1843.] 
THE GARDENERS’ 
CHRONICLE. 
215 
these authors (though ingenious) were for the most part 
crude and i pl At the of th 
present century, when Organic Chemistry was rapidly 
advancing, Berzelius and Davy endeavoured to apply the 
conclusions to be derived from chemical experiments to 
Agriculture. If the deductions which they made were 
not always correct, and if the plans which they proposed 
did not always produce the effects which they anticipated, 
it must be remembered that they were amongst the first to 
take the subject up, and that though they did so under 
far more ble ci than their pred 
did, yet that even then the science of Organic Chemistry 
was in many respects very imperfect and incomplete. 
“ During the last forty years many important additions 
have been made to this department of Chemistry; im- 
proved and more accurate modes of chemical investigation 
have enabled more exact analyses to be made of the differ- 
ent varieties of organic matter ; the composition of those 
substances which constitute the bodies of animals and 
plants has been accurately and carefully ascertained. At 
the same time, many valuable observations have been 
made respecting the functions of plants, the conditions 
requisite to germination, the formation of flowers and 
seed, the chemical changes attendant on the ripening of 
fruit, the office performed by roots and leaves, and a vari- 
ety of other important subjects of inquiry. The names of 
Liebig, Schiibler, and Sprengel, in Germany ; Braconnot, 
Boussingault, Chevreul, Colin, Chaptal, Dumas, Edwards, 
and Payen, in France ; and of Daubeny, Johnson, Pepys, 
Turner, and Christison, in our own country, deserve espe- 
cial mention.” 
In another place, speaking of nitrogen, the existence of 
which in plants some people, whose Chemistry has stood 
still for the last 20 years, disbelieve, Mr. Solly says— 
“Tt has long been known that plants consist of carbon, 
oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, and also that they inva- 
riably contain a small quantity of inorganic, or earthy and 
saline matters. The presence of nitrogen was formerly 
greatly overlooked in analyses of vegetable substances 5 it 
is contained in less quantity than the other three elements 
of organic matter, and was. very commonly regarded as 
being merely accidental, and not a necessary constituent of 
plants. Improved modes of analysis have established that 
it always exists in the same proportion in certain consti- 
tuents of plants; and as it appears that these substances 
are also those which form the most valuable part of food, 
it becomes a question of the first importance, whence do 
the plants derive their nitrogen? They obtain it princi- 
Pally, if not wholly, from the air ; they do not absorb it in 
the free and uncombined form, but they absorb it com- 
bined with hydrogen, in the state of ammonia. The im- 
portance of the earthy substances in plants was likewise 
greatly overlooked formerly. It has been proved by re- 
peate peri that these sub: are of the great- 
est importance in the growth of plants, being quite essen- 
tial;to their development.”’ 
The Author concludes his introductory remarks with an 
observation in which we entirely concur :— 
“Although Agricultural Chemistry is in this imperfect 
State, and though much still remains to be done in that 
branch of science, yet it is so far advanced as to be able to 
render substantial assistance to the practical agriculturist. 
Tt can teach him the principles which govern the growth 
of plants, and consequently guide him in’ the application 
of artificial means to produce the most beneficial results, 
€ must, however, not expect too much from the aid of 
Chemistry, nor give himself blindly up to speculations or 
theories.” Whilst he gives due credit and belief to well- 
authenticated facts, he must always receive theories with 
Caution and doubt. 
_ ‘‘ Perhaps the most important advantage which a prac- 
tical man may at present derive from a knowledge of Agri- 
cultural Chemistry is connected with the use of manure. 
fhe knows what it is that gives the fertilising powers to 
Manure, and is aware of the nature of those substances, 
he will soon Jearn the best method of preserving and using 
them ; he will then understand how to make the most of 
the various sources of manure at his disposal, and he will 
be enabled readily to save much that for the want of such 
knowledge would otherwise be lost.’’ 
But our limits forbid all further extract. We can only 
add, in conclusion, that if a man really wishes to under- 
sland the Chemistry of nature, this work will enable him 
to do so better than any other with which we are acquainted. 
® 
. The” Quarterly Journal of Agriculture —No. LX., 
18 one of considerable interes I i 
has a good paper, by Dr. Dic! 
deenshire, containing much useful original information. 
