228 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
December 9, 1899- 
magnesia, chlorine, nitric acid, sulphuric 
acid, and organic matter. It was slightly 
richer than the Colchester soil in potash, 
soda, and phosphoric acid. 
The Oxford locality is 275 ft. above sea- 
level and has an average rainfall of 26-94 in. 
The soil is a sandy loam, giving a mechani¬ 
cal analysis of 71 per cent, of clean sand, 
and 29 of clay and other fine matter. 
Chemical analysis showed that the percent¬ 
age of silicious matter was identical with 
that of Colchester; but that of lime was 
over six times as great; that of magnesia, 
potash, soda, phosphoric acid, and nitric 
acid a little higher; while organic matter 
was nearly the same. The Oxford soil then 
is notably rich in lime and phosphoric 
acid. 
The soil from the nursery of Messrs. 
Harkness & Sons, Hitchin, is a sandy loam 
at an altitude above sea-level of 320 ft., and 
Mr. E. B. Lindsell’s garden, at the same 
place, is 220 ft. above sea-level, and 
is a slightly heavier loam resting on yellow 
clay loam. The mean annual rainfall for 
Hitchin is 25-05 in. The soil from Mr. 
Lindsell’s Rose garden, on analysis, showed 
less silicious matter than those from Col¬ 
chester, but with more oxide of iron, alu¬ 
mina, lime, magnesia, potash, soda, phos¬ 
phoric acid, sulphuric acid, and organic 
matter. Compared with that of Colchester, 
the soil from Messrs. Harkness & Sons’ 
nurseries showed a little more silicious 
matter, oxide of iron, potash, soda, and 
phosphoric acid ; but less of the other in¬ 
gredients, the organic matter being remark¬ 
ably low. It is the poorer, therefore, of the 
two samples from Hitchin. 
After a careful study of the results of the 
chemical analyses of all these samples of 
soil, Dr. Dyer comes to the conclusion that 
the only ingredient of fertility, common to 
all of these famous Rose grounds, is phos¬ 
phoric acid, and that was not particularly 
marked except in three cases. Beyond this 
there is no common bond between them, as 
far as their chemical constitution is con¬ 
cerned ; but there may be something in the 
fact that the mechanical and physical con¬ 
dition of all the soils is good, as is that of 
drainage, whether natural or artificially 
accomplished. He further considers that if 
the success of the growers at the above- 
mentioned places is to be attributed to 
natural conditions rather than cultural skill, 
it must be sought for in climatic conditions, 
aspect, and possibly the natural drainage. 
Beyond the mere surmise, then, of the 
learned Doctor, the result of these investi¬ 
gations is a veritable triumph for the Rose 
growers themselves. At all events, they 
deserve the benefit of the doubt, seeing that 
chemical analyses of their soils show that 
Nature has afforded them no special advan¬ 
tage in that respect. But, say the experts, 
many other Rose growers are equally skil¬ 
ful, though less successful on the exhibition 
table. We cannot imagine that the clima¬ 
tic conditions of other parts of the same 
county, or of the surrounding counties, 
differ materially from those of the places 
recorded. And surely everyone of the home 
counties, at least, could furnish examples 
of soils in equally good mechanical condi¬ 
tion, and as well drained. The old adage 
is still true that genius consists of the 
faculty of taking pains, and we have no 
doubt the successful Rose growers do take 
great pains with their special cultures. We 
hope, however, that the experiments and 
observations may be continued. 
The report in the form of a pamphlet of 
some twenty-two pages is obtainable by 
non-members, from either of the secretaries, 
Rev. H. Honywood D’Ombrain, Westwell 
Vicarage, Ashford, Kent ; and Edward 
Mawley, Esq., Rosebank, Berkhamsted, 
Herts. 
Axle Grease and Rabbits.—Though the operation 
would be a most thankless one and extraordinarily 
trying to the patience, it is recommended to grease 
the lower parts of the stems of young trees which are 
suffering, or are likely to suffer from the mischievous 
gnawing of rabbits, &c. 
