July 10, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. ■ 
55 
mixed with horse droppings—if the heap be large the droppings tvill 
not be necessary—and an equal weight of loam or clay to absorb the 
resulting ammonia, and the whole moistened with urine, the heat will 
soon rise, and the bones become softened and made readily available 
as plant food. Those who have bones and wish to prepare them more 
rapidly for use than Nature would do will find this a cheaper plan, 
and ultimately as effective as preparing them by means of vitriol. 
Doubtless finely ground mineral phosphates would be rendered more 
available for the current crop if they were sprinkled among ordinary 
manure when put up to ferment. While carbonic acid renders 
phosphates more readily soluble, solutions of salts have the same effect. 
Common salt acts in this way, so docs ammonia sulphate. But the 
roots of plants have the power of dissolving mineral substances, and 
have been found to corrode even dolomite. Strong-growing plants 
have this power in an enhanced degree, and very probably whatever 
adds to the vigour of a plant aids it indirectly in dissolving not only 
phosphates but other minerals as well. 
It is impossible to meet the demand for phosphates by the supply 
of bones ; but, luckily, there exist in various quarters of the globe 
apparently inexhaustible supplies of mineral phosphates, from which 
superphosphates of the first quality may be manufactured. At home 
coprolites have been dug up and. largely used for this purpose. 
The less of matter other than tricalcic phosphate the more valuable 
they are. The more foreign matter, such as calcic carbonate, ferric 
oxide, or alumina, the greater the quantity of sulphuric acid uselessly 
expended, for the acid combines with these and the product is of 
little value. 
Cambridge coprolne was for long considered the best native 
phosphate, but it is nQw hardly so rich as it once was, containing 
as it does less phosphate and more other matters. Buckinghamshire 
coprolite is also much valued ; it contains as much as 64 to 66 per 
cent, of phosphate. Those found in Bedford and Suffolk contain 
much iron, which makes them less valuable than the above ; the best 
samples yield about 56 per cent, of phosphate, the red and black 
Wicken from 40 to 50. Among the best of foreign phosphates are 
those from Bordeaux, but they seem to be getting scarce. The best 
samples contain as much as 76 per cent, of phosphate, but others no 
more than 50, much clay and iron being present. 
South Carolina phosphate is largety used, and as it contains little 
iron or lime it does not “waste" so much acid in its reduction. 
Although containing about 55 to 60 per cent, only of phosphates, the 
bulk of the other matter is sand, which does not combine with the 
vitriol as does lime or iron. Curacoa phosphate is the purest 
phosphate imported with the exception of bone ash. It contains as 
as much as 88 per cent, of pure phosphate. Many other phosphates 
are imported, but these are the principle ones in the market. Lately, 
however, phosphates containing alumina and iron in place of lime 
have been used, and although prejudice was against them, they have 
been found nearly, if not quite, equal to calcic phosphate. The chief 
kinds are Alta Vela and Bhedonda, In 1881 a mixture of 2 cwts. of 
the former mixed with an equal quantity of kainit produce 15 tons 
of Potatoes to the acre on Munster farm, as against considerably less 
produced in some instances by more favoured phosphates. In some 
other instances better results were produced by Curacoa and American 
phosphates, but not in all. The phosphates naturally present in soils 
are generally phosphates of iron and alumina, and soluble phosphates 
artificially applied very often assume these forms. Although less 
soluble than calcic phosphate, the plants seem to be able to use them. 
As Alta Vela phosphates are often considerably lower in price than 
Cura 9 oa phosphates, it may sometimes be real economy to use such. 
In South America, where cattle are killed for the hides, horns, 
and fat, the bones and dried flesh are used for fuel. The ash from 
the fires is imported under the name of bone ash, and is a source of 
superior superphosphates, for though not often containing more than 
60 per cent, of tricalcic diphosphate, the matter with which it is 
mixed does not contain anything worth mentioning possessing the 
power of neutralising the acid.— Single-handed. 
(To be continued.) 
WIRRALL ROSE SHOW. 
July 10th. 
