^ c^. 7. <&. yr, <^£^^ LIBRARY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE NO._^5r_(o4_'i____DATE..t-i_8§_l_ SOURCE. X-DLyi._Tr.ej£}£,h. PEACTICAL GUIDE IN EVEM DEPAETMENT OF HOETICULTUEE AND RURAL AND DOMESTIC ECONOMY. CONDUCTED BY GEORGE W. JOHNSON, ESQ. EDITOR OF THE " GARDEJJER's ALIIANACK," EXC. THE FRUIT AND FORCING-GARDEN, by Mr. R. Erring- ton, Gardener to Sir P. Egerton, Bart., Oulton Park. THE KITCHEN-GARDEN, by Mr. J. Barnes, Gardener to Lady RoUe, Bicton ; and Mr. T, Weaver, Gardener to the Warden of Winchester College. THE FLOWER-GARDEN, by Mr. D. Beaton, Gardener to Sit W. Middleton, Bart., Shrubland Park. FLORISTS' FLOWERS, by Mr. T. Appleby, Floricultural Manager to Messrs. Menders ^n, Edgeware-road. THE GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW-GARDEN, by Mr. R. Fish, Gardener to Colonel Sowerby, Putteridge Bury, near Luton. ORCHID CULTURE, by Mr. T. Appleby, Floricultural Manager to Messrs. Henderson, Edgeware-road. THE APIARIAN'S CALENDAR, for the Management ot Bees, by J. H. Payne, Esq. THE POULTRV-KEEPER'S CALENDAR, by Anster Bonn. ALLOTMENT FARMING. The last Number of each month is double, embracing Allotment Farming, aud the Economy of the Cow-shed, Pig-stye, and Hen-roost. HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY, by the authoress of "My Flowers." VEGETABLE AND OTHER COOKERY, by a Lady. THE AVIARY, by a Naturalist and Bird Fancier. VOLUME VI. LONDON : PUBLISHED BY WM. S. ORR AND CO., 2, AMEN CORNER. 1 85 1. A. ec JqZ65 V < (s- 'Or ~ TO OUR READERS. " Ladies and Gentlemen^ we are to be together for six months/' said tlie captain of an ontward-bound East Indiaman; "let us be pleased with each other dming that time." Now, no voyage coidd be more delightful than was the one of wliich that brief address was the preface : let it be ours, then, at tlie commencement of a new volume — om six months' voyage . and we have a good hope, when it closes, that otir passengers will agree to a memorial, as in the voyage alluded to, thanking " the captain, officers, and crew, for their uniform urbanity and good conduct." Such a nremorial is doubly gratifjdng, for it rewards past efforts, and is an earnest of futiu'e success ; — it is an evidence that the same passengers will sail \nth you again, and that they will recommend the craft to their friends. As we are beginning a new, so we are just closing one of our six months' voyages ; and most gratefully do we add that it has beeu prosperous. That it has been pleasant to our passengers that prosperity is a silent testimony ; but we have recorded evidence, also, in many letters — such as we have before quoted in former volumes — and we must give extracts from two of them now. One, fi'om a young gardener, says, — " My garden has been a complete mass of flowers, while the gardens around looked comparatively barren. I have had several brother professionals asking my advice, and among them my old master. The advice I gave hun was the advice I have given to all — Eead The Cottage Gardenek. My old master laughed at such advice, saymg such principles and secrets as I practised were not taught in books ; but I soon convinced him of liis mistake, by shewing him the volumes, and comparing my garden with them. I am happy to say that he is now a constant subscriber." The next letter is fi'om a lady, and it thus concludes : — " I must add my mite of thanks for your most useful periodical, which, fi'om an indolent country girl, has converted me into an active gardener, dehghting in my flowers, and not scorning hard work — at which my husband marvels." Now, some such young lady as our correspondent was be/ore she read The Cottage Gardener, was another young lady on board the ship we have mentioned ; and we remember her asking the captain whether he shoidd have a new band of musicians next voyage. He replied in the negative, but that "they would have a good supply of new music." Precisely so \nth our musicians. We retain the old — have added one or two more ; and we are quite confident that our readers will agree that they all " discoui'se most exceUeut music." They harmonise well ; have abundance of new themes ; and we pledge ourselves that they shall keep good time. Abuonia umsellata, 12 Abiitilon, not flowering, 282 ; (striatum) soil for, 27 Acacias, list of grecnhouBO and culture, 318 Acanthada, g6 Achimcntis, culture, 13C); propagating, 326; mJaraanaRed, 220; (picta) 150 Acres (English and Irish), 62 ; in England, 349 /Echmea discolor, and fulpena striatilolia, 151 ^^schynanthus astrosanguineus and zebrlnus, 151 Agapanthus and Gladiolus bedded together, 318 Agapanthus umbellatua culture, 3t)2 Agave, American, in bloom, 329 Age of seeds, 77 Air, rules for admitting, 212 Albert, Prince, at Shrubland Park, 210 Allamanda Neriifolia culture, 272 Allotment Farming, May, fi3; June, 133; July, 195 ; August, 274 J September, 337, October, 402 Almanack, first Gardeners', 107 Alonsoa aa a bedder, 204 Alsop's Bulphurator and Fumigator, 327 Alstroemeria aurea, sowing, 41 1 Alyss'im sasatile culture, 103 Amateur Floriet's Society, 18, 379 American, blight, to destroy, 20 ; gardening, 2" ; plants, Waterer's, 109, 1/4 ; ground at Chis- wick, 186 Ammonia, water for syringing, 77 ; sulphate of, as a manure, 251 ; carbonate of, 282; fixing, 346 Anemones thinning, 139 ; sowing, 140, 289 ; planting, 354 Angelica culture, 153, 217, 359 Annuals sowing, 6; raising tender, 21 ; (stove), list of, 51; culture, 71 ; sowing, 84, 85, 290; transplanting, 90; for June sowing, 148; for beds, management of, irti, 354 ; list of hardy, 280 AnoEctochilus sotaceus, 150 Anomatheca cruenta, 368 Antirrhinums, their faults, 273; crossbreeding, 310 Ants, to get rid of, 283 Aphides, to destroy, I9, 22, 27, 68 Apiarian's Calendiir — Blay, 54; June, 134; July, 197; August, 275; September, 339; October, '104 Apiary, History of an, 75, IQS Aponogeton distachyon, 365 Apple cuttings, 91 Apple-blossom grub, 155 Apples, gathering ;iiul keeping, 395, 406 Apprentices, nurseryn-.ens', 91 Apricot, pruning, disbudding, &c., 69, 188; thinning, 16O; gumming, 140 Aquatics, greenhouse and hardy, 76, 365 Araucaria imbricata, 155 Arbutus pruning, 311 Arrangement of garden stock, 49 Artichokes, dressing, 359; winter dressing, 217 Asparagus, planting, 38 ; beds, making, 39, 77; cutting, "4; culture, 181, '^17, 372 ;'bed5, not productive, 183 Asphalte, for flooring, 105 Auctions of flowers, 2 Auricula, culture, 38, 7&, II7, 131 ; in borders, 84, 289 ; protecting, 88 ; ancient varieties, 107; (Beauty of Bath), 94; sowing, 203; seedlings and culture, 294 Balcony plants, air and light for, 71 Balm of Gilead, 346 Balsams coming single, 287; culture, 24,314; from cuttings, 209 ; growing, 243 Bark-bed. to promote heat of, II9 Barley-bread making, 411 Baron, Mr., 301 Bartolina maculata, 151 Basket beds, flowers for, 41 Basing House Siege, 313 Bean weevil, 169 Beauty ? What is, 29 Bees: preventing swarming, 13, 140; results of burying, 11, 40, 57, 58, 154; oil annoying to, 27; swarming, 27, 197, \M; dress, 27; barley-sugar for, 54 ; putting on small hives, 54 ; ventilation, 54 ; transferring, 51 ; guide- combs, 54 ; floor-boards for, 57 ; their winter consumption, 60 ; large flat-topped hive, 6I ; aspect for, 61 ; queenless, 61, 134, 204; Payne's hives, 61 ; space between hives, 62 ; straw versus wood hives, 62 ; driving from hive, 77 ; hives infested with moths, 77 ; books on, 77, 105; vessels for honey, 90; hive with old comb, 90 ; bellows for fumi- gating, 105; uniting swarms, 105, 233, 246; barley-sugar for feeding, 105. 129, 139; robber- II9; weighing hives, 119; old opinion of drones. 121 ; The English Bee -Keeper, 122; putting into mourning, 135; house for. 140; first swarm, 140; water for, 140; notes I N D EX. about, 154; working upwards, 183; Ilubcr'a hive, 183; hive capable of being altered in size, 183; wintering in boxes, 181; Neigh- bour's hives, 186 ; swarming prematurely, 197: removing from old hivea, 107 ; new ven- tilator, 197; nadir or under-hiving, 19"; history of an apiary, 75, 193 ; Taylor's hivea, 202, 233 ; crippled bees destroyed, 304 j Payne's small hives, 204 ; brood m glasses, 204; superstitions about, 219; destroying queen, 220 ; in Neighbour's hives, 220 ; absence of drones, 220 ; cause of leaving \ super, 233 ; Taylor's boxes and screens, 245; burying, 245 ; errors in managing, 246 ; ven- tilating, 247 ; fiowers for, 247 ; supers, rules , for using, 24"; covering Nutt's hive, 26 1 ; cutting down hive, 26l ; honey-dew, visited, , by, 262 ; early swarms, 275; forcing swarms, . 