December 2 , 1899. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
211 
PROOF! PROOF!! PROOF!!! 
VITAL IMPORTANCE TO 
EVERY CHRYSANTHEMUM GROWER. 
To secure their plants and cuttings from a reliable source and not from Rust-infected stock The 
Ryecroft rested stock I guarantee to be entirely free from Rust, and though grown so near London gives 
much the best return. 
RESULTS SPEJLM: 
LOUDER THAW YOLUMES PMNT 8 
Read the following unsolicited testimonials (two of many) 
“Mr. H. J. Jones, Lewisham. The Gardens, Strathfieldsaye, Mortimer, R.S.O., Berks. 
“ Dear Sir,— Having had all my Chrysanthemums from you last year, you will be pleased to learn that they have given 
entire satisfaction. Would you please send me the enclosed list of new sorts when they are sent out ? ” 
I am Sir, yours very truly, (Signed), J. W. McHATTIE.” 
It is acknowledged by the leading experts that Mr. J. W. McHattie is in the proud position of having exhibited the finest 
sixty Blooms ever staged in one competition, securing the First Prize in the Great Vase Class at the Show of the N. C. S. on 
November 6th , and in addition, on the same day, taking the following prizes : First, for 24 Japanese ; First, for 6 White Japanese ; 
First, for 6 Japanese any colour; First, for 6 Japanese Incurved ; Second, for 48 Japanese. 
“Mr. H. J. Jones, Lewisham. Keir Gardens, Dunblane, N.B. 
“ Dear Sir,— I have watched with interest the results of the cuttings I had from you last year of old varieties against cur 
own of the same varieties, and I am pleased to say all yours have done first-class, and given us some of our best blooms. No doubt 
your rested stock has a great advantage upon our own cuttings, which have to be taken from plants that have been fed heavy, and 
shaded while in bloom; this makes our cuttings weakly. I must draw upon you again to supply me with a number of the older 
varieties. I have no rust in my collection and wish to keep clear of it. I will send order in a few days for what I require.” 
I am, yours truly (Signed), T. Lunt.” 
Mr. T. Lunt is now recognised as the Champion Chrysanthemum Grower in Scotland. At the great Show held in Edinburgh 
(1898 and 1899) he was successful in winning the Blue Ribbon of Scotland, viz.: the “ City of Edinburgh ” prize, a piece of plate value 
£20 and ^14 in cash. He was also successful in winning the Scottish Challenge Cup and many other first prizes at both exhibitions. 
I have much pleasure in announcing that I hold the entire stock of the following Grand Novelties, which I shall send out in the Spring: _ 
MADAME VON ANDRE. —Sulphur Sport from Mutual Friend. First-class Certificate, N. C. S. 
MRS. ALFRED TATE. —A red chestnut-bronze Sport from Etoile de Lyon. Award of Merit, R. H. S 
SOUVENIR DE MARCHIONESS OF SALISBURY.— A Yellow Sport from M. Chenon de Leche. 
In addition I have some magnificent Seedlings, which will be announced later. 
MY GENERAL CHRYSANT HEMUM CATALOGUE IS ALSO NOW READ Y, POST FREE ONE STAMP. 
H. J. JONES, Ryecroft Ftfursery, LEWISHAIVS, S.E. 
“ Gardening is the purest of human pleasures, and the greatest 
refreshment to the spirit of man."— Bacon. 
IjMto 
Edited by J. FRASER. F.L.S. 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2nd, 1899. 
NEXT WEEK’S ENGAGEMENTS. 
Monday, December 4 th.—Messrs. Protheroe & Morris’Auction 
Sales of Dutch and other Bulbs during each day except 
Saturday, at their Rooms, 67 & £ 8 , Cheapside, London, 
E.C. 
