January  20,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
65 
EELWORM  DESTRUCTION. 
Basic  Slag  and  Kainit  for  Cucumbers  and  Tomatoes. 
Your  correspondent  “  W.  B.”,  on  page  43,  asks  for  less  “bantering 
and  boasting”  and  a  little  more  “precise  and  clear  information.”  Quite 
so,  but  why  does  he  not  set  us  a  good  example  ?  I  cannot  find  in  my 
Journal  that  Mr.  Abbey  leads  us  to  think  that  12  ozs.  of  kainit  and  2  lbs. 
of  basic  slag  per  square  yard  will  “probably  poison  borders.”  “W.  B.” 
ought  to  read  more  carefully,  and  frame  more  precise  and  definite  questions, 
if  he  wants  clear  information. 
In  answer  to  his  inquiry,  “  Is  it  safe  to  plant  Tomatoes  and  Cucumbers 
'  in  borders  as  prepared  I  ”  we  might  ask,  How  have  they  been  pi’epared  ! 
Have  12  ozs.  of  kainit  and  2  lbs.  of  basic  slag  been  applied  to  them  ?  if 
so,  who  advised  this  amount  for  Cucumber  borders  1 
If  “  W.  B.”  has  used  the  quantity  of  kainit  and  basic  slag  that  I 
used  in  my  Tomato  borders,  he  may  with  safety  plant  his  borders  without 
any  fear  of  injury  from  the  compounds  used.  Last  spring  a  dressing  of 
12  ozs.  of  kainit  and  2  lbs.  of  basic  slag  per  square  yard  was  forked  into 
the  soil  in  a  certain  section  of  the  house,  and  200  Tomato  plants  were 
planted  in  the  borders  as  soon  as  the  digging  was  finished.  These  plants 
grew  well  and  fruited  excellently,  the  artificials  having  only  a  beneficial 
effect  upon  them.  Still  a  few  of  the  leaves  drooped  and  died  owing  to  an 
attack  of  sleepy  disease  fungus. 
To  be  precise  and  clear  I  may,  perhaps,  be  allowed  to  give  more 
definite  instruction.  We  spread  2  inches  of  decayed  manure  over  the  soil 
for  Tomato  borders,  and  then  spread  the  basic  slag  and  kainit  on  the  top 
of  this  ;  the  soil  is  then  forked  over  carefully  to  a  depth  of  1  foot, 
mixing  well  together.  It  is  necessary  to  do  the  work  thoroughly,  and  to 
go  to  the  required  depth. 
If  we  wish  to  mix  the  kainit  and  basic  slag  with  the  soil  for  our 
Cucumbers  we  must  first  find  out  about  how  much  to  use.  Twelve  ounces 
of  kainit  and  2  lbs.  of  basic  slag  per  square  yard,  if  forked  into  the  top 
foot  of  soil,  would  be  equal  to  mixing  the  artificial  fertilisers  with  900  lbs. 
of  soil.  This  is  not  a  very  great  deal  after  all,  and  I  have  mixed  more  of 
stronger  artificials  than  the  above  in  potting  soil  for  Chrysanthemums, 
Pelargoniums,  Cinerarias,  and  other  plants.  If  “W.  B.”  will  mix  the 
above  quantity  of  kainit  and  basic  slag  with  900  lbs.  of  Cucumber  soil  he 
will  find  nothing  but  benefit  follow.  He  must  remember,  however,  that 
the  blending  must  be  complete,  and  that  rough  digging  does  not  suffice, 
by  which  the  dressings  applied  fall  in  small  “  heaps  ”  between  large  cubes 
or  “spits”  of  soil. — W.  Dyke. 
[An  important  communication  by  Mr.  Jggulden  on  combating  eel- 
worms  and  supporting  plants  with  soluble  phenyle  must  perforce  stand 
over  till  next  week.] 
A  (JURIOUS  POTATO. 
I  SEND  you  a  Potato  which,  I  think,  is  a  bit  of  a  novelty.  You  will 
observe  the  young  Potatoes  are  growing  out  of  the  old  one. — W.  Brown. 
[The  proliferous  Potato  sent  by  our  correspondent  is  not  such  a 
novelty  as  he  supposes,  as  it  has  been  many  times  observed.  It  is  none 
the  less  interesting,  and  as  it  is  scarcely  likely  all  our  readers  have 
seen  it  we  furnish  an  illustration  (fig.  11)  of  a  precisely  similar  occurrence 
that  came  under  our  notice  about  seven  years  ago.  As  may  be  seen,  the 
“  new  ”  Potatoes  were  not  formed  by  or  from  the  external  buds  or  eyes, 
but  formed  in  a  cluster  in  the  centre  of  the  Potato,  increased  in  size  there, 
and  forced  their  way  through  the  dried  cuticle.  We  assume  they  are  the 
produce  of  latent  buds  on  the  growing  axis  that  proceeds  through  the 
tubers  from  base  to  apex,  and  terminates  in  the  buds  by  which  the  growth 
is  continued  the  succeeding  year  ;  but  these  buds  having  become  effete, 
the  latent  buds  become  active  for  perpetuating  the  kind.  A  portion  of 
the  old  Potato  was  removed  for  showing  the  position  of  the  young 
tubers.] 
A  DAY  AT  ALTRINCmAM. 
When  recently  visiting  Messrs.  Clibran’s  establishment  at  Altrincham, 
I  was  shown  over  their  nurseries,  which,  at  the  present  time,  cover  more 
than  200  acres.  Glass  houses  alone  occupy  five  acres,  a  casual  look  at 
which  led  one  to  think  that  everything  is  cultivated  to  the  best  advantage. 
