COMMONPLACE NOTES. 



853 



9. Inspection of gardens. 



10. Unlimited privilege to suck the brains of the Scientific Committee 

 and of the Secretary and Superintendent. 



But supposing these last five items to average a value of little more 

 than 6s. each, you arrive at a grand total of £5 for £1. Is., to say nothing 

 of the satisfaction of joining with others to help on the progress of the 

 most beautiful and the most peaceful of all the arts and sciences. 



The Livekwort under Glass. 



Everyone is familiar with the Liverwort, not only in greenhouses and 

 frames, but also spreading its slippery surface on shady walks in the 

 garden and in sheltered nooks in the rockery. It is under glass, however 

 that the Liverwort (Marchantia iJolymori:)ha) is such an intolerable 

 nuisance, as well as an eyesore, covering up the surface of the soil in 

 pots with its thick flat growth, and frequently coating the soil of seed- 

 pans with such a dense layer of growth that many kinds of seeds are 

 utterly unable to penetrate it, and are choked as they germinate. In 

 many cases the Liverwort is produced by the spores being in the water 

 used for watering and syringing, or the spores may settle on the surface 

 of the pots, being carried in the wind from fruiting plants of Liverwort 

 growing on the ashes or gravel on which the pot -plants or seed-pans are 

 stood. One is often asked, " What is the best method of combating this 

 unsightly and noxious plant and keeping it at a respectable distance?" 

 Well, in the first place try perfect cleanliness in all glasshouses, frames, 

 and such like ; not only keeping the pots themselves clean, but also the 

 ashbeds or w^hatever else it be the pots are stood upon. And should any 

 of the Liverwort appear, brought in the water or wafted on the air, a 

 very slight application of powdered sulphate of ammonia will kill it, and 

 win also stimulate growth in the plants. Sulphate of ammonia will 

 destroy every atom of Liverwort on which it falls ; but, as it is a very 

 powerful manure, only a small quantity must be used or the plants may 

 be injured. Half a teaspoonful is ample for a pot 10 inches in diameter, 

 and care should be taken that none of the powder fall on any green 

 foliage except the Liverwort, or it will burn and scorch it. Another 

 plan is to remove the Liverwort with a pointed stick, but this is apt to 

 lay bare the surface roots or to pull up the recently sown seeds, and 

 necessitates top-dressing again with fresh soil, as well as taking up a con- 

 siderable amount of time ; whereas the former method is very expeditious, 

 and, if done carefully and with moderation, stimulating to the plants as 

 well, To prevent the loss of very fine seeds, Fern spores and such-like, 

 the soil in which they are to be sown should be thoroughly sterilised, 

 i.e. baked, to destroy all germs in the soil ; and afterwards, when watering 

 is needed, it should not be given from above, but the pot or pan should be 

 plunged nearly up to the rim in water, thus allowing the moisture to 

 soak up from below. In this way the surface is kept clear of Liverwort, 

 and the seeds can germinate at will. 



Mistletoe. 



Apropos of the note on page 592, another Fellow sends the following 

 information : — " On February 12, 1901, I smeared two berries on the 



