260 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 30, 1893 
districts. Though the temperature was so favourable, protection for 
various plants was not by any means despised. This consisted 
principally of glass frames built with a centre bar and sloping 
almost to the ground, and having the ends stuffed with straw or 
fern. Greenhouses were by no means common, though many of the 
flower growers had built them, and which were mainly used for afford¬ 
ing a constant supply of bush Eoses, French Beans, Tomatoes, and 
Strawberries during the months of January and February. In these 
houses hot-water pipes were fixed in case of emergency, though, said 
the essayist, their use had very seldom to be resorted to, the growers 
depending on the natural influences of light and air to develop the 
plants and trees. 
Foremost amongst the many trees grown in the Eiviera for market 
purposes were the Australian Mimosas, and of these Acacia dealbata 
stood pre-eminent. The tree rapidly grows to a large size, and is during 
the months of Jannuary and February a beautif^ul sight. The soil 
most suitable to this tree is found only on the hills round Cannes, as it 
does not thrive on clayey soils. Eucalyptus globulus was also very 
largely grown for the markets, the sprays when covered with their 
white blooms being very effective. Roses, the essayist said, were a great 
feature and source of income to the inhabitants of the Riviera. The 
varieties grown for spring blooming were indica major and Banksian 
amongst others. Ten years ago the Dean of Rochester said that ninety- 
nine out of every hundred Eoses grown in the Riviera were the Safrano 
variety, and the same per-centage holds good to-day. It blooms 
profusely all the year round, and is much appreciated by purchasers. 
Climbing Roses were also very largely grown on walls, and were 
very remunerative. White and yellow Marguerites were extensively 
cultivated, as were Pinks, Roman Hyacinths, Narcissi, Jonquils, hybrid 
Gladioli, Allium neapolitanum. Tulips, and Freesias. 
Anemones were, said the essayist, indigenous to the Riviera, and as 
they carried well and revived in water, were grown by the acre. Two 
single varieties were still to be found wild—purple and scarlet, the latter 
being by far the most beautiful and in the greatest demand, and is con¬ 
sequently to be found in much less numbers. Violets were extensively 
grown, and Mignonette was in very great demand. The essayist, in con¬ 
clusion, said that anyone who would go to the Riviera to spend their 
Easter holiday would be amply rewarded by the delightful flowers and 
the blue sky and sea which would welcome him on his arrival. 
A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mons. de Vilmorin for send¬ 
ing his admirable paper, to Rev. W. Wilks for reading it, and to Dr. Hogg 
for presiding at the meeting. 
IS SOOT A GOOD MANURE? 
In reply to “ W. C.” (page 199) I may say that soot is a very excellent 
fertiliser as well as purifier of the soil. During the last twenty-two 
years I have annually used large quantities of soot in various ways in 
the gardens here with most satisfactory results. All ground to be 
cropped with Onions, Parsnips, Carrots, and Turnips is surface-dressed 
with soot immediately, before drawing the drills for the reception of the 
seed ; also before making plantations of Lettuce, Parsley, and Carna¬ 
tions, plants liable to the attacks of the grub and Onion maggot, 
sufficient soot is strewn over the ground to discolour it. 
Before transplanting Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Savoys, Broccolis, and 
Borecoles, the roots of the plants are dipped into a “ puddle,” into which 
a double handful of soot has been stirred. This renders the roots dis¬ 
tasteful to the attacks of the grub and other creatures injurious to root 
growth. Thus it is that our crops of Onions, Parsley, and similar things 
are never attacked by the maggots or wireworm, the ground consequent 
upon the frequent applications of soot being quite free from those 
troublesome pests. So much for the efficacy of soot as a purifier of the 
soil and preventive to the attacks of insects on the roots of plants, not 
only growing in the open ground but also in pots and tubs. 
Anyone desirous of demonstrating the efficiency of soot as a manure 
can easily do so by leaving space for a few rows of Onions undressed 
with soot and noting the result. The growth resulting from seed sown 
in the ground over which soot had been scattered will be of a rich dark 
green colour, while that obtained from the undressed ground will be less 
vigorous and of a comparatively pale green colour, the colour of one 
lot of plants being markedly distinct from the other. Again, top-dress 
a portion of an impoverished lawn with a sifted mixture consisting, say, 
of three parts good soil and one of leaf mould, and to this mixture add 
soot at the rate of a gallon of the latter to a bushel of the former before 
applying it to the remaining portion, and the resulting growth will 
afford conclusive evidence in favour of soot being a valuable fertilising 
agent. A good surface dressing of soot pointed into a Vine or Peach 
border with a five-tined fork before applying clear tepid water will 
greatly assist in the production of crops of a high order. 
A peck or two of soot tied in a piece of coarse cloth and then dipped 
into a tub of tepid water, and squeezed well into it for a few minutes 
before applying it at the roots of Pine Apple plants, fruit trees, Roses, 
Camellias, and Orange trees growing in pots and tubs, will prove very 
beneficial and productive of good results. A solution of lime and soot 
applied to Peach walls with a stiffish whitewash brush before nailing 
the trees thereon early in spring will tend to destroy the larvae of insects 
which would otherwise prey on some of the ripe fruit in the autumn. 