Tuesday, December 5 th.—N.C.S. Winter Exhibiiion U days); 
R.H.S. Meeting in Drill Hall. 
|he Utility of Sulphate of Ammonia.* 
—This little book, of some sixty-eight 
pages, is a prize essay on sulphate of 
ammonia, written by Mr. James Muir, who 
discusses the subject from many points of 
view, and has, evidently, a good grasp of 
his subject. In discussing the subject 
whether nitrogenous manures impoverish 
the land he shows how it might and how it 
might not. Nitrogenous manures do indeed 
stimulate a greatly increased vegetative 
growth which enables plants to utilise most 
of the phosphates and potash wiihin reach, 
* The Utility of Sulphate of Ammonia in Agri¬ 
culture— By James Muir, M.R.A.C. Published 
by the Sulphate of Ammonia Committee, at No. 4, 
Fenchurch Avenue, London, E.C., 1899.— Price is. 
after which the soil would soon become 
poor enough, unless the store of those 
manures in the soils are restored by artificial 
means. Heavy crops of anything must of 
a necessity draw largely upon the stores of 
plant food in the soil; and if heavy crops 
are remunerative, then it would pay to add 
phosphates and potash when they become 
necessary. The fertility of the soil would 
thereby be maintained notwithstanding the 
stimulus given to vegetation by means of 
nitrogenous manures. The author then 
goes on to deal with the effects of 
nitrogenous manures upon the plant, and 
how it is taken up bythe latter. The effect 
upon vegetation is to cause increased 
growth, and the foliage to be of a richer 
dark green. Organic nitrogen is fixed up in 
an insoluble state for a time, so that it is 
useless for immediate needs. The great 
source of available nitrogen is that in the 
form of nitrates. Ammoniacal nitrogen can 
be taken up directly by plants, but in the 
present state of knowledge, we have little 
evidence that plants avail themselves of it 
in this form to any great extent. Sulphate 
of ammonia has to pass through a series of 
changes whereby it is stored up in the soil 
ready for the use of plants. When this is 
applied to a soil, chemical action is set up 
between sulphateof ammoniaand carbonate 
of lime, whereby the ammonia and carbonic 
acid combine to form sulphate of lime. The 
former, that is, carbonate of ammonia, is 
absorbed by the humus and clay in the soil, 
thereby rendering it safe from loss by 
drainage till nitrification takes place. This 
latter process is brought about by bacteria 
in the soil, so that the carbonate is trans¬ 
formed into nitrates ready for plant use. 
Various other aspects of the case are 
discussed in successive chapters or articles, 
the authorities quoted and the reasoning 
being good. The book is written chiefly 
from an agricultural point of view, but 
Potatos, Beans, Turnips, Swedes and even 
grass are dealt with, so that the details 
would apply to the garden as well as field 
cultures. In a concise summary at the end 
of the book the author deals with the whole 
subject under review so that a glance over 
the 27 notes shows all the important 
particulars in a nutshell. The nitrification 
of ammonia compounds, but particularly 
sulphate of ammonia, may be, and is very 
rapid when the conditions are suitable. 
The author considers this form of nitro¬ 
genous manure most effective in wet 
seasons and climates. Small dressings may 
be applied to growing crops in autumn, but 
to avoid loss by drainage most of it should 
be applied in spring. For all other crops it 
should be applied when sowing the Eeed or 
a little before. In any case it should be 
given during the early stages of growth so 
as to avoid late maturity and over-rank 
growth. Commercial sulphate of ammonia 
of 95 to 97 per cent, purity should contain 
24 to 25 per cent, of ammonia. The 
summary and contents are made to do duty 
for an index. Numerous tables relating to 
different subjects are given in all parts of 
the book. 
^Jines in the Open Air.— Mr. H. M. 
Tod, F.R.H.S., has been studying 
and making observations on Vine culture in 
the open air since the hot summer of 1868, 
and still continues enthusiastic on the sub¬ 
ject. He commenced planting Vines in his 
garden, on the western outskirts of London, 
in 1872, and details much of his subsequent 
practice and observations in Vol. XXIII, 
Part 2, of the Journal of the Royal Horticult¬ 
ural Society, published in November last. 
About fo.ty-eight hours after cutting his 
Grapes in the open in 1888 he went over to 
