THE GARDENING WORtD. 
68? 
May 12, 1900. 
let for which appears to be ample) and good cultiva¬ 
tion, the land would make a good all-round garden.— 
W. Poupart. 
CHEMISTRY FOR THE GARDEN. 
X.—Bacteria. 
As this subject has been somewhat vigorously forced 
upon the attention of the gardener of recent years, 
perhaps a few words on the matter may not be out 
of place in connection with our chief subject. We, 
however, intend to treat only of the more outstand¬ 
ing traits attending this apparently friend of him 
who tilleth the land. Bacteria are evidently micros¬ 
copic fuDgi, and they seem to pervade all animated 
space, from the snowy peaks of the Grampian 
Mountains to the streets and ill-ventilated cellars 
and slums of the metropolis. There appears to be 
little, if any, part of the globe, aerial, thermal, or 
aqueous, where oxygen can penetrate, but colonies of 
the ubiquitous microbe in question are more or less 
in evidence. 
Anaxagoras, the disciple of Thales, about 2,500 
years ago taught that the atmosphere was teeming 
with the seed germs of vegetable life, and that by the 
influence of the rains they were brought down to the 
earth, and thus he accounted for the spontaneity of 
plants in Nature. Had he had the microscope 
doubtless his anticipations would have solved the 
problem which destiny retained for a grand cope- 
stone to complete the marvellous discoveries and in¬ 
ventions of the nineteenth century. Bacteriology, 
like Darwiniology, has gone, perhaps, a little too 
far in making good its claims, however meritorious 
these may be. The investigations of Pasteur, Koch, 
and others drew to the rescue of the germ theory 
quite an army of minor satellites, who often had 
more to offer on the history of the microbe than was 
consistent with its individual magnitude in space. 
It was quite a common thing a few years ago to find 
some pseudo-scientists inform us that at every in¬ 
spiration we inhaled a number of microbes, which 
numerical notation is incompetent to describe. The 
smallest morsel of bread contained more than there 
were inhabitants on the globe, and, of course, these 
were all healthy, living, and very suspicious microbes. 
Well, the people have survived the dread of these 
discoveries, and live as happy and as unconcerned 
about the continual inhalation of microbes as oar 
ignorant blessed ancestors did. No doubt we must 
make great allowances for exaggerations, misconcep¬ 
tions, and even delusions, when much enthusiasm is 
exerted in forcing discoveries, and make them fit our 
theories. 
Bacteria are said to resemble, in many respects, 
the initial unit of a plant cell, and, like plants, are 
propagated by divisions and seed (spores). Propaga¬ 
tion by division appears to be more in favour than by 
spores. The bacterium enlarges to a fair size 
( 0002 to 002), or something approaching that when 
it splits up in two, generally,and sometimes in to four 
parts. There are, of course, exceptions to this as to 
most things. A bacterium occasionally grows to 
great size, and separates iDto a large number of off¬ 
spring. They multiply when conditions (heat and 
moisture) are favourable in a short period, at a rate 
which puts the horse-shoeing problem far in the 
rear. Some kinds are very energetic in their 
movements, others are very lazy, orat all events much 
less active. The healthy, energetic species are said 
to be the chief agency, causing fermentation, putre¬ 
faction, decay and decomposition, and turn it into 
nitrogenous matter such as ammonia. They seem to 
lurk in the healthy body awaiting for a weak spot to 
appear when they then proceed with the chief work 
set apart, viz., to crumble the structure into dissolu¬ 
tion. The albuminous matter of animal and vege¬ 
table tissues is their favourite food. 
There appears also to exist a very considerable 
number of kinds, and for all we know each has a 
Dame very many million times larger than itself. 
The one that most concerns the gardener is named 
Proteus vulgaris, for it is everywhere. It is like the 
11 Old Man and the Scythe ” waiting, always gnaw¬ 
ing at the cords of life, to reduce everything into its 
elementary constituents. Theoretically, the animal 
digestion is the result of the micro-organisms. We 
are not aware if any attempt has been yet made to 
show that animal life itself is an aggregation of 
microbes ! The above species is a motile one. It 
is, therefore, one of those which has the power of 
motion. As already said it causes putrefaction, and 
there evidently its work ceases. Others come in to 
complete the chemical changes which supervene, 
such as the conversion of the albuminous matter 
into ammonia carbonate. Then it is not very clear 
whether it is Proteus vulgaris or some other species 
whose domain is cultivated soil, that converts the 
ammonia carbonate into nitrites and nitrates. This 
is the process known as nitrification of ammonia. It 
appears that one species of bacterium is not capable 
of performing more than one kind of work. 
