784 
THE GARDENERS 
CHRONICLE. 
(Oct. 21, 
by the absence of all extraneous matter; and not unfre- 
quently it is found quite free from sand. Perhaps the 
most simple and efficient plan of improving the texture of 
soils, without the aid of additional material, is simply by 
separating the close or binding portion, as follows :—Place 
the compost in a sieve of two-eighths of an inch in the 
wire-work, which by being partially moved will permit the 
loose ‘portion’ of the soil'(as the least valuable) to pass 
through, and the remaining portion when modified (if 
requisite) by being entirely passed through a sieve of 
a medium size, will be more uniform in its texture, and 
favourable to an equable circulation of moisture. This 
process may be varied for any quality of soil, either for 
the purpose of attaining luxuriant growth, or for the first 
potting of young stock. 
2d. Suitable proportions and arrangement. of material 
in the process of potting are also essential to superior 
cultivation, particularly when young and tender plants are 
transferred from small to large pots. A rule of propor- 
tions has already been given. The two most general and 
fatal errors in potting are, first, in so placing the large 
potsherd (or other material) over the bottom hole of the 
pot, as to admit a very imperfect passage for the super- 
fluous moisture ; and secondly, a very partial intermediate 
drainage, or even its entire omission: A portion of 
porous material placed immediately upon. the lower drain- 
age prevents the soil from filling up the interstices of the 
potsherds beneath, and modifies the fluctuations of tem- 
perature to which plants may be exposed. Its coarser 
texture, moreover, prevents the soil above from remaining 
saturated in extreme cases of exposure. Next to the 
quality of soil the success of cultivation will much depend 
upon the quantity and arrangement of its parts. 
3d. A due exposure to atmospheric and solar agency is 
indispensable to the successful co-operation of other 
influences employed in the process of cultivation. The 
distinct agencies upon the mutual action of which the 
successful management of plants depend are, first, those 
to which they are subjected in the process of potting, &c., 
viz., the organic and chemical substances ; and, secondly, 
those which act upon their external surfaces, as light, air, 
heat, &c., each affecting to a certain extent the whole vege- 
table system. Atmospheric and solar influence should be 
so modified as to balance the power of absorption to which 
plants are exposed ; in other words, the intensity of the 
former should, as a general rule, be in proportion to the 
amount of material used in the process of potting, regu- 
lated at the same time by conditions of growth, situa- 
tion, &c. 
‘An error in first principles can be rectified by no 
after-application of scientific rules.’’ There is ample 
evidence to. prove, that it is ‘“the elementary conditions 
of an organised being, which favour the ultimate develop- 
ment of its parts.’” 
It has been a subject of surprise to some, that the 
system whose merits have been advocated has not been 
practised at an earlier period than the present. Perhaps 
the talismanic influence of custom, and the “ ten thousand” 
daily determinations to reduce the ‘‘ majestic proportions 
of Nature” to the pigmy restrictions of art, are not the 
only obstacles which science has had to remove. The de- 
ductions of reason, and the investigations of truth, have 
long ago proved that every operation in art is limited in 
its effect, in proportion as it recedes from the laws. which 
Nature has prescribed for the same end; and in appealing 
to the result of superior cultivation, or the records of 
professional practice, it will be found that every instance 
of pre-eminent success will prove to have been invariably 
an approximation towards an accumulative system of 
cultivation. 
I have been asked what is the probable period for which 
specimen plants of mature growth may be cultivated with 
success. The ultimate object of cultivation is the attain- 
ment of the greatest constitutional vigour, with a uniform 
development of bloom; it is consequently evident that 
the more nearly sucha result is attained, the more ex- 
hausted will be the vital energies of the plant—a develop- 
ment of bloom being matured or ultimate function of 
vegetable life. 
The renovation of such plants will depend upon the 
skilful appliance of those remedial operations which 
Nature points out. 