275 ; dressing hives, 2/6 ; boxes on one another, 232 ; super, its use, 282 ; working upwards, 282 ; piping, when heard, 282 ; queen thrown out, 282 ; hive ventilator, 292 ; raising a queen, 310; in King's hives, 311; not working in super, 311; size of hives, 311 ; too late for swarming, 311; feeding and trans- ferring, 31 1 ; artificial swarms, 134, 198, 325; hatching brood, 325 ; honey season, 339 ; early breeding, 339 ; shading, 339 : stocks for next season, 339; driving, 339, 390,409; wasps scarce, 339; transferring, 3i0 ; earwigs i in hives, 346 ; stands, coverings, writers, on, | and with a north aspect, 404 ; preventing ■ winter failure of stocks, 405 ; honey varying \ in colour, 376 | Bee fumigator, 13 ' Bee- Keepers, warning to, 13 ; guide. 264 Bedded-flowers, new arrangement, 318 | Bedding-out plants, 84, 112, 113, 174, 183; pink and white, 355 ; keeping in winter, 345 ^ Beds, arrangement of, 396 ' Begonia, list of, 87; Evansiana, 9I ; Coccinea ] culture, 42 ; Cinnabarina culture, 375 ; cul- ' ture in stove, 115 Berberries, sowing evergreen, 290 ' Bertolooia maculata, 32 Betonicas, list of and culture, 90 Biennials, sowing, 6, 21 ; seedlings, tlieir treat- ment, 390 i Bignonia, flowerless, 77 ; jasminoides culture, 311 Billljergia zcbrina, 151 Blight, causes of, 175 1 Blistered leaves, cause of in peaches, &c., 68 Blossoms, how to retard, 1, 4, 48 ; protecting, 3 Boiler, gas-heated, 39O Bolters to be removed, 275 Bones, dissolving, 13, 91 Bonnet for garden use, 247, 283 Book of Husbandry, 121 Border flowers, hardy, 279 Borders botanically arranged, 155, I6I Bossiaeas and their culture, 356 Botanic Gardens (Royal), Regent's Park. 66, 80 Botanical Society's (Roval), Show, in Kegent's Park, 108, 1'23, I67, 331 Botanical gardens, their date', 207 Botanical nomenclature, 405 ; bad, 253 Bottom-heat, its importance, 47; rule for. 172 Bou(|uets, flowers for, 2 ; making, 42 ; fashion- able, 95 Bouvardia triphylla as a bedder, 113; leiantha, 252 Box from slips, 203 ; edging planting, 21 Brewing, water not to be boiled over-night, 389 ; with sugar and parsnips, 342 British Ferns, 45 Brocoli, Early White Malta, 26 BrowaUias, list of and culture, 51 Brown (Lancelot), 235 Brugmansias, bed of, 105 ; sanguinea, shedding its buds, 119; are Daturas, 140 : Buds, selling, 247, 283; exchanging, 283 j Budding, early notice of, 299 \ Bulbs, arrangement in borders. 368 ; planting, 354 ; treatment of small, 390 ; injured by manure, 48; management of, 84; why taken up, 147 Bulbous plants, sowing, 289 Butter, crumbly, 77 ; the cause of its being so, 281 ; to cure bitter, 155 Cadbage sowing, 309 ; autumn manage- ment, -103 i Cacti, for windows, &c., culture, I78, 203 ; ; require abundance of light, 305 ; grafting, 314 Cielestina ageratoides, yy Cage Birds, English. 342, 409 Caladium bicolor and variegatum, 151 Calathea zcbrina, 151 Calceolarias, stopping. 91 ; culture, 10, 101, 191 ; their usual defects, l64 ; list of, 346 ; cuttings, 370 ; against a wall, 383 ; sowing, 139, 204 ; characteristics and culture, 215, 266; desirable form, 243 Calcutta Botanic Garden, 60 Calendars for May, 62; June, 140; July, 205: August, 283 i September, 347 ; October, 411 Calendula hybrida, 355 Calla, to bloom, 113; .'Etliiopica culture, 6I ; and to bloom, 183 ; culture, 261 Callistachyscs and their culture, 35/ Cambridge Botanic Gardens, 20? Camellias done flowering, 00; flower-buds dropping, 27 ; grafting. 27 ; pruning, 62, 204; culture. 191 ; bedding-out, 91 ; leaves, scorched and spotted, 105; drooping, 105 Campanula, carpaticaseedlinga, 247 ; speculum, 247; carpatica alba, 326; vidalli, 329 ; pyra- midahs leaf-rooting, 203, 204 Candle plant, 297, 326, 346 Canna Indica, 27 ; hardy, 27 Cantua, dcpendena rivals the fuchsia, 26g ; buxi- folia, 380 Capsicums, fumigation, 84 ; and Chilies, when to gather, 390 Cardoons surviving the winter, 27 Carnations, transplanting, 70; layering, 21, 290, 294; sowing, 203; pipingjs, 294; cul- ture, 305 ; list of, 346; its distmction, 36l ; sheltering, 89; in pots, 95, 2G5 ; should have sis guard petals, 123 ; shows of, in July, 220 Carnation and wireworm, 1 ; and picotee cul- ture, 181 ; and picotee show, 301 ; distinction between the two flowers, 346 Carp, first in England, 285 Carrots, Early Horn, time of sowing, 13 ; sow- ing, 53 ; storing, 403 Carrot wine, fining, 27 Catalpa syringiefolia culture, 42 Catalogue of Plants, first English, 313 CaterpiJlars destroyed, 62; by hellebore, 184; by furze, 184 ; by hme, 362 Cauliflower culture, 182, 309 Cayenne pepper for fumigating, 27 Celery planting, 153; not hearting, 184; cul- ture, 194 Centrosolenia glabra, 174 Charcoal burning, 119 Charles I., gardening in his reign, 249 Charring refuse, size of heap, 77 Chelsea Botanic Garden, 18,66 Cheltenham Flower Show, 174; Monster Flower Show, 222 ; Horticultural Society, 251 Cherries, summer dressing, 238 Chester Show of Horticultural and Agricul- tural Produce, 266 Chickens, management of, 54 ; artificial mother for, 54 Chieory culture, 297 Chimney-pot, improved, 36l Chiswick Garden. 45; plants in conservatory, 174; seedling flowers at, 181 Christmas, ancient omens connected with, 39I Chrysanthemum layers, 189; wintering slips, 203 ; culture, soil, and training, 322, 358 ; becoming yellow-leaved, 376 Chysis aurea maculata, 315 Cinchonads, 82 Cineraria, scented, 27 ; new, 30 ; Heliotrope- scented, 62 ; their usual defects, l64; notch in, 173; culture, 191 ; blind, 119; rearing, 345 ; Maritima, 396 Citrus shedding its buds, 36l Clarkias, blue and white mixed, 71 J prolonging in bloom, 355 Clayey soil, to improve, 105 Cleanmg and charring, 403 Clematis ligustrifolia, 390 Cleoraes, list of and culture, 51 Clianthus puniceus, culture, 12 ; not flowering, 27 Climbers, training, 22 ; in cellar under green- house, 76 ; hardy under trees, 376 Coal, its importance, 349 ; fund for the poor, 410 Cochin-China fowls described, 91, 197 ; to choose, &c., 276 ; their varieties, price, &c., 340, 376 Cockscomb culture, 25; large, 2S6 Composts for flower-beds, 6 ; their formation, 268 Concrete, beneath trees, 26; walks, 156; walks repairing, 291 Conifer;e supporter (Seward's), 299 Conservatory, building, 60 ; wall, cheap, 367 Coop, a convenient, 139 Cooper's Hill, 94 Coral-plant, its out-door treatment, 362 ; cul- ture, 86 Cottage farming, 17 Cows, keeping, 17; Scotch, 204 ; falling ofl" in milk, 204 ; to cure sore teats, 297 Crassula obvallata culture, 13 ; in window, 00 j culture, 119, 311 Creepers, list of annual, 61 ; near aea-side, 269, 346 Crocuses, new seedling, 2; as a bed-border, 318 Crops, state of, 208 ; in Sussex, 346 Vl Crotolaria culture, 356 Croton picta and variegata, 151 Crowfoots, sections of, l6l Crystal Palace, its flower suppliers, 95 ; as a winter garden, 12J; nurserymen exhibitin;y there. 145; plants at, 173; Exhibition, 185, 237; for plants, 324 Cucumber, seedlings, raising:, l6; ridges, 38 ; linings turning, 47 ; culture, 52 ; temperature for, 62 ; and melons in September, 9 1 ; ridged out, 16S; from cuttings. 