68 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 3, 1896. 
the residues of previous manurings may be 
more effective than direct applications for 
the crop under cultivation. This we can 
take for granted ; but though a light soil 
can always be set down as an established 
fact, no cultivator, unfortunately, can pre¬ 
dict whether any given season will be wet 
or dry, even though the rainfall for the 
district may be relatively dry on the 
average. On the other hand, in rotation 
cropping the value of the previous year’s 
manuring is taken into account by good 
gardeners, and as often depended upon to 
give the desired results. This relates more 
particularly to farmyard and similarly long 
lasting manures. It may also apply to 
phosphates and potash to a smaller extent, 
otherwise the compensation demanded by 
outgoing tenants for unexhausted manures 
would be unjust, and the rights for such a 
claim imaginary. Under the circumstances 
we feel inclined to grant the postulates of 
theexperimenterswhen they speak ofgetting 
the soil into a high condition. But while 
the land may be manured every second year 
with excellent results, in the case of rotation 
cropping, yet we do not think that this 
would answer the purpose if Potatos were 
to be grown for a number of consecutive 
years upon the same ground. There is the 
question of maintaining the fertility of the 
latter by supplying those ingredients which 
have been removed by the crop harvested 
and carried off the land. 
Taking rhe unmanured plots alone, of the 
first four sets of experiments conducted at 
Reading, there are several points that 
require solution or explanation. Set i of 
the ten plots had received no manure since 
1895 ; and Plot 1, we understand, got 
none even then, yet it gave a return 
equivalent to 6 tons 10 cwt. 20 lb. per 
acre. Set 2 had been manured in 1895 
and 1896, except in the case of Plot 1 
which gave a return of 8 tons 6 cwt. 88 lb. 
Why so great a difference ? The un¬ 
manured plot of Set 3 fell back to 5 tons 
1 cwt. 481b.; and that of the fourth set 
rose to 7 tons 14 cwt. 72 lb. The third 
and fourth sets were only instituted in 1896. 
They raise the question as to the kind or 
nature of the crop which occupied the 
ground in 1895. If either or both plots 
supported any leguminous crop such as 
garden Peas, Sweet Peas or Beans, the 
ground would have been left richer in soil 
nitrogen than it was previously. A record 
stating the facts of the case would have 
been of great importance in establishing an 
explanation of the outcome, for nitrogen is 
an important element in the production of a 
crop of Potatos. The absence of nitrogen 
from Plot 10 of the third set is a proof of 
this, for the result was only 5 tons 13 cwt. 
104 lb. On the contrary, where heavy 
dressings of nitrogen were given, the growth 
of the haulm was very great, giving rise to 
hopes that were not realised, however. 
Well, the explanation we offer is that potash 
and phosphates favour early maturity, but 
that nitrogen stimulates the vegetative 
growth of Potatos and other plants, and 
even retards their ripening. Moreover, we 
think that the three most important 
elements of plant food — nitrogen, phos¬ 
phorus and potash—are mutually dependent 
upon one another in securing the best results, 
so no one kind should be given in excess of 
the other. Phosphorus and phosphates 
promote the metabolism of nitrogenous 
ingredients ; and potassium fosters the 
production and storage of starch and similar 
carbohydrates, so that the excess of any 
one of these ingredients implies waste of 
manure and a lack of the desired results. 
With regard to the results of the experi* 
ments just completed, there is no necessity 
to imply inaccuracy in any one case, even if 
no one can give a satisfactory explanation 
of findings that appear to contradict what 
have been regarded as established facts. 
Future experiments may make the matter 
more clear, and may even upset some 
favourite theories of long standing. 
“ Science commits suicide when she adopts 
a creed,” so that it is well to maintain an 
open mind and unbiassed opinion upon 
questions that perplex us pending their 
solution. 
-•«.-— 
The Almeria Grape—About 4,549 barrels contain¬ 
ing 163,764 lb. of grapes of this variety were landed 
at Liverpool from one boat lately. 
There is a rumour that a British gardener is to 
fill the post of head gardener, at the Royal Conserva¬ 
tories, Laeken, recently vacated by the death of Mr. 
Henry Knight. 
Vegetables are wanted for the mining towns up in 
the Rocky Mountains, and there is no soil more 
suitable or convenient for the purpose than that 
around Vancouver, Canada. 
Cuttings of Pentstemons and Antirrhinums inserted 
now in pots of sandy soil will root in cold frames and 
be ready for transplanting into beds and borders in 
spring. By such means all the choice varieties can 
be preserved and perpetuated. 
Mr. Owen Thomas, of the Royal Gardens, Frog- 
more, was recently asked to select one of his young 
men to go to the Imperial Palace, at Berlin, to 
develop the vineries there. The selection has been 
made, and the young man will shortly leave Windsor 
for his new appointment. 
Great Fruit Show.—Our next issue will contain a 
full report of the great fruit show opened last Thurs¬ 
day at the Crystal Palace, under the auspices of the 
Royal Horticultural Society. Hardy fruit in many 
cases was in excellent condition, and the samples of 
large size, notwithstanding the past dry season. 
An Acre of Demon Flowers is a description given to 
some wonderful Orchid or other in Brazil by one of 
our contemporaries. Collectors who went in quest 
of it were prevented from reaching it by the “ wall 
of awful, sickening, overpowering odour,” which rose 
between them and their prize. Trees, utfdergrowth, 
and everything were loaded down with the weight of 
the plants of this unsociable colony of Orchids. 
