December 17, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
521 i 
growth, and of the roots, of the Peas, the Vetches, and the Lupins, so 
grown, were exhibited. Without microbe-seeding there was neither 
nodule-formation nor any gain of nitrogen ; but with microbe-seeding 
there was nodule-formation, and, coincidently, considerable gain of 
nitrogen. 
As, however, in this exact quantitative series, the plants were not 
taken up until they were nearly ripe, it was obvious that the roots and 
their nodules could not be examined during growth, but only at the con¬ 
clusion, when it was to be supposed that the contents of the nodules 
would be to a great extent exhausted. Another series was, therefore, 
undertaken, in which the same four annuals, and the same four plants 
of longer life, were grown in specially made pits, so arranged that some 
of the plants of each description could be taken up and their roots and 
nodules studied at successive periods of growth : the annuals at three 
periods—namely, first when active vegetation was well established, 
secondly when it was supposed that the point of maximum accumulation 
had been approximately reached, and thirdly when nearly ripe ; and the 
plants of longer life at four periods—namely, at the end of the first year, 
and in the second year when active vegetation was re-established, when 
the point of maximum accumulation had been reached, and lastly when 
the seed was nearly ripe. Each of the eight descriptions of plant was 
grown in sand (with the plant-ash), watered with the extract from a 
rich soil; also in a mixture of two parts rich garden soil and one part of 
sand. In the sand the infection was comparatively local and limited, 
but some of the nodules developed to a great size on the roots of the 
weak plants so grown. In the rich soil the infection was much more 
general over the whole area of the roots, the nodules were much more 
numerous, but generally very much smaller. Eventually the nodules 
were picked off the roots, counted, weighed, and the dry substance and 
the nitrogen in them determined. 
Taking the Peas as typical of the annuals, and the Sainfoin of the 
plants of longer life, the general result was that at the third period of 
growth of the Peas in sand the amount of dry matter of the nodules was 
very much diminished, the percentage of nitrogen in the dry matter 
was very much reduced, and the actual quantity of nitrogen remaining 
in the total nodules was also very much reduced. In fact, the nitrogen 
of the nodules was almost exhausted. The Peas grown in rich soil, 
however, maintained much more vegetative activity at the conclusion, 
and showed a very great increase in the number of nodules from the 
first to the third period ; and with this there was also much more dry 
substance, and even a greater actual quantity of nitrogen, in the total 
nodules at the conclusion. Still, as in the Peas grown in sand, the per¬ 
centage of nitrogen in the dry substance of the nodules was very much 
reduced at the conclusion. In the case of the plant of longer life, the 
Sainfoin, there was, both in sand and in soil, very great increase in the 
number of nodules, and in the actual amount of dry substance and of 
nitrogen in them, as the growth progressed. The percentage of nitrogen 
in the dry substance of the nodules also showed, even in the sand, com¬ 
paratively little reduction, and in soil even an increase. In fact, 
separate analyses of nodules of different character, or in different con¬ 
ditions, showed that whilst some were more or less exhausted and con¬ 
tained a less percentage of nitrogen, others contained a high percentage, 
and were doubtless new and active. Thus, the results pointed to the 
interesting conclusion that, in the case of the annual, when the seed is 
formed, and the plant more or less exhausted, both the actual amount of 
nitrogen in the nodules and its percentage in the dry substance are 
greatly reduced, but that, with the plant of longer life, although the 
earlier formed nodules become exhausted, others are constantly pro¬ 
duced, thus providing for future growth. 
As to the explanation of the fixation of free nitrogen, the facts at 
command did not favour the conclusion that under the influence of 
the symbiosis the higher plant itself was enabled to fix the free nitrogen 
of the air by its leaves. Nor did the evidence point to the conclusion 
that the nodule-bacteria became distributed through the soil and there 
fixed free nitrogen, the compounds of nitrogen so produced being taken 
up by the higher plant. It seemed more consistent, both with experi¬ 
mental results and with general ideas, to suppose that the nodule-bacteria 
fixed free nitrogen within the plant, and that the higher plant absorbed 
the nitrogenous compounds produced. In other words, there was no 
evidence that the chlorophyllous plant itself fixed free nitrogen, or that 
the fixation takes place within the soil, but it was more probable that 
the lower orgrnisms fix the free nitrogen. If this should eventually be 
established, we have to recognise a new power of living organisms—that 
of assimilating an elementary substance. But this would only be an 
extension of the fact that lower organisms are capable of performing 
assimilation work which the higher cannot accomplish ; whilst it would 
be a further instance of lower organisms serving the higher. Finally, 
it may here be observed that Loew has suggested that the vegetable cell, 
with its active protoplasm, if in an alkaline condition, might fix free 
nitrogen, with the formation of ammonium nitrate. Without passing any 
judgement on this point, it may be stated that it has frequently been 
found at Rothamsted that the contents of the nodules have a weak 
alkaline reaction when in apparently an active condition—that is, whilst 
still flesh-red and glistening. 
As to the importance of the fixation for agriculture, and for vegetation 
generally, there is also much yet to learn. It is obvious that different 
Papilionaceae growing under the same external conditions manifest very 
different susceptibility to, or power to take advantage of, the symbiosis. 
