March  26,  1896. 
journal  op  Horticulture  and  cottage  gardener.  288 
“  G.  H.  H.,”  and  “A  Reminiscence,”  by  Owen  Thomas,  are  two  articles 
specially  characteristic  of  the  Journal,  and  only  to  be  found  in  that 
paper,  full  of  instruction  and  encouragement  for  the  young  men  and  the 
lowlier  workers  in  our  profession.  They  will  cheer  our  brethren  much. 
The  weekly  notes  sum  up  everything  notable  ;  I  always  turn  to  them 
first. 
“Gentle  Spring,”  by  “The  Missus.”  1  take  off  my  hat,  and  reve¬ 
rently  bow  to  the  gentle  writer.  The  poetic  spirit,  the  literary  grace, 
the  acute  and  sympathetic  observation  made  of  all  natural  objects  shown 
in  that  article  charmed  me  much,  for  though  penetrated  with  much 
earthly  leaven,  I  am  thankful  to  say  that  I  can  appreciate  higher 
things.  Pray  thank  “  The  Missus.”  A  truly  practical  paper  that  on 
“Hardy  Fruits”  by  “A  British  Gardener,”  as  also  Mr.  N.  F.  Barnes 
on  “  Malmaison  Carnation  Growing,”  and  W.  Iggulden’s  on  “  Open 
Air  Tomato  Growing.”  Mr.  Iggulden  has  a  right  to  speak  on  the 
subject ;  it  is  one  that  he  has  completely  made  his  own.  Very  glad 
was  I  to  see  W.  Strugnell  once  more,  and  upon  a  subject  which 
more  perplexes  the  kitchen  gardener  than  does  any  other — “  Spring 
Salads.”  Mr.  C.  Foster  on  “Useful  Peas”  has  one  or  two  very  good 
ideas  in  his  article. 
The  Rose  and  Chrysanthemum  notes,  always  written  by  those  who 
know,  are  weekly  a  strong  feature  of  the  Journal,  and  in  this  number 
that  feature  is  stronger  than  usual.  Our  ubiquitous  friend,  “  A.  D.,” 
has  one  of  his  useful  and  practical  articles  on  “  Early  Potatoes,”  full  of 
good  suggestions  and  timely  warnings.  None  better  fitted  to  give  these 
than  he.  “0.  H.”  on  “Table  Decorations,”  will  help  to  satisfy  the 
anxieties  of  some  of  the  many  gardeners  who  are  often  perplexed  to 
carry  out  their  table  dressings  to  their  own  and  their  employers’  satis¬ 
faction.  Very  glad  also  was  I  to  see  Mr.  Abbey  once  more.  Dear  me, 
how  many  years  is  it  that  he  has  been  usefully  and  learnedly  instructing 
us  in  some  of  the  difficult  and  abstruse  questions  which  the  gardener 
has  to  face.  I  particularly  want  to  thank  Mr.  Iggulden  for  calling  our 
attention  to  the  “  Three  Useful  Primers.”  They  are  just  the  small 
works  I  had  been  on  the  look  out  for  some  time  for  a  special  purpose  ; 
but,  please  look  at  the  last  three  lines  of  his  article,  and  then  let  me  ask 
where  is  the  Prize  Essay  written  for  the  Fruiterers’  Company  by  our 
Mr.  Wright?  Is  not  that  Primer  on  fruit  enough?  The  Society  notes 
and  replies  to  correspondents  I  must  pass  over,  full  of  information  as 
they  are.  This  will  help  to  show  that  I  am  satisfied  with  the  Highbury 
number  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  I  think. — P.  H.  N. 
