GARDEN NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 10

GARDEN NOTES

PHYSIC GARDENS.

With this name our readers gene-rally will not ba 150 familiar as they are with botanic gardens, "which is a long v. ay tho more popular of the two. Closely allied, having the same end in view, working harmoniously in different departments, requiring an equal amount of scientific skill, msearcb, and observation, possibly the former may bo more th-sore-tic and speculative, tho latter practical and demonstrative. Both date- back to tli3 earliest days of modecji gardening', and as years roll on their usefulness becomes more apparent and indiffusablo. Tho design of the flrir named L clearly set forth in a series of eight lee hires delivered at Chelsea to the students of the London Univeiraity, by A. D. Hall, M.A., Director of the Rofcharrstcd Lixpe-rimcntal Station, on plrysio gardening tow&ids tho end' of last year, and of which it is proposed to give a synopsis.

Air Hail condenses the eribjeot of his lectures under tho following title, 4-* The Relation of the Composition of the Plant to the Soil in Which It Grows."—

In opeuing the courso, he undertakes tho solution of the practical problerr of differences in value of various factors affecting nutrition, so as to obtain light upon die ultimate eue-mical reactions by which plant synthesis tnke-s pace (Synthesis means, generally, composition. In chemistry it is the uniting of elements into a compound, the opposite of analysis, which is the separation of a compound into the elements of which it is ocns4tu>ed) ; the general ideas upon the composition of t!ie plant and the course of nutrition, functions cf the soil in nutrition, variable factors in the action of the toil, Mater supply, chemical composition, temperature', and the interaction of these factors. Anticipating the objection which may be taden to the inticduotion of this study into garden notes as too abstract, or difficult, Mr Hall, in his opening re.narks, said that though we weie> dealing -with such matters as the quality and ovon the market price- of such articles as wheat, potatoes, and other vegetables, their sludj- was not unworthy of a university audie>nee. In the market small differences would be observed and passed by the scientist, but which often afforded clues to the interpretation of large problem*. The study of factors constituting "quality" in vegetable products vras thus ope-ned up. He then gave examples of the diffoienee-s in value which prevailed, brought largely about by soil conditions. Potatoes grown in the jed 1 soil of Dunbar often cell at nearly twice the price of the saT'"> varieties grown on the fen and o7.i«'r black soils. Malting barley will fetch 27ii to 345, whereas the same- kind of seec 1 , yiown on adjoining farms,-'' may be worth only from. 20s to 25s for feeding purposes. The part played by the soil in supplying the elements in these crops- was then discussed. Tne conclusion arrived at after a series of analyses of typical crops wos that the soil it-elf did not play c-uoh an important part in supplying tho elements of plant life .o T^ese- crop-, and the influence of tho soil in prodncinc; quality was unimportant, compared with the other factors, such as water supply and temperature, climate and be-ason. This was deduced from kne observation over a number of yeare. At the- Rothamsted station se^errj important points were illustrated. The amount of water retained by various soils, the advantage of draining, in warming tho coil. and the difference in the temperature of the ground, by altering the colour of the surface or (sheltering it from evapoiation, were all rvrtlt with. Examples were also given ot f ' varying effect- of different manurco. t , influenced by the seasons, hot or cold, dry or \vet. Mr flail, in his second lecture, dc'.tlt with — The Gradual Development of tho Pla-nt — In the first stage, the roots drew nutriment from the soil, tho leaves avssimilated the carbonio acid of the atmosphere, and storing its hydrate in stem and roots. In the second stage the material so stored is moved to other parts for the purpose of reproduotion by seed. Among annuals both processes aro continuous, the root contribution ceasing first, and the crop matures ; in other plants a resting period takes place. In all cases the quality of tho product is bound up with amount of maturation obtained, and this is largely dependent on the supply of water. It was shown by close observation that the leaves of a plant pasg through them from 2001b to 4001b of water for each pound weight of dry matter produced, an amount equal to 4in to lOin of rain for ordinary plants. Experiments showed that plants grow best when tho supply of water to tho soil is about half the quantity needed for complete maturing ; but in the earlier stages of growth the plant makes better .roots when the water in the soil is in smaller quantity. A good production of young rootlets is essential to success. This wa& best seen in the way a thoroughly competent gaideaer manages hk orchard houee. A. coaiparinon vt light and li-eavy soils

showed the former was the earlier, on account of its lc^s retentive powor of holding water, but on account of pudden fluctuations of temperature and 1 their tendoncy to dry up, their product often lacks quality, is soft and siKoeptible to dis:as°. The heavier soils, on acooxin.t of their gtcatcr power in retaining water, aie icrs liable to atmespherio change; growth ii 3 slower, more ie~ular, and longer, generally producing better ■flower and fruit. In his third lectuie Mr Hall ehowed —Tho Various Uses of tho Elements Taken