©. Dickie regards the mountain Scotch Pine, or the érve 
cotch Pine, as some have called it, as a mere variety of 
ie Comnon sort, produced by accidents of soil and 
Rare: “he disease, or rot, to which the Larch proves 
i unfortunately subject, is referred to frost, and we have 
ie me good tables of the rate of growth of this valuable 
ie Under favourable circumstances. We have only room 
none regarding the latter subject. 7 
din ‘he average annual increase at the thickest part, at 
erent periods, is as follows :— 
§ 
“34 years = 3.8 lines (3 trees at Wardhouse), 
35, 6.6 4, (3 do. do.)s 
45, sy (3 trees at Kinmundy). 
60 ,, » (dat Aden), 
i -99 » (3 at Tonley). 
10, ») (3 at Breda). 
« eee ha 6.9 ,, (3 at Invercauld). 
ag a it is well known that the Larch is of very rapid 
the Steady growth, it seems very evident that the trees. in 
above 
table, of 34, 45, and 60. years, are not’ in a 
thriving condition. : Exclusive, theréfore, of these, the 
others show that the increase of the Larch continues 
steady to a considerable age; at the same time it may be 
stated, that the comparison would have been more valu- 
able if it had been possible to compare trees of different 
ages, growing in the same place and similar soil.’” 
Other papers of general interest are Von Thier’s Prin- 
ciples of Agriculture ;’’ a capital quiz of injudicious 
expgrimentalising, which we give entire elsewhere ; 
“Mr. Bell on. an economical Tile-work adapted to Farms 
of an ordinary Size,’’ well worth perusal ; and an official 
statement of the premiums offered by the Highland 
Society for 1843. We sincerely rejoice to perceive. that 
on the present occasion premiums are offered for experi- 
ments on the influence of soil on vegetation, on manures, 
on excretions by the roots of plants, on planting, on 
feeding, on mixing soils, &c. &c., as well as for the ordinary 
topics of agricultural routine. 
Agricultural Chemistry for Young Farmers. By C. W. 
Johnson, Esq., F.R.S. Ridgway. 12mo. 
Turs consists almost exclusively of extracts from the 
Author’s ‘¢ Farmer’s Encyclopzedia,’’ our opinion of which 
has already been expressed on former occasions. The 
trifling price , will render it accessible by persons who 
are unable to procure the larger work. 
Tux Third. Part.of the Second. Volume of: Torrey and 
Gray’s excellent Flora of North America has just reached 
us. It contains the remainder of Composite ; so that the 
most troublesome part of the authors’ task is completed. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS for the ensuing week. 
'10sB Who have sown any quantity of foreign seeds six weeks, 
or two months ago, will now ii impatient for the ap- 
pearance of the last portion of their young seedlings, Unless 
foreign seeds vegetate within five or six weeks after they are 
sown, there is no saying when they may appear; some of them 
may lay in the ground for twelve months, although the seeds in 
the meantime may be perfectly sound. The quantity of bottom- 
heat which many of these seeds will endure is astonishing, and 
had it not been proved that they could be immersed in boiling- 
water without injury to their germinating principle, gardeners 
would be laughed at, were they to tell how they had often expe- 
rimented on doubtful seeds with bottom-heat. A few years 
back I adopted the following plan with all tropical seeds which 
did not vegetate within a reasonable time. I placed the pots on 
the top of a hot-water pipe, where they were supported by an 
adjoining wall ; this pipe was often too hot to place the hand on, 
the pots required to be watered three times in the 24 hours. 
Tn less than ten days many seeds vegetated: part of the same 
packet of seeds having been sown and kept in a hotbed in the 
usual way, never vegetated at all. Those that did not vegetate 
on the pipe in three weeks were removed to the iron cover of a 
large square hotwater boiler, where the pots had a constant 
bottom-heat of nearly 200° (for the water was often boiling), and 
the pots for many hours every day were so hot, that they could 
hardly be handled; yet, I have reared many plants from seed on 
this boiler, particularly Gesneridceze, the seeds of which are as 
small as dust. _ Although I do not advise people to go to such ex- 
y ore hardy seeds from temperate zones 
will bear the heat of an ordinary hot-bed till they ve; 
when they must be removed to a cooler place. These auxiliaries 
may be useful when seeds will not vegetate under more ordinary 
circumstances. 
