132 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 10, 1833. 
to the ease with which they might be fertilised one with the other it 
was now generally acknowledged that they were but species of one 
genus. Gannas were introduced by Gerarde in the year 1596, the 
species being named indica. The Gannas were first taken in hand by 
hybridisers in the year 1840, at least it was in the year in which the 
results were first recorded. The leader in this great work was Mons. 
Andrd Since that year the advance in the quality of Gannas has been 
steady throughout the whole of the time. 
During the past twenty years the hybridists have, said the essayist, 
used the true Ganna and the well known forms of iridiflora, the objects 
having been to secure fine bright coloured flowers of large size, and at 
the same time to retain the handsome characteristics of the foliage. 
The result of these improvements had been that the old true Gannas 
have been almost driven out of cultivation, the more showy later 
hybrids having practically superseded them. A short discussion was 
afterwards held, in which Mr. G. Paul took a prominent part, and then 
a vote of thanks having been accorded to Mr. Baker for his interesting 
discourse the meeting closed. 
THE VALUE OF NITROGEN TO PLANTS. 
Plants can use nitrogen in three different forms—viz. :— 
(1) , As nitrogen gas or uncombined nitrogen. 
(2) , In the form of ammonia. 
(3) , In the form of nitrates. 
All plants cannot use nitrogen in any of these three forms equally 
well, but each form is found specially suited to certain kinds of plants, 
as will be noticed. 
(a). Nitrogen Gas Used by Plants. —Although we have nitrogen 
gas, or uncombined nitrogen, existing in the air in enormous quantities, 
still, the number and kinds of plants which can use the nitrogen of the 
air is not large. In general, those plants which are called leguminous, 
such as the Bean, Pea, Glover, Alfalfa, &c., can take uncombined, 
nitrogen from the air. 
(&), Nitrogen of Ammonia Used by Plants. —The leaves of 
some plants have the power of absorbing ammonia directly from the 
air and obtain nitrogen in this way. Some plants obtain nitrogen from 
ammonium salts through the soil. 
(c). Nitrogen op Nitrates Used by Plants.— The largest part 
of the nitrogen which most plants obtain is taken up by their roots 
from the soil in the form of nitrates ; that is, nitric acid combined with 
some metal, as sodium or potassium. As already stated, most of the 
nitrates used by plants are formed by changing into nitrates ammonia 
compounds and organic substances in the soil by the process called 
nitrification. Hence, nitrogen, in the form of nitrates, is the most 
available form for most plants; that is, it can be most readily taken up 
and used by plants. 
Relations op Nitrogen to Fertilisers. 
(<f), Experiments have shown that nitrogen is essential to the growth 
of plants ; that the quantities of nitrogen available as plant food are 
very small; that nitrogen is one of the first elements in the soil to be 
used up ; that, of all the fertilising elements, nitrogen is and always 
has been the most expensive. 
The Specific Action of Nitrogen upon Plants. 
G), The influence of nitrogen in its various forms upon plant growth 
is shown by at least three striking effects. 
First.—The growth of stems and leaves is greatly promoted, while 
that of buds and flowers is retarded. Ordinarily, most plants, at a 
certain period of growth, cease to produce new branches and foliage, or 
to increase those already formed, and commence to produce flowers and 
fruits, whereby the species may be perpetuated. If a plant is provided 
with as much available nitrogen as it can use just at the time it begins 
to flower, the formation of flowers may be checked, while the activity of 
growth is transferred back to and renewed in stems and leaves, which 
take on a new vigour and multiply with remarkable luxuriance. 
Should flowers be produced under these circumstances they are sterile 
and produce no seed. 
Second.—The effect of nitrogen upon plants is to deepen the 
colour of the foliage, which is a sign of increased vegetative activity and 
health. 
Third.—The effect of nitrogen is to increase in a very marked degree 
the relative proportion of nitrogen in the plants. 
Loss OF Nitrogen Gompounds. 
(/)> Since ammonia compounds and nitrates dissolve easily in water, 
is there not danger of their being carried away in drainage water from 
the upper soil out of reach of the plant ? 
Experiments have been made to settle the question, and results 
indicate that ammonia compounds are largely retained in the soil. 
Nitrates are apt to be washed out and lost in the case of bare fallow 
land ; but when the soil is covered with vegetation there is little or no 
loss, for the reason that the roots of growing plants absorb nitrogen very 
readily. Some nitrogen is also lost by organic matter in the process of 
decay, escaping into the air as free nitrogen. 
These losses^ of nitrogen are, to some extent, replaced naturally by 
means of the nitric acid and ammonia dissolved by the rain and dew, 
also by organic matter decaying at the surface of the soil, and by 
conversion of the free nitrogen of the air into some form which the 
plant can take up and use. These natural additions of nitrogen do not 
usually make good on the farm the losses, and in time the nitrogen 
becomes insufucient to produce paying crops without the addition of 
nitrogenous manures.—N. T. J. (in the “Agricultural Economist.’’) 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
SOUTHAMPTON.— August 5th and 7th. 
For some years past wet weather has characterised the summer 
Exhibition and Fete held annually under the auspices of the Royal 
Horticultural Society of Southampton, and the financial results have 
in consequence not always been of a satisfactory nature. The gentle¬ 
men comprising the Gouncil, however, have never been daunted, and 
notwithstanding the difficulties they have had to contend with in this 
respect, have each year managed to provide an Exhibition that is 
generally considered to be one of the best held in the South of England. 