187 Currant (R. W. and B.) culture, 07 ; crosses of, 98 ; summer dressing, 238 ; (black) rob, 260 ; training and protecting, 324, 353 Cupressus macrocarpa, 6 1 Cuttings, planting, ti, 8 ; of roses, 7 ; and slips of perennials, 84; permanent bed for, 14g, 189, 204 ; desirable to be sold, 208 ; in flower- garden, 290 ; not potted, 390 ; their culture, 355 Cydonia japonica, standard, 9I Cypripedium guttatum, 82 ; list of and culture, 179 Dahlias, propagating, 22; stakuig, 22 ; pre- paring ground for, 26 ; King of, 31, 67, 2o6 ; prices of, 42; dwarfing, ()l ; propagating, 7*> ; culture, 38, 74, 193, 295; dressing, 80; list of best, 108; Show, Shacklewell, 123, 401 ; prizes for new, 158 ; Shows of 1851, 174; cut- tings, 189; wintering slips, 203; shows, ap- proaching, 251; pegging down, 212, 220; treatment of late struck, 26 1 ; cause of dis- torted, 262; Shows, error in, 287 ; pruning, 296 ; its pronunciation, 297 ; as bedders, 318 : lir. Fram-pton, 321 ; at Surrey Gardens, 328; list of select, 346 ; packing for travelling, 371 ; some of the best, 386; Beeswing, 390 ; roots, preserving in winter, 390 ; Show, great annual flletropoUtan, 393 Daphne culture, 305 Delphinium sowing, 390 Dendrobium transparens, 2 ; their extent, 3 ])eodar, transplanting large, 326 Deutzia scabra, 262 ; gracilis, culture, 394 Devonshire's (Duke of) Chiswick Villa, 94 Devon (South) Horticultural Society, 266 Dibbling, first suggested, 185 Didymocarpus criuita, 252 Dietfenbachia maculata culture, 179 Dielytra spectabilis, drawing of, 26 ; culture, 90,119; cuttings, 269 ; sow^iug, 282 ; soil for, 312 ; and its synonyms, 346 Diosma culture, 306 Dipteracanthus spectabilis culture, 307 Disbudding, 16O; the peach, &c., 187; fruit trees, 33 Distemper in dogs, 77 Dog-tooth nolet culture, 139 Doin 1 M. viburniflora, 209 Dorking fowl, I69 ; hints for its management, &c., 264 ; characteristics, 264 Douglas (D.), 263 Downton described, 29 Dracjenas, list of and culture, 179 Drainage materials, 60 Draining, autumn, 403 Dressing flowers objectionable, 80 Drill, Padwick's, 330 Ducks, to keep on a pond, 2S3 ; paralysed, 346 i for a weedy pond, 376 Eagle Gabdens, 31 Ealing Park Gardens, 9^ Earth grub, 156 Earwig trap for Dahlias, 3H Eccremocarpus scabra in open air, 346 Echinocacti culture, 306 Edging for borders, 91 Egg-plant culture, 25 Eggs, shcll-lcss, 169 ; addled, cause of, 261 Elementary Catechisms, 17 Eleodendron indicum culture, 180 Elichrysum culture, 306 Engine (Read's watering), 300 Epacris, plant, cutting down, 12 ; culture, 306 Epidendrums, list of and culture, 9 Epilobium angustifolium, history and culture. 262, 297 Epiphyllums, grafted, treatment, 203 Eranthemum leuconervum culture, 180 Eria, list of and culture, Q Erysimum PerofFskianum, 174 Erythrina culture, 86 Eucaridium grandiflorum as a bedder, 355 Eulophia guineensis culture, 9 Euphorbia splendens for bouciucts, 31 Evergreens, time for transplanting, l62; trans- planting large, 204; pruning, 226 j cuttings of hardy, 290 ; planting, 345 Exhibition (Great), its Icasona, 349 Kaiecuild (T.), 143; lecturcH, 143 fairy rings, dcstroymg, 302 Fashion, its influence, 29 Ferna for Wardian Case, 76, 297 Fertility promoted by checking the flowering, 97 INDEX. Fertilizing powder, 13 Feverfew (Double) culture. 103 Figs, casting their fruit, 47 ; training, 69, 225 ; stopping, 382 Fitzherbert ^Sir A.), 121 Fleas in hen*s nests, 12 Floricultural Society (National), 2, 186, 192, 351 ; London, 152, 180; Show (S. London), 287 Floricultural Societies, their discordant de- cisions, 107 Floriculture, Society for encouraging, 144, 180 Florists' Flowers, 74 ; pernicious increase of bad, 31 ; Societies for improving, 31 ; Mr. Glenny's opinions on, 1I7» 130, 153, l64, 180, 183, 192, 215, 229, 242, 257, 272, 293, 307, 321 , 335, 358, 371, 386, 400; at Chiswick, 152, 216 ; at Botanic Garden, 230, 242; and seed- lings at Botanic Garden Show, !83 ; preparing for exhibition, 220 ; how to be estimated, 299 ; of the year, 364 ; culture, 401 Flower-beds, dressing, 5; arrangement, 6I ; varieties for autumn, 70; pruning the bedders, 211; edgings of, 212 Flower markets (Paris), 39 Flower-pots, best kind, 337 ; porous or glazed, 411 Flower seeds, sowing, 84 ; from abroad, 255 Flowers and their poetry, 18 Flowers, list of white, 103, 105; how to send cut, 139; list of hardy spring, 219; can be shown, though from different gardens, 221 ; at Covent Garden, 224; artificial, an old in- vention, 262 ; drying for herbarium, 297 ; over luxuriant, to cheek, 303 ; in winter, 360 ; influence of the late seasons on, 374 Flues, heating, with small, 9I Forcing, seedlings, 16 ; arrangements, 26 Forsyth (W.), 1 Forsythia viridissima, 351 French gardening, notes on, 278 Fritillaria meleagris and imperialis, 138 Frogmore Gardens, 93, II9 Frontiniac (English), 13 Fruit, report on crop proposed, 158, 160 Fruit crops, state of, 310 Fruit-room and gathering, 395 Fruit trees, list of eight, 326 ; renovating, 365 ; transplanting, 381 Fruits shown in pots, &c., 251 ; retarding, 253 Fruits of India, 65 Fuchsia, not breaking, 62 ; buds dropping, If-S, 184; list of, 180; culture, 230, 243, 295; seeds, collecting, 262 ; new, 272 ; Coralina, against a house, 296 ; pale variety, 326; bed of, 326; as a standard, 367; against a wall, 383; its parentage, 390; coryrabiflora, 411 Furze (double-blossomed), to propagate, 139 Galeandea, list of and culture, 9 Garden Engine, Jones' Portable Hand, 328 Garden net (Hall's), 350 Gardeners, their ignorance formerly, 93 ; versus tailors, 220 Gardening, American, 27; books on, 27 Gardens, worth seeing near London, 94 Gardiner's (W.) botanical offer, 158 Garnishing, plants for, 390 Gas-lime, how to apply, 233 Gaultheria bracteata, 32 Geraniums: a few fancy, 12; scarlet, old, 26 ; Tom Thumb, 26 ; cuttings, 42, 148, 189, 269, 4U; for windows, 42; grafting, 60 ; witli verbenas, 6l ; combination of, 6l ; diseased, 61; in borders, 119; fancy scented, to pro- pagate, 149; scarlet, 169; for bedding, 17t>, 362; Wilmorc's Surprize, 181; in pots in July, 190 ; grafting, 203 ; cutting down, 204; bedded out, 212; sickly, in beds, 262; not blooming, 282 ; over-luxuriant, 304 : plunged in border, 317 i Lady Middleton variety, 318; White, 318; Golden Chain, 326; cuttings, potting, 315; arrangement in borders, 368; their management in rooms, 368 ; (fancy) in rooms, 369; hardy aorta, 317; seeding, to check, 411 Geranium wall, 382 Gerarde, John, 207 Gerarde's Herbal, Johnson's ed., 313 German dwarf succulents, 326 Gilbert, Samuel, I07 Gilia seedlings, 139 Ginger, to preserve. 155 Gladioli, list of garden varieties, 27 ; culture, 48 ; sowing, 42, 204 Glass, rough plate, 105; temperature under without artificial heat, l6g ; form of panes, 325 ; Hartley's rough, 346 Glazing, new mode of, 186 Glenny, Mr., as ajudge of flowers, 108 (ilube amaranth culture, 52, 220 Gloxinia, culture, 139 ; mismanaged, 220 Glycine sinensis on trees, 127 Gomphrena globosa culture, 62 Goodia latifolia culture, 366 Goodyeria discolor, for bouquets, 3 Gooseberries, culture, 96 ; bottling, 204 ; flum- mer dressing, 238 ; twelve show varieties, 283 ; training, 324 ; pruning, 362 Gooseberry caterpillars, to destroy, 204 Gordonia Javanica, its native place and habit, 144 ; culture, 272 Govenias, list of and culture, 36 Grafting, floweriog-shrubs, 6 ; early work on, 285 Grammatophyllums, list of and culture, 37 Grapes, importance of air to, 47 ; shanking, 62 ; diseased, 41 1 Grape wine, to make, 13 Grasses for lawn pasture on heavy soil, 42 Grave, Flowers for, 362, 3y0 Gravel, splashing, 13 ; walks, dressing, 5 ; walks, killing weeds on, 233 Gravy, for vegetable-marrow, 260 ; best pro- vision for, 262 Green fly, destroying. 62, 208 Greenhouse, gener^ management of, 7 ; and vinery, to construct, gO ; plants Qiardier cul- ture), 99; to erect cheaply, 140; climbers for, 156; building, l69; constructing, 240; portable. 326 ; Toby's model of, 350 Groom's flowers, 108, 109 Grubs, in land newly enclosed, 1 Guano water for flowers, 77 ; as a general ma- nure, 119 Gutta Percha membrane, 60 Habeothamnus fascicularis culture, 345 ; hardy, 390 Ham (Westphalia), to make, 104 Hamborough parsley sowing, 38 Hardy, border flowers, 2/9 ; aquatics, 365 Harvest moon, explained, 411 Harward, Simon, 327 Haworth (A. HJ, 157 Hawthorn, double pink, to propagate, 169 Hay-making, 133, 201 Heaths, list of, 232 ; for each month, 375 Hebeclinium ianthimum, 266 Hedychium flavum, in open air, 326 Heliotrope leaves black, 326 Hemiandra pungens, 352 Henfreya scandens, culture, 375 Hen-coop, to protect from rats, 205 Hen eating eggs, 247 Hens and chickens, their management, 138 Hen-yard, management in May, 54 ; June, 135 ; July, 197; August, 276; September, 340; October, 404 ; daily routine of, 135 Heracleum giganteum, in a tub, 26; culture and size, 203, 326 Herbaceous (hardy) plants, 137; for spring decoration, II7, 168 Herbs, drying, 194 Hereford Horticultural Society, 95, 187 Herefordshire, shows in, 286 Hesperis roatronalis culture, 41 Highbury Horticultural Show, 123 Himalayah pumpkin, form and colour,, 27 Hoeing, 53 Hoes, improved forms of, 250 ; the Vernon, 327 Hogg's (Mr. R.) British pomology, 393 HolboUia acuminata, 365 Hollies, budding yellow-berried, 148; trimming, 261 Hollyhocks, list of, 