698 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 1, 1891. 
bring the immortaliser of this cliff to witness. In his 
tragedy of King Lear, Shakespeare says :— 
“ Come on, sir ; here’s the place ; stand 
still. How fearful 
And dizzy ’tis, to cast one’s eyes so low ! 
The crows and choughs, that wing the 
midway air, 
Show scarce so large as beetles ; half-way 
down 
Hangs one that gathers samphire — dreadful 
trade ! 
******* I’ll look no more, 
Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight 
Topple down headlong.” 
The Samphire is not yet in bloom ; hence it cannot be 
seen ; but the mode of collecting both is the same, 
and men risk their lives, with ropes round their bodies, 
to get a miserable pittance by the proceeds. 
Another, and an allied representative of our garden 
flora, is the wild Wallflower, botanically known as 
Cheiranthus Cheiri. The blooms are produced in much 
the same manner as the common Cabbage, but in less 
profusion. The colour is of a darker hue, and the 
flowers are sweet scented. A spike which I managed 
to secure was submitted to a man planting Cab¬ 
bages on an allotment close by, and looking wise, he 
exclaimed, “Oh, it’s only a weed, a common weed,” 
and thus thought he had very cleverly disposed of the 
question. Doubtless he thought it was beneath his 
notice. Having explained that all flowers were weeds 
in their native habitats, he admitted, with bucolic 
brevity, that that was so ; for he replied, “ Certainly,” 
although his attitude did not bespeak a full and con¬ 
scientious acceptance of the fact. With reference to 
the flavour of the wild and cultivated Cabbage my 
friend exhibited greater aptitude; and there was no 
doubt, judging by the contortions of his face, that his 
experience was quite ripe on that point. 
To return for a moment to the top of the cliff, and 
to the coast-guard thereon stationed. This splendid 
specimen of humanity was appealed to in the matter 
of nomenclature, but his botanical knowledge was 
apparently nothing like equal to his nautical abilities ; 
and he knew no more about those pretty little children 
of nature that he was constantly crushing beneath his 
feet, than I knew about the origin of the earth. And, 
moreover, he had a grievance. He was on duty seven¬ 
teen hours a day, and had to keep a sharp look-out ! 
I suggested a “strike,” but he avowed they wouldn’t let 
him. Seventeen hours a-day is too long for any man ; 
but in his case no harm had resulted, as his physique 
and general bronzy appearance was of the most admir¬ 
able description. 
We will now retrace our steps, pass along the parade, 
penetrate the tunnel in the opposite cliffs, ascend 
the eastern heights, and go in search of “fresh fields 
and pastures new. ” It is quite invigorating to dwell 
on the fact, especially in summer weather, that altitude 
increases respiration and reduces the temperature of the 
surrounding air. Hence, the higher we go the cooler 
we become, until we are glad to hurry down to wel¬ 
come old Sol’s cheerful face once more. It is estimated 
that Dover is 10° cooler in summer, and 10° warmer in 
winter than the average temperature of our great metro¬ 
polis. As to the former, I think, during my stay here, 
the approximation was fully borne out ; but as to the 
latter, I fear the coast-guard’s elevation would always 
be in my mind. 
As it is advisable in a new district to acquire local 
information, a guide book was purchased because it was 
supposed to deal with natural history. The “natural 
history,” however, only consisted in references to geo¬ 
logical and zoological matters ; hence it was practically 
useless for my purpose, as I wanted to inquire into the 
nature of the living superincumbent vegetable products, 
Well, we must dispense with the guide, and apply direct 
to nature’s own children. Let us examine their bright 
little jubilant faces, for they are very clean, and sweet, 
and inviting. Their features, moreover, are very 
expressive ; they court observation ; they ask to be 
kissed; and sometimes they are good enough to 
indicate their names. 
We have now arrived at the top of the first hill, 
where the views are picturesque and enticing; and 
where the “children ” can be seen, but only indistinctly 
commingled together, en masse as it were, and 
indefinable. There are plenty of them ; let us stoop 
down and interrogate them. We will observe first 
—we cannot help it—the beautifully arranged pyra¬ 
midal spikes of the crimson Vetch, Saintfoin, or 
Cock’s-head (Hedysarum onobrychis), which forces 
itself by reason of its striking colour upon our attention. 
It varies in height according to soil and situation. 
