f August lfi, 1888. 
146 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
'endeavouring to uphold throughout this discussion, by showing that 
although I fully believe in the great help science is towards the attain¬ 
ment of the object we have in view—viz., that of producing the best 
results by the simplest means, yet we must not set too high a value 
•upon mere scientific knowledge, for the simple reason that unless scien¬ 
tific research is conducted with mathematical precision from beginning 
to end, its teachings are often misleading. Now, this cannot be done in 
ordinary practice, but must be left to s'pecial investigators to find out 
how far it is really essential to supply to plants the constituents of 
which they are built up ; practical men will then not be slow to seize 
■upon that knowledge and turn it to good account. 
Mr. Coombe seems to have taken a decided objection to my use of 
■ the words minutely and nicely proportioned combinations, but at the 
same time admits that a properly proportioned combination would be a 
1 minutely proportioned one in a certain sense, but not in the way I have 
tried to maintain. Now, he has already given us an idea of the way in 
■ which he would find out what is a properly proportioned combination 
for particular plants—viz., by analysing the ashes and thereby 
calculating how much potash, lime, phosphoric acid, &c., is contained in 
a given quantity ; these are some of the principal constituents, but in 
addition to them there are numerous other elements present in varying 
degrees in each particular plant. Now, the question is, How far is it 
necessary to supply these minor constituents with increased results ? I 
• believe it is quite possible to, from a scientific point of view, to manu¬ 
facture a food containing all the elements, exactly proportioned as in 
plants and fruits, but as some would have to be given in a soluble and 
others in an organic form this proportion would not continue so for long, 
unless the soluble constituents were repeated at intervals, for reasons I 
have previously given, that certain elements are fastened up by the soil, 
and can be retained for future use, while others are not. Another impor¬ 
tant point that should be kept in view is, that before we can claim to 
be able to compound a really “ properly proportioned combination,” on 
the lines indicated by him, we must analyse the natural substances used, 
considering how extremely varied soils are in different localities. For 
this reason I cannot admit that in practising science by halves he is acting 
on lines so superior to what he chooses to call the haphazard system. 
■And allhough I still believe that for practical purposes these minutely 
• or so-called properly proportioned are not necessary, so long as the 
principal constituents are present, yet I should not for that reason 
think of consigning to the flames the works I have quoted from. On 
the contrary, I intend to add to their number, as I am a firm believer 
in steady and continual progress in my walk of life ; and in regard to 
the usefulness of chemical knowledge to gardeners, I consider the true 
course to pursue is to find out the dominant forces that regulate plant 
life, and to use them in a simple and practical manner. Another proof 
that these compounds, as advocated by my opponent, are not necessary, 
is proved by the fact that some kinds of artificial manures are equally 
. effective for plants that differ as widely as plants can do in their chemi¬ 
cal constituents, as, for instance, Chrysanthemums and Azaleas. I fully 
bdieve with my opponent that in any occupation in life the key note to 
success is found in strict attention to details, but I would add, first 
find out that those details are really necessary, as trifling attentions, 
commonly known as facts, are better left alone. 
With many of Mr. Coombe’s remarks on the lime question I cor¬ 
dially agree. In regard to his disappointment at not receiving a note 
based on my practical experience, let me inform him that knowing the 
high value he sets upon scientific authority, I thought I would give him 
the scientific explanation first, and reserve the practical note for the 
next addition. We have not differed materially throughout this con¬ 
troversy as to the effect a dressing of lime would have upon a soil 
abounding in humus. The point he seems to be at variance with me is 
that carbonate of lime has the power of retaining moisture for the use 
of the future crop ; and although I must admit that he has treated this 
subject in a thoroughly impartial manner, as he finds out that a scientific 
Study of the action of lime would have some slight effect in causing 
more moisture to be retained, but considers too much stress should not be 
placed upon its usefulness in that direction, because in his opinion there 
are other and more powerful agents, such as humus, comprising organic 
remains, salt, nitrate of soda, &c. 1 am not prepared to say that those 
substances would not be equally effective on a sandy soil, and in the 
case of the former would be valuable for using in conjunction with the 
lime, and I am inclined to agree with my opponent, that it would not 
have as profitable an effect in causing a sandy soil to become more 
retentive as it does on heavy land in making it less retentive, for the 
simple reason that when used on heavy soils it neutralises the acids, 
which renders them unproductive, in addition to the mechanical action 
it would have when its chemical properties had been transferred to the 
surrounding soil. But notwithstanding these facts, lime is well known 
to be of considerable value in promoting the fertility of almost any 
kind of soil, if the right kind is used. When converted into chalk it 
contains a large percentage of phosphate of lime, which is a constituent 
of all plants. If Mr. Coombe will try the effect of an application of 
lime to a sandy soil, I think he will find he has under-estimated its value 
as a means of imparting to the soil the power of retaining moisture. 
