Miscellaneous Kotos. WHAT IS JADOO?

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 8

Miscellaneous Kotos. WHAT IS JADOO?

During the past few months there have ! appeared in the columns of American Garden- i ing and other horticultural journals occasional • references to "Jadoo," which has been used j as a potting material for all sorts of plants, j nnd is also used to some extent for the raising of vegetable*. On many occasions we have had the opportunity of seeing the material, and have further seen it in use, and can safely bay that its merits as a substitute for soil | warrant tho careful attention of raisers of ' plants. Cleanly, light, non-odorous, retentive ] of moisture are first noted salient plants. ! On close examination it is seen that the ' jadoo is of a mossy, peaty nature, and, as a fact, a fine quality of bog peat forms the basis of tho manufacture. To this is added soot, gypsum, and chemical ingredients, embodying the essentials of a complete fertiliser. Tho whole mass is subsequently boiled for a certain time and fermented ; it is then Jadoo ' Fibre. _ j It will be easily grasped from the above i account that we have now a light bpongy mas 3. ] full of plant food in an avuilable form, and j that the mechanical texture of the substance is one that allows it to absorb a large quantity of water and hold it for a long period. And | herein is the special adaptability for pot | plants, especially in dwelling-rooms, and, as j to weight, tho statement that it is about one- I third that of ordinary earth is sufficient. When the inventor of Jadoo firefc drew pub- : lie attention to his universal soil, there were many dubious ones in the multitude. The ; number of such has, however, been surely diminishing, and to-day many expert gardeners are users of the material. Up to the present time the vegetable raisers of this country do _iot seem to have given attention to this fibre, which (according to re- j ports from Europe) has given much satisfao- j tion ir that direction. The fibre seems to act, . by reason of its great porosity, as a producer of fibrous roots, which are thus aerated and fed. One word of advice is to be given ; that j is, pot firmly, and then success is certain. j As an aid to the fibre to supply extra fer- j tility, or even to be used as a fertiliser elsewhere, there ia a liquid of a very concentrated nature, which is the product of the process [ above described. The analysis of this is as follows : —

The great value of Jadoo Fibre rests in the fact that tho fermentation of tho organic mattor renders • the substance just sufficiently soluble to be- readily acted upon by the mineral constituents — phosphoric acid, lime and potash — naturally present and assisted by that incorporated, so that the nitrifaction of the material goes on gradually, yielding up to the growing plant just enough nitrogen, but no more than it requires day by day, therefore minimibing the loss of nitrogenous plant food, and ensuring a lasting effect in the material employed. Referring to the use of Jadoo for vegetables, the following account of a visit to tho experimental field at Avenson, France, on the barren Landes soil, is pertinent. This soil is considered absolutely useless for growing anything in, being what tho French call " terro merle" ; but after being cleared and ploughed up, it has, with the aid of a very small quantity of Jadoo Fibre, grown a really splendid crop of potatoes, planted in the spring, a very good crop of beetroot (both ordinary beet-root and Rugar-beet), and an exceedingly good crop of young grape vines. Not only had tho results been got in soil supposed to be absolutely useless, but tho season had been the worst known foi year?, and nothing could be sown till a month later than usual, as the ground had been practically under water. When the potatoes were dug up it was seen that they formed only in tho Jadoo round tho stalk and never in the poil. — L.B, in the Melbourne Weekly Times. WINTER-FLOWERING IRISES. Those who dc not know the beauty and charm of tho winter-flowering (bulbous) irises ■should hasten to make their acquaintance by ordering and planting some without delay. Why these beautiful flowers are not more extensively grown, both in pots and borders, I cannot imagine, as they are both lovoly in colour and delicious in scent, and bloom in the depth of winter, when other gardes flowers are of the scarcest, some flowering in midwinter and others in early spring, their lovely blue or purple and gold flowers frequently making patches of brilliant colour in a surrounding of snow. The folding are among the bejt varieties : Iris hietrio, <yie of the earliest and hardiest;.