Investigations made by bacteriologists claim to 
show that one species has for its duties the conver¬ 
sion of ammonia into nitrites, and another into 
nitrates. If this is so, why, bacteria is a correlation 
of oxygen ! Moreover, the soil bacteria can absorb 
nitrogen from the atmosphere. The knotty pro¬ 
tuberances seen on many of the legume family are 
said to be caused by bacteria, and are believed to 
be receptacles for the fixing of ammonia.— Oxygen. 
(To be continued.) 
---- 
FERGUSLIE HOUSE, PAISLEY. 
The Coates, of Paisley, in Renfrewshire, are the 
best known family in that quarter, and their fame 
for munificent endowments is a well-known tale in 
most parts of the south and west of Scotland. The 
family have a number of small estates variously 
situated in proximity to the town itself. Their 
business as thread manufacturers is known not only 
in Paisley but over all the Kingdom and over all the 
Empire. Thousands of people are employed by the 
Coates, of Paisley. 
Ferguslie House belongs to Mrs. Coates, and is a 
pleasantly situated, compactly built mansion, having 
distant views north and south. The Kilmalcolm 
Hills lie to the north, while on the east side is Paisley, 
to which very easy access is obtained. The gardens in 
attachment to the house are chiefly ornamental, that 
is, as opposed to the strictly utilitarian. The glass¬ 
houses are both good and numerous. And though 
the grounds are not greatly diversified, they are at 
the same time pleasantly laid out and nicely 
planted. 
In the plant houses, on a recent visit to this place, 
. the ordinary stock of bright flowering spring plants 
and forced bulbs was viewed in large amounts. The 
quantity of bulbs grown for flowering in pots is quite 
immense. Tulips of all sorts, Due Van Thol, Keizer 
Kroon, White Pottebakker, Tournesol, and others are 
chiefly employed, and for early work these are 
universally favoured. Mr. McDonald, who is the 
head-gardener in charge at Ferguslie, requires to 
look to a plentiful, immediate supply, and to have 
successive batches, because of the demand on him 
for church decorative plants and flowers. Azalea 
mollis, Lilacs, and Lily of the Valley were in large 
amount. 
Hydrangeas are cultivated to perfection. Chrys¬ 
anthemums, as one might naturally expect, are grown 
by the thousand. A mere reference to names of 
varieties at this time would be instructive or interest¬ 
ing to very few. This much may be said, however, 
that whatever the varieties, the plants in their young 
state were very sturdy. Little and Ballantyne's 
strain of greenhouse Cinerarias is well represented 
by fine, dwarf, free-flowering plants. Japanese 
Maples for house decoration were seen in some 
amount. The pretty little Kerria, so seldom grown 
as a forced plant, had been thus employed by Mr. 
McDonald. Of Kalosanthes they have a finer lot at 
Ferguslie than any the writer ever saw elsewhere. 
Begonia manicata, of which a special note was made 
some time ago, is grown in exceedingly fine condition 
beneath the stages of an intermediate house. It 
forms a beautiful, natural fringe and screen to what 
would otherwise be an uninteresting void. Kalmia 
latifolia, a plant with curiously constructed flowers, 
was represented by good specimens. Zonal Pelar¬ 
goniums are grown on into specimens. Richardia 
elliottiana made an excellent show, and was seen in 
fine condition. Malmaison Carnations, which are 
favourites everywhere, are likewise largely cultivated. 
All the best varieties are grown. The collection of 
scented-leaved Pelargoniums is very complete. We 
should like to see more full collections of such fine 
old-fashioned plants. Roses in 8-in. pots are quite a 
feature. The stout, green foliage and plump wood 
was evidence of proper treatment, from which fine 
blooms and plenty of them will be culled. In the 
large conservatory Spiraeas on tall pedestals. Cro¬ 
cuses and other bulbs, greenhouse Rhododendrons, 
Curculigos. Livistonas, Phoenix rupicola, Cocos 
weddeliana, tree Ferns, and larger Palms, Ferns, 
&c , were gracefully arranged therein. 
