where are we to look for 
Satisfactory answers to these and the like queries, but to 
practice and practical men? I wish it were possible 
to organise an ewlensive set of experiments, tending 
to illustrate and prove the things I have mentioned ; 
for anything is preferable to doubt and uncertainty. 
Glorious prospects are before us, and it seems we can all 
but touch them; but the space between is to be tra- 
versed only by patient labour. Would it not be prac- 
ticable to interest some dozen or two of intelligent agri- 
culturists to experiment upon this subject after the 
manner of Professor Henslow in respect of the gypsumed 
dunghill—not so much to try manure against manure— 
but to observe and prove the condition under which any 
one of them produces its maximum effect. The greater 
variety of conditions that these experiments are made to 
include, though exacting more time and patience, the 
more perfect, comprehensive, and satisfactory they will 
be.— Since writing the above, I have perused Professor 
Henslow’s eighth letter to the Suffolk farmers, and while 
Icannot but admire his patient pains-taking to bribe 
them, as it were, to promote dheir own interests, I think 
that unless some precaution is taken to ensure that what 
each experimenter uses as gypsum is really so, a loose 
screw will be introduced into the experiment; perfect as 
it may be in every other respect. Now, although I have 
not much time to give away, yet so anxious am I that the 
Rev. Professor’s views should be carried out in an unex- 
ceptionable manner, that if he will allow me to co-operate 
with him to the extent of my feeble ability, in the 
following manner, my services are at the command 
of himself and of his constituents :—I propose, then, 
for the purposes of this experiment, gratuitously, 
to examine any sample of ‘‘ gypsum” that may be 
sent me, through Mr. Professor Henslow, and to 
give my opinion of it. As much as can be conveyed in a 
penny letter will be sufficient. I think, Sir, you will agree 
with me that unless some sort of security is afforded, that 
the ‘ gypsum” employed is bond fide sulphate of lime, 
(unmixed with carbonate or fine sand), that the experiment 
which it is so much to be desired should be as perfect as 
possible, may be vitiated to a very cousiderable extent.— 
W. H. Potter, Chemical Works, Upper Fore-street, 
London.—[We are sure the Suffolk farmers will be grate- 
ful to Mr. Potter for his liberal offer; and we trust that 
such of them as avail themselves of it will inclose a penny 
stamp along with the sample, in order that he may not 
have to pay back postage. ] 
Cattle.—It is stated at p. 103, that sheep keptin a cow 
pasture injure the butter. This fact wants confirmation, 
as newspapers say: ‘* Cows and sheep have always fed 
together here without bad effect.” ihe fallen leaves of 
the Ash, however, really do spoil milk ; this occurs also 
if the cows can get at cabbage-leaves or garden refuse — 
in which latter case I know the butter is detestable-—C. D. 
Cucumbers.—In looking over the list of winners at the 
Ipswich Cucumber show of the 23d ultimo,‘ I conceive, 
with many of my brother gardeners in this district, that 
the judges have, on this occasion, departed from the 
standard laid down by the said Society, for they assert 
Jength to be the first property. I think that the second 
= 
prize ought to have been first, and the third to have been 
second ; for the second brace of fruit measured 19+-163= 
3 
in.; and the third 174165 din. ; whereas, the 
winning brace was only 21+12=33in.: so that you will 
perceive the third to exceed by }in., and the second by 
Q4in., the length of the first. The second and third like- 
wise beat the first in two other properties—viz., the neck, 
which in the first was long and yellow; whereas, in the 
second and third it was short and of a good colour: the 
first was light green, whilst the other two were ofa 
dark-green colour. The second and third likewise equal 
the first in all other qualities. Now, how can the censors 
justify their award, or expect that patronage and support 
which,I wish to see all such societies have? ‘The pre- 
cedent, too, is a bad one for our Manchester and other 
local exhibitions in the country, for if it is followed, all 
the rules may be trampled on with impunity, and regula- 
tions will become useless. I would add, that the public 
supposed the competition to have been for the best brace, 
and not for a single fruit. —Juséilia. 
Seeds of Vegetables.—You have on a former occasion 
declined recommending any particular seedsman on whom 
the amateur can depend for his supply of vegetables, and 
[ suppose you will also object to allow your friends to do 
so through the pages of the Chronicle. Perhaps you are 
right in refusing to expose the present system personally, 
but unless some plan is devised to remedy the evil of seeds 
being sold under false names, the amateur who is limited 
to space must continue to bear his annual disappointment. 
Last yearI procured seeds of the Cabbage and Cauliflower 
from London, The tradesman being respectable ix posi- 
tion, 1 never thought of being deceived; but, alag! my 
Brocoli, Savoys, Cabbages, Lettuces, &c., turned out 
perfect rubbish, and the Cauliflowers, which I have with 
great care saved through the winter, are all of a spurious 
sort, not worth the trouble of growing for pigs ; the leaves 
being coarse, and without any signs of producing good 
heads. ‘The only chance we amateurs have of obtaining 
true seeds, is by entering into an agreement to employ any 
man who will advertise in the Chronicle to the effect 
«that he will guarantee all seeds sold by him to be genuine, 
and that he requests his customers will publicly state either 
their satisfaction or dissatisfaction, after a fair trial.’’ The 
question is, How can a man insure a true breed ? Simply 
by sending plants of the various species to different cot- 
tage gardeners at a distance from each other, only allowing 
one sort to be grown by the same individual, thus guarding 
against the mixture of the fertilizing property amongst 
the Brassica tribe. bi 
turned to a most profitable account without much labour. 