77; culture, 70, 88, 117; showing, )86; propagating by buds, 19O ; an hour with, 26-I ; its historj^, and list of, 265 ; manure watering, 294 ; its first improver, 308; their points of excellenee, 379 Honey, price of, 325 Hop culture in the l6th century, 171 Horticultural Society (Loudon), its history, 43, 45, 363 „^. . , Horticultural Society*8 Show, 94; Chiswick, 136, 198, 216 Horticultural Shows in June and July, 140 Horticultural Show. South London, l63 Houlletias, list of and culture, 37 House, plants for training over, 376 Hoveas, list of and culture, 333 Hoyas, list of and culture, 180 Humeas, sowing, 204 Hybrid Brunsvigia and Valotta, 49 Hyacinths in beds, 88 ; cutting down, 203 Hydroraestus maculatus, 95 Ice plant, analysis of crystals on, 105 Ilex (holly), new species, 265 Indian fruits and flowers, 65 Insects, causes of prevalence, 175 ; bites of, 183 Ipomrea culture, 25; rubro cccrulea, 77 ; Bur- ridgii and Dicksonii culture, 90 Ireland, its rare wild flowers, 202 laotoma axUlaris, culture, 119, 397 Ivy leaves for vegetable mould, 41; displaced by wind, 296 Ixias, 27; culture, 48, 183 Jamf.s the First's love of fruit, 249 Japan lily culture, 48 Joanneting apple, 393 Johnson, Dr. Thomas, 313 Jonesia asoca, 159 JonqniU, pronunciation of name. 77 Judges, on the qualification of, 3 1 ; consequences of disputing their decisions, 'Hy Julian flower, 26 1 Kalmia glauca, sickly, 262 Kent iWm.l, 1-i Kew Gardens, 44 Kidney-bean, culture. 182; runner, culture, 54 Kitchen-garden, routine, lU, 33, 52, 74, 8y, J02. 117, 131, 153, l65, 182, 194, 217, 244, 259, 27-*, 295, 309, 322, 337, 359, 372; size for family, I69 Knight (R. P.), 29 ; (T. A.), 43 Knight and Perry's Aquarium, 237 Koenig (J. G.), 65 Kohl Rabi treatment, 362 Labels of glass, 118 ; of porcelain, to write on, 119; Restell's Metallic, &Cm 350 Ijabichea diversifolia, culture, 394 Laburnum with varied flowers, 204 Lacffina bicolor culture, 37 Lagcrstrfrmia indica culture. 335 Landscape gardening, its comraeuceracnt, 15 Larch for water works, 1 Larkspur (Chinese), to manage, 148 Lathyrus latifolius, propagating, 26 Laurels, rate of growth, 2til ; trimming, 26I ; naked, to remedy, 2til ; diseased, 376 Laurustinus, soil for, 26 1 Lawn, laying down, 411 Lawrence (Rev. J.), 79 Lawson, William, 327 Layering, 189 Layers of evergreens, 6 Lettuces, to grow large, 326; tying up, 362; sprouts, 376 Libocedrus Chilensis, 240 Lice on pigs, to destroy, 1 19 Light and heat should correspond in plant culture, 210 Lilium lancifoUum culture, 261 ; not flowering, 282 Lily of the Valley culture, 193 Lily (Whitewater) blooming in tho dark, 282; (lone flowering, 362 J.ilyvvorts, sections of, I62 Line (Garden) Padwick's, 350 Liquid manure, for greenhouse plants, 105; an old practice, 171 ; the best, 233; of cowdung drainage, 346 Lissochilus, list of and culture, 72 Loam, its qualities, 2G8 Lobelias for a bed border, 318 London plants in 1722, 143 Lophospermum Hcndersonii culture, 220 Lucerne, cause of failure, 184 Lupines bedded out, 212 Lycaste, list of and culture, 73 BIaceoum, visit to, 202 Magazines, notes on, 104 Malpighia glabra, 302 Mangold wurtzel culture, 133 Blanuvc, management, 53 ; where to applv, 79 ; experiments with, 80 ; heap, I97 ; pit, its value, 217; heap, to increase, 338 i\Iar;mta albo lineata and bicolor, 214 RIarble, to remove stains from, 326 Blarkham (GervaseJ, 391 Mascall, Leonard, 285 Mason (Rev. W.), 221 Blatricaria as a bedder, 1 13 Maund's Botanic Garden, 17 Masillaria, list of and culture, 72 Mealy bug, destroying, 364 Medinilla Javanensis, 28i^ Melilotus leucantha, seed, 13; culture, 304 Melitta, list of and culture, 89 Melon, culture, 52 ; forcing, 125 ; bloom set- ting, 297 ; leaves diseased, 396; frame, new mode of constructing, 36l Wetrodorea nigra, 124 Mice, 79, 91 Mildew on vine, supposed remedy for, 109 Mildness of the past winter, 90 Mills for corn-crushing, 246 Miltonia, list of and culture, 100; Morelliana, 287 Mimosa pudica culture, 51 Bliniulus and its varieties, 144: seedlings, 266 Mitraria coccinea, 390 Monarda amplesicaulis, 6s Moon, belief in its influence, 107 Mormodes atro purpurea, 330 ; list of and cul- ture, loi Mosses (British), collection of, 94 ; twenty lessons on, British, 157 I\Ioth in clothes, to remove, 155 Mountain (D.), 171 Mulching, 160 ; roots of fruit-trees, 48 Mulberry-tree, plaster for, 312 : against a wall, 345 Musseendafrondosa, 214 INDEX. Mushroom spawn, making, 132 j forced, 184; spawn raising, 297 ; beds, making, 322 My Flowers, 363 Myrtle culture. 110 Myrtus orbiculatus, 110 Naecissus bifloeus, 155 National Floricultural Society, 81, 108, 109, 236, 257, 266, 301, 379; meeting, 30; show, 145, 151 Nectarine culture, 68; leaves blighted, 155; disbudding, &c., 187 ; training, 225. See Peach. Nemophila maculata and insignis, bed of, 176 Nerium Oleander treatment. 12, 26 Newbury Horticultural Show, 380 New South Wales seed, 183 New Zealand, gardening in, 144 Nicol, Walter, l Nierembcrgias, for rock-work, bedding, &c., 41 1 Night heat, not excessive, 47 Night-soil for gardens, 247 Night violet, 26I Norden (John), 377 Nurscrymens' greenhouses not rateable, 222 Nurseries round London, 2, 45, 66 Nymphica alba culture, 362 Oak, Pyrenean. 26 Oatmeal, cookery, 59 ; its uses, 281 Odontoglossums, list of and culture, 129 CEnothera prostrata or riparia, 148; for bedding out, 183; prostrata, as a bedder, 112; macro- carpa and taraxifolia culture, 139 ; riparia as bed border, 318 Oleander in window, 90 Oncidiums, list of and culture, I62, 192, 228, 257 Onion grub, 220; keeping kinds, 220; culture, 338 Orange-trees, seedling, 9 1 ; pruning, 311 Orange wine, to make, 13 Orchard planting, 362 Orchids, their habits, 3; in pots, 9, 36, 73, 100, 129, 162, 192, 228, 257, 292, 320, 357, 370 ; list of April flowering, 74 ; list of, 232 Our Villagers, 11, 38, 75, 102, 132, I66, 194, 231, 259, 295, 323, 359, 388 Oxalis purpurea and Bowiana culture, 90 ; floribunda culture, 140 Oxford Horticultural Society, 237 P.EONY in light soil, 282 Pancratium illyricum and maritimum culture, 137 Pandanus utile variegata, 214 Pansies in pots, 18; arrangement in borders, 35; culture, 52, II7, 152; in September, 61 ; cuttings, 153; their usual defects, l64; for beddmg out, 177; striped, 293 ; list of, 346 Paphinia cristata culture, 257 Paris nurserymen, 325 Passiflora edulis fruit, 301 ; carulea culture, 362 Parkinson, John, 249 Parsley sowing, 38 Pasture, making permanent, 262 Pavetta Borbonica, 214 Pavias, for grass plot, 26 Paxtonea rosea, 257 Peach and Nectarine disbudding, 33 ; leaves blistering, 68 ; not setting, 42 ; disbudding, 161, 187; training, 225; leaves blistering, 260 ; cause of failing, 105, 139 Pear, training, disbudding, &c., HI ; on quince stocks, 156; training, 225; trees, shelter for dwarf, 280 Peas, for late crops, 27, 42 ; sowing, 52 ; Black- eyed Susan, 91 ; late crop culture, 182 ; new mode of growing, 328 Pelargoniums, why not at Chiswick, 122 ; points in judging. 144; cure forspotin, 218 ; charac- teristics, 259 ; cuttings, 269, 273 ; treatment of Queen Victoria^ 270; classification, 296; Unique, propagating, 296, 3(i8 ; cutting down, 306; culture, 258, 309, 336; compost, &C., 336; diadematuni, its varieties, 346; their general management, training, &c., 387 Penstemons, azureum, its merits, 332; gen- tianoides, 332 ; for bedding, 39O Perennials, moving, 6 Peristeria, list of and culture, 292 Pesomeria tetragona culture, 320 Petunias, hardy variety, 42 ; bedding out, 90, 212; pegging down, 204; their faults, 273; Shrubland Rose, 383 Phaius, list of, 320 ; culture, 357 Phloxes, their culture, 182 ; depressa, its merits, 331 Picotee, its distinction, 36l. Pigeon, domestic, its diseases, 200, 217, 343; Cavalier kinds, 201; Warted variety, 218; dove-house, 343 ; Turkish, or Mawmet, its varieties, 3-15; to stock a dove-house, 407; varieties of, 408 Pig feeding, 339, 346 Pimeleas, list of and culture, 23 Pme-apples, West Indian, 224 Vll Pinguicula grandiflora, 202 Pinks, culture, 62, II7, |64, 401 ; stage for, Gt ; u'ith sis guard petals, 123 ; new varieties of, 265; list of, ;i46 : their distinction, 36l Pippins, flrst in England, 285 Pistia stratiotes, 95 Pitcher plants (Veitch's), 17^^. IQS Pits, heated by dung, 90 ; enduring flowers for, 183 ; enlarging to greenhouses, 240 Planting trees, &c., from pots, 126; directions, 360 ; notes on fruit-tree, 373 ; hints on, 388, 390 ; or re-planting, old gardens, 406 ; out in pots, 398 Plants for early decoration, 103 ; scarce, to treat. 