THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 28 , 1900 . 
53 
ID 
whether the conditions are particularly propitious 
or not, growth begins to push forth. As showing 
the amounts of starch in the seeds of different plants 
the following figures were given :— In Pea 42% is 
found, and only 2% of fat. After germination, how¬ 
ever, the percentage of starch drops to 33%- In 
Hemp we find oil to the extent of 33%, and this 
drops to 17% after germination. 
The moment germination begins, respiration like¬ 
wise starts. The plantlet requires force, and the 
respiration yields that power. The C., H. and O. 
of starch is united by an enormous force to keep the 
molecules together, but the respiring movement sets 
up a burning or consuming power which lessens the 
pressure and liberates some of the existing force 
previously holding together the starch and oils. 
Sugar is another compound of C. H. and O., and for 
a man who wants force and physical energy, sugar 
is a capital item for supplying these powers. Thus, 
in the liberation of “ force,” the seed is actually 
losing, and this accounts fcr the lesser percentages 
of starch in the case of the Pea and oil in the case 
of the Hemp, which are noted after germination. 
In its downward growth the radicle excretes an 
acid from the tip, the purpose of the acid being to 
attack and make the surrounding film of soil soluble. 
In its descent, Darwin found by experiment that a 
large amount of force is expended by a root. A 
hole was made in a piece of flat board. On both 
sides of the centre of the hole, a slit was made in 
either direction by sawing. A root was then con¬ 
ducted through the hole and when it had grown and 
iather more than filled the hole, the power it then 
exerted caused the slits on either side to open 
widely. When the root was taken out Darwin 
found that it required 8J lb. to open the slits to the 
same width the root had expanded them. The 
hydrotropic influence upon roots received attention. 
Moisture has a wonderful effect on the conduct and 
course of the growth of roots. Grown in a narrow 
box of damp moss the roots of some Bean seeds 
soon made their way through the bottom, but finding 
little moisture there they bent completely back and 
turned again to the moss. Thus the sensibility of 
protoplasm. 
Cotyledons or seed leaves, as a rule, perish after 
having yielded their nourishment. Cress and 
Mustard are exceptional. Prof. Mohl in 1840, tried 
an experiment to prove the effect of light on the 
direction of growth. He placed a strong mirror 
below a box of seeedlings, the result being that the 
plumules all-turned toward the light. 
The susceptibility of roots to touch was also 
demonstrated by Darwin, who gummed a small piece 
of stone on one side of a root-tip and the presence 
of this caused the root to bend in an opposite 
direction. Good examples of this twining habit 
consequent on contagion with some irritating cause, 
is noted among Carrots. Sometimes two roots twine 
round each other down their whole length. 
In the germination ot the Cocoa-nut the radicle or 
root comes out as it ought to do, but the plumule 
instead, presses inward, always keeping in touch 
with the meat of the nut, and so forms a puffball¬ 
like structure. Eventually the plumule does extract 
itself and lengthen upward. Some seeds (mono¬ 
cotyledons) have an appendage (a siphon indeed), 
which continue to pump up the stores of nourish¬ 
ment in the seed even after the plumule and radicle 
have escaped and are growing free. 
Prof. Henslow concluded with a reference to 
Mummy Peas and Mummy Wheat. According to 
Brookes Brugsch, the negroes have a trick worth 
the knowing. They secure a handful of Peas or 
Wheat, get some grey Nile mud, plaster the seeds 
with this matter and so get them something of the 
colour of real mummy seeds, and these they place 
in the hands or among the clothes of the mummies. 
The innocent traveller comes along, makes enquiries, 
offers a sum of money perhaps, and is allowed the 
great privilege of searching for a few seeds. These 
seeds are sown and germinate, and then we hear of 
the aeons-old grain having germinated, with this 
fact and that fact battered on to substantiate the 
announcement. ” But,” said Prof. Henslow, "real 
mummy seeds never did, and never will germinate.” 
SWEET PEA BLANCHE BURPEE. 
This is a large flowered, white seeded and white 
variety raised by Mr. Eckford who considers it one 
of his greatest acquisitions amongst white varieties ; 
and indeed, there are many who regard it as the best 
hooded white variety. It has taken many years to 
develop it to its present size. Our illustration was 
prepared from a photograph of some flowers we 
gathered in the Trial Grounds of Messrs. Hurst & 
Son, Feering, Kelvedon, Essex, on the 16th inst., the 
occasion of the visit of the classification committee 
of the Sweet Pea Conference. In all literature per¬ 
taining to the Sweet Pea, the term “ hooded ” is of 
frequent occurrence, and we selected this as a sample 
of that form of flower. There are many varieties 
with a more decidedly hooded standard, but an 
excess of development in this direction often spoils 
the beauty and decorative value of the flower ; hence 
our selection of this moderately hooded form. The 
top of the standard or upper petal becomes more or 
less incurved during the progress of development of 
the flower, and to all such as exhibit this peculiarity 
the term " hooded ” is applied. 
MASSING SHRUBS. 
Unquestionably the grouping together of foliage 
shrubs, both evergreen and deciduous, is most 
effective and attractive, and deserves to be practised 
much more extensively than at present. Of course, 
the larger the grounds the larger must be the masses, 
but the plan is equally suitable when judiciously 
carried out for large and small gardens, and when 
once planted, except thinning out and pruning, little 
expense is needed for their up-keep ; and I venture 
to say one dozen plants placed together will produce 
a better effect and attract more attention than 100 of 
the same when planted on the dot-and-carry-one- 
system. As much as possible select bold points and 
open beds. Cate should be taken that the various 
coloured foliage blends and harmonises properly. 
For instance, let the eye rest at the same time on a 
point of Golden Elder and Copper Hazel, and the 
effect produced is all one can desire. In this brief 
article I can only mention a few of the most suitable 
for this purpose for summer display, though equally 
good results may be obtained in winter, which I 
shall hope to deal with later. Sambucus nigra aurea, 
S. racemosa serratifolia aurea, Copper Hazel, Acer 
Negundo variegatum, variegated Kerria, Golden 
Yew, Rhus typhina and R. Cotinus, Rosa rugosa, 
variegated Dogwood, Hypericums, Cotoneasters, and 
Japanese Maples of sorts are among the most beauti¬ 
ful and interesting that I have noticed. — A. Thatcher, 
Aldenham, Elstree. 
AZALEAS. 
The majority of these will have finished up their 
growth by now, and if re-potting was deferred in the 
early spring, it could take place now, not giving too 
large a shift; in. to 2 in. all round between the 
ball of roots and the side of pot will be sufficient, 
using mostly peat with a little fibrous loam and 
coarse sand added. It should be unnecessary, say, 
to let the pots be clean and carefully drained, potting 
very firmly with a rammer. Do not water for two 
or three days after this operation ; and if a house or 
pit could be given them for a fortnight, so much the 
better, where they could be lightly shaded from the 
sun and thoroughly syringed in the morning before 
8 a m. and again at 5 p m. in the evening, and closing 
the structure the plants would soon get hold of the 
new compost. In our case we stand them in the 
open early this month, choosing a north aspect, and 
well plying the syringe up under its foliage where 
thrip is sure to lurk, if any is about. In a month s 
time we give them clear weak soot water, as well as 
syringing overhead with it. This puts on the 
desired dark looking foliage all growers covet to see 
Sweet Pea Blanche Burpee. 
