April 4, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
305 
WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 
Quizzings by “ Cal.” 
I fully appreciate the sympathy of “Willow Tree” on page 
202, but I was unaware that I suffered greatly. 
* * * 
I fear I am one of those individuals on whom criticism has but 
little effect, save to cause Are to sling ink. 
•* * * 
It is almost time the diary question dropped, but 1 observe 
Mr. J. C. Dick is up again. 
* * * 
Just so ; the object of a gardener’s diary is not to provide a 
means of consultation for the purpose of seeing when to sow, 
etc. 
* * * 
An experienced gardener does not require such an aid. 
* * * 
I contend that a diary is for the purpose of noting the various 
idiosyncrasies of plants, together with details as to the weather, 
etc. 
* * * 
However, it is pdeasing to learn that Mr. Dick retains the 
“Quizzings bv Cal.,” and, I trust, also the remaining parts of 
the “G.W.” 
* * * 
But—I say but—it may be that Mr. D. is indulging in a little 
refined sarcasm. 
* * * 
If so, it fails just a bit, for “ Cal.” does not presume to describe 
cultural methods in the pithy jottings entitled “Quizzings.” 
Their sole object is to afford light reading. 
Is it not so, Mr. Editor? 
* * * 
[Yes ; 
Ed.] 
and additional light on various topics occasionally.— 
* * * 
Respecting tire ’Mums, too, ’tis not everyone who has cold 
frames to spare at such a period. 
* * * 
Mr. Dick remarks: “Unless he is an amateur.” 
* * il¬ 
ls Mr. D. one of those who scOrn the amateur? There are 
many, many amateurs who would prove very tough customers 
for even lifelong professionals. 
* * * 
I daresay our genial Editor could refer to a few, and that with¬ 
out scouring outside of London. 
*• * * 
i [Yes ; and also in the locality not far from Mr. Dick.—E d.] 
*• ■* * 
To refer to the book of the “ Pansy,” reviewed by the Editor, 
I may state that I am in possession of a small booklet pub¬ 
lished in 1890 by Harvey, of Stirling. 
* * 
■ It is entitled “ Notes on the Pansy,” by Charles Kay, of 
[ Gargunnock. 
* * * 
The author, apart from the introduction, wherein he gives the 
I history of the Pansy, dilates on the raising of new varieties from 
seed, cultivation, enemies of the Pansy, properties of the show 
Pansy, and properties of the fancy Pansy. 
* # * 
■ ^ r ; Kay is evidently a big exhibitor, and in his book he 
describes his methods in detail. 
* * * 
[A successful exhibitor.—En.] 
* •* * 
v ,f," e references to Cosmos-bipmnatus on page 212 cause me a 
little wonder. 
* * * 
’Tis some ten years since that I first grew the Cosmos, my 
plants being raised from the seed of Mexican Wildings. 
* * * , ° . 
At that time the colours ranged from light pink to red, also 
ci mauve. 
* * * 
As is stated on page 212, the plants ran up nearly 7ft., coming 
into flower in October, so that before the numerous buds had a 
chance the plants were killed by frost. 
* * * 
However, I did not fare badly, as I had previously cut great 
quantities of the ornamental foliage. 
* * . •si- 
Now, some four years since a new early dwarf strain appeared, 
which came into flower by July. 
* * -* 
This strain was named Miss Julia Lee, the original of that 
name being the Californian lady who, when travelling in Mexico 
some years before, collected seed and sent them to a big florist, 
who I believe has worked upon them so that the new strain was 
evolved, and in honour of his communicant he named them after 
her. * * * 
Although I have not grown this strain, I know that it is well 
spoken of, so that the strain referred to in the “G.W.” is not 
an improvement on the original species, save in colour. 
* * * 
[And breadtli of ray, etc.—En.] 
* * * 
In the Julia Lee type there are said to be numerous colours, 
including pale blue and yellow. 
V * * 
M. Herb, of Naples, evidently has high opinions of the average 
cultivator’s power as a linguist. 
* * * 
Just fancy entering a seedsman’s shop and asking for a packet 
of Centaurea Cyanus naiia. compacta flore pleno rubro. caerulea ! 
* * * 
M hy, before one could get it all out the vendor would be bawl¬ 
ing for the police. 
■x- * * 
Mr. C. Dick handles a risky subject in dealing with plants 
and soils. * * * 
When such gentlemen, as Mr. H. Wallace and Mr. W. Dyke 
admit that they know but little as to the relation of soils and 
manures it behoves the average cultivator to pause. 
* * * 
Both the gentlemen referred to give most interesting papers 
in the Journal of the RHUS, for September, 1902. 
* * * 
An acre of good garden roil contains at least 7,0001bs. of 
nitrogen, yet to get a good crop of Potatos 20 tons of manure 
must be applied, and the resulting crop would only extract 
about 701bs. of nitrogen. 
* * * 
[llants cannot utilise nitrogen till it has been converted into 
a nitrate, and therefore readily soluble.—E d.] 
* * * 
Two great problems propounded by Mr. Dyke were, “ Why 
crops of the same nature cannot be grown on the same soil 
annually ? ’ and “ \\ by some crops do so well in one place and 
fail in another ? ” 
* * * 
As he states, Tomotos are a failure if grown m the same 
position three years running, yet one may add the chemical 
elements that go to build up the Tomato without improving the 
soil one iota. 
* * * 
And in the meantime that self-same soil mav contain, every 
constituent for healthy growth, yet the plants cannot draw : 't 
forth. 
* * * 
The older text-books tell us that fertilisers are necessary, but, 
as modern scientists have proved, the micro-organisms play the 
all-important part. 
* * ii- 
How ? is what the scientist is trying to discover. 
* * * 
He terms the subject “ The New Soil Science,” yet until the 
secret has been wrested from the earth we must plod on as Mr. 
Dick describes, piling up manure where it lies in plenty, watch- 
ing a plant starve if it is not given food, of which only a por¬ 
tion is taken up, the remainder going into the secret cupboard 
which at present defies unlocking. 
* * " * 
Not content with expelling barmaids, Glasgow is now hustlin'* 
the street flower girl. 
* * * 
Apparently those good people have the anti-srirl mania 
* * ii- 
Guess they will attack the lady gardener next. 
It takes a cool hand to return good for evil. Cal. 