149; new, 168; their food, 377; tying them out denounced, 380 Plate glass for greenhouse, Hartley's rough, 13 Piatt, Sir Hugh, 185 Pleione humilis, 381 Pleuronomania in cows. 27 Plum, summer dressing, 237 Plymouth Botanical aud Horticultural Gardens, 153 Poetry of flowers, I69 Poedisca angustiorana, or Red-bar moth cater- pillar, 69 Poinsettia pulcherrima, 214 Poland fowls, top-knots of, 13 Poles (The), 94 Polyanthus culture, 38, 117, 118, 131 ; in bor- ders, 84 ; protecting, 88 ; seedlings, 294 Pond (circular), flowers for, 13; to improve a stagnant, 296 Portlandia platantha, 81 Portulacca transplanting, 90 Potato, culture, 38 ; protecting, 53 ; not vege- tating, 140, 156 ; stems, thinning, 155 ; prospect of crop, 166; some varieties, 220; disease, 247, 313, 406 ; storing, 314, 402; self-sown, their produce, 390 ; planting, 411 Potentilla ochrcata, 1 9 ; characteristics of shrubby, 19 Potted trees, planting out, 155; plants. Bate's instrument for removing, 350 Potting, 7 ; one-shift system, 35, 50 ; double, mode of, 282; management, 362 ; when soak- ing the ball is useful, 384 Poultry rearing, 118; prolific bantams, 164; dropping eggs from perch, 155 ; exhibition, 187 ; early works on, 285 Preserving, recipes for, 26O Primroses, double dark, not blooming, 27 ; sporting, 9I ; as a bedder, 1 18 Prizes, rules for lists of, 379 ; offered by dealers, 330 Profits, from 6^ acres, 59 ; from a small plot, 297 Pronienieaa, list of and culture, 370 Prunellas, list of and culture, 90 Pumpkin (Himalayah) shedding its fiuit, 390 t^L'AssiA, for destroying the green fly, 169 Quickset hedge, culture, 104; trimming, 297 llAisiN WINE, to make, 12, 13, 27, 43 Rake (Ebbs' lady's), 299 Raking, 53 Ranting widow, 262, 297, 389 Ranunculus beds, 7^ ; list of, 346 Kaspherrv, buds, grubs in, 61 ; culture, 96; double-bearing, 96, 238 ; training, 324 ; pru- ning, 352 Receipts for the Cottager, 53 Red Spider, to destroy, 20, 297 Redstart, 342 Resting, its importance, 8 Rhododendrons, seed sowing, 12; of the Hima- layah, 2; hybrid, their culture, 114; honey from, 115; treatment of sickly, 262, 411; in light soil, 282 Rhubarb wine, 261 Rice cookery, 59 Ridging, autumn, 403 Rocket, Double White, culture, 41, 103; yel- low, 203 ; varieties of, 223 Rockwork, rule for making, 325 Rogiera amccna, 67 Room plants, list of, 119 Root, temperature, 172; crops, space between plants, 196; pruning, 382, 238; storing, 403 Rose, cuttings, to strike, 6,42; Gloire de Rosa- mene, 2/ ; stocks for budding, 22, 62 ; pru- ning, 26, 169; Nursery at Ealing, 31 ; pru- ning and propagating, 49; killing aphis on, 84 ; supporting tree, 85; guano for, 91 ; watering, 99; double-yellow, to bloom, 107; green fly, to cure, 110; budding perpetual, 148; tea-scented, near London, 155; manur- ing, &c., 177; fungus on shoots, 184; July- pruning, ]89; in pots, treatment, 203; cut- tings, their management, 203 ; cutting off flower-stalks, 204 ; to destroy fly on, 208 ; ca- terpillar on. 220 ; Bankaian, pruning, 226 ; in Regent's Park, 237 ; unpruned and pruning, 239; cuttings, 247, 307, 376, 411 ; suckers to be discriminated, 254 ; Geant des Battailles, 254 ; Souvenir de Malmaison, 255 ; moving vili in August, 261 ; list of, 261 ; Solfatare, 262 ; ■ in midland counties, 280 ; double-yellow, to | manaae, 282 ; climbing, 282 ; tea-scented, to | manage, 282; for Boutll wall, 311 ; for north 1 of Ireland, 311; arrangement in bed, 326 ; leaves mildewed, 326 ; moving at Michjelmas, | 3J5 J grubs in, 347 ; leaves, blotched, 37b ; Gloire de Rosameno cuttings, 390 Bosherville Gardens, flower show, 168 Rotation of crops, 195 Roxburgh, Dr., 65 Ruellia maculata, 214 Rustic work, 104 Russell (Lord W.), a gardener, 93 Sabine (JO, 363 Saccharometer, 26l Sago fruit pudding, 325 Salad, ancient recipe for, 391 Salt for flowers, 119 i ji j Salvia, patens culture, 70 1 white, 71 ; bedded out, 212 ; for bedding, 326 ; patens iu baskets, 333 J (failures in culture) fulgens, 397 ; patens, 398 Sangster's Florumbra, 184 Saponaria calabrica, 3 Savings, 245 Scale, white, to kill, 12 Scarifier, 3-pronged, a63 Schoenia oppositilolia, 124 ..... , Schombergia, crispa, marginata, tiuicinis, and undulata culture, 399 SciUa, list of and culture, 137 i csculenta, 390 Scot (R.), 171 Scythe, Boyd's self-adjusting, 392 Sea-kale culture, 117 Seeds, to promote growth of, 49 ; tropical, to pack, 105; foreign flower, usually worthless, 255 ; raising plants from exotic, 270 ; sowing exotic, 291 Seedlings, raising early, 16; flowers, thinning, 85; pleasure of raising, 109 Sensitive plant culture, 51 Sertum Ecclesise, 143 Sewage Company, 67 Shading, rules for and modes of, 213 Shanking of grapes, 346 Shelter for plants in winter, 61 Shrubland Park Gardens opened, 187 Silene pendula for edgings, 212; list of and culture, 279 Sion House Gardens, 94 Siphocampylus microstoma, 139, 314 Slugs in hotbed, 184 Soap-suds for strawberries, 277 Sobralia sessilis, 267 Soils, mixing, early recommendation, 185 ; their composition and influence over plants, 378 Solandra lievis, 45 ; the genus, 46 Solanum macranthum cuttings, 325 Soot, excellent for strawberries, 277 ; as a manure, 362 South Devon Horticultural Society, 31 South London Florists, 81, 251 Sowing in greenhouse, 8; in wet weather, 10; how to perform, 53 Hparaxis seedlings, 139 Spinach, sowing, 295 ; why acrid V 346 Sponge-cake recipe, 26;J Squirrel, 42 Staines Horticultural Show, 209 Stall-feeding sheep, 77 INDEX. StanJish (Arthur), 349 Stephanotis floribunda culture, 3ii Stewpan, a new one, 389 j Stimulant for flowers, 346 Stopping fruit-trees, 315; its objects, 316 Stove, moisture in, I60 ; Smith's Hot-water Gas, 350; cheap one for bed-room, 410 Strawberries, mulching, S:c., 69 ; liquid ma- nuring, 91; watering, 119, lO" 1 second crop, from forced, 161 ; (White Alpine), culture, 203; ripening, 210; rooting runners, 211: new one, 224 ; (Alpine), dressing, 238 ; (or forcing, 247, 283; (British Queen), tender, 247 ; culture, 2/6 ; beds, re-planting, 282 ; (Cuthill's), culture, 296 ; pruning, 353 Strawberry Hill, 235 Sulphurator (Alsop's), 299 Surrey Zoological Gardens, 224, 229; Flower Show, 314, 386 Swartz, Olof, 3 Swede turnip culture, 134 Sweet-briar, budding double, 325 Sweet peas, forced, 12 Sweet Williams to flower in autumn, 84 Switzer (Stephen), 93 Tamarindus officinalis, 145 Tarvin Hall exhibition, 372 Taste defined, 29 Taverner, John, 299 Tea plantation at Kumaon, 301 Tecoma jasminoides, on a wall, 36? Temperature, how influenced by latitude and altitude, 271 Thibaudia macrantha, 224 Thinning with the hoe, 102 Thuiibergia alata culture, 51 TiUandsia, splendens, 215 ; list of and culture, 385 Toads, their great utility, 89 Tobacco culture, 52 Tomato, culture, 353 Tradescantia discolor, 215 Transplanting, management, 53 Trees, plant young, 1 ; lately removed, treat- ment of, 34 ; for park scenery, 40, 56 ; trans- planting large, 59 ; piercing, 276 Tnchomanes brevisetum culture, 77 Tropffiolum culture, 76 Trowbridge Horticultural Society, 31 ; Show, 145 Tulips, protecting, 38 ; Lawrence's collection, 66; Mr. Groom's, !08; culture, 117; Show, Amateur, 144 ; Great Northern, 158 ; Oxford, 159; strains in, 145; Lawrence's sale, 159, 173; Wr. Goldham's seedlings, 159; new, 163; sale of dry, 173; Quelch's, 180; French, 180; Wragg's, 180; annual sale of, 266; Show at Derby, 300 ; Show, Great Northern, I 364 ; culture, bed, &c., 371 I Turf, laying, 34 ; injured by plantain, 361 Turfy loam, very old, 346 Turnip, insect destroying, 184; sowing, 244; Swedish, their value, 274 UrOPEDIUM LlNDENlI, 46 Valerian (Scarlet) culture, 104 I Vanda tricolor, 252 Variegated-leaved stove plants, 179 Variegated leaves, plants with, 150 Variegated plants, 214 Vauxhall Gardens, Horticultural Show, 144, 158, 174, 209, 351 j Ventilator for rooms, 232 hedder. Ventilation, arrangements, 62 ; its importance, lei Verbena culture, 10, 117, 131; seed, sowing, 12, 61; bedding-out, 61, 90; list of, 104; ipialities of new, 180; preserving flowers, 326; layers, 361 1 without shelter, 237 ■\'eronica chamtedrys, bed of, 35 ■"■■'■ i- 332 Victoria regia in Nurseries, 2 ; without shelter, 237 Vines, sjTinging, 13; accustomed to be forced, 26; young, 27; pruning, 61 ; unpruned, 62 ; ventilating, 62 ; out-of-door disbudding, 70 ; in-doors, 82 ; in greenhouse, 83 ; succession, 83 ; West's St. Peters, 83; managing young, 146; effects of temperature on, 169; roots on stem, 184; culture, 220; diseased leaves, 220 ; training on walls, 224 ; Sanders' work on, 286 ; on walls, 286, 330 ; borders, 288, 302 ; fumigating, 297 ; promoting ripening, 330; scale, to kill, 156 Vinery and no greenhouse, 26; building, Ql Vinegar plant, said to be injurious, 105 Violet, double white, 78 Walks, to kill grass on, 156; concrete, 156; mossy, to cure, 246 Wall-trees neglected, 326 Walpole, Horace, 235 Wandering sailor, 389 Wardian case of gutta percha, 119 Warts, to cure, 246 Warwickshire lad, 389 Wasps, destroying, 48, 160 ; numbers destroyed, 105 Waste vegetables, to collect for pigs, 403 Water, as a food for plants, 172 ; transpired by plants, 172; temperature for watering, 172 Watering, to what crops, 42 ; with hard water, 155 ; rules for, 227 ; why not in sunshine, 233 Watering engine, 184 Watering pots of the l6th century, 171 Weeding, 53 ; its importance, 196 Weeks and Co.'s Victoria regia, 237 Weigela rosea culture, 3 1 Wheat, blooming phenomena, 99 ; temperature i influencing, 341 Wigandia caracasina, 329 Wild flowers, works on, 233 ; as bedders, 390 Window plant culture, 7 1 ; gardening in the ; north, 127 Winter, consequences of the past, 55 ; garden, 80 ; damp and mild, its efl'ects on hall-hardy plants, 97 ; aconite, 138 ; its benefits, 235 ; flowers in pots, 325 Wine, fining home-made, 376 ' Wire-worms, to extirpate, 105 Wistarias against east wall, 297 Witchcraft in 16th century, 171 Wood, ripening, 4 ; for fuel regulated by statute, 349 Woodlice in cucumber frame, 62 ; destroyed by toads, 89 World in its workshops, 349 : World's Fair, its eff^ects, 44 Worms, in pots, 169; thread-like, 181 Wren, Golden-crested and Fire-crested, 343 Yucca, culture, 345 ; gloriosa, cutting down flower-stem, 376 Zauciisneria Californica, to purchase, 78 ; to make flower late, 397 Zephyranthes carinata culture, 140 Zoological Gardens, Surrey, 174 WOODCUTS. Page Dendrobium transparens .... 3 Glass for cucumber plants . . . . lo Potentilla ochrcata 19 Bertolonia maculata 3^ Gaulthcria bracteata 32 Solandra Iwvis ' ^k Uropedium Lindenii 40 Rogicra amsena y? Monarda aniplexicaulis . • • . t)8 Portlandia platantha 81 Cypripedium guttatuni . . • .82 Pislia stratiotes 95 Hydromcstus niaculatus . . . .90 Mvrtus orbiculatus I'O Schctnia oppositifolia . . . .124 Metrodorea nigra 124 Hen cooi> ^^9 Tamarindus oflBcinalis Jonesia asoca Centrosolenia glabra Pigeon, Cavalier . . . Dombcya viburniilora Pigeon, Warted . Thibaudia niacranthii Hoes ..... Uidymocarpus crinita Bouvardia leiantha \'anda tricQlor . Hebeclinium ianthinum Sobralia sessilis Shelter for trees . Uliltonia spectabilis, var. Mc Medinilla Javanensis . Blalpighia glabra Siphocampylus microstuma . 145 . 159 . 174 . 201 . 21U . 218 . 221 , 250 . 252 . 252 . 253 . 267 . 2P7 . yno . 287 . 288 . 302 . 313 Chysis aurea, var. maculata Hoe, Vernon Wigandia Caracasina Mormodes atro-purpurea Pigeon, Persian Forsythia viridissima . Hemiandra pungens . Chimney-top, improved Aponogeton disUichyon HolboUia acuminata Cantua buxifolia . Pleione humilis Stewpan, fast boiling • Jjabichea diversifolia . Deutzia gracilis Pigeon, Runt • Pigeon, Looking-glass . Stove, Economic . • 315 327 329 , 330 , 343 , 351 , 352 , 351 . 366 . 365 . 380 . 381 . 389 . 394 . 394 . 40S . 409 . 410 Aphil 3 ] THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. Ml W . D' U APRILS— 9, 1851. 3 Th 'Gooseberry flowers. 4 F iCurraot flowers, 5 S ,I>og Mercury flowers. 6 Son 5 Sun. in Lent. Lady-smock flowers. 7 fli ICuckoo heard. 8Tu Redstart seen. 9W Tree-Pipit heard. WBA.THEK NEAR LONDON IN 1850. Barometer. iTherrao. Wind. Rain in In. 29.684 — 29.526 fi8— 26 29.6.16 — 29.4201 56—42 29. .=i5a — 29.3811 5;— 25 29.609 — 29.440) 63—38 29.514 — 29.4401 55—34 29.429 — 29. 346| 61—31 129.536 — 29.459 52—42 S.W. S. S.W. S.E. S.W. S.W. N.E. Sun Rises. 0.06 0.02 34 a. 5 32 29 27 25 23 20 Sun Sets. Moon R.&3. 33 a. 6 35 37 3S 40 41 43 8 24 9 34 10 44 U 52 morn . 0 56 1 55 Moon's Clock Age. bef. Sun 3 28 3 10 2 63 Day of ' Year, j 93 9-1 95 96 97 98 We have often wished that there was a law commanding every one who ventured to write a book, thenceforth, to record his birth and parentage, at the commencement of a diary, to jot down in it, from time to time, the ^ particular events of his life, and that when dead, his family should send it to London, to be deposited, and indexed, in an office especially devoted to the purpose, and of much more ready reference than his will would be if enrolled at Doctors Commons. We have so wished, and still wish, 1 because at some period or other, a memoir of every member of the literary fraternity is certain of being inquired for, and, of course, the inquiry is the more general, and the interest more strong, just in pro- j portion to the usefulness or rarity of his works. Yet, how fruitless is our research relative to many of those whose brain-births are amongst the I most popular of our literature. Who \vrote the Iron Bnsilike? Who t composed our National Anthem ? Who wrote Thomas a'Kempis? Are 1 questions as unanswerable, as who was Ju7iuis ? Now, it so happens, that the writer of these weekly notices has a great thirst for the biogra- phies of those who have written upon gardening ; and he once had two companions who enjoyed the like unquenchable propensity — he alludes to the late Mr. Felton, and DIr. W. Forsyth. The latter had one of the most extensive private libraries of horticultural literature, perhaps ever collected, and he was most liberal in allowing it to be consulted. He had spared no labour in collecting biographies of the authors of the boobs on his library shelves. Those biographical collections he left in MS., and we shall be obliged by any one informing us of their fate. Poor Mr. Felton is also dead — and what have become of his large accumulations, illustrative of Shakspere, and the Portraits of Gardeners ? These are sad i-eniemb ranees, and painful inquiries, for they remind us of happy meetings that can recur no more ; and it was at one of these that Mr. Felton sought from us such little information as we could give, relative to one whom he spoke of as " the best practical writer on Scotch gar- dening " — Walter NicoL. He was especially anxious to ascertain if a portrait of him existed, of which there is little probability, since all that can be gleaned concerning him are in this brief notice. Even the place and time of his birth are unrecorded, nor is the christian name of his father known to us. The latter was the gardener who planned and executed the grounds of Raith, the seat of Mr. Ferguson, near Kirkaldy, in Fifeshire, and the kitchen-garden of Wemyss Castle, in the same county, the residence of General Wemyss. It is probable that old flir. Nicol, in the decline of life, became a florist and nurseryman, for in speak- ing of carnations, Walter Nico! says — " My father cultivated them most eagerly to a very great extent, and with as much success as most people. About the year 1785, he had a most admirable collection, and excelled all his neighbours in the real Cl-iive GilliJIoiter. A year or two afterwards he unfortunately changed the situation of his valuable collection, from the borders in front of an extensive range of hothouses, to several large mounds of soil brought from a field, to be used in composts for melons, peaches, grapes, &,c. He had taken some of it for his potted carnations, and found they did remarkably well in it, and so was induced to shift the whole stock. He had not discovered that this soil swarmed with wire- worms, and from their ravages, in two years, he lost three-fourths of his stock. He shifted the remainder back to their original situation, but, unfortunately, eome of the field soil had been trenched into the borders, and so, ultimately, was lost his entire collection." We hope this catas- trophe will be a warning to our readers, as it was throughout his garden- ing career to Walter Nicol. He began that career