I,—KITCHEN-GARDEN AND ORCHARD, 
In-door Department. 
INERY.—About the end of spring and beginning of summer, 
Pines do not like to.be exposed to the strong glare of sunshine ; 
more especially, the young stock, which, if they get their leaves 
browned at this time, wil make little progress till after the turn 
of the season at Midsummer. A slight shading will therefore be 
useful for a few hours on bright sunny days for the next three 
S. 
Vinery.—The earliest crops will require a little difference in 
management from this time; a constant strong heat of 70° to 
75°, and more air with less moisture will enable them to colour 
laterals may be cut off, with 
a moist genial atmosphere, the same routine 
that is pursued in summer with out-door Peaches will do for 
those in-doors from this time. 
reixzs.—The same treatment as the Peach-house receives 
will suit these also. 
Fias.—Where these have not a house for themselves, they 
must now be brought to the less shady part of the house, as the 
first crop will soon begin to ripen ; or, if the first crop dropped, 
the second will soon make its appearance, In either case more 
light is requisite than can be afforded by most Vineries, or even 
Pine-stoves, where Vines are growing on the rafters. 
more liable to the attacks of red-spider than the Peach or Kidney 
Bean; syringing is the best remedy. 
SrRAWBERRIES.—The treatment for these is so easy and uni- 
form, that a weekly notice of it is not necessary, Now that the 
fruit is ripening daily, it may be as well to say that they should 
have less water and more air; and if placed on the highest 
shelves near the top ventilators, it will be better for them. Ex- 
cept on mild days, and then for a short time only, it isa bad plan 
to give air by the front ventilators while plants are making their 
young growt 
CucumBEeRS AND Metons.—The grand secret is to keep these 
thin by pinching out the young laterals entirely, where more 
shoots are not wanted, and above the first jomt, from which you 
want a reserve to come on afterwards. The strongest Pear-tree 
on the walls will suffer from snmmer pruning if all done in one 
day, after having allowed it to make aprofusion of young shoots; 
how much more then must a tender annual suffer from a similar 
treatment! Foresters say, prune often—that is annually—and 
prune little at a time. In these frames prune daily, and prune 
little at a time, rather than once a week. 
SrepLInes.—All the half-hardy plants belonging to the forcing 
department, that are raised annually from seeds, require pretty 
nearly the same treatment of thinning, pricking out, and harden- 
ing by degrees, So as to have them firm, stocky, little plants ready 
to turn out when all danger of frost is over. The more pains 
taken now to get yy val in good condition, the less attention 
il] require afterwards. 
peer Ne Out-door Department. 
T think Mr. M‘Intosh, in one of his works, said that he always 
made a point of running the Dutch hoe over every part of the 
kitchen-garden and slips, whenever the ground was in good con- 
dition for the work, either this month or the beginning of next. 
Tn these busy days this is not an easy task, but it shows the 
great importance which the best gardeners attach to the subject. 
Tn the flower-garden weeds are disliked most on account of their 
untidy appearance ; but in addition to this, they are dreaded in 
the kitchen-garden for their exhausting powers. A few shillings 
might entice a boy or two to pull up all seed-weeds after working 
hours for the next two months, provided always that these boys 
were not wanted at home to help their parents with their garden 
work or allotments. A boy can pull out in one hour as many 
weeds just coming into flower as would afterwards, if left to 
scatter their seeds, employ two or three men a whole day 
Asparacus Beps should now have their spring-dressing ; if not 
ArricHoxk f not yet done, lose no time in giving them 
their spring-dressing ; thin out the suckers, dig in a good dress- 
ing of dung among them, and plant a few rows of the spare 
suckers, to succeed the general crop. 
SEs-KALE AND RuuBARB.—Finish planting these without 
delay. 
Pras AND Bgans.—Go on with successions of these every 
other week. 
Broccon: AND Cappacus.—A few seeds of Grange’s Earl 
Cauliflower Broccoli should now be sown, if, indeed, you have 
been fortunate enough to save your own seeds of it. It is quite 
a lottery to get it true from the great seed-growers. Keep sowing 
a few early Cabbage-seeds every fortnight. 