I have on more than one occasion noticed this effect—although I must 
admit the soil was not particularly sandy, but still very light. A 
moderate dressing of chalk was given at the winter digging, and during 
the existing summer, when the soil was again dug, an examination of 
numerous small pieces of chalk showed them to be soft and moist when 
pressed between the fingers, and in many cases with small particles of 
roots clinging to them. 
Your correspondent’s explanation in reference to my statement that 
“while certain elements are absorbed by the soil and only given up 
again in small quantities others remain freely moveable, and a residue 
not quickly taken up would be wasted,” has the advantage of originality 
if not of correctness, and it is about as definite as describing the 
geographical position of London by saying it was somewhere between 
Dover and Newcastle. By arranging extracts from my previous articles 
side by side he in reality supports the arguments he intended to con¬ 
travene. “ If the food administered does not contain the right propor¬ 
tions those elements in excess of volatile would be lost. ’ Certainly ; 
and herein lies the difficulty of manufacturing perfect and economical 
plant foods when some of the elements have to be given in a soluble 
form, because they are assimilated more quickly than the insoluble 
elements, and consequently the plants have to go short of these elements 
till a fresh supply is given, while they have still within their reach a 
plentiful supply of those substances that are not so evanescent. I main¬ 
tain that this clearly shows that the best course to pursue is to give the . 
solidifying-agents in excess, because the residue would not be wasted, 
and supply the volatile ones at intervals as circumstances show they are 
required. I think it must be a slight oversight on the part of my gem- 
rally shrewd opponent when he quotes from your correspondent, “ B, in 
support of his own ideas ; for although that writer says, “ I think it is 
possible to produce a perfect plant food,” he also goes on to say that, 
“ Any scientifically composed food is sufficient for any plant requiring 
help in that way. It is quite possible, no doubt, that there may be in 
the composition something which is not required for every plant; but 
this is a matter of no importance so long as what the plant does require 
is present in fair proportions.” This part of the quotation is altogether 
opposed to the views put forward by Mr. Coombe where there is the 
independent support he claims to have in support of his view's ; and 
whether my opponent’s arguments or my own have carried the greatest 
amount of conviction with them I am willing to leave to the unbiased 
judgment of the numerous readers of this Journal. 
Before concluding I will add that so long as those engaged in con¬ 
troversial subjects are guided by the admirable sentiments expressed in 
the concluding paragraph of my opponent’s article they will, I venture 
to assert, perform a useful purpose without wounding the susceptibility 
of either, and also tend to promote in each a wish to become ’comrades 
instead of opponents. — H. Dunkin. 
NATIONAL CHBYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. 
The Hon. Secretary of this Society, Mr. Win. Holmes, in issuing the 
members’ tickets for the present year, calls attention to the extension of 
the programme, especially by the Provincial Show, to be held in the 
Corn Exchange, Sheffield, on November 10th and 17th. He also adds 
that “ This additional item is arranged without any increased charge on 
the members. I hope, therefore, we may receive a large accession of 
new subscribers during the season, and so justify this fresh feature 
and re-imburse the Society the very considerable extra cost this Show 
and the new classes in our schedules will of necessity entail. 
The usual arrangement for Is. admission tickets for non-members 
(available for any day throughout thej year) is again adopted. I have 
a supply in hand, and it is as essential as ever that all friends intending 
to visit either of the Shows should avail themselves of them. By doing 
so our Society benefits, 50 per cent., but we do not share in any cash 
paid at the doors. These tickets may be had on sale or return, but any 
not sold must either be returned by November 24th, or paid for. The 
new catalogue is now in the printers’ hands, and will be ready for 
sale early in September. I shall be pleased to forward copies in the 
order of application. Is. Id. post free.” 
SEASONABLE WORK. 
Chrysanthemums. —With the exception of the dwarf early varieties 
all Chrysanthemums ought to be kept staked and lightly tied up, 
otherwise the principal branches either break down or gradually bend to 
the ground. Once partly broken or allowed to become crooked they 
cannot well be again neatly staked upright, and it is very certain 
flowers produced near to or quite on the ground are of little value. All 
that is wanted is a fairly strong stake to each main branch, allowing 
the side shoots to grow out and flower in a natural manner. This will 
be found a far better plan than bundling a number of branches together 
only to spoil each other. Chrysanthemums are essentially moisture- 
loving plants, and if fine dry weather continues they will pay for a 
little attention in the way of watering. First lightly loosen the surface 
of the ground with a fork, then give a good soaking, and mulch with 
leaf soil, short manure or strawy litter. Liquid manure of some kind 
and not too strong may well follow the first soaking with clear water, 
and will be of much benefit to plants rooting in poor soil. Chrysan¬ 
themums can be potted readily from the open ground, but not from 
very hard and poor soil, nor are they of much service if allowed 
to become crooked. Stopping ought long since to have been completed 