North Kildare Horticultural Society.—Celbridge, 
North Kildare,has resolved upon having a Cottagers’ 
Horticultural Society. For the purpose of inaugu¬ 
rating such a society, a meeting was held on Tues¬ 
day, November 14th, when officers were elected and 
the preliminary arrangements made. 
Leaflets on Cottage Gardening.—The Co. Meath 
proprietors are making much headway through the 
agency of the Meath Industrial Organisation Associ¬ 
ation in the direction of cottage industries, house¬ 
keeping, and garden industries. They demonstrate, 
it would seem, on the culture and keeping of a small 
garden—half an Irish acre—so that by their teaching 
the poor folks tray he taught to make the most of 
their little plots. 
Decorated Apples.—It is said that the latest craze 
in Paris is for photographically decorated Apples. 
Customers’ crests are painted upon the fruits. A 
nearly ripe Apple is protected from the light for some 
time until the skin becomes somewhat bleached. A 
paper negative is substituted for this bag, and the 
fruits are exposed to the sun's influence; the device 
is then found printed beneath. It little matters in 
" photography ” of this kind whether the experiment 
works well or not; the fruits are not altered. 
The Poisonous Properties of the Yew. —The poison¬ 
ous properties of Yew trees or twigs, when eaten 
by cattle and horses have frequently been proven. 
Still, though the occurrences are reported with dilig¬ 
ent care by the papers which look after husbandry 
interests, there still appear to be persons who are 
sceptic about the truth of the statements. True it 
is that a strong heifer, a grown bullock, or a horse 
can eat a goodly quantity, but not with impunity if 
its stomach was empty and the amount devoured at 
all large. Some instances of the importance of the 
subject in hand, were recorded by Mr. Moir, 
M.R C.V.S., of Armagh, in one of our Irish contem¬ 
poraries during last month. 
National Forestiy.—Mr. D. E. Hutchins, Conser¬ 
vator of Forests, Cape Town, read a very exhaustive 
paper on the above subject before members of the 
Socieiy of Arts, on Wednesday, November 22nd, in 
the Society’s rooms, John Street, Adtlphi, London, 
W.C. The points of the lecture were, (1), " State 
Forestry in England and Abroad ; its cost and super¬ 
iority to private Forestry.” (2), “ Imported wood 
and the area required to produce it in England.” (3), 
"Decline of British Agriculture met by the rise of 
British Forestry.” (4), “The rural population 
benefited by the rise of British Forestry.” (5), 
" Physical degeneration of the race.” (6), “ Forests 
as Recreation grounds.” (7), " Military Aspect; a 
means of defence.” (8), " National Forests as a 
means of National Insurance.” (9), "Cost and 
Yield of National Forests.” (to), “ Reasons against 
delay.” Some bold propositions were made. Various 
eminent gentlemen discussed the subject. For those 
interested, the paper is full of value. 
Bristol and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improve¬ 
ment Association —The fortnightly meeting was held 
on Thursday, November 30th, at St. John's Parish 
Room, Redland, Bristol, Mr. Lock presiding over a 
large attendance. "Hardy Fruit ” was the subject 
for discussion, introduced by Mr. Hockey, of Yatton. 
He stated that the cultivation of fruit was becoming 
more popular each year, though to enable British 
cultivators to successfully meet foreign competition 
our land laws required a'teration. Dealing with the 
subject in detail, he gave clear instructions as to the 
soil, and situation best suited to fruit culture, 
method of planting, pruning, and pests to which 
fruit trees were most liable, the directions given 
referring to the culture of Apples, Pears, Plums, 
Cherries, Currants, Gooseberries, Strawberries, and 
Raspberries. Mr. Hockey was heartily thanked for 
his lecture. A good discussion followed, taken part 
iu by several members. Prizes for Potatos (two 
dishes) were awarded Messrs. Taylor and Ross • 
Certificates of Merit to Mr. Taylor for six well-grown 
Poinsettias, and to Mr. Clark for a plant of Adiantum 
cuneatum. 
Mr. Leo Gordon Godseff, the sub-foreman in the 
propagating pits at Kew Gardens, has been laid up 
for some time with typhoid fever; but we are glad 
to state that he is now progressing favourably, with 
two nurses in attendance, besides his own and other 
doctors. He is the son of Mr. Godseff, manager to 
Messrs. Sander & Co., St. Albans. 