The above Society held their fifth annual Exhibition in St. George’s 
Hall, Liverpool, instead of in the Archery Ground, Birkenhead, as in 
previous years. The Exhibition, as far as the quality and quantity of the 
exhibits were concerned, was a great success, but we fear this was not 
the case financially, as the thin attendance of visitors must have been 
anything but gratifying to the Committee of the Society. This is to be 
regretted, for never before were such a large and beautiful display of Roses 
brought together in the city. The blooms were very numerous, and on 
the whole much superior to what the most sanguine anticipated after the 
recent heavy rains. The dark varieties were in the best condition, while 
the lights displayed unmistakeably the effects of the weather. Tea varieties 
were more numerous than at any other of the Society’s previous exhibitions ; 
they were also larger and of superior quality. 
In the nurserymen’s class for seventy-two blooms Messrs. Cranston 
and Co., Hereford, took the lead, followed closely by Mr. B. R. Cant, 
Colchester, and Messrs. Paul & Sons, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt. In the 
premier collection some handsome blooms were staged of Mrs. Baker, 
large and full; Beauty of Waltham, very fine; Mdlle. Eugdnie Yerdier, 
Victor Verdier, Dingee Conard, in splendid form ; Tea Niphetos, large j 
Horace Yernet, Pride of Waltham, superb ; George Moreau, Princess 
Beatrice, Madame Montel, large and beautiful; Jules Finger, and Madame- 
Vidot, amongst many others. Mr. Cant’s boxes contained grand blooms of 
Abel Carriere, Tea Catherine Mermet, Devienne Lamy, Mrs. Baker, Countess 
of Rosebery, Madame Ducher, Etienne Levet, Boildeau, Gloire de Yitry, 
and Reynolds Hole. In the third collection R. N. G. Baker, William 
Koelle, May Quennell, Mons. E. Y. Teas, and Duke of Teck were grand. 
For thirty-six blooms Mr. G. Prince, Oxford, took the lead with a grand 
lot. Mr. J. House, .Peterborough, was a good second; and Messrs. James 
Dickson & Sons, Newton Nurseries, Chester, were third with good, even, 
fresh flowers. Those shown in this class by Mr. Frettingham, Beeston, 
Notts, Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, and G. Davison & Co., Hereford, 
are also worthy of mention, as these collections contained some remarkable 
flowers. In the class for thirty-six triplets Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, 
were deservedly placed first, followed by Mr. B. R. Cant and Messrs. 
Cranston ifc Co. In the class for eighteen triplets four competitors staged 
some remarkably fine blooms. The awards were accorded to Mr. G_ 
Prince, Messrs. James Dickson & Sons, and Messrs. Perkins & Sons, 
Coventry. 
For .twelve new Roses there were three competitors, and the first and 
second prizes were awarded to Messrs. Paul & Sons and B. R. Cant in the 
order as named, both exhibitors staging really first-rate blooms ; the former 
having good IJlrieh Brunner, George Moreau, Mrs. Harry Turner very 
iright and full; Guillaume Guillemot, Mrs. Jowitt, Merveille de Lyon, 
Souvenir de Madame Alfred Vy, and Madame Isaac Perriere. The latter 
staged Tea Etoile de Lyon, bright yellow ; Violette Bowyer, a beautiful 
white bloom ; Madame Montel, Helen Paul, Masterpiece, and others similar 
to those staged in the first collection. 
Tea varieties w r ere of superior quality, and the competition was keen. 
Mr. B. R. Cant was deservedly awarded the place of honour, followed very 
closely by Mr. G. Prince ; Messrs. Paul & Sons being third. Messrs. F. & A. 
Dickson & Sons, Chester, amongst others, also staged a remarkably fine 
collection. The first collection contained large well-formed blooms of Paul 
Neyron, Madame H. Jamain, Devoniensis, Bougere, Niphetos, very large j 
Adam, superb ; Souvenir d’Elise, grand ; Caroline Kuster, Rubens, large ; 
Madame Lambard, good ; Madame Welche, Comtesse de Nadaillac, Souvenir 
d’un Ami, La Boule d’Or, and Moire. Mr. Prince had remarkably fine 
blooms of Jean Ducher, Innocente Pirola, Alba Rosea, Perle des Jardins, 
Rubens, and Niphetos. In the third collection Madame Cusin, Perle de 
Lyon, Madame Angdle Jaquier, and Belle Lyonnaise were the best. Six 
competitors staged blooms in this class. * . 
