116 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[AlJGTJSTj 
time been made with a variety of substances 
recommendedforthe purpose—amongst others, 
Sulphuric, Sulphurous, Hydrochloric, and Car¬ 
bolic Acids, Chloride of Sodium, Sulphate of 
Copper, Chloride of Zinc, Flowers of Sulphur, 
Paraffin Oil, and Burnett’s and other disin¬ 
fecting fluids ; and also during 1876—1877 a 
large quantity of refuse fluid, presented to the 
Society from a Colour Works, which contained 
free Sulphuric and other Acids, Sulphate of 
Copper, and most probably other Metallic Salts. 
It was used in the proportion of one of mixture 
to three of water, and its application destroyed 
all vegetable growth, and none reappeared on 
the walks for more than three years after. 
Since 1877, however, we have not been able to 
obtain a further supply of this or any similar 
liquid from any source; and the authorities 
at Gas Works report that the only refuse they 
can supply at a low rate is spent Lime. 
“ Of the several agents tried from time to 
time, three only have been retained for further 
experiment, all the others being considered 
unsuitable, either from their high cost or in¬ 
efficiency. These three are—1, Sulphuric 
acid ; 2, Carbolic acid ; 3, Chloride of sodium 
(common salt). 
“ After trial of several proportions, the fol¬ 
lowing were determined upon. It will be 
noted that the proportion of sulphuric acid 
is given by weight, as this is, for well knowm 
chemical reasons, the most reliable mea¬ 
sure ; the weight of salt is when dry as in 
ordinary domestic use. The relative values 
are based on the following commercial values, 
viz. :—Sulphuric acid, Id. per lb. ; carbolic 
acid (Calvert’s No. 5) at 3s. 9 d. per gallon; 
common salt at 40s. per ton ; water cost, nil; 
weight, 10 lbs. = 1 gallon. 
1. Sulphuric acid 1 to 15=10 lbs. to 150 lbs. water 
= 10a!.—850 to 1000 ft. 
2. Carbolic acid 1 to 50=2^ pts. to 125 pints water 
=14d.—850 to 1000 ft. 
3. Salt, 56 lbs., 12d— 850. 
‘ ‘ The area of walk treated with each amount 
of liquid is stated at from 850 to 1000 super¬ 
ficial feet, as the quantity required depends 
upon the form, pitch, or condition of the walk 
—such as rough, damp, shaded, &c., and 
especially in relation to sulphuric acid and 
salt, both of which have so high an affinity 
for water, that the liygrometric condition of 
the gravel is important, 
“ The action of the several compounds is as 
follows—No. 1, Sulphuric Acid, is immediately 
fatal to all vegetation on contact. No. 2, 
Carbolic Acid, is slow in action, gradually 
turning the leaves, and especially the roots, 
hay-brown. No. 3, Salt, is almost immediately 
fatal on a damp walk, or after the first wet day, 
and in a short time a few sharp showers of rain 
wash the gravel clean and bright. 
“ The preventive action of Salt is only good 
for about three or four months, vegetation re¬ 
appearing in perhaps an aggravated amount 
on damp or shaded walks. As yet the dura¬ 
tion of the preventive action of the Acids has 
not been fully determined, but the Garden 
Superintendent has marked on a plan the walks 
as severally treated, and the Fellows of the 
Society and visitors to the Garden will be en¬ 
abled to judge the relative values of the agents. 
“ The liquid compounds w r ere spread over 
the walk by the ordinary water pots with tin 
roses, lead or pewter would be better, zinc 
must not be used. A rose made of thin sheet 
German silver resisted the action of the Sul¬ 
phuric Acid well. 
“For the distribution of the Salt I con¬ 
structed a special machine. It consists of a 
square box sieve of perforated zinc, mounted 
on wheels with an automatic action, so ar¬ 
ranged as to communicate to the sieve a 
jolting motion when drawn along the walk. 
“ The weeds on the walks consisted of 
grass, spergula, and small varieties of moss, &c. 
“ From time to time I will report the result 
of the experiments, and shall be happy to 
make trial of any other agents recommended.”— 
W. Sowerby, Secretary, in Quarterly Record of 
Royal Botanic Society. 
ROSE SHOWS. 
I NURING the past month Rose Shows have 
'I been the order of the day. We cannot 
D refer to a tithe of those which have 
taken place, but we may state as a fact 
that they have generally been good shows, 
the flowers, under the influence of generous 
rains and the somewhat advanced temperature, 
having very greatly exceeded their early pro¬ 
mise. We propose to notice a few of the 
winning stands at the principal metropolitan 
shows, and shall take them in the order of 
their dates. 