i 
| 
to this department of horticulture, with common care 
and attention, might in a few years realize a comfortable 
independence ; the outlay in the first instance would be 
small, and the return certain, provided diligence and dis- 
cretion-were shown in selecting the plants for seedlings, 
and occasionally visiting them in their progress towards 
maturity. It is quite impossible to seed Brocoli and 
Cauliflower in the same garden, with any chance of pre- 
serving them true to their kind. They must be situated 
ata certain distance from each other, in order that Bees 
and insects may visit many other flowers in their flight 
from patch to patch, and thus get ridof the pollen of the 
Brocoli before settling on the Cauliflower, and unless this 
important fact is attended to, we shall in vain look for 
fine vegetables—IWV. W. [Weare sure that our corre- 
spondents will see that we cannot with any propriety re- 
commend one seedsman in preference to another. The 
best rule to observe in this and all other cases is not to 
give the same party an opportunity of selling bad seeds 
twice. 
Madia sativa.—In your “ Notices to Correspondents,” 
page 89, you say that Madia sativa has no English name. 
Is it not called the ‘Salad Oil Plant?’’ We received 
under that name, four years ago, a packet of seeds from 
Germany, accompanied with a short description of its 
properties to the following effect :—‘« The superiority of 
this plant over all others known till this time is proved by 
experiment. The seed should be sown in the end of 
October or the beginning of spring, in any soil; from 4to 
6 Ibs. of seed is required for an acre. It ripens in three 
months after being sown in the spring, and does not 
suffer in the least from frost nor insects, yielding about 
450 Ibs. per acre of sweet oil of the first quality. It has 
been proved to be much superior to the Olive oil used in 
this country (Germany). Not having convenience to 
heard of any really English name for Madia sativa. It 
may, however, have had some such name as you men- 
tion. Our climate is too damp in summer to render it an 
object of profitable cultivation. ] 
Amaryllis  speciosissima.—1 would r dith 
ountry Vicar,’’ p. 85, to take up his bulbs of Amaryllis 
speciosissima, which probably have, in their present situ- 
ation, more aqueous food than they can assimilate ina 
low temperature, which will cause them to produce no- 
thing but leaves. He should, after potting them 3 in a 
pot, 7 inches across, and well drained, remove to a green- 
house, and supply them well with water until their leaves 
are full grown ; they should then be more moderately 
watered, but still kept warm, and when the leaves are 
quite dead the pots may be placed anywhere secure from 
frost until next February, when the bulbs should be re- 
potted, a pot or two ata time according to his stock, into 
turfy loam and sand ; little water should be given until the 
leaves are in action. By introducing into a gentle heat 
two pots at one time, he will find no difficulty in flower- 
ing this pretly Amaryllis, and he will also obtain a suc- 
cession of flowers. Perhaps some other correspondent 
will give him directions for flowering others of this genus. 
—G. G. Watson, Vicarage, Norton, Stockton-on-Tees. 
Practical Philosophy in a small Way.—Many persons 
may have noticed the great rapidity with which the sacks 
of malt are raised to the tops of the lofty London brew- 
houses, and may, without knowing wherefore, have ob- 
served that they shoot upwards like an arrow, notwith- 
standing that being drawn from various parts of the 
waggon, they must often start with a tendency to swing 
about. This, and all other causes of irregular movement 
or vibration, are counteracted by the man in the cart, who 
gives the sack a slight twirl as it leaves his hand, which 
Tifles it as effectually as if it were discharged from a 
twisted barrel. This is, perhaps, as pretty an example of 
science applied to humble matters as will be easily met 
with.—d. 
Antiquities of Gardening ; Market Gardeners ; Pigs. 
—In the “ Dictionnaire de Commerce” will be found the 
account of a singular privilege enjoyed by the common 
executioner of Paris. All persons who brought vegeta- 
bles to the public market were compelled to pay him a 
certain toll. That functionary himself, with assistants, 
attended to receive the same, and used @ novel mode of 
giving a receipt, by marking the amount with chalk upon 
the back of the person paying. These tolls were after- 
wards abolished, the public officer, receiving compensation 
in some other way. Le Grand d’Aussy, writing in 1782, 
says, There are yet many people living who can testify 
to this fact ; aud I have myself questioned several market 
gardeners on the subject, not very old men either, who 
remember having been thus marked in their youth.” A 
similar custom formerly prevailed in Scotland, where the 
common hangman took toll of meal and coal, &c. in the 
markets of Dumfries, Edinburgh, and Inverness. Some 
other curious privileges were also possessed by the French 
headsman 3 for instance, when an execution had taken 
place within the territory belonging to a monastery, the 
holy brotherhood were compelled, besides other fees, to 
present him with a pig’s head. He attended annually on 
St. Vincent's day, walked first in the procession in honour 
of that saint, and, after the ceremony, received @ pig's 
head, provided for that purpose by the Abbot of St. Ger- 
main’s. During the twelfth century, it was the custom of 
the inhabitants of Paris to breed pigs, which were allowed 
to roam about the streets during the day-time ; thus gain- 
ing a scanty living at the public expense, and at the same 
time creating an insufferable nuisance, which led to the 
following serious accident : On the 2nd Oct., 1131, as 
A man with a small capital, who would give his attention Prince Philippe, son of Louis le Gros, was riding between 