Here it is, perhaps, 3 ins. to 4 ins. high; but inland, 
where it is cultivated as food for cattle, it assumes as 
many feet. It is a lovely thing on this high plateau 
—all colour. A great contrast to this is the Viper’s 
Bugloss (Echium vulgare), a tall-stemmed, rough¬ 
looking plant ; but possessing fine features in its bright, 
crowded, purplish-blue flowers. It has the appearance 
of a dangerous plant on account of its bristles and its 
intense sombre colour ; hence, perhaps, its venomous 
name. Tiny little specimens on the edge of the cliffs 
were performing the object and end of their existence, 
viz., reproduction of their species. All plants are 
necessarily considerably influenced by their environ¬ 
ments ; and this, I think, offers a good instance ; for 
where the soil is deeper and richer, this plant attains a 
size of from 3 ft. to 4 ft. I saw at Kew the other day 
a good specimen of this under glass, but it lacked 
the deep colour and verdant robustness common to it 
in a wild condition. 
The vulgar red Poppy, Papaver Rhreas, pokes its head 
above the dwarfer vegetation, and flies the red or 
crimson flag on its bristly stalks, as if it would caution 
the observer net to approach too near. It is some¬ 
times known as the Iledweed, and is at all times 
conspicuous by virtue of its flaming colours. The 
double garden forms of this species show how much can 
be done by hybridisation and selection. 
The Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is very 
abundant, and in some places forms large patches of 
bright yellow blossoms, streaked with red, as to give one 
the impression that he is gazing upon a field of old 
gold. Its congener, the Kidney Vetch or Ladies’ 
Fingers (Anthyllis vulneraria), is of a more delicate 
yellow complexion, as indeed it ought to be, to accord 
with its feminine appelation. The flowers are crowded 
together in a sort of umbel, and downy between ; hence 
its ’generic signification. As to its specific-well, 
we will proceed. At any rate, both these plants are 
elegant native herbs, and are admirably suited for a 
place on the rockwork, which I believe at Kew they 
do enjoy. 
As to botanical names—a great stumbling-block to 
some people—-it has been said, I am aware, that bota¬ 
nists— 
“ Love not the flower they pluck, and know 
it not, 
And all their botany is but Latin names.” 
Do you believe this ? I do not, and if time and 
space were no object, I would endeavour to controvert 
it. Suffice for our present purpose that those who 
admire our native plants, and have no knowledge of 
this science, lose half the interest attaching to them. 
Are common terms sufficient to describe them ? 
Common terms are not only inexact, but positively 
misleading. Take the case of the Buttercup (Ranun¬ 
culus bulbosus), which everywhere abounds; why, it has 
no reference to butter, neither is it cup shape. The 
blossoms are rather flat than concave, and, as a matter 
of fact, the cows avoid them. It is a vulgar delusion, 
and consequently “the hardest thing in the world to 
shake off,” even according to Gilbert White, who wrote 
his Natural History of Selborne over one hundred 
years ago. No, Buttercup is a corruption of the 
French, bouton cop, button-head ; a better and more 
precise denomination than our term. 
But look ! here is an exquisite little gem, only 3 ins. 
above the mossy turf. What is it ? It has five petals, 
like the Rose, and it opens these very wide to catch every 
ray of sunshine. It is a Sunflower, for that is what its 
technical name signifies ; but it is commonly called the 
Rock Rose, Helianthemum vulgare. It is a bright, 
pretty flower, and well deserves the name ; although I 
had some trouble to identify it, for in a cultivated con¬ 
dition it assumes, great spreading, shrubby bushes ; but 
here, on its hard calcareous bed, it takes on quite a lili- 
putian character. I think it was Dr. Watts who 
wrote— 
“ Whene’er I take my walks abroad, 
How many poor I see.” 
For the word which I have italicised, I would sub¬ 
stitute things, and further add, with a certain sense of 
shame— 
Which I must fain confess, for me,. 
Have no identity. 