It  was,  I  think,  a  happy  thought  which  provided  the  descriptive 
article  on  Mr.  Chamberlain’s  home  and  garden.  When  the  eye  of  the 
nation  is  drawn  to  those  who  steer  the  ship  of  Scate  through  troubled 
waters,  it  is  more  than  interesting  to  follow  our  pilots  from  their  public 
duties  to  their  private  pleasures,  more  because  these  influences  have 
probably  farther  reaching  results  than  appears  at  first  sight.  But 
politics  enter  not  into  the  field  of  horticulture,  whatever  influence  the 
latter  may  have  upon  the  former,  hence  it  is  sufficient  in  following  the 
descriptive  guide  through  the  floral  treasures  of  Highbury  to  know  and 
to  feel  that  “  the  master”  at  home  is  a  gardener  in  the  fullest  sense  of 
the  word.  This  article  has  cleared  from  my  mind,  as  it  has  doubtless 
from  others,  that  dim  haze  through  which  was  seen  the  prominent 
proprietor  as  a  great  orchidist  solely.  That  such  is  the  case,  and  more 
also,  it  is  gratifying  to  note  and  to  know. 
“  The  Horticultural  Outlook  ”  (page  221)  looks  very  well  on  paper. 
It  is  a  vision  influenced,  as  all  outlooks  are,  by  individual  observation. 
I  will  but  emphasise  “  A  Worker’s  ”  remarks  on  British  industry  of  the 
future'by  quoting  the  answer  to  a  question  in  Parliament  by  Colonel 
Russell.  Mr.  Powell  Williams  in  reply  said,  “  That  about  5  tons  of 
dried  vegetables  of  a  description  and  quality  not  obtainable  in  the 
United  Kingdom  was  purchased  from  Germany  for  the  Ashanti  Expedi¬ 
tion,  the  total  value  being  about  £500.”  I  conclude  that  the  day  of 
desiccation  for  British  vegetables  is  not  far  distant. 
Mr.  David  Thomson’s  article  on  Grape  growing  (p.  222)  is  weighted 
with  the  prestige  of  a  name  we  may  truly  call  noble  in  the  annals  of  the 
subject.  Good  Grape  growing  must  ever  possess  a  fascination  to  good 
gardeners,  irrespective  of  market  valuations.  With  all  due  allowance  for 
skill  in  other  phases  of  fruit  culture,  the  perfectly  finished  bunch  of  Grapes 
on  an  employer’s  table  is  a  tower  of  strength  to  the  producer.  It  is  a 
matter  for  regret  to  find  that  in  some  establishments  a  custom  is  in 
vogue  of  dissecting  (cutting  up)  the  bunch  before  sending  to  table — a 
custom  which  should  receive  unqualified  condemnation. 
The  royal  gardener’s  reminiscence  (page  236)  contains  much  that  is 
cheering,  and  the  “  Single-handed  ”  article  by  “G.  H.  H.,”  much  that  is 
charitable.  It  speaks  much,  I  think,  for  the  broad  and  liberal  spirit  of 
latter-day  horticultural  literature  that  all  workers  are  included.  Many 
of  the  fraternity,  and  of  these  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  gardeners,  find 
themselves  isolated  by  circumstances — deprived  of  that  communion  of 
fellowship  which  is  so  good  and  so  helpful  To  such  how  gratifying  it 
is  to  find  by  the  medium  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  that  they  are 
still  in  touch  with  a  work-a-day  world  ;  even,  maybe,  with  far-scatterea 
friends  of  their  youth.  I  find  rt  so,  and  venture  to  think  that  others  do 
the  same. 
“A.  D.’s”  practical  and  pertinent  remarks  on  early  Potatoes  (page  241) 
induce  me  to  ask  the  question,  Is  true  stock  of  the  old  dwarf-top  Ashleaf 
still  to  be  had  ?  For  several  years  I  endeavoured  to  procure  it  from 
local  seedsmen,  to  be  invariably  disappointed.  As  yet  we  have  not,  by 
selection  or  other  means,  obtained  any  advance  in  hardiness  of  Potatoes, 
perhaps  never  shall,  though  I  would  not  like  to  be  too  sure  of  that. 