The fact, as shown by Prof. Nobbe, that Papilionaceous shrubs and trees, 
as well as herbaceous plants, are susceptible to the symbiosis, and under 
its influence may gain much nitrogen, is of interest from a scientific 
point of view as serving to explain the source of some of the combined 
nitrogen accumulated through ages on the surface of the globe ; and 
also from a practicil point of view, since, especially in tropi ;al 
countries, such plants yield many important food . materials, a9 well as 
other industrial products. 
In conclusion, it will be seen that the experimental results which 
have been brought forward constitute only a small proportion of those 
already obtained or yet to be obtained at Rothamsted, but they have 
been selected as being to a great extent typical, and illustrative of the 
lines of investigation which are being carried out .—(Abstract in Nature 
of a paper read before the Agricultural Chemistry Section of the 
Naturforschsr Versammlung at Ilalle a.S., by Dr. J. II. Gilbert., F.R.Sf 
The National Rose Society. 
The following is the list of Committee and officers elected for the 
year 1892 President: The Very Rev. the Dean of Rochester, D.D. 
Vice-Presidents : His Grace the Duke of Portland, the Mayor of Chester, 
R. N. G. Baker, Rev. J. M. Fuller, Rev. Lionel Garnett, T. B. Haywood, 
Robert Hogg, LL.D., M. T. Masters, M.D., F.R.S. Hon. Treasurer: 
Thomas Burt Haywood. Hon. Secretaries: Rev. H. Honywood 
D’Ombrain, Edward Mawley. General Committee : H. Appleby, 
J, Bateman, Rev. H. A. Berners, R. Bloxam, W. Boyes, G. Bun- 
yard, Rev. F. R. Burnside, J. Burrell, B. R. Cant, F. Cant, 
Rev. A. Cheales, Captain Christy, W. F. Cooling, G. Dickson, Rev. A. 
Foster-Melliar, W. H. Fowler, T. W. Girdlestone, C. J. Grabame, 
W. J. Grant. R. Harkness, C. F. Hore, W. J. Jefferies, R. L. Knight, 
E. B. Liodsell, H. V. Machin, O. G. Orpen, Rev. F. Page-Roberts, 
G. Paul, J. D. Pawle. Rev. J. H. Pemberton, A. Prince, A. Slaughter, 
A. Tate, A. Turner, W. H. Wakeley, H. Wallis, R. E. West, E. Wilkins, 
Rev. W. Wdks, and F. T. Wollaston. Hon. Auditors : J. D. Pawle and 
F. T. Wollaston. 
Thoughts on the N.R.S. Annual Meeting. 
What a good meeting it was, to be sure. Fifty-seven good men 
and true present, and all intent upon business; and how good to have 
the reins held by the experienced hand of the ever-genial President, 
Dean Hole. I think it was the first time he has been at the annual 
meeting for twelve years. May it be very much more frequently that he 
shall “ fill ” the chair, as he facetiously remarked in acknowledging the 
vote of thanks at the close. 
By-the-by, that vote ought to have been a “ double-barrel,” to 
include Rev. W. Wilk3, Sec. of the R H.S., for until the arrival of the 
President he discharged the duties of Chairman with a degree of verve 
that was most gratifying to those who prefer to have business done in a 
business-like manner. 
What a pity, though, that the resolution fixing the date of the 
Metropolitan Show for the Saturday nearest to the 6th of July should 
not have been carried. The outlook for the past, the present, and the 
future all seem to point to the desirability of some such arrangement. 
Last Show day found Messrs. F. Cant and Harkness, each of whom has 
won the challenge trophy twice, both unable to stage, the former having 
only sixty sorts in bloom, and the other less than that. When the 
weather is so mild and damp that December 12th finds Roses still grow¬ 
ing and blooming (I cut a nice bloom of Mrs. John Laing to-day), the 
reasonable presumption is that the next season will be a late one. The 
President, out of his great experience, asserted that it is simply impossible 
for the midland and northern growers to be ready before about the 7th 
of July, and yet the resolution which would have fixed the Show for 
the 9th instead of the 2nd was rejected. Well, perhaps, we sha 1 have 
a repetition of the performance of Mr. H. May of Yorkshire, who, some 
ten or twelve years ago, cut his seventy-two blooms from under glass, 
and so won the prize. Try again Messrs. Pemberton, Foster-Melliar, 
and Co. _ 
But if a much-needed reform was refused, an even more needed one 
was adopted in the triumphant passing of Mr. Grahame’s resolution, 
which requires that in future amateur exhibitors shall show in accord¬ 
ance with the stocks of exhibition varieties which they grow. This was 
warmly urged by the mover and his supporters, who pointed out some 
glaring abuses of the absolute freedom which the schedules have hitherto 
allowed, and the deterrent effect which these things have had upon 
small growers. Some two or three favoured a laissez-faire policy, but 
upon being put the motion was carried by a majority of fifteen. This 
is satisfactory, because a resolution passed by so substantial a majority 
may expect to receive the loyal support of all, even of those who dissent 
from its principle. The change has begun to bear fruit already. One 
exhibitor who had given up in despair says, “Now I’ll have another try." 
One local Secretary has already received eight new subscriptions for 
next year because of the resolution, and another reports the enrolment 