Solutions of the same mixture applied through the garden engine in 
winter to fruit trees which are covered with moss and lichen will not 
only destroy those parasites but will also kill the larvae of insects located 
therein. A sprinkling of soot put over the drainage in pots being pre¬ 
pared for the reception of Vines and other plants which have to be 
plunged in leaves will prevent the ingress of worms, and at the same 
time conduce to the well-being of the plants. 
A mixture of soot and lime placed round young Melon and Cucumber 
plants about 2 or 3 inches from the stems will ward off the attacks of 
slugs. A line of the same mixture strewn along between the Box 
edging and plantations of young Lettuce plants will serve a like pur¬ 
pose. It may be used in a similar manner on each side rows of Peas 
and Cauliflowers, encircling the plants of the latter. The soot should 
be kept in the dry until used. Here, having all the soot from the Castle 
and other buildings on the place for use in the garden, I have a house 
for its storage.—H. \V. Ward, Longford Castle. 
According to •'* Griffiths,” soot is a good manure when applied as a 
top-dressing, not only to agricultural produce and grass land, but is also 
valuable for vegetable crops. Nicholson says;—“ The fertilising effect 
of a top-dressing of soot is very decided, and seems to be due in a great 
degree to the presence of sulphate and chloride of ammonium.” Apart 
from its use as a manure, it is decidedly valuable as a remedy against 
larvae that lie underground during the day and crawl up to feed upon 
the plants at night. Soot is considered to be an excellent stimulant 
for Chrysanthemums, restoring the lost colour to the leaves when these 
have become pale, applied either as a top-dressing or in liquid form to 
the roots, or even used for syringing on the foliage. Chrysanthemum 
cultivators in the neighbourhood of Liverpool use soot in large quantities 
as a top-dressing to their plants. Market gardeners in some instances 
depend solely on soot as a manure for their Gooseberry trees, and with 
good results.—E. M. 
EXPERIENCES WITH BROCCOLI. 
Inquiries have been made for experience with Broccoli in hard 
and in loose land, also whether midseason or late varieties stand severe 
w'eather best. I believe in good firm soil for all the Brassica family, 
and never think of digging the ground for them. I would prefer 
planting with a crowbar, and there are few seasons when it is not used 
for the purpose. At the same time, I do not consider it absolutely 
necessary, so far as my experience goes. 
On August 6th last year I planted about 300 Late Queen and 
Methven’s June, after Potatoes on land that was burned two years ago, 
and which is now very porous. The plants were heeled over to the north 
the second week in November, and another 100 Late Queen lifted out 
of an orchard and laid in beside them. Out of the whole number I do 
not think twenty have been killed, while close beside them Cooling’s 
Matchless in the open succumbed to the frost. Some of Model are 
quite fresh. The seed was sown on May 4th. I find it little use to 
grow many midseason Broccoli, and have not found one equal in 
hardiness to the late varieties. 
In 1891 I planted about 500 Broccoli after the Strawberries were 
cleared off, and the ground was so hard that we had to make drills with 
the pickaxe (as being the easiest tool to work), and fill them with 
liquid manure to soften the soil. The plants grew dwarf, and I thought 
they would not need laying down, so having to clear a pit out I put 
spent hotbed manure on as a winter mulch, covering the stems well, 
but in the end I only saved about half of them. The varieties were 
Model, Late Queen, and Methven’s June. The first two came in about 
the same time, while the other followed. The above varieties are the 
best I have tried. 
I have visited two gardens lately and noted the Broccoli, more 
especially the effect of early sowing and planting too close. Some sorts 
were all gone, others varied to half, while another sharp frost would 
have destroyed the remainder. I have come to the conclusion that it is 
best and safest neither to sow nor plant too early ; lay all to the north 
before severe weather sets in. If done too soon the leaves turn up 
again, and a heavy fall of snow then breaks them down, while if laid 
almost flat the leaves are turned over and protect the crowns. Some 
may think by this treatment the heads will be small, but that is not 
always so, and it is better to have small heads than none.— Young 
Hand, Somerset. 
CRYSTAL PALACE SPRING SHOW. 
March 25th, 
The Exhibition of spring-flowering plants, held at the Crystal 
Palace on the above date, was of a bright and diversified character. 
Taken as a whole the exhibits were of good quality, and in some classes 
the competition was somewhat keen. Hyacinths were specially fine, 
as they appear to be generally at most spring shows this year, and the 
same remark applies to Tulips. Cyclamens also made a good display, as 
likewise did the miscellaneous exhibits. 
Hyacinths and Tulips in the open classes were exhibited in grand 
form. For thirty-six Hyacinths Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to Mrs, Whit- 
bourne, Great Gearies, Ilford, was first, showing a splendid collection of 
well-developed spikes. The best of these were Lord Derby, Koh-i-Noor, 
Electra, King of the Blues, Sultan, Mont Blanc, La Grandesse, Vuurbaak, 
and Bird of Paradise. Messrs. H. Williams & Sons, Fortis Green, East 
Finchley, were second, the spikes being fresh, but not quite so large as 
in the first prize collection. Ida, Fabiola, Czar Peter, and Lord Derby 
were specially good. Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, 