There are many more things which call for comment, 
all beautiful in their several parts, for which The 
Gardening World has no space to spare. I must, 
however, just note two Catehflies (Silene). S. inflata, 
or the Bladder Campion, flowers in panicles, the petals 
of which are white, and deeply cleft, while the large 
inflated purplish calyx is beautifully reticulated. The 
other, S. italics, or Italian Catchfly, produces its 
blossoms in much the same manner; but the petals, 
although the same colour, are more deeply divided, 
and the panicles are slightly clammy. This is by no 
means so plentiful as the other ; indeed, I experienced 
some difficulty in getting one. The yellow Stonecrop 
or Wall-pepper (Sedum acre) was discovered in 
juxtaposition to the latter plant, and although I have 
got plenty in the garden on a sunny border, yet the 
desire to possess a bit because it was dangerous to 
obtain, led me to adopt a horizontal position at the 
evident risk of a broken neck. A piece, however, was 
secured, and in due course transferred to other quarters, 
there, perhaps, to pine and die for the lack of its 
native air, and the pure ozonic breezes which for ever 
invest its elevated home. 
Dozens of other equally interesting subjects claim 
remark, but as “night cometh when no man can 
work,” so patience becometh exhausted, and propriety 
loudly proclaims “ enough.” In the compass of a little 
article like this much cannot be said, but the delightful 
reminiscences of a country ramble are re-awakened by 
this effort of production—this attempt to portray some 
of the more salient characteristics of the Dover Cliffs. 
— C. B. G., Acton, IF. 
-- 
THE WASTE OF TOWNS. 
A correspondent of the Manchester City News makes 
the following practical suggestion for restoring to the 
soil the waste of towns, and making it available as plant 
food.—“ By mixing peat and sulphuric acid with the 
night soil, free from ashes. The peat should be dug 
out with the steam navvy, and pressed in hydraulic 
chambers, seventy-five per cent, of the moisture being 
removed at once, afterwards being thoroughly dried in 
sheds (similar to those on the ship canal at Lymm) 
and broken fine by machinery ; sulphuric acid in the 
proportion of 3 cwt. to 1 ton of the dried peat should 
be poured on and well mixed as it comes from the dis¬ 
integrator. This would absorb and deodorize 5 tons of 
manure, and should be used in the pails ; after they are 
washed, about 3 lbs. of prepared peat should be thrown 
into each pail to fix the free ammonia and disinfect them 
whilst in use ; this would also prevent the present 
offensive smell during their transit through the streets. 
Contents of pails should be sent on steam tram lines to 
Carrington, to be there dealt with by adding sufficient 
prepared peat and acid to make a fine workable manure, 
which would be worth over £1 per ton, at the present 
price of artificial manures, but the same can be manu¬ 
factured and delivered near the farms at 10s. per ton, 
and save the ratepayers of Manchester fifty per cent, 
on the present system of dealing with the contents of 
pails. The manure should be stored in sheds till sold. 
This would be a valuable fertilizer for almost every 
crop, and is, I believe, the principal source whereby we 
can hope to restore prosperity to our depressed agricul¬ 
ture ; and if Manchester will set the example and use 
the resources which lie at her door, and restore the 
link which is being broken in nature’s endless chain of 
existence by withholding from the soil the most 
fertilising matter it gives, British agricultural depression 
may soon be a thing of the past. 
In addition to the soil pan and refuse tub now in 
use, which should act as receptacles for ashes, broken 
pots, tins, and rubbish as now, there should be placed 
a dustbin to contain the house sweepings, and all vege¬ 
tables and food refuse only. Contents of dustbins, 
with all vegetable, fish, and animal refuse from markets 
and abbatoirs, also street sweepings, should be sent to 
Carrington, to be there tipped where the peat had been 
dug out, the ground being first prepared by drains 
laid in the bottom and covered with 1 ft. of ashes, then 
pile in the refuse, mixing it well with the precipitated 
sludge from the sewage tanks in equal quantities, to 
any convenient depth, say 6 ft. or more. Lime must 
be ttsed as a precipitant in the sewage tanks, after 
which it becomes carbonate of lime ; this would so act 
on the organic matter, which the refuse contains, as to 
promote the slow natural production of nitric acid, and 
with this it combines and forms nitrate of lime ; nitrate 
of potash and other fertilising compounds would also be 
formed within the refuse, which should lie for not less 
than one year ; it should then be turned and left in 
ridges six months before required for use, to oxidize and 
develope the nitrates. This would be a compost 
manure well worth using by any farmer in the country, 
and I should strongly recommend its use in alternation 
with peat manure, or it might eventually be used in 
the same way as peat, being dried and afterwards being 
mixed with peat and night soil from the pails, thus 
providing a never.-failing substance for making a sub¬ 
stantial and valuable fertilizer, which would make our 
land grow crops so abundantly, as to enable farmers to 
more than hold their own against foreign competition. 