That which took place in the grounds of the Society at Westwood Park 
on the above dates proved no exception to the rule as regards the 
exhibits. Those who are acquainted with the Great York Gala and the 
famous Shrewsbury Exhibition may form an idea as to what the South¬ 
ampton Fete is in the south, although on rather a smaller scale. It is 
a flower show attended by numerous side attractions, which serve as 
valuable auxiliaries to the floral portion so far as inducing a large 
number of visitors is concerned. Fortunately fine weather prevailed 
on this occasion, and thousands of people visited the grounds. 
Regarding the Exhibition, although the entries in some classes were 
not particularly numerous, it was, on the whole, a grand show. In the 
opinion of the judges the exhibits were quite up to the standard, 
and in some instances were exceptionally fine. Specimen plants were 
exceedingly good despite the fact that such growers as Messrs. Gypher 
of Gheltenham, and A. Ocock, erstwhile gardener at Handcross Park, 
have apparently ceased to exhibit at Southampton. The plants shown 
by Mr. Jennings in the leading class attracted much attention, 
they being grand examples of cultural skill. The groups, usually 
a strong feature, were good, and the same may be said of the cut blooms. 
Fruit and vegetables were excellent, the bunches of Muscat of Alex¬ 
andria shown by Mr. E. Molyneux being amongst the best we have 
seen this year. The arrangements were conducted in an efficient manner 
by Mr. G. S. Fuidge, the energetic Secretary. 
Plants and Groups. 
The principal class in the open section was for ten stove and greenhouse 
plants, five to be in bloom, and the remaining foliage specimens. Four 
exhibitors competed for the substantial prizes offered, and the leading 
awmrd went to Mr. F. G. Jennings, gardener to W. Garton, Esq., Rose- 
lands, Woolston, for splendidly grown plants. Those in flower comprised 
Stephanotis floribunda, Glerodendron Balfourianum, Statice profusa, 
Allamanda nobilis and A. Hendersoni, the others including Grotons 
Warreni and Queen Victoria, well coloured and in exceptionally fine 
condition. Mr. T. Wilkins, gardener to Lady Theodora Guest, Inwood 
House, Hensbridge, was second. Bougainvillea glabra, Ixora Williamsi, 
and Groton Queen Victoria being well shown by this exhibitor. The 
third prize went to Mr. E. Wills, Shirley, and the fourth to Mr. 
N. Blandford. Mr. Jennings was again first in the class for six stove 
and greenhouse plants, showing Groton angustifolium (grand and well 
coloured), Allamanda nobilis, Dipladenia amabilis, Stephanotis flori¬ 
bunda, Dicksonia antarctica, and Kentia Fosteriana. Mr. W. Peel, 
gardener to Miss Todd, Sidford Lodge, Shirley, was a good second, Mr, 
E. Wills being third, and Mr. T. Williams fourth. The last named 
exhibited a magnificent plant of Gassia corymbosa loaded with blossoms. 
Mr. T. Hall, gardener to Samuel Montague, Esq., M.P., President of the 
Society, South Stoneham House, secured the premier award for six 
miscellaneous plants, the best of which were Eucharis amazonica, 
well flowered ; Latania borbonica, Gocos Weddelliana, and Allamanda 
Hendersoni. The second prize went to Mr. W. Peel for a collection of 
smaller plants. 
The groupswere good,andintheleading classthe competition was very 
keen. Mr. Wilkins, however, proved the winner of the principal award, 
this exhibitor having arranged a charming exhibit. The plants were 
tastefully put together, and the whole produced a very fine effect. From 
a groundwork of Adiantum, fresh and green in appearance, rose graceful 
spikes of Gelosias, Francoas, and other flowering plants, these being 
interspersed with Aralias, Grotons, Dracsenas, and Galadiums, all richly 
coloured. Mr. E. Wills followed closely with a very fine arrangement, 
the third position being assigned to Mr. E. Garr, gardener to W. A. Gillet, 
Esq., Fair Oak Lodge, Bishopstoke ; and the fourth to Mr. B. Ladhams, 
Shirley, for a compact group of miscellaneous plants. For a smaller 
group Mr. Peel secured the leading position, having a fine collection of 
plants well arranged. The background was composed of a large Palm 
and Humea elegans, and amongst the most noticeable plants were 
Grotons, Galadiums, Dracaenas, Liliums, and Alocasias. Mr. T. Hall 
was second, Messrs. Langston Brothers, Burgess Street, Bassett, being 
third. Mrs. Kingsbury, Bevois Valley, had the best collection of nursery 
stock ; Mr. G. Windebank, Bevois Town, being second; and Mr. 
Ladhams third. In the amateurs’ section the groups of plants were 
also well arranged, the principal prizewinners being Messrs. T. E. 
Ghamberlain, F. M. Vokes, and H. 0. Vokes. 
Ferns were well shown in the open class. Mr. F. G. Jennings had 
the best six stove or greenhouse Ferns in Adiantum concinnum, 
A. cardiochlaena, A. fragrantissimum, Davallia Mooreana, Microlepia 
hirta cristata (very fine), and Nephrolepis davallioides furcans. Mr. 
J. Annys, gardener to the Hon. Mrs. Eliote Yorke, Hamble Gliffe, was 
second; Mr. W. Peel third ; and Mr. W. Garr fourth. Mr. N. Blandford, 
gardener to Mrs. Haselfoot, Moor Hill, West End, was first wdth six 
double Zonal Pelargoniums and the same number of single varieties. 
Mr. G. Windebank was second in both classes. Goleuses were finely 
shown, the best plants coming from Mr. T. Hall ; Messrs. E. Garr and 