I. reticulata, which, with all its varieties, forces well, and has rich purple and yellow flowers ; T. histrioide3, having bright ultraj marine and white flowers; Bakeriana, a beautiful sky blue, and sweetly scented like violets ; Vartlni, also sky blue ; and I. alata (scorpioides), which has pale blue flowers, and . blooms in midwinter. ] They require no special treatment, and will grow in any ordinary garden soil, though they like sand and dislike damp, the bulbs sometimes rotting and disappearing in sumnier from this cause. Careful lift-ng and storing, however, would prevent this, and in a dry situation the bulbs can bo left undisturbed. Though perfectly hardy, and growing wherever crocuses flourish, a sheltered sunny j border is the best place for them, as they do not then run the risk of being spoilt by the wind. As a pot plant Iris reticulata is in- | valuable, and may be had in flower for the j adornment of the midwinter dinner table with i the greatest ease. — A. La T., in Amateur Gardening. ', LIKE SOME ILLUSTRATED FRUIT? t Whilst a few of the readers hereof may have j seen and have wondered at illustrated fruit — ! i that is to -say, apples, apricots, pears, plums v i j and so on, with a complete view or face in ' | black line upon them — there must be thou- ' j Hands who have not handled these novelties. j Italian and French fruit grocers found that j they could, by sticking pieces of paper, enI graved side downward." — something after the manner of children's "transfers" — on to the clear surface -of cortain fruits actually have j their own names or a head or a view transI ferreel as a' picture to the »kin of the fruit itself. Aftei the piece of paper was stuck on, however, the chosen fruit had to be left well in the sun for a certain time, and then, when the paper was stripped off, the transferred picture appealed. The pictuies are printed in a peculiar ink, and both the French and Italian fruit-growers are buying them in great numbers, for not even to a fractional degreo ia the flavour of the fruit affected. There fruit-pictures have begun to extend i to, England, and great numbers of specimens • were produced id Kent, Surrey, and Sussex j during the preseni. autumn, the name of celej brated growers being used in the fruit, for the most part. STORING APPI.ES AND PEARS. A noteworthy experiment in the storing of apples and pears has been made by Herr j Sterneberg, at Lippstadt, in Germany. Ho ! found that fruit pached away in dry moss littar j remained good, quite standing the test im- '• posed on it, and that it made no differ ence ; whether the fruit was wrapped in tissue paper j or not, the portion packed without paper being quite unaffected, either in taste or I aroma. From its fine fresh appearance the fruit packed in the litter seemed capable of being lcopt for several months longer than fruit j carefully stored away in the usual manner at j ; the same time and place. A largo barrel was • used for the experiment, in which litter to the j depth of about 2in or 3in was first laid, the ; fruit and litter coming in alternate layers j afterwards. For packing about 1001b of j I fruit, some 101b dry litter, procured at a very ; small cost, was found sufficient. ! CULTIVATION OF PELARGONIUMS, j I A meeting of the Dunedin Horticultural ; • Society was held on Friday night in the j i Otago Junior Club Hall, Moray place, Mr T. K. Sidey being in the chair. Mr H. Clarke read a paper on " The Cul- ! tivation of the Pelargonium." He explained I i how to grow the plant from seed and from j ! cuttings, how to grow specimen plants for | ,' exhibition, and how to cross plants. He said | j anyone who had not a house heated with hot j j water pipes should always sow in the spring, j j The seed should bo sown in shallow pans suf- ' | ficiently drained. Some lumps of turf should ! |be placed on top of the drainage ; then some j j nice-sifted soil and leaf mould in the pro- j j portion of two parts of the former to one j of the latter, and a free admixture of clean i pharp sand. The pan should be filled to within an inch of the rim. and the soil pressed down firmly ; then sprinkled with water and allowed to drain for a while. The seed should then be sown and covered with about iin of soil similar to that already used, and n sheet of glass placed over the pan. When the nlanla wero large enough to handle, they • should bo pricked out in 2j>in pots. When they had filled those pots with root 3, the plants should be nut in 4in pots containing more lumpy soil than formerly, placed in a I good position near the glass, and a strong J growth encouraged. They should, however, i not be topped until they had flowered. Then | the good ones could continue to be grown, and I the worthless ones discarded. Few plants | could be more readily increased by cutting [ than the pelargonium. Every eye of a good 1 ripo cutting could be rut off and rooted in a proper propagating frame. There wero two proper seasons for striking cuttings — summer and autumn (green and ripe). He preferred to take nice half-ripe cuttings about February 1. The cuttings should be taken off with about four or five joints immediately below an eye or joint; and placed in sin or 6in pots, properly "crocked." and an inch of small crocks plnced over the piece of broken crock on the bottom of the pot. Over this there should bo some lumps of turf; then some nice fine loam and sand well mixed together. Six or eight cuttings might then oe inserted in each pot, made nice- and firm, and watered with the rose on the can. The cuttings should be kept in a temperature of 50 to^ 60 degrees, when they would root freely. When they had made roots a couple of inchf-s long the ball should be turned out, and tha cuttings carefully separated and put singly into 3in pots, and potted firmly. a small quantity of old manure being used in the process. When the pots were full of roots tho plants should be repotted firmly into sin or 6in pots. Plants properly treated might be expected to measure from 12in to 20in across the first year. When the cuttings had started into growth the point should be pinched out so as to induce them to broak low down, to make tho future specimen. Mr Clarke proceeded to explain how to grow specimen plants, and also how to crops pelargoniums ; and at the conclusion of his paper he replied to a number of questions asked by the audience. Mr A. Millar exhibited nine new varie- ' ties of narcissi, including Victoria, Mrs Wai- ! ter Weir, and C. W. Cowan. Mr A. E. Hamel showed some early chrysanthemums, including .hmily bilsbury, a nevr Jap of a pure white colour; Florence Boyrl and Edward Molyneux (both Japanese varieties), and Mons. Bahaunt (an incurveffTlower). It was announced that the next meeting \ would lie he-Id on May 11. when two local I growers would give their experiences in grow- < ing chrysanthemums. The bridge over the Wamu at O 'id".n, Southland, has been completed. "Jndoo" Liquid makes plants grow, in- ' creases the size and quantity of the flowers ; and for pot plants is simply invalupble. Get full particulars from Nufuo amd Blais. i

TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL. The ordinary meeting of the Taieri County Council, held at Mosgiel on Friday, was attended by Mr A. Chisholm (ohairman), and Cis. Samson, Miller, Harrison, Douglas, Peat, and Todd. ALLOCATIONS FOB THE TEAB, A schedule of allocations for tho year ending March 31, 1900, was submitted, and considered in detail. The allocation proposed the expenditure of £109 on roads from Caversham to Taieri Ferry; £75 14s 4d from Green Island to Taieri Mouth; £65 16a Bd, Riccarton to West Taieri; £331 16s, Outram to Berwick, via Huntly ; £130 15s 2d, Allanton to Berwick, via Centre road; £147 10s, Allanton to Rock and Pillar; £162 Is Bd, Clark's to County boundary; £311 14b 6d, Halfway Bush to Whare Flat; £330, bridge repairs ; total, £1141 14s 6d. — The allocations were considered and adopted after some discussion. inspector's kepokt. The Inspector reported as follows: — ■ The contracts in hand are progressing favourably. "Wandle Creek contract is coinploted, maKing a very great improvement oa that part of tho road. The culvert is 22ft long, Bft wide, and 6ft high, with inlets and outlets, and well pitched in the bottom, the material being all first class. A very good job was made, 'ihe gravelling contiact at Gmthmyl was well advanced. A distance of 150 yds more will be lequned to finish it. The gravel contract on Berwick Hill is also making good progress. I expect it to be finished at the end of next week, weather xDermitting, and while the pit ib open and good gravel to be had reasonably, I would suggest that 150 yds bo put on the road irom tiie new road at Robinsoa's to the main Outram to Boiwick road. There is also some maintenance wanted in the township. Bridges. — At Strath-Taieri the bridges are being planked for the traction engine traffic, all except the Cottosbrook cne, wmch, although worn, ou the deck, has strong beams. This bridge is 235 ft long, and will take a lot of timber to plank it. It would cost £70 tb do tho work. It the engine driver is careful it may do till next season. The Stokes bridge is s. good deal decayed on the deck. I am having tho bad planks taken out and replaced with black pine. The timber for the repairs to the several bridges on the Taieri Plain is in hand, and the work will be put in hand without delay. Ro the Berwick-Waipori track- 1 have threo men employed on the road, removing slips and making water tables. The roads ar* very good so far, with a few exceptions where the traffic is heavy in tho vicinity of the coa.l pits ; but as the season ,is likelr to be a- bad one, I would respectfully urge the council to arrange the allocation so that the contracts for maintenance material can be put in hand as goon as possible. It was resolved that 150 yds of gravel be put on the road at Garthmyl, from Scott's to Klliott's gate; that the inspector procure ] 50yds motal for road at Berwick from the new road at Robinson's to main Outram to Berwick rond ; tliat the inspector be authorised to proceed with the maintenance works as soon -ag possible ; that tender** be called for the deviation at Shannon Hill, and for all culverts between Sutton and Walsh's, via Clark's Junction. APrOINTJCEXT OF AX INSPECTOR. Mr Robert Bain wrote that he was propared to undertake/ the duty of inspector under the heavy traffic by-laws at £4 per month. — It was decided to accopt the offer. It was decided to write to ihe Green Island Borough Council, asking them to contribute something to the coet of engaging the services of Mr Bain. CORRKSrONDEXCE. The Treasury, Wellington, wrote, intimating payment of £3 2s to the credit of the council in respect of fees, fines, and penalties, collected at the Warden's Court for quarter ending March 31, IE 99. — Received.