Refreshing Candour.-The following proclamation 
comes from an ingenuous cultivator at Wynberb 
Villa, Aberbeeg, Monmouthshire :—“ I hav’nt grown 
the biggest Goosebery, or the most gigantic Mush¬ 
room, but I have a fine array of Sunflowers, many of 
which are nearly 9 ft. in height. Some plants have 
forty fine blooms, some measuring 17 in. across, and 
leaves 19 in. across. That’ll take some beating, 
won't it.” It will indeed next please. 
The New Postal Convention between Great Britain 
and Italy that was signed at Rome in July last will 
most likely have very far reaching results. There is 
a brisk demand in Italy for English flowers, flower 
roots, and small shrubs, but hitherto the difficulty of 
getting them across the frontier has sadly handi¬ 
capped the trade. According to the new regulations 
there is a maximum parcel post of eleven pounds for 
three francs, so that small plants or shrubs which up 
to the present have almost invariably succumbed, 
en route, in consequence of the delay may be obtained 
with ease by English residents in Italy. 
Midlothian Gardens.—The Hessle Pear is a great 
favourite in Midlothian, and the trees generally are 
carrying a fair crop this season. The weather 
seems to have especially suited it, although 
the high winds have undoubtedly done a lot of 
damage. At the present time the Hessle Pear is 
fetching about is. 6d. per gallon. Vegetables are in 
great abundance. Cabbages are only fetching the 
modest sum of 8d. per dozen. Savoys are beginning 
to make their appearance in the market, although 
the public generally prefers to wait a little longer 
until a touch of frost has visited us. At present, 
however, the price is is. 2d. per dozen. Leeks are 
getting better every day, and there is even now a 
good demand for them at is. 6d. per dozen bunches. 
Cauliflower has had a fine time of it of late. Only a 
few weeks ago they commanded 4s. per dozen, but 
now they are down to is. per dozen, the supply 
being ample, and, indeed, in excess of the demand. 
The London Fog is doomed, if we are to believe the 
gentleman at Greenwich, who claims to have an 
appliance which will effectually check it. 
A Consignment of Russian plants has been sent to 
the Queen’s gardens at Osborne, where Her 
Majesty is about to construct an extensive range of 
glasshouses for the production of flowers and fruit. 
A kitchen garden of some extent is also to be laid 
out. 
The North British Railway Company have been 
offering great encouragement to fruit growers by for¬ 
warding small quantities of fruit at half rates by 
passenger trains. Senders should be careful to label 
their packages “ Fruit,” otherwise they are liable to 
be charged in full. 
Single Hollyhocks have been all the rage in Pitts¬ 
burg during the past season for garden as well as house 
decoration. They are grown in beds, belts, and 
borders, as well as in the neglected corners of 
gardens. The crowns are protected with a light 
straw mulching in winter. 
The Publication of a list of Farmers, market 
gardeners, and others desirous of availing themselves 
of the facilities offered by the Great Northern Rail¬ 
way Company for sending their produce direct to 
the consumers at greatly reduced rates, will 
materially help the cause. 
Holiday Traffic at Hampton Court.—The number of 
visitors to Hampton Court and the gardens has in¬ 
creased to such an extent of late years, that the 
Urban District Council has decided to ask the First 
Commissioner of Her Majesty’s Works to widen the 
gates of Bushey Park, both at the Hampton Court 
and the Teddington entrances. 
Vagaries of Nomenclature .— Bulletin 112, of the 
Cornell Experiment Station, N.Y., in an article on 
Nomenclature, Classification, and Variation says, 
The disseminators of new horticultural varieties 
take advantage of waves of popular enthusiasm. 
They name flowers after actors, baseball players, 
barons, saints, and society leaders. Almost 
is realised one of Dean Swift’s dissonant combina¬ 
tions, ‘lords, fiddlers, judges, and dancing masters. 1 
The only consistent course is to abolish the whole 
system of naming varieties after living persons. So 
long as this sys tem continues, the element of dis¬ 
appointment and bad taste will persist. It is a 
consant reproach to horticulture that the art lacks 
dignity. Need it also be pointed out that we 
seem to be deficient in imagination?” 
The Yorkshire College, Leeds.—The fifth annual 
report of the Agricultural Department of this College 
is before us, and shows that interest in the Agricul¬ 
tural and Horticultural classes held in the three 
Ridings under the auspices of the Yorkshire College, 
is not only maintained but evidently on the increase, 
The average attendance at present at different places 
in the county varies from year to year, owing to various 
causes, including in some cases the sub division of 
the centres where the lectures are given, in order to 
meet the local convenience. The expenses of con¬ 
ducting lectures to farmers, instruction in dairying 
and horticulture, and classes for elementary teachers, 
have been met by the grants obtained from the 
County Council of the three Ridings, so that the 
income from all centres and the expenditure are 
almost identical. The attendance at the various 
centres to hear the lectures on Horticulture has 
averaged from 12 to 164 at different places. The 
latter audience was brought together at Thorare, to 
hear Dr. James Clark lecturing on " Fruit Culture.” 
From four to ten lectures were delivered at each 
centre. The lectures on Poultry-keeping, drew 
larger audiences, for there was an average of 250 at 
each of the four lectures delivered at Wakefield. 
Other courses on this subject drew smaller, yet good 
attendances. These facts serve to show that the 
students are of a practical and economical turn of 
mind, and will attend classes where some subject 
that can be turned to profitable account is beiDg 
taught. Manyof thestudentshadcomelongdistances. 
During last winter’s session eighteen courses of 
lectures were delivered in the North Riding ; thirty- 
four in the East Riding; and 37 in the West RidiDg. 
Examinations were held at eighteen centres ; eighty- 
four students presented themselves ; and sixty-seven 
passed, thirty-five with distinction. 