Anyway,  given  the  same  quality  of  precocity  in  this  section,  an  especially 
dwarf  variety  provides  greater  facility  in  protective  measures  against 
untimely  frostB. 
Apropos  of  Mr.  Abbey’s  first  instalments  of  “  Garden  Pests  and 
Antidotes  ”  (page  242),  I  was  once  asked  what  was  momentarily  taken 
to  be  a  very  foolish  question — viz.,  “  Had  I  ever  heard  a  slug  grazing  ?  ” 
“No!  of  course  not,  who  ever  had  or  ever  could?”  “  Well,  would  I 
mind  trying  the  experiment  on  some  warm,  moist  night  by  adopting  the 
Red  Indians’  method  of  catching  sound — viz  ,  place  the  ear  to  the  ground 
level?”  This  was  done  in  the  neighbourhood  of  some  newly  planted 
Lettuces,  with  the  result  that  the  rasping  sound  of  a  huge  fat  fellow’s 
mandibles  was  distinctly  heard  as  a  succulent  leaf  was  absorbed. 
As  I  belong  to  a  little  section  of  Chrysanthemum  lovers  someway 
removed  from  the  brilliant  yet  critical  coterie  who  adorn  this  section, 
may  I  be  permitted  to  express,  what  I  know  to  be,  that  little  section’s 
unanimous  feeling  of  approval  coupled  with  gratitude  to  Mr.  Molyneux 
for  his  recent  analysis  ?  Not  less  do  we  think  that  the  recently  published 
portrait  is  but  honour  to  whom  honour  is  due. 
Roses,  also,  share  our  love  and  care,  and  we  have  much  to  be  thank¬ 
ful  for  in  the  way  our  tastes  are  catered  for  in  these  pages.  “  H.  D.’s  ” 
notes,  concluding  on  page  239,  have  been  both  entertaining  and  instruc¬ 
tive.  There  is,  too,  gratification  afforded  in  finding  many  of  the  older 
varieties  still  so  bravely  holding  their  own,  and  as  duly  appreciated  by 
the  writer  (of  those  notes)  on  their  merits. — Saynoe. 
NITROGENOUS  MANURE  FOR  FRUIT  TREES. 
“  Bkitish  Gakdener  ”  (page  233)  directs  attention  to  the  manurial 
requirements  of  orchard  and  other  fruit  trees,  and  quotes  a  scientific 
authority  who  condemns  for  that  purpose  the  use  of  “  nitrate  of  soda  ” 
and  “sulphate  of  ammonia.”  “British  Gardener’s”  own  conclusions 
on  the  use  of  purely  nitrogenous  manures  on  the  foliage  and  the  conse¬ 
quent  reaction  on  the  fruit  up  to  a  certain  point  are  sound  and  pertinent 
to  the  subject,  opening  out  a  profitable  field  for  discussion,  yet  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  if  these  nitrogenous  manures  be  applied  to  young  and 
vigorous  trees  or  to  those  situated  in  a  bad  ripening  position  they  would 
do  more  harm  than  good.  Of  course  a  practical  man  of  “British 
Gardener’s”  calibre  needs  no  reminder  of  bo  simple  a  fact,  but  to  the 
general  cultivator  the  word  manure  is  only  a  concrete  term  embodying 
an  adjunct  to  other  cultural  details.  Many  gardeners  even  yet  pin  their 
faith  to  farmyard  manure,  caring  little  for  what  in  the  abstract  it  may 
be  composed  of  so  long  as  it  apparently  benefits  the  tree  or  crop.  We 
use  the  word  apparently  advisedly,  because  the  effect  of  nitrogenous 
manures  being  stimulating  to  leaf  and  growth  is  more  easily  observed 
than  are  effects  resulting  from  the  other  plant  food  elements — viz., 
“  phosphates  ”  and  “  potash.”  Chemical  manures,  broadly  speaking, 
owe  their  value  to  a  due  proportion  in  a  soluble  form  of  the  three  com¬ 
bined  elements  of  nitrogen,  phosphate,  and  potash. 
