August 3, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
103 
them yet remain in very vigorous growth. One of these, which cannot 
possibly be less than forty-seven years old, has cropped heavily ever 
since 1856, Last year it yielded three and a half stones of berries ; this 
year it was still more heavily laden, the estimated weight of the crop 
being four stones. 
CAMPANULA GRANDIFLORA MARIESI. 
At the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on July 25th 
Messrs. G. Paul & Son, the Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, staged a plant of 
Campanula grandiflora Mariesi, and for which the Floral Committee 
John Rennet Lawes, LL.D., F.R.S., and Dr. John Henry Gilbert, F.R.S.„ 
in commemoration of the fifty years agricultural, chemical, and botanical 
investigations which those gentlemen have jointly carried out on the 
Rothamsted estate, and which hare become famous throughout the 
world. The proceedings on Saturday were the result of a movement 
initiated by the Prince of Wales, who called a meeting at the rooms of 
the Royal Agricultural Society on March 1st last, when His Royal 
Highness gave the following brief outline of the work of Sir John Lawes 
and Dr. Gilbert :— 
“ All those who are interested in the progress of agricultural know¬ 
ledge, and especially in the application of chemistry to the cultivation 
of crops and the feeding of stock, must be aware of the extreme im¬ 
portance of the valuable series of experiments so long carried on at. 
Fig. 16.—campanula grandiflora mariesi. 
awarded a first-class certificate. The plant, also known as Platycodon 
grandiflorum Mariesi, is not a new one, inasmuch as it was introduced 
upwards of a decade ago. It is nevertheless worthy of more extensive 
culture, and should be given a place in every garden. 
As shown in the illustration (fig. 16), the plant is dwarf in habit, 
being not more than 6 inches in height. The flowers are large and 
broad, measuring 3 inches or more in diameter, and of a brilliant 
purplish blue colour with darker veins. It is a charming plant, and 
deserves a better fate than it hitherto has had. 
THE ROTHAMSTED JUBILEE. 
Ax event, which was described as “ unique in the history of scientific 
collaboration, as well as in the history of scientific research,” was 
celebrated in the Hertfordshire village of Harpenden on Saturday, when 
a huge granite memorial was dedicated and presentations made to Sir 
Rothamsted by Sir John Rennet Lawes. These experiments were com¬ 
menced in the year 1843, so that the current year will witness the 
conclusion of no less than half a century’s investigations, which have 
been conducted during the lifetime of their founder. During the whole 
of this period, moreover. Dr. Gilbert has been associated with Sir John 
Lawes in the work of experimental research. The Rothamsted experi¬ 
ments have from the commencement been entirely disconnected with 
any external organisation, and have been maintained at the sole cost of 
Sir John Lawes. For the continuance of the investigations after his 
death. Sir John has recently made the munificent endowment of 
£100,000, besides the famous laboratory and certain areas of land, and 
has nominated some of the most distinguished scientists of the day to 
administer the trust. In view of all these facts, and the great national 
importance of the Rothamsted experiments, it is only fitting that some 
public recognition should be made of the invaluable services rendered 
to agriculture by Sir John Lawes and hii distinguished colleague, Dr. 
Gilbert.” 
As the result of the meeting an Executive Committee was formed. 