A Large Apple.—Seeing in The Gardening 
World of last week, an account of a large Apple, I 
should Lke to say I am now showing in my shop 
window an Apple grown in my own nursery lhat is 
much larger. When gathered it weighed 1 lb. iig oz. 
and was 17J in. in circumference. The variety is 
Bramley’s Seedling. Have you ever heard of a 
larger ? I have this year gathered a Peach weighing 
17$ oz.— J. R. 
American Haste.—“Lock before you leap,” or 
"Consider twice before acting once,” might very 
adaptably be employed as maxims for those fruit 
growers in Mason county, Michigan, who are said to 
have cut down so many as ico.coo Peach trees which 
bad been considered as killed by the excessive cold 
experienced there last winter. The remaining trees 
which were not cut down have borne good crops this 
year. 
Presentation.—An interesting ceremony took place 
at 152, Houndsditcb, Friday evening, the istinst., 
when Mr. Wm. Sherwood, on behalf of the well- 
known Hurst & Son Cricket Club, presented Mr. W. 
Riden, the hon. secretary, with a silver mounted 
snakewood walking stick, and Mrs. Riden with a 
silver-mounted umbrella. In a brief speech Mr. 
Wm. Sherwood paid a high tribute to the energy and 
ability of Mr. Riden, who has held the secretarial 
reins of the club since its existence. Mr. Riden, 
who was quite overcome by the unexpected gift, 
made a suitable and touching reply. Piizes were 
also presented to Messrs. Portch, Squire & Main, the 
successful members of the club last season. A hearty 
vote of thanks to Mr. Wm. Sherwood, which was 
loudly applauded, terminated the proceedings. 
Notes from Hamilton.—We are having extraord¬ 
inary mild, though a shade windy weather just 
now. Too much rain has not yet fallen to compen¬ 
sate for the droughty autumn. Pelargoniums, Cal¬ 
ceolarias and other bedding plants are still fresh in 
the open where they have not teen lifted. Chry s¬ 
anthemums are freely flowering, and so are hybrid 
perpetual and Tea Roses, also in the open. And 
what is more marvellous, we have Cauliflower ready 
for use which were planted merely to fill a vacant 
bit of ground. Mr. Archibald, Bothwell Castle 
Gardens, gave a very interesting lecture on the 
“Successful Culture of Carrots” at the December 
monthly meeting of the Hamilton and District H. & 
F. Association. Like most old-established gardens 
the soil at Bothwell Castle is not suitable for grow¬ 
ing Carrots without a good deal of preparation. 
The lecturer in describing his mode of warfare 
against the insidious ravages of the dread Psila rosea, 
said that he has grown his Carrots for very many 
years on the same piece of ground, and that he 
leaves all the “ sha ws” on the ground to be dug in 
along with a sprinkling of gas lime and dung The 
ground is trenched three spits deep every season, 
and left roughly exposed to the weather all winter. 
Previous to sowing, the soil is forked and broken 
down smooth and rolled hard. The seed is sown 
tbioly in lines 18 in. asunder in which are also sown 
Onion seed. The lines are then covered in and beat 
firmly with the back of the spade. The next opera¬ 
tion is the thinning, which is done lightly and care¬ 
fully at first. After this the plants are dusted over 
once or twice weekly with soot and lime. Nitrate of 
soda is also given to encourage growth. The 
samples which Mr. Archibald placed on the table 
were magnificent and were in themselves ample 
testimony of the complete triumph of art over the 
troublesome Carrot pest. In concluding, Mr. Archi¬ 
bald mentioned some cases in other parts of the 
kingdom where his adopted prescription was tried 
with success. In one or two cases the dusting 
operation was neglected, resulting in failure, but 
when added the following year, the crop was a com¬ 
plete success. Messrs. Grahame, Coltness; Moir, 
Earnock; Angus, Daiziel (chairman); and others 
spoke commending the lecturer’s good practice. A 
hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Archi¬ 
bald. Next meeting the business meeting.— D. 
Chisholm. 