The first means employed is the early and entire re- 
moval of decayed blossoms ; and secondly, a removal (by 
pruning) of those portions of the plant which are partially 
exhausted by the production of bloom, at least so far as 
the proportions of the plant will permit. By thus limiting 
its circulation, the energies of a plant will again be excited 
by the accumulation of its sap, which, aided by a partial 
cessation of watering, and a closer and higher tempera- 
ture, by a few degrees, will serve to unfold its power in 
the development of buds. 
Two instances occur in the Pine-apple-Place establish- 
ment, which serve to show that even renewed shifts to 
other pots is not necessary in all cases of plants in large 
pots. The first is illustrated by the plant Zichya coccinea 
(formerly Kennedya), which forms the cut in a previous 
part of this Paper. The specimen was grown in a large 
16 pot, and bloomed profusely in the summer of 1842. 
Its consequent exhaustion appeared to preclude the pos- 
sibility of the plant being again excited into renewed 
bloom. After removing the exhausted blossoms, the 
plant remained unpotted, and again so far recovered its 
vigourias afterwards to be purchased for a Continental 
exhibition in the ensuing season. 
In a second instance, 'a plant of Gloxinia rubra was 
transferred in the spring of 1842 to a large 16 pot, the 
compost being nearly equal parts of dry decomposed 
manure and peat, ,, The same season it formed a luxuriant 
the previous season, extending three feet in diameter and 
nine feet in circumference. 
Such are a few of the features that characterise the best 
mode of cultivation yet known ; and, whatever may be 
the merit of other systems, in which, by a skilful appli- 
cation of artificial means, mature growth may be attained 
by successive efforts, it may be confidently affirmed that 
the noblest specimens have been obtained by an application 
of the principles adverted to in the foregoing statements. 
In conclusion, the merits of each system are of peculiar 
value. The restrictive mode of cultivation is perfect; in its 
application to the objects of commerce. The accumula- 
tive system i3 an approximation to that state of things in 
Nature, which, as the manifestation of Creative power, is 
perfect in its parts and in its design. 
WHEAT SPLITTING, 
Tux leading article of the Gardeners’ Chronicle, 
Sept. 23, contains a letter, signed ‘ Archdale Palmer,” 
on the produce of a single. grain of Wheat; 
the return from this single grain was 22,000: this 
beats the forty-fold Potatoes all to nothing, and may 
certainly be called the greatest discovery that ever took 
place in farming, provided it can be made use of at a 
moderate expense, .I have been requested by a gentleman 
interested in such matters, to make some calculations as 
to the probable cost of planting an acre upon this prin- 
ciple. J am no farmer myself, therefore my calculations 
will apply only to manual labour and expense. But as 
this experiment is in print, there is no difficulty in exa- 
mining what the result was. 
Mr. Palmer sowed a single grain of Wheat in July, 
1842; the day is not mentioned, and the most important 
points for a farmer to know are left out. In August the 
first produce of this grain made four plants, three weeks 
after; they were again separated, and made 12 plants ; 
separated again in September into 32 plants ; in November 
these were separated into 48 plants, and planted out in the 
open ground ; the letter does not say whether in a garden 
or ina field, but that they occupied 11 yards long by 1 
yard wide, being the 440th part of an acre, consequently 
440 seeds were sufficient to plant an acre. In August, 
1843, 10 of the 48 plants died, but the remaining 38 
plants produced 22,000 grains, which weighed 24 lbs. 
The farmer holds his land by the acre, and the average 
produced from a good field of Wheat is about 30 bushels 
to the acre. Now Jet me see what Mr. Palmer gained 
beyond what the farmer gets upon the old system, 2} Ibs. 
to every grain sown, that is, to 440 grains for an acre 18 
bushels and 12 pounds. -Add.to this one-third taken by 
the birds, making 24 bushels’; add also one-fifth for dead 
plants, which makes 29 bushels and 12 pounds to the acre: 
the farmer has saved 1} bushel by the experiment, pro- 
vided he did not lose a plant of what he planted out. 