Carrots.—These may be sown any time for the next three 
weeks. 
Porators.—In many parts of the country people put off plant~ 
ing their Potatoes until too late; the whole crop should be in 
before the middle of the month, and the sooner the better. 
EnpIVvE.—Where the last autumn-sown plants have stood the 
winter, they will now require to be tied up in succession, like 
Lettuces, to blanch; they will come in very useful with the 
early Lettuces, a few of which should also be tied up, if they are 
opening too much in the heart. 
Onrons AND SPINACH sown last August should have the soil 
well stirred between the rows; let one bed of these Onions 
remain to be drawn before the spring-sown Onions come in, and 
transplant the rest, if not already done. : 
Cuivés.—No garden in the kingdom should be without this 
useful little plant; a row of it planted along an alley will be a 
substitute for young Onions al! 
chopped, they are excellent things for young turkeys. 
berries, if only to loosen the surface ofthe ground. Watch care- 
fully the state of the weather while the Peaches and Apricots are 
in blossom; these you may begin to disbud. ‘ 
II.—FLOWER-GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY, 
In-door Department. 
which are‘now fast advancing, it will save trouble, when the 
latter are to be thinned out, if they are now trainéd in a regular 
manner, like Grape Vines. This remark applies also to climbers 
in general at this season. Although nothing mars the beauty of 
V. alba, pot them in light, rich soil, 
and by the end of May they may be taken to the conservatory, 
where they will grow and flower until the end. of September. No 
stove plant is better suited for the conservatory during summer. 
GrEENHOUSE.—A few of the smaller plants of the common 
Cacti may now be forced, to make an early growth; this will 
enable them to flower early next spring. Potting and propaga- 
tion, with a more liberal supply of water and iess air, must be 
attended to, 
ConservaTory.—See that the more common sorts of plants, 
brought in merely for their flowers or odour, do not crowd on 
the good specimen plants. Azaleas and many other thi 
injure them. It may be necessary soon to use blinds, to guard 
the flowers from strong sunshine ; but this should be deferred as 
long as possible. i 
ITS AND FRAMES.— Propagating plants for the flower-garden, 
and hardening them by degrees, are the principal points to be 
attended to here; many half-hardy plants may also be raised 
from seeds in these pits. Store-pots of autumn-propagated Roses 
should now be looked to, and the plants potted singly in very 
small pots, to be ready for planting out in the borders of the 
Rosary next May. Auriculas must be carefully kept from cold 
winds and strong sunshine. 
ut-door Department. 
poor and scanty, some good soil should be sifted rather thickly, 
and the roller run over it, Let the walks, beds, and borders be 
you to: group them, or dispose of them in an, 
without mixing the varieties; this cannot be done after the 
flowers are oyer, aS many of them are so much alike in foliage.— 
D, Beaton, Shrubland Park Gardens. 
den, Chiswi 
r the Week ending Mar. 30, 1843, as ob~ 
rural Gar 
Wind. | Rain 
Thursday 80 
Average 
with light haze; clear at night. 
t wind ; clear, cold, and dry. 
; clear. 
st wind 5 
louds ; vere: 
lazy; overcast and fine; 
Mean temperature of the week 1, 
State or the Weather at Chiswick during - 
into! _ Week ending yakirig is years, for the ensuing 
| A | No. of 
| Mean} Years fl 
mp: | ‘Temp. | emp) which it} 
| Aver. | Aver. 
April. [Highest] Lowest 
‘Temp. 
| 
Sun. 2 0 $ 
on, 8 | 541 1 0.0 
ues. 4 0 a 0. 
Wed. 5 7 ¥ 
Thurs. 6 | 6 3 
ak h 8 . 
Sat 8 87 5 | 020 
‘The highest temperature during the above period occurred on the bth in 
1832—thermometer 74°; and the lowest on the 6th ii 
REPORT ON COVEN 
-GARDEN MARKET, 
fing March 31, 1843, 
For the Week end uv 
Excertin a few instances, the supplies have been good during 
the past week; the demand, however, is not brisk. Fruit: Pine 
Srove.—Where the Orchidaceve are to be shaded by climbers, 