A circular waa received from the Department of Agriculture, Wellington, intimating that it was contemplated to bring section 5 of the Dairy Industry Act, 1698, into operation so far as the inspection of dairies and cowa from which the public milk supply is drawn. — It \sas resolved that the proposal bo agreed to, the opinion being expressed by one councillor said that the step was necessary.

The Department of Lands and Survey wrote, requesting to be supplied with information showing formed roads, cart and bridle tracks, and footpaths, to enable the department to prepare maps for defence purposes. — Tt was pointed oufe that what the department asked \va3 a high order, and it was lesolved to reply that the council's officials could not undertake tho work, but that facilities would be placed at tho disposal of tho department's officials to do the work.

A letter was received from the Audit Office intimating that the Governor's powers under section 6 of " The Cemeteries Act, 1862," having been delegated to the council as to the appointment and removal of Hindon Cemetery trustees, it was requested that the names of tho trustees so appointed be forwarded to the department. — The information to be supplied. P. and J. Walsh applied for the issue of a slaughtering license for premises at section 4-, block V, Maungatua. — Application granted.

H. Stephonson notified that he intended to apply at the next meeting for a slaughtering license - for premised on section 67, block IX, Strath-Taieri, and asked for a special permit to slaughter till a license wero granted Permit granted

The Outram Domain Board wrote requesting that the rates on the board's property oij section 31, block VII, Maungatua, bo remitted. — Exemption granted.

Tho Dunedin City Council wrote stating that it had been decided to grant a deviation of road through section 40, block IV, Dunedin and Kast Taieri district, as requested by the council, to coiry the traffic until a permanent deviation can he arranged for, such request to be granted for a term of two years, at a yearly rental of Is..— lt was decided to take tho necessary steps to carry out the proposal. The Department of Land and Survey, referring to the consideration by the council of an application from .7ohn Sidey for a title for an old dotted road line through section 45, block VI, Dunedin and East Taieri, which had never been closed, in exchange for the new one he gave many years ago. — It was decided to have the necessary steps taken to have the exchange effected.

Thomas Shale wrote requesting the loan of the road grader. — Declined.

W. B. Currie wrote intimating that he could not comply will- the council's; request to romove the gate on the Whare Flat road on bis property, as it was part of his lease. — Consideration deferred.

W. A. Scott and 15 others wrote requesting that the Centre road from Gladbrook corner to the foot of the hill at Dead Bullock Creek be gravelled. — ft was decided Mint if the settlerß do the carting the amount of the allocation be spent in the filling. A T. A.nrlcr-,on wroto calling attention to the necessity of gravelling the road for about 24 chains on the eaat side of Riverside r*ilw»y

station. — It was decided to call tenders-fo* 150 yds of gravel. Eric Hansen wrote that the road in front of his property to Brown's corner, Middlemarch, required to be graded and the creel? crossings repaired. — Consideration deferred. Thomas Peddie and three others wrote' ra« questing that some road formation be pro* cceded with through section 8, block vTT, South Taieri, the lessee having ploughed the track formerly used. — It was decided to take no action in the meantime, there being no money available. GENERAL Cr Samson rose and made some remarks regarding a matter which had been referred to at a previous meeting, and which had reference to information on the subject o£ charitable aid. He said that Cr Douglas had made a statement contradicting him as to whether the information was procurable or not. Having spoken further on the subject^ Cr Douglas replied, and the matter then dropped. Cr Harrison gave notice to move at noxb meeting — "That a meeting of the ratepayers be held to consider the advisability of bringing the Small Birds' Nuisance Act into force." The following tenders were accepted: — Footbridge, Nenthorn Creek, James Robertson, £39; formation, etc., Henley-Ber-wick road. D. O'Rourko, £67 4s. Accounts amounting to JCSI4- 8s were passed for payment. The bank book, laid on the table, showed a 'debit balance of £2262 153 lOd.

Grains petGallon. Total solids „. 2 M'ue al c üßtitucnte ... 3'KU Soluble phosphates ... ... 2.1 Ii S' luble ])bosphutcs ... 1 4 Li i c as suli hate, etc ... 42.0 Potash 5 8 ' * Ammonia 75.0 'Equal to . i'.rogen 61.8 The fibre is thu3 given : * Organic matter, etc. ... Ash or mineral matter ... Potash Soluble phospha'es ... Insoluble phosplm'es " Com a ning 4.H per cent, of nitrogen. P.r Cent. ! 130 0 of' 3 0.002 0.C075 0 107 | 0.088 I mw \ 4 80 ! 0.25 ; o.a> ; 0.18 i I