In the class for any new seedling Rose not in commerce Mr. Frettingham, 
Beeston, Notts, was awarded the Society’s gold medal for blooms of Lord 
Frederick Cavendish, which is bright in colour, full, and much after Duke- 
of Edinburgh and Prince de Porcia in the wood. It has the appearance or 
being a robust grower, judging from the grand plants exhibited. 
There were eleven classes open to all amateurs, and the whole of the 
classes were filled, some grand blooms being shown. In the class foi 
thirty-six varieties E. R. Whitwell, Esq., Barton Hall, Darlington, w as- 
well ahead, showing bright well-formed flowers of Lord Macaulay, Mons. 
Boncenne, Alfred Colomb, General Jacqueminot, Madame Lacharme, 
Avocat Duvivier, Yavier Olibo, E. Y. Teas, Louis Yan Houtte, Madame 
Prosper Langier, La France, Abel Grand, Mdlle. Eugenie Yerdier, and 
Duchesse de Yallombrosa. C. J. Day, Esq., Rowton, Chester, was a good 
second ; and Mr. T. B. Hall, Larchwood, Rock Ferry, third with fresh but 
smaller blooms. For twenty-four blooms the Rev. L. Garnett, Christleton, 
Chester, was first, followed by Miss Massey. Chester, and R. Tanner, Esq., 
Onibury, Salop, in the order named. Mr. Garnett staged good blooms of 
John Bright, Abel Carriere, A. K. Williams, Charles Lefebvre, Madame 
Clemence Joigneaux, and President Willermoz. For twelve blooms Mr. C.. 
Hutchings, Warrington, was first, having good Duke of Wellington, Charles- 
Lefebvre, Mdlle. Marie Rady, and Madame Victor Verdier ; Mr. I. Griffiths, 
Oxton, second with smaller blooms; and Mrs. Watts third. In the class- 
for twelve triplets E. R. Whitwell, Esq., took the lead ; Mr. T. B. Han 
second, having some splendid light flowers in his collection. I or twelve- 
Tea varieties C. J. Day, Esq., was first with creditable blooms. Mr. I-■B- 
Hall was second with very neat flowers, and R. Tanner, Esq., third. I oi 
six blooms Messrs. Hall and A. Tate were the successful exhibitors. 
For twelve blooms of any pink Rose Mr. Garnett was first with a veiy 
fine box of La France ; Mr. T. B. Hall second with Mdlle. Marie Finger j. 
and Mr. T. Griffiths third with Eugenie Verdier. For twelve crimson 
blooms of any one Rose the last-named exhibitor was the only competitor, 
and was awarded the first prize for bright flowers of Charles Lefebvie, 
For six new Roses Mr. T. B. Hall was first. In the remaining class for 
six Tea and six H.P. Roses the prizetakers were Messrs. Day, Hall, and 
Tanner. , 14.11 
The next section provided two classes, which were open only to local 
amateurs, for twenty-four varieties. Mr. T. B. Hall was deservedly awarded 
the gold medal, and Mr. Griffiths was placed second. For eighteen varieties 
the same exhibitors were again successful, and were awarded the prizes m 
the same order ; Mr. Griffiths being awarded the prize for the premier bloom 
in this section, which was accorded for a perfect bloom of Duke of n ellmgton. 
The next section of the schedule was also devoted to. amateurs, from which 
exhibitors in the above classes were excluded. For eighteen blooms Mr. W. 
Mease, gardener to C. W. Newmann, Esq., Wyncote, Allerton, was well first 
with very fine blooms for this locality, and for which the silver medal was 
awarded. Mr. G. Churton, Parkgate, was placed second ; and Mr. Barker, 
gardener to J. T. Raynes, Esq., Rock Ferry, third ; and Mr: Waterman, 
gardener to A. Tate, Esq., Woolton, fourth. For twelve blooms the first- 
named exhibitor was again first, Mr. Waterman second, Mr. Barker third, alt 
staging flowers very creditable to the growers. 
In competition for the bronze medal, and from which the previous 
exhibitors were excluded, some good flowers were staged, and the compe¬ 
tition in most instances was keen. For twelve blooms Mr. H. G. Iippett, 
Rock Ferry ; Mr. C. K. Hall, Oxton; Messrs. W. Gaman, Rock Ferry, and 