During  active  growth  nitrogen  is  largely  required  in  the  formation  of 
new  cell  contents — viz.,  the  protoplasm,  which  here  may  be  termed  the 
source  of  life  so  far  as  its  increase  in  size  is  concerned.  The  functions 
of  the  phosphates  within  the  plant’s  economy  may  be  termed  that  of 
carriers  of  the  elaborated  sap  to  those  parts  of  the  plant  where  it  may  be 
needed  in  the  formation  of  reserve  stores,  such  as  the  seed,  fruit,  and 
tubers.  The  best  economic  example  of  the  function  of  phosphates  is 
shown  by  their  application  by  the  farmer  to  the  Turnip  and  similar 
crops,  which,  being  essentially  a  reserve  store,  experience  has  proved 
that  phosphate  above  all  others  is  the  element  needed  for  full  develop¬ 
ment.  At  the  same  time  it  must  not  be  overlooked  that  a  due  proportion 
of  nitrogen  and  potash  are  also  necessary,  though  the  cwo  latter  elements 
standing  alone  would  not  produce  in  any  sense  a  paying  crop  of  Turnips. 
Coming  now  to  the  function  of  potash  in  the  plant’s  economy,  recent 
experiments  by  high  and  reliable  authorities  have  proved  that  although 
nitrogen  and  phosphates  were  present  the  absence  of  potash  resulted  in 
miserable  growth,  or  no  attempt  to  grow  by  the  formation  of  buds,  and 
consequently  no  ramification  of  branches  ;  therefore,  if  no  leaf  buds — 
flower  buds  being  leaf  buds  differentiated — the  production  of  fruit 
becomes  an  impossibility.  As  further  showing  the  inter-relationship  of 
the  three  elements  and  their  manner  of  action,  the  following  excerpt 
from  a  pamphlet  on  the  subject  by  Professor  Paul  Wagner  will  show 
conclusively  that  any  of  the  above  three  elements  not  being  present  in 
due  proportions  the  full  value  of  any  single  element  is  not  obtained. 
“  If  potash  is  wanting  in  the  soil  then  the  phosphoric  acid  cannot  act, 
or  if  nitrogen  is  not  present  in  sufficient  quantity  then  neither  the 
potash  nor  the  phosphoric  acid  become  active  ;  therefore  care  has  to  be 
taken  that  not  only  a  foundation  of  phosphoric  acid  is  at  the  disposal  of 
the  plant  ;  care  has  further  to  be  taken  in  order  to  stimulate  the  deve¬ 
lopment  of  the  plant,  that  in  addition  to  this  foundation  there  is  also 
present  a  sufficient  quantity  of  readily  soluble  phosphoric  acid  in  the 
form  of  phosphates  ;  and  yet  still  greater  care  has  to  be  taken  that  each 
different  plant  is  supplied  according  to  its  requirements  with  the  necessary 
quantity  of  readily  assimilable  potash  and  easily  available  nitrogen.” 
How  far  this  phase  of  the  subject  coincides  with  “  British  Gardener’s  ” 
ideas  it  rests  with  himself  to  state,  but  there  can  scarcely  be  two 
opinions  that  in  consequence  of  the  necessary  attention  to  the  require¬ 
ments  of  fruit  tree*  in  the  way  of  due  nourishment  not  being  met,  there 
is  abundant  room  for  improvement  in  the  quality  of  the  fruit  produced. 
Another  phase  of  the  question  is  that  trees  badly  nourished  are  more  at 
the  mercy  of  the  vicissitudes  of  the  weather,  fungoid  and  insect  pests, 
particularly  that  of  red  spider,  which  in  thousands  of  cases  does  more 
injury  to  their  fruit-bearing  capabilities  than  all  the  rest  of  the  ills  which 
fruit  trees  are  heir  to.  It  must,  however,  be  evident  that  although 
