20 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 12, 1896. 
heaviest crop was obtained where both 
farmyard manure and complete artificial 
manure was employed ; this amounted to 
8 tons 19 cwt. 32 lb. This might be 
explained by the fact that farmyard manure 
greatly increases the retention of moisture 
in the soil. The lightest weight (5 tons 
3 cwt. 104 lbs.) was taken from the plot 
where complete artificial manure and a half 
dressing of nitrate was given. Seven out 
of ten plots gave a relatively heavy crop, 
so that something is to be said in favour of 
spring manuring when a droughty summer 
follows. Unfortunately for the cultivator, 
he cannot foresee what the rainfall is likely 
to be when the planting is being done. 
A set of ten plots was also set apart for 
spring manuring with a totally different 
class of manures though containing the 
same ingredients of plant food. Magnum 
Bonum was the variety of Potato employed, 
and the heaviest crop obtained (9 tons 
9 cwt. 72 lbs.) was where 2 cwt. fish guano, 
2 cwt. of superphosphate, and J cwt. 
muriate of potash per acre, were applied. 
The second heaviest crop (9 tons 1 cwt. 
88 lbs ) was obtained by the use of 1 cwt. 
nitrate of soda, 2 cwt. of superphosphate, 
and \ cwt. muriate of potash. The lightest 
weight was 6 tons 19 cwt. 72 lbs., derived 
from the plot manured with cwt. 
Ichaboe guano, 2 cwt. superphosphate and 
100 lbs. of salt. The spring manuring has 
given by far the best results. Of the nitro¬ 
genous manures, fish guano gave the best 
results ; but nitrate of soda has nearly as 
good a record. As far as potash manures 
were concerned, muriate of potash gave a 
better result than either sulphate of potash 
or kainit. Superphosphate gave better re¬ 
sults than basic slag as far as phosphatic 
manures were concerned. 
In set 6 the same kinds of manure were 
employed as in set 5 ; but they were 
applied in the early part of January, except 
in the case of nitrogenous manures. Winter 
manuring in this case may be considered a 
failure ; for the manured plots showed a 
remarkable deficiency in nearly every case. 
The use of 1 cwt. nitrate of soda, 2 cwt. 
superphosphate, and i cwt. muriate of 
potash gave 7 tons and 80 lbs. of Potatos, 
being the highest figure obtained in this set. 
Strangely enough, the next heaviest crop (7 
tons) was harvested from ground that has re¬ 
ceived no manure whatever this year. The 
worst results (4 tons 5 cwts. 40 lbs.) were 
harvested from the plot manured with 2 
cwt. fish guano, 2 cwt. superphosphate and 
■t cwt. muriate of potash. Precisely similar 
kinds and quantities of manures in set 5, 
applied in spring gave the best return. 
These are facts that ought to be borne in 
mind by other experimenters in future 
trials, so that their exact significance may 
be fully explained. Nitrate of soda has 
given the best results amongst nitrogenous 
manures. Basic slag is again inferior to 
superphosphate. 
Set 7 was entirely set apart for spray¬ 
ing experiments ; and although disease was 
conspicuous by its absence throughout the 
entire series of experiments, the spraying 
was not valueless as an obiect lesson. The 
plot of The Sutton Flourball that was 
sprayed gave 4 cwt. 88 lbs. more Potatos 
than the unsprayed or check plot. The re¬ 
verse condition prevailed in the case of 
White Elephant ; for the sprayed plot gave 
12 cwt. 56 lbs. per acre less than the un¬ 
sprayed plot plot. 
The summary of the conclusions to be 
derived from these experiments, is that 
heavy dressings of nitrate are highly advan¬ 
tageous and necessary to secure the best 
crops of Potatos, not forgetting a due pro¬ 
portion of the other necessary ingredients. 
The best results were obtained by spring 
manuring, in one case with farmyard 
manures, and in another with fish guano, 
superphosphate and muriate of potash. 
This latter really gave the highest of all the 
returns. The second highest record rvas 
from a plot manured in winter ; but as this 
was where a double dressing of nitrate was 
given, the latter was really applied in 
spring. Spraying is prejudicial to the 
securing of a full crop, more particularly in 
the case of early varieties. The moral to 
be drawn is that disease-resisting varieties 
of Potatos should be planted in every case 
where possible. 