From tho Soil by tho Plant.—

Nitrogen, oliiofly is ecsential for the production. An excels results in piolor^cd grovvth and retards maturity, producing dark grains-, gr-eon, soft foliago. Phosphoric acid is connected with producing and maturing. Experiments show ed tho want of this acid in plots of barley, whero without it the ears stood groun and erect; in other plofo wh-p.-e it had been applied tho ears were hangmg down and gotting yellow for hartc^t. Potash is n-e-oes^aiy in tho production of carbon-liydiatcs. When barley is starved for want of nitrogen anil phosphoric acid, tho grain is of normal size ; when starved from want of potash, ilia 'jais aro moiC' stunted than tho rest; of flic plant. Mi.igols reccninp; jiotaflh produce throe tinios more *uga." thr.n in ii-3 abseiier*. Potash in seldom needed except for producing starch in potatoes, su&ar in mang-ela, bre-t, and fruit. Analysis of different soils showed tho normal presence of tho elements cc^ontial for production. The> quantity of those was enormous Wheat being groivn zd Hoihamsted without manuro for over 60 ycais v»a.s proof of this. Land Mill not, hovre^r, continue to give good ciops without man mo judiciously supplied. Cultivation, is the chief agent in making tho dormant material in the soil available- for plant food. It v,as further shown that the plants exercise a ."election from, the material in tho soil bsst suited for their purpoee, avoiding thor-e which aro unnecessary and may prove injunou*. Those lectures nro full of interest. nr:<! it should prove of great practical value to ftudy the principles and put them into practice. The teachings of the- remaining lectures will be given in our next. In the* meantime, it may be noted, tho college teaching of [London is doing splendid work in — Promoting the- Study and Practioa of Plant Culture in Every Stage — and department, in conjunction with county councils. Full}'- equipped colleges, with residences for the students, are being cctablishcd. The Eastern, College, at Wyo, had on tho opening of its tenth session 77 stud-entc — an increase of 22 from the previous year. Among other equipments added arv? a carpenter's shop and an ironwork shop filled with lathes, and three hearths for larrieiy and other forge work. A forestry department is ako being established, additional land having been acquired. Plants of all varieties for practical use are being treated, the hop in spite of the bad season yielding 13owfc per aero of fair quality. Sheep-bresd-ing, pig and oattl© feeding, are carried on for the tuitio'i of the students. Great enthusiasm prevails, and many contributions of stock are being cent in. the determination being evident to raise tH© business of food production to the highest possible pitch, it being tho greatest industry to which the energy and skill of the individual and 1 nation can be devoted. POPPIES. About a year ago we drew attention to the cultivation of these beautiful flowers, especially instancing those grown by the Rev. "W. Wilke, M.A., vicar of Shirley, Surrey, known as — The Shirley Poppies, — and of which he is justly proud. It must bo gratifying indeed to think that the "talent" of patient perseverance bestowed on him has not been "hidden in a napkin," but, wisely employed, has given reel and tangible delight to thousands; fcr from that little gaiden in Surrey have been dietributed all ovei the word seeds which are the direct descendants of the single capsule saved in 1880. Wliat encouragement to others to "go and do likewise." —The Iceland Poppy. — another equally simple and beautiful variety, is much in evidence during the early r-ummer season. It is invaluable aa a choice, hardy flower, fit for fine decorations It costs little to grow, am! is fairly lasting in a cut state. In London it is met wiili in immense quantities— in tho Wect End establishments, in all florists' shops, on costere' barrows, at every street cornc-r.

Curiosity leading to a visit to one of the many gardens where it is grown so extensiveJy for th-e markets, tho effect of coming suddenly upon a great galaxy of dazzling brillianoe will not soon bo foigoiten. The view -was of one of the packing sheds, whe-r© hundreds of bunches of various hues stood in jars of water ready fo* sending out. The seed of this species ie sown early in September (March), in beds in the open quarters of the garden, arranged in sft widths, with an alley between, and the sowing is done very thinly, in rows drawn lOin apart. The seedlings are thinned out in due course to lOin apart, in the lows. They might be eown in small beds and transplanted into others ; but tho poppy does not hike transplantation, and grows best on the ground it is intended to occupy. A light framework of timber is built over the beds, and on these portable glass lights are fixed in the spring. On the outer sides tiffany is fixed for shading, forming a huge house, in which tho poppies are grown.

It Is well known that the poppy eannos be forced on in the usual waj>; but the extra eunheat obtained bj means of this temporary structure, received at a time when natural growth is on the move, suits the requirements of the plant admirably, and in thii3 way flowers are obtain&di a month cr pix week-s in advance of those expanding in the open. It was a pretty sight to Gee this great quarter of these flowers growing, as it were, among a forest cf posts and rails (eupporting the glass roof), with m-en and many children picking and bunching the flowers for market with great rapidity and despatch. Gardeners in private places, and evert amateurs, might v. ith advantage tako a lesson from the market giowers' praouoe with this very pretty and useful plant, and sow a bed' or two in euch a position that a portable frame could be placed over ie oarly in the tpring.

— The Mexican Poppy, ArgemonE — is enother genus which the dictionary describes as including about half a dozen species, all American, one being broadly eoattered over the tropical regions of the globe. An Oriental pojgggt described in. th& G.

Chronicle is called Mis Maish. It la a rich scarlet in colour, and is remarkable for having blotches and stripes of white upon each petal. Ecing of good form and raoderato tize, it affords a variation to the eelfcoloured flow ere, but it is hardly co effecti\e as they are.