But I think this experiment is well worth a farmer’s 
trial; it may be greatly improved upon by a practical 
man after the first year’s result, and may be very advan- 
tageous to poor people who have children going idle. A 
poor man having one acre of Wheat every year, his wife 
and children would perform the operation, and the two 
bushels and a half would keep them in bread during the 
time they were doing it. 
Iam aware that my scale of expense will startle the 
farmer in the first. instance, because I shall be liberal in 
giving him plenty of time to perform the work in; another 
thing, he must observe that it is made for able-bodied 
labourers at 2s. per day. ‘The idea of using pots of any 
size I discard at once, without a single remark. 
The first thing the farmer has to do is to provide a 
suitable piece of ground for a nursery for his plants—the 
nearer the field where he is to plant them out for good 
the better; the space required ought to be about 40 feet 
by 30 feet, divided in four feet beds, for the convenience 
of getting at the plants with ease from each side; the 
ground ought to be well manured and well dug. 
I would not wish to confine the farmer to the exact 
number of seeds, but let him sow the ounce at. once, as 
there will be failures of course, 
The expense, according to my view, is this :— 
és. da. 
Sowing one ounce of seed a ei a) 
Parting and planting the first produce into 1760 plants 0 1 0 
Parting and planting 1760 plants into 5280-5, 030 
Parting and planting 5280 ,, _ into 560 4 0 6 0 
Parting and planting out into the field 10,560 plants 
into 21,12 Xe Bi ie + 012°0 
#1 2 2 
This. calculation shows a loss of 3s. 8d. beyond what 
the farmer has under the present system. u 
But there is something else wanted : how is he to guide 
his planters to plant at 18 inches apart? to remedy this 
want he can make a light wooden harrow, with the bars 
set at the distance required, with a little roller, say six 
inches in diameter in front,, and a wooden tooth or iron 
in each bar at the other end; this is to make a mark for 
the workmen to plant in. Lines are too expensive for 
such a purpose.* 
Now if the farmer finds that it is beneficial to follow the 
plan now sketched out for him, I will put him on a cheaper 
method to perform the operation, if done on a large scale, 
that is, to do it with boys from 12 to 14 years of age, who 
* This machine may be drawn by a small pony; this harrow loses 
@ mark in eyery turn after the first, as it must return with the 
off tooth in the last marks 
; “would be glad to be employed at any price; but the wages 
I mean to put down for them are 3s, per week. 
If done by boys at 3s. per week :— 
Sowing one ounce of seed Ba ch oa 
Planting and parting the produce, one day 1760 plants 
Planting and parting 1760 plants into 5280, two days 0 
Planting and parting 5280 plants into 10,560, four days 0 
Planting and parting 10,560 plantsinto 21,120, andplant- 
: Baa) 
& 
0 
0 
ing them out in the field for good r 
£0 
This scale is given upon the supposition that the farmer 
might be inclined to plant four or five acres, or any num- 
ber he likes; and an old experienced labourer should be 
put as a head to keep them in order. 
Some of yourfarming contributors may-doubt my scale for 
boys if put in print; butif I was their master, they would do 
double the work put down for them. About the month of 
March, 1813, a young man of the name of John G., who 
was brought up as a gardener at Lord Aberdeen’s, Haddo 
House, and was some time in the nurseries at Aberdeen, 
came up and got employment in B.’s nursery at R.; this 
was in the time of the war, and men were scarce, and 
wages high. Mr. B. came by one day and said, ‘‘ How do 
they plant seedlings in your nurseries?”’ “‘ They dib 
them, sir,” said John. ‘And what do they give?’’ 
«Five-pence a thousand.’’ ‘ Very well, John, 1 will 
give you five-pence a thousand ; Ihave a great many 
to plant, and you may begin as soon as you like.” John 
could plant 10,000 Larches in a day himself; but he 
thought of another scheme. He saw a lot of boys at play 
in a field at—— ; he went out and stood looking at them 
for some time to see who was the nimblest among them $5 
he pitched upon six, and told them he would give them 3s. 
per week if they would come and work for him. They 
came, and in three or four hours he taught them to plant, 
and at the end of the week they were perfect masters of 
their work. John brought in a bill to B. on the Saturday 
night of five or six pounds. Mr. B. in astonishment de- 
clared he could not plant the number in that time. 