--—- 
Mr. F. W. Beadon, of Huddersfield has been elected 
president of the English Arboricultural Society for 
the ensuing year. 
The Rontgen rays help to detect ingredients with 
which food is adulterated, such as powdered chalk 
or spar mixed with flour, as well as brick dust, sand 
and other impurities mixed with spices. 
This year's Potato Crop is estimated to be about 
5 20 tons per acre on the average, or o 44 less than 
last year. The total weight of crop is expected to be 
500,000 tons less than last year, but that amount 
exceeds the average of the ten years previous to 1895. 
Late Sweet Pea flowers may to some extent be 
insured by loosening up the soil between the rows, 
and watering the ground with liquid manure to 
encourage fresh growth. All seed pods must also be 
picked off to concentrate the energy of the plants 
upon the fresh growth. 
Uprooting the Edelweiss.—A correspondent of The 
Standard complains bitterly, and not without some 
reason for complaint, of the wanton destruction of 
one of the most characteristic plants in the Alps by 
thoughtless tourists who are wont to dilate on their 
feats and experiences with this plant. Says the 
writer, the tourist might as well boast of keeping a 
chamois in his back yard for three years, but that 
ultimately it died after a miserable struggle to 
exist. 
New Garden Allotments at Dundee.— -A meeting of 
residenters and householders was held on the 20th 
ult., in the vicinity of Gardner Street, Lochee, for 
the purpose of taking into consideration the advisa¬ 
bility of renting or leasing a piece of ground on the 
Lawton Farm, for garden allotments. There was a 
a good attendance, Mr. Andrew Johnstone was 
called to the chair, and Mr. Andrew Kirkland, gar¬ 
dener, was appointed clerk to the meeting. 
Ultimately it was agreed to form an association to 
be called the “ Gardner Street Garden Allotment 
Association. 
The marriage of Mr. James Kelway, son of Mr. 
William Kelway, of the firm of Kelway & Son, to 
Miss Ella Christine Stubbs, only daughter of the 
Rev. Joseph Stubbs, Vicar of Huish Episcopi, 
Somerset, was solemnized at St. Mary’s Church, 
Huish, on the 3rd, inst. The officiating clergyman 
was the Rev. F. E. Brightman M.A., ef the Pusey 
House, Oxford, assisted by the Rev. E. M. Lance, 
M.A., Vicar of Pill, Somerset. The youthful bride, 
who was given away by her father, was attired in a 
handsome ivory duchesse satin costume with court 
train, the bodice being prettily arranged with 
chiffon, and the dress completed with a tulle veil and 
wreath of real Orange blossom. She wore as her 
only ornament, a diamond and sapphire broach, the 
gift of the bridegroom and carried a charming shower 
bouquet containing Orchids, Lilies, Stephanotis, 
Orange blossom, Roses and Tuberoses, also the gift 
of the bridegroom, The bridesmaids were:—Miss 
Beatrice A. Kelway, (sister of the bridegroom), Miss 
Snowie Coles, Miss Katherine Green, (cousin of the 
bride), and Miss Dorothy Welsh (train bearer). After 
the ceremony the guests to the number of nearly 
100, were entertained at a reception held at the 
Vicarage. At 3.30 the happy pair left for London 
en route for Scotland where the first part of the 
honeymoon will be spent. On September 19th, they 
wifi start from Southampton for a tour round the 
world. The whole village was en fete, triumphal 
arches being erected at points of advantage along 
the route taken by the bride and bridegroom. The 
parishioners were entertained by Mr. William 
Kelway, and the Rev. J. Stubbs, at tea in the parish 
room, nearly 600 being present. The presents 
numbered nearly 140. 
Hardy Fruit has been getting very plentiful in 
Covent Garden Market for a week or two past. 
Flowers of all kinds are also plentiful, but they are 
very different from the sweet-scented flowers of 
spring and early summer. Amongst the more com¬ 
mon of the hardy and cheap flowers ihe China Aster 
plays no unimportant part at the present juncture. 
Tercentenary of the Potato. — This year is the ter¬ 
centenary of the introduction of the Potato into 
Ireland by Sir Walter Raleigh. The Irish Gardeners' 
Association has therefore resolved to hold a great 
conference and exhibition of Potatos in Dublin 
towards the end of the year. English and Scotch 
specialists are expected to attend, and papers on all 
matters connected with the Potato and the preven¬ 
tion of disease will be read. The secretary is Mr. 