under the tuition of his father, at Raith, but he migrated to England for improvement, and eventually became head gardener to the Marquis of Townsend, at Kain- ham Hall, in Suffolk, the gardens of which, however, were said to be no evidences of his skill- Returning to Scotland, he succeeded his father as head gardener at Wemyss Castle, where he remained until about 1"97) when he settled at Edinburgh, as a garden designer, employing hie leisure as a writer on Scotch gardening. In 1 79s, appeared two editions of his Scotch Forcing and Kitchen Gardener, and in the year following, The Practical Planter. In I809, he pubbshed The Villa Garden Direc- tor}/, and its fourth edition, dated 1823, is now before us. His Gardener's Kalcndtir appeared in ISIO, and his Pltuiter's Kalendi/r in 1812, but this was completed after his death, and published by Mr. Sang. This last work was intended to contain, and does contain, his observations made during an extensive tour, undertaken in 1810, to visit the principal seats and plantations in the United Kingdom. He had scarcely commenced the arrangement of his materials, when he was hastily arrested by death, in the JIarch of 181 1. His works are of first authority, and rank on a level, both as compositions, and for sound practical knowledge, with the works of Abercrombie. The only garden plan we know as being his, is the principal approach from the north to Dalhousie Castle, near Dalkeith. We have several passages marked to shew the practical character of his works. Ijut must restrict ourselves to the following: — "A striking proof of the superiority of the larch, in water-works, occurred on the estate of Athol. A weir, or river dam, which, while constructed of oak, required to be renewed or repaired every four or five years, was formed with larch, and in 1792 had stood nine or ten years, the timber then remaining in a sound firm state. On the 6th of May, 1728, I visited this dam : it exhibited no signs of decay at that time." '" I have known an instance where a field was taken in for a nursery from an old pasture of a rough sward, and in which myriads of the grub-worm, slug, &c., had found an asylum. It was conceived, that by sub-trenching or deeply digging it the land might be effectually cleaned; and, accordingly, the field was planted with nursery, without any preparatory crop of grain, itc, being taken. But the result was, that most of the firs, the larches, the elms, the beeches, &c., became a prey to the vermin the ensuing season ; and their stems were found peeled entirely round, about a.i inch under the surface." "Perhaps some may think I say too much when I assert, generally, that trees three, or at mostfour. years from the seed, and which are from twelve to twenty-fnur inches high, will, in any situation or soil, outgrow those of ani/ size ui.der eight or ten feet within the seventh year. Observe, I say generally ; for by planting a poplar or lime of eight feet, in deep. mould and a sheltered situation, they will most likely outgrow aa oak or elm of twelve inches withiii that time. But change situation and circumstances — place them on thin soil, and in an exposed situation, then mark the result: the young plants flourish, the others languish. This may be deemed an unfair comparison, the trees being different in their natures. But let the trial be made in any situation, with plants of the same species or kind : take two oaks, two beeches, two larches, &e., one of each being, suppose, eighteen inches, and the other any size from two to ten feet in height; and I do assert that, by an impartial treatment, the young will outgrow the old plants within the seventh year. Nor will the latter ever overtake them in growth, become such handsome trees, or valuable timber." Meteorology of the Week —At Chiswick, the average highest and lowest temperatures of these dayi, from observations during the last twenty-four years, are 56.1°, and 36.2°, respectively. The greatest heat, 78°, occured on the 3d, in 1848. Rain fell during Qi^ days of the period, and 102 were fine. In the Fruit-Gardeu department to-day, Mr. Erriiigton has considered the modes of preserviBg the blossoms of our wall fruit, but there is one mode — that of retarding the blossom, which we wish he had entered upon more fully, for we believe it is by far the most desirable security for us to aim at. It is the blooming in March and early in April, the most lickle season of our fickle climate, that renders our crops of wall-fruit precarious. It is their blossoms being tempted out by sunny days, and then killed by frosty niglits, that we shoiild aim to avoid, for there is no doubt, if it can be eilected, that it is wiser and safer to prevent their being induced to blossom, than to have to protect that blossom after it has expanded. Such a course of procedure is only another example of the old adage, *'To prevent is better than to have to cure." Now, we believe that this might be veiy easily and very effectively accomplished; and we beg to draw attention to the following experiment with two Belle- ' garde peaches, of the same age and size, growing in ! the same garden, and against the same wall. One, last November, was shaded by a moveable, close paling of boards, so high and so long as to shade the entire tree all the day, though placed at a distance of four feet in width, measurhig from the wall. Every simny or mild day, ft'om November until the end of Mai'ch, was this screen placed before the peach tree ; and when the gi'ound was frozen, a covering of straw was placed over the border about the roots to keep m the oold. At night, and during cold days, the screen was removed. We calculated that by keeping both the roots and branches inactive by this cold, shading, system, we No. CXXXI., Vol VI. THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [April 3; should delay the blossoming, nor were we mong iu this anticipation. The Bellegarde jieach not so kept cold was in full blossom in the third week of March, whilst that kept cold will not be in blossom for a fortnight from the time we are writing this (ilarch 25111). Xow, if there had been any snow this winter, so tliat we could have had it heaped deeply, and beaten down hard over the roots and covered over with straw, it would not have melted by this time, and by such treatment, aud keeping the screen before the tree, during the first half of April, we know of no reason why the tree should not be restrained from blooming until the end of that month. Nor do we see why the peach, like the vine, may not accpiire a habit of late blooming. Our experiment was a very rough one, and made under circumstances of disadvantage; but we record the fact, that others who have greater facilities than ourselves, may test the success uf such treatment more extensively. GARDENING GOSSIP. The Socidij for the Encouragement of Floriculture had a nmiierous meeting at Kingsland last week. The most remarkable productions were SeedUnfj Crocuses, from Mr. Lockhart, of Fulhara. Three were blues, of rather different qualities. One of them, named Incmnpnrahk' purple, was of enormous size, and formed almost hlie a Tuhp ; another, Admiral of ilii Blue, was, if possible, liner, thougli smaller ; Ladij Grey was white outside, and a sort of grey lilac within ; and a pure white, almost as large as tlie purple, vras greatly admired. It was named Princess Helena. The others were very superior to our best ordinary varieties. Dnvid Iii::-io and Prince Albert, two favourite purples, were eomplctely dis- tanced. Mr. Lockhart declined submitting them for certi- ficates, as his stock was too small to profit by any sale of them at present. The National Floricultural Society pogresses, many leading florists having given in their adherance. An advertisement in our last number shows they are upon tlie move. The meetings for the year are all fixed, and it is decided that their shows shall take jilace at the Horticultural Society's rooms. The Nurseries round London are beginning to look gay, aud especially Henderson's, Low's, Rollison's, aiul Grooni's. Hyacinths of all colours, aiul forced flowers, of course, do a good deal towards helping the display ; but there are at Messrs. Henderson's and at Rol- lison's fine specimens of stove and orchidaceous