‘If you do not believe me,’’ said John, ‘‘ you may count 
them.’’ B, examined the ground, and paid him, but said 
he never was so caught before in any transaction he ever 
had to do with. John worked with me for a twelve- 
month, and he used to boast that he saved more money in 
B.’s nursery in a week than all the young men employed 
did in two years. Now these were Cockney boys, and I 
see no reason why country boys could not do the same. 
—Dingwell. 
Ty connexion with this subject we subjoin four state- 
ments from practical workmen, who all agree that pots 
are an unnecessary expense. 
No. I.—Experiment on ,}., of an acre. Extended ratio for 1 acre, 
July, 1 Grain sown, multiplied by 440 440 gene sown, 
Aug. beginning, 4 Plants, ,, ”» . 1760 Plants 
Aug, end,, ” ” sy» 5280 55 
Sept., SZ oye ay ” - 14,080 4, 
Nov., 43 on ” ” 21,120 4) 
Hours. Min 
July Sowing 440 Grains 0 20 
Aug. (begin,) taking up . 440 Plants 0 20 
Dividing into .. 1760 ,, mai. bye 8 
Planting «176 3 jsaea? 80 
Aug.end. Taking up .. 1760 ;, sph ig:28 
Dividing into 5280 gy tn, S Ede 
nting ee BReO AO cee 
Sept. Taking up. so) (BRB80° 155. 4524 
ividing into 14,080 5 9... 23 
ng 14,080 5, uh pred 
Noy. Taking up 14,080, Yb 44 
Dividing into 21,120 55 eared 4 
Planting BN AD +» 42 14 
Hours 130 49 m, 
Nearly 13 days 1 hour—or 133 days may be allowed. 
Of this 4} days may be reckoned for women and 
boys, occupied in taking up and dividing the # s. & 
plants, at 1s, per day a ie. 0 46 
Men, 9 days at 2s, per day 
1018 0 
hee 
£1 2 6 
It would appear from this estimate that 18s, 6d., the 
saving in seed, is short ‘of the expense incurred to the 
extent of 4s.; whilst the expense of superintending thé 
labour would be greater than is required for sowing. It 
also appears that in Mr. Archdale Palmer’s small, and 
doubtless carefully-conducted experiment, 10 plants out 
of the 48 died ; this is a large proportion, leaving more 
than 4 of the ground blank, whilst the return of produce 
does not warrant the supposition that the remainder 
would make up for such deficiency ; 2} lbs is 20% 20 
bushels per acre; and if to this be added 4, stated to be 
destroyed by birds, still the amount would not equal an 
average crop. lue of 
The expense of labour more than balances the value o: 
seed saved; and 
The produce is deficient more than the 
required to sow an acre in the usual w 
No, II.—In the following calculatio 
labour is at the rate of 2d. per hour for 
by the day. Itis also supposed that the st 
ready for sowing, &c. 
To plant an acre of Wheat, the plants to stand one foot x¢ s. d. 
apart, 305 graing are to be sown, about the middle o} 
July, six inches apart each way in the open ground, 
quantity 
ay. 
7 ehe allowance for 
a fair man’s labour 
ound is prepared, 
the labour for which would be halfanhour iy 0) Ogu 
The same taken up and divided about oe of 
‘August (much, as regards the time, depending on the 
state of the weather), and averaging ie ons 4 
times to each grain, or 1220 plants; to be planted at 
six inches apart (planting, on a average, 10 plants fi 
a minute), two hours’ labour . . . ie ee Ord a 
Taking up and dividing the same - * Sane 00 
‘The same again taken up and divided, about the middle 
of September, and averaging a division of 3 times, or 
3660 plants, and still planted six inches apart « » 010 
Taking up and dividing the above eee lege dood 
Carried forward 0 2 9 
