THE GARDENING WORLD. 
March 21, 1903. 
2 
58 
WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 
Quizzings by “Cal.” 
Another remarkably hard seed is that of the ornamental 
Banana, Musa Ensete. 
* * * 
To induce this seed to germinate is a _ tricky business, and 
when trying in the usual manner I conspicuously failed. 
1/0 * * * 
Only by first cleaning the seed thoroughly from all super¬ 
fluous matter, especially around the hollow eye, and laying the 
seed on wet moss in a saucer placed in a propagator, could 1 
ever succeed. 
* * * 
For sub-tropical bedding this plant is superb, its huge leaves 
being a great feature. 
* * * 
The Editor quotes the fact that species of the Salix will ger¬ 
minate in two days. 
* * * 
Many years ago I remember reading of a person who grew 
Lettuces for salad on the table in front of his guests’ eyes. 
* * * 
The seed was sown on a box of earth, and watered with hot 
water, and the young plants appeared almost immediately, so 
that by the time the various courses were served the plants were 
as bi°- as walnuts. They were then prepared for the salad. 
* * * 
It was stated that the seed had been previously treated with 
alcohol by some means, but what truth was in the article I 
cannot vouch for. 
* * * 
Maybe the “returned with thanks man” may know some¬ 
thing about it. 
* * * 
Twice have I twisted the Editor’s over maturity into prema¬ 
ture maturity regarding non-growing Potatos. 
* * * 
I should be extremely sorry to prematurely drive our genial 
skipper to distraction. 
* * * 
To hark back to seeds. A reader recently inquired as to why 
his Parsnip seeds never grew, which reminded me of a humorous 
poem which Senator Shattuc, of Ohio, read out in Congress last 
summer. 
* * * 
I here give one stanza, but the whole was a great skit upon 
the free distribution of seeds : — 
How often have I plied the rake, 
How oft I’ve lounged about, 
With eyes alert to catch the first 
Signs of a coming sprout. 
In vain, in vain ; my hopes have fled, 
My heart is filled with woe 
About the seeds from Washington, 
The seeds that never grow. 
Regarding the use of caustic soda and potash, it is safer to 
well smear the face and neck with vaseline when spraying. We 
have had wonderful weather lately, but the rain has brought 
the usual result—Mud, with a big M. 
* * * 
As an old farm labourer remarked to me, “ I takes enough 
mud ’ome on me boots to mek a two-acre field, if I only ’ad 
somewheres to put it.” 
* * * 
What promises to be a big enterprise is to be started in South 
Africa to demonstrate the value of irrigation. 
* * * 
The tract to be operated upon covers 140,000 acres, fronting the 
Orange Colony. It is expected to accommodate 1,000 settlers. 
* * ■* 
The cost of the experiment is reckoned to be £320,000, the 
capitalists being Messrs. Werner, Beit, Abe Bailey, and Rhodes’ 
Estate who will rim it on the co-operative principle. 
* * * 
These gentlemen will be content with a 5 per cent, interest on 
their capital, so that settlers should have a rosy time. 
Irrigation might be adopted in some portions of this country, 
especially if the dry seasons of past years are to be the general 
rule. Many farmers are unaware as to what artificial irrigation 
means, and a trip to such States as California and Texas would 
prove an eye-opener. 
* * * 
’Tis not much that can be detailed in writing, but a short paper 
on American methods should, I think, prove interesting. Maybe 
the office ink-slinger can furnish a few details. 
* * * 
Mr. Compere, of Australia, is on a tour round the world after 
an insect. 
* * * 
His object is not entomology, but fruit-growing. 
* * * 
Two terrible pests in Queensland and other States are the 
Queensland fruit-fly and the Mediterranean fruit-fly, which 
attack every kind of fruit, doing incalculable damage. 
* ■* 
Mr. Compere’s theory is that no insect is a pest in its natural 
home, and when he discovers the home of these flies he expects to 
find their enemy, which will be a bug of some kind. 
•* * * 
There is not the slightest doubt that his quest will prove 
successful, as it is in accordance with nature. 
* * * 
I believe the Florida orange growers once ridded themselves of 
a scourge by similar actions. 
* * * 
A little money expended in this way might rid our growers of 
numerous pests that attack fruit. 
* * * 
We as a people are partial to Turnips, but when it comes to 
making them into coffee it is time to kick. 
* * * 
An East End grocer was recently fined for selling burnt Turnip 
as coffee without a Revenue label. 
* ■* ■* 
He had half a ton of the stuff, which came from Germany. 
* * * 
The plea of ignorance as to its consistency failed to satisfy 
Mr. Dickens. 
* * -si- 
May his shadow never grow less ! 
* * * 
I wonder how many bad Pears there are on the market ? Many 
are well known to be gritty or otherwise poor, yet are still 
retained. Brockworth Park recently had such a character given it. 
* * * 
On the other side of the water the Kieffer Pear has been talked 
about, especially as to who was its introducer. 
* * * 
Whether they wanted to revile him I cannot state, but market 
men here term it no class. 
* * * 
Ireland looks like gaining power. A syndicate is being formed 
to grow early Potatos, etc., on land near Clonakilty. 
* *• ■* 
The railways there are offering exceptional rates to Liverpool 
and London, and are also in communication with English com¬ 
panies for cheap through rates lor many English towns where 
early Tomatos, Cucumbers, etc., can be despatched. 
* * -Si¬ 
lt looks as if England will wake up through Ireland. “ Be 
jabers! ” * * * 
With the exception of Strawberries, Apricots, and Peaches, 
imports of every kind of fruit and vegetable for the week ending 
February 28th show a great increase over those of the correspon I- 
ing week of last year. 
*■■*•■* 
Who will consume the 65,740 cwts. of Apples, or the 461 ewl 
of Grapes? 
* * * 
Apparently the foreigners have been holding their Potatos, as 
182,592 cwts. have arrived, being nearly double the quantity as 
compared with last year. 
* * •* 
And it would appear that we can manage Onions too, consider¬ 
ing 182,592 bushels came into the market. 
* *• ■* 
Scottish farmers were recently buying sprats at 18s. per ton 
for manure. Gosh ! and here’s a poor Southerner glad to pav 2d. 
per lb. to eat. Still, that’s what .the farmers aimed for ; they ear 
them in a roundabout way. 