Orchids are a feature of the gardens here. Some 
fine pieces of Oncidium altissimum were throwing 
up tall spikes. The stages are covered with cocoa- 
nut fibre. Cypripedium barbatum superbum was 
also good. Angraecum sesquipedale was well shown, 
bearing a number of fine blooms. Coelogyne cristata 
was very fine ; Masdevallias are also taken in hand 
and successfully treated. 
Stove plants receive attention. Anthurium 
scherzerianum, Tillandsias, Dasylirion Hookerii, 
Maranta albo-lineata, M. zebrina, and others; 
Codiaeums, Dracaenas, Pandanuses, Ananassa sativa 
variegata, Eucharis, Aralias, and Asparagus in 
variety were all seen in very good condition. A large 
house is devoted to Camellias and Clivias, some of 
which are very fine. 
Nothing but praise can be given to the fruit 
houses. The early vinery was just in flower at the 
time, and everything was promising grandly. Black 
Hamburgh, Trebbiano, and the Syrian varieties are 
those grown. Figs do favourably. Peaches of the 
Violet Hative and Stirling Castle varieties were pro¬ 
mising well for good crops. Everything in and out 
of the houses proved that care and attention are 
bestowed upon them. Around the house sloping 
lawns stretch, and these are belted with shrub¬ 
beries. 
In front of the house, but at a considerably lower 
level, there is a pretty little pond, which adds variety 
to the grounds. It says much for Mr. McDonald’s 
skill that he is able to cultivate so well with an im¬ 
pure and smoke-laden atmosphere to contend 
against. 
- « 1 —■■ —- 
VISITS TO NURSERIES. 
Messrs. Laing & Mather, Kelso. 
The firm of Messrs. Laing & Mather is one of the 
most energetic in the South of Scotland. As florists 
they are well known; as agricultural seedsmen 
better known. In their florists’ trade Carnations are 
their forte. They grow, of course, all manner of 
other subjects—Conifers, flowering ornamental 
trees and shrubs, Roses, herbaceous plants, and con¬ 
servatory stock. Everything is thoroughly well 
cultivated, and neatness and orderliness are the rule 
in every corner of their sunny nurseries. These 
grounds are well situated, open to sun and air, well 
drained, and conveniently sheltered. In the open 
ground Carnations occupy a good deal of space. 
They are arranged in beds, so many of one variety 
running backward in straight lines, according to 
name. None but the best are admitted in any 
quantity. A note was made of a few varieties, and 
the tabulation of these at this time may help those 
who wish to do immediate planting. There was 
Kelso Abbey, Dundas Scarlet, Mrs. Scott Kerr, 
Queen of the Yellows, Duchess of Fife, Ketton Rose, 
Uriah Pike, Primrose League, Mrs. Reynolds Hole, 
The Pasha, Redbraes, Lady Nina Balfour, Lady 
Tweedmouth, Mrs. R. V. Mather, Duchess of West¬ 
minster, Bessie Mather, Scarlet Clove, White Clove, 
Bendigo, and Crombie’s Pink. The plants were 
strong and good, and the selection embraces nearly 
every desirable kind. There are great quantities of 
Carnations in frames. 
Malmaisons. —The Malmaison varieties in pots 
were marvellously fine. They included Lord Rose¬ 
bery, Nell Gwynne, Prime Minister, Princess May, 
The Churchwarden, Trumpeter, Mrs. Martin Smith, 
Calypso, Sir Charles Freemantle, and others. Tree 
Carnations were also seen, but these in lesser 
amount. 
Outdoor Coniferae are largely represented. The 
beautiful Cupressus lawsoniana lutea was typified by 
some splendid specimens. C. 1 . Alumi with its 
glaucous foliage and closely set branches, is also a 
favourite, and numerously grown. Thuyopsis dolo- 
brata in sturdy vigour ; Abies albertiaDa for shrub¬ 
beries and ornamental grounds; Picea nordman- 
niana, nice young pieces, 2 ft. and 3 ft. high ; Pinus 
excelsa, of which there were beautiful types ; Cryp- 
tomerias in variety ; and Hollies, Yews, Podocarpus, 
Junipers, &c., are all grown by the firm. Berberis 
Aquifolium is extensively grown for the sake of its 
purple-leaved branches. The flowering shrubs in- 