Thomas Shaw, Sackville Hall, Dublin. 
Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution. —We have 
received the following from Bristol:—" It is 
gratifying to learn that the kindness of Sir Greville 
Smyth, Bart., and Mr. Francis Tagart, who threw 
open to the public their respective gardens and 
grounds at Ashton Court and Old Sneed Park a few 
days ago, has resulted in the substantial addition of 
£20 to the funds of the Bristol and Bath Auxiliary 
of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution. 
This institution which was founded as long ago as 
1838, is intended to relieve aged and infirm gardeners 
and their widows. It grants substantial pensions to 
such persons. The local auxiliary was formed as 
recently as 1893 in order to promote a knowledge of 
the institution’s work in this district, and depends 
largely upon collections and subscriptions for funds. 
The collections at the various flower shows this 
year have been fairly successful, but the number of 
pensions granted by the institution is such ihit the 
coffers are never very full, or even as full as might 
be wished.” 
Dundee Flower Show.—The three days' flower 
show of the Dundee Horticultural Society was 
opened on the 3rd inst., by the Right Hon. H. H. 
Asquith, M.P., ex-Home Secretary and his wife. 
The show was held in three large marquees on 
Magdalen Green, and was the finest that has ever 
been brought together in Dundee. There was a 
brilliant gathering of ladies and gentlemen during the 
afternoon and evening of the first day. Mr. G. 
Masson, St. Fort Gardens, had the finest table of 
stove and greenhouse plants arranged for effect, 
Cocos weddeliana, Crotons, Lilies, Ferns, &c , being 
very fine. Mr. Peter Marshall, Balmore, Newport, 
was first for six st rve and greenhouse plants. Mr. J. 
Blair was first in the amateurs’ class. Ia the cut 
flower classes, open to gardeners, Mr. P. Marshall 
was to the fore for six bunches of stove and green¬ 
house flowers. Mr. Wm. Harper, Tulliebelton 
House, Perth, had the best twelve HP. Roses; and 
Mr. J. A. Stark, Ferndale, Invergowrie, was first for 
Teas and Noisettes. In the nurserymen and florists’ 
division, Messrs. D. and W. Croll, Dundee, and 
Messrs. James Cocker & Son, Aberdeen, were first 
and second respectively for twenty-four H P. and 
Tea Roses. For twenty-four Tea and Noisette 
Roses, the order was Messrs. D. and W. Croll, and 
Messrs. Adam and Craigmile, Fernielea, Rubislaw, 
Aberdeen. Messrs. W. P. Laird and Sinclair, 
Dundee, took the lead for twenty-four varieties of 
Dahlias, and eleven bunches of Cactus Dahlias, 
beating Messrs. D. and W. Croll in both cases. 
Messrs. James Cocker & Sons, led the way for 
twenty-four spikes of Gladioli, and eighteen bunches 
of hardy flowers, and were followed in both classes 
by Messrs. W. P. Laird and Sinclair. In open 
competition, Mr. Wm. Benvie, Murie Gardens, 
Errol, had the best twelve varieties of Apples. In 
the gardeners’ competition, Mr. James Beisant, 
Castle Huntly, took the leading honours for a collec¬ 
tion of eight dishes of fruit, and a collection of six 
dishes of hardy fruits. In the former class he had 
exceptionally fine Grapes, also Peaches, Nectarines, 
Figs, and a Melon. His Apples and Pears were also 
splendid. No better collection has been shown in 
Dundee for many years. Mr. Beisant took several 
other first prizes for fruit. Other first prize takers 
for fruit were Mr. John Leslie, Pitcullen Gardens, 
Perth, Mr. J. Kinnear, Fernbrae, Dundee, Mr. D. R. 
P. Saunders, Mr. A. Duncan, Invergowrie House, 
Mr. Geo. Nicolson, St. Helens, Mr. W. Williamson, 
Mr. Geo. Duncan, Mr. G. Masson, Mr. J. Bilton, 
Fernie Castle, and Mr. J. Joss, Arnhall. Mr. R. Rae, 
Roxburgh, had the best collection of vegetables in 
the open class. Mr. J. S. Gilmour, Tayport showed 
the best six kinds of vegetables in the amateurs’ 
class. 