Throughout  the  season  there  is  always  something  of  interest  in  the  waj’  of 
special  exhibits,  noteworthy  at  the  time  being  two  houses  of  admirably 
grown  Cyclamens,  the  strain  being  free  with  flowers  of  great  substance 
and  variety.  Chrysanthemums  were  just  past  their  best,  but  the  prizes 
awarded  at  the  leading  shows  testify  to  the  ability  displayed  by  the  firm 
to  keep  all  up  to  date.  Other  plants  having  separate  houses  devoted  to 
their  wants  were  Begonias,  Celosias,  Carnations,  Bouvardias,  and  Zonal 
Pelargoniums,  whilst  the  stove  and  greenhouse  departments  take  up  a 
large  number  of  houses,  plants  from  the  tiniest  seedling  upwards  being  in 
evidence  everywhere. 
Adjoining  the  glasshouses  many  acres  are  devoted  to  hardy  herbaceous 
plants  and  florist  flowers,  embracing  old  and  new  favourites,  over  an  acre 
alone  being  occupied  with  the  latest  varieties  of  Pseonies,  which  make  a 
gorgeous  display  when  in  bloom.  Climbing  plants  in  and  out  of  jiots  are 
grown  extensively,  also  many  beautiful  and  uncommon  plants  suitable  for 
wall  and  pillar  decoration.  Ascending  the  high  ground  near  the  nurseries 
one  is  struck  by  the  very  large  number  of  specimen  Hollies,  averaging  in 
height  from  3  to  15  feet,  and  all  of  perfect  symmetry.  The  work  of 
re-arranging  is  being  carried  on  at  intervals,  and  will,  when  completed, 
be  a  great  boon  to  visitors  ;  consequently  the  plants  are  always  in  a  fit 
state  for  removal.  Deciduous  and  ornamental  trees  are  grown  as  nurses 
in  single  rows,  each  tree  being  a  specimen  ready  for  street,  park,  or  avenue 
planting. 
Thousands  of  Conifers,  in  splendid  condition  as  regards  colour  and 
arrangement,  are  also  grown.  The  plants  are  excellent  in  every  respect. 
I  was  much  struck  by  the  care  exercised  in  the  rearing  of  the  young  trees 
and  shrubs  in  open  cases,  to  protect  them  from  the  cold  winds  and  dry 
spring  weather,  which  cause  such  destruction  to  plant  life.  The  cases  are 
really  open  frames,  a  slight  covering  of  bracken  being  placed  over  the 
seedlings  and  cuttings  in  very  severe  weather,  so  as  to  prevent  the  frost 
from  lifting  them  out  of  the  ground. 
In  other  sections  I  was  astonished  to  see  such  enormous  quantities  of 
Laurels,  Aucubas,  named  hybrids  and  other  Rhododendrons  from 
12  inches  to  4  and  5  feet  in  height,  well  shaped,  and  fit  to  suit  the  most 
exacting.  Oval  leaved  Privet  is  grown  most  extensively  from  small  hedge 
Pig.  11. — A  Proliferous  Potato. 
plant  size  to  large  l)ushy  specimens,  for  immediate  effect.  The  Hale  Farm 
Nurseries  cover  fifty  acres.  Forest  trees.  Larch,  and  an  almost  endless 
variety  of  Firs  might  be  seen  by  the  million,  as  well  as  the  general  kinds 
of  trees  for  plantations  and  coverts.  Hedge  plants  are  a  great  item,  one 
quantity  of  250,000  quicks  being  very  noticeable.  In  the  fruit  tree 
section  there  are  over  thirty  acres  planted,  and  trained  trees  of  every 
form  are  highly  creditable.  Roses  are  represented  by  the  100,000,  being- 
grown  in  every  position  here  as  well  as  at  the  firm’s  large  nursery  at 
Llandudno,  so  as  to  get  thoroughly  tested,  their  appearance  being  most 
desirable. 
Many  plants  have  to  be  left  without  mention.  The  general  features  of 
the  nurseries,  situated  as  they  are  at  various  points  around  Altrincham, 
Bowdon,  and  Hale,  afford  to  the  visitor  a  pleasant  treat.  To  those 
who  have  not  had  the  pleasure,  I  advise  a  visit  when  in  the  district.  An 
agreeable  surprise  will  await  them,  and  as  foremen  are  to  be  found  in 
each  department,  every  facility  is  afforded  to  the  visitor  to  look  and 
learn.  Landscape  gardening  seems  to  be  a  special  feature,  judging  from 
the  impiirtant  contracts  recently'  completed  and  others  just  taken  in  hand, 
from  plans  supplied  by  the  firm. 
Throughout  the  various  nurseries  there  is  much  taste  displayed  in 
arranging  ihe  different  kinds  of  trees  in  quantity  so  as  to  catch  the 
eye,  and  ahhough  being  well  conversant  with  the  majority  of  plants  seen, 
1  should  be  wanting  in  courtesy  were  I  not  to  heartily  thank  Mr.  Brown, 
the  general  manager  of  the  nurseries,  for  his  kind  and  agreeable  company. 
— A  Visitor. 
Practical  Encouragement  in  G  ardening,  -  We  learn  from 
a  contemporary  that  at  Llandulas,  Wales,  some  time  ago,  IMr.  A.  L. 
.lones,  a  Liverpool  merchant,  distributed  amongst  the  cottagers  of  the 
district  several  thousand  young  flowers  and  fruit  trees,  with  a  view  to 
encouraging  the  growth  of  these.  The  matter  was  spiritedly  taken  up 
locally,  anrl  considerable  attention  is  being  given  to  flower  growing, 
especially  in  the  district. 