plants, of which we shall give a more detailed account. The Tooting Xursery is rich, too, in the splendid Rho;lo- dendrvn Jnmnieum, of whirli the Messrs. RoUison possess hundreds of seedUngs. i\Ir. Ciroom's monster l\lij> bed looks promising ; perhaps never more so. Jlessrs. Low aud Son are moru famous for specimens. Whatever plant is coveted by a visitor is sold. But the vegetation of the world seems concentrated in the Cbipham Nnrsery ; plants of all kinds, from seedlings just above ground to strong mature nursery stuff, literally cram every receptacle on the Ijremises ; we ai'e afraid of mentioning numbers. Choice subjects actually remind us, in quantity, of lettuce and cauli- flower plants at a market garden. A gi-eat sale of Onriuitious and I'icotccs in London brouglit a good many more to market than wei'e wanted, and they were comparatively saci'ificed. The auction mart has been such an iliexhaustiblo source of second rate thuigs, and things with wrong names, that we do not wonder at good things being sacrificed. We doubt very much if the owner gets twenty pounds clear of expenses for his very superb collection. Mr. Barnard's collection, though not worth half the money considering the season of sale, produced twice as much. The sale, however, on this occasion was not half advertised ; perhaps the thou- sands of readers of the The CoiT.iOE Gaiidenee hear of it now for the first time. The Victoria Regia is destined to figure in many places. Mr. Knight, of the King's Road, has a plant well accommodated. Mr. Weeks, a near neighbour, is erecting a lily palace on purpose for one ; and Messrs. A^eitoh, of Exeter, have had a plant in bloom above a month, which has had a dozen flowers. This noble plant is, however, so thorougly aristocratic, that it miist have a residence constructed on purpose to do any good in its cultvire. Jlessrs. Yeitch keep up a circula- tion of the water in the tank liy means of a revolving wheel. The second part of Dr. Hooker's work on The Rhodo- dendrons of the Sikli-im Himmakvja has appeared, and contains ten splendid figures. 11. Aneldandii, a very large while ; B. Tlwmsoiiii, with deep red tlowers, rather loose ; H. pendnhim, an epiphyte, with small lianging white flowers ; B. piimilum, an alpine species, with small pink flowers ; B. Hodijsimii, a large leaved species, with rose-colotu'ed flowers, of great size, having eighteen stamens ; B. Lanatiim, pale suliduu- colour ; B. ijlancnm, small species, with pale rosy flowers ; B. Maddeni, with long wliite flowers, with eighteen or twenty stamens ; B. triflornm, a yellow species ; and B. setosnm, distinguished for powerful fragrance. A third jjart is exjiected. A correspondent writes thus : — I read yesterday your account of the Spanish bulb, and only regretted that I did not know about it two years ago when I was in Spain at Algesiras, ^Malaga, itc. ; but I shall write to a friend of mine at Gibraltar to liunt for it forth- with; though, unfortunately, I read in the papers that he was shot by robbers in the ash woods, near Gibraltar, where I shot n'ith him two years ago ; but by the time he gets my letter I hope he will be well. j I grew Haponnria Cahihrica at your suggestion. It was | beautiful. I shall have plenty sown for ti'ansplanting ; or do I you sow it broad-cast'? Have you any dwarf walls ? The prettiest things I saw at Lisbon, Ciutra, &a., were dwarf- terraced walls, double of 4-inch brick, with the middle filled with earth, planted with Gnernse;/ or Belladonna Lilies, Anemones, Banuncnlnses, Geraniums, S:c. I see you ask about nosei/ays. I grow all my flowers for I bouquets; and the best flower I have had this winter has been the Tropccolum Lobbianum. My gardener sows in Xovember. \ From three plants trailing in a vinery, we have picked 100 bunches, and now he could juive SO more, and is cut- ting them away. These, v,ith the light blue-grey Italian violets, make a capital nosegay. And recollect, as you write j about colour, that the complementary colour to deep orange ' is the lowest lilue; but as most writers liave it the deepest, and Newton, the painter, (not Sir Isaac) /cW this, and always painted oranije ilresses and chinchilla fur. Landseer, j wonderful painter as he is, borrows this from Newton, but ', does not know the reason. I find Ooodi/eria discolor a capital , flower for nosegays, blowing in winter, and it lasts in water a month. E. Y. NEW PLANTS. THKIR POnrllAITS AND nlOOUAPHIES. TnANsi'AKENT DENDRoniUM (DenJrohium transpa- rens). — Tliis is another gem in the crown of Dendro- bium — the royal family of air plants, of wliich nearly a luindred and fifty species have been recorded by syste- matic writers, among which are many individuals emi- nently beautiful, aud not surpassed in that respect by April 3.] THE COTTAGE GARDENEE. members of any family in the extensive order of orchids, though it embraces about three thousand species, Den- drobium was named by Ohf Swartz, a celebrated Swedish naturalist, and accounted the best Linntean botanist of his day. He began his studies at Upsal, in 1771, the year that Liuntous died. Having acquired a taste for botany, he made several excursions in the north of Europe, and published his researches. He spent five years on the western coast of America and in the West Indian Islands, whence he returned to Eng- land iu 1778, loaded with botanical acquisitions, and spent a wliole year in this country examining the her- baria of Sir Joseph Banks and other botanists. Ou his return to his native country, he was appointed a Pro- fessor of Natural History at Stockliolm. In his many works, he added upwards of fifty new genera and eight hundred and fifty new species to the list of fiowei'ing jjlants, besides a great number to the class of the flower- less. He also contributed largely to works devoted to zoology. He died in 1818, and Willdenow dedicated the genus Swartzia to his honour. Dendi-obium, like nine-tenths of the names of genera in Natural History, is a Greek compound from dendron, a tree, and hios, life ; alluding to the way the species live by clinging to the stems and branches of trees, and root- ing among dead vegetable matter, or scanty soil, that occupies their surface, and from which, with the humid atmosphere, they exclusively derive their food. In this respect air plants are distinguished from parasitical plants, which, like our own Mistletoe and the various species of Dudder, fasten their abortive roots into the wood, and live upon the sap of the individual to which they attach themselves. Hence it is that air plants are called epiphytes, and such as the Jlistletoe are termed parasites. The second name of this Dendrobium, trans- parens, is deserved, because the flowers are " as trans- parent as anything vegetable can be." All orchids, whatever, are included in aO-Gynandria l-Mouogynia, of the Linuiean system. Gynandria signities I that the stamens and style, with the ovary, are all blended j together into one solid mass, called tlie column. In this ' column three stamens are consolidated, but one of theiu only is fertile, having jiollen. The early writers on orchids were in utter darkness iu respect to the individual parts which compose the flower, and the organs and economy oi fructification ; but as tlia laws of organisation have been propounded and studied, old errors have been corrected by different writers, and it is worthy of remark that our gar- deners at first stood in the same position witli respect to the proper modes of cultivation, and also that the true ways of cultivntion afterwards kept pace with the progress of the discoveries of tiie organisation, or general structure of these plants. The methods by wdiich we now see them brought to a condition of far greater splendour than they attain in a state of nature, have been amply explained by Jlr. Appleby in these pages, and are all that seem necessary for tlie guidance of the gardener and amateur. The student of botany, who may desire to be made familiar with their structure, may be referred to a recent work, entitled Illustra- tions of the Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants, by Bauer and Lindley. The genus Dendrobium comprehends nearly 100 species, which have been described, and, even after making a due allowance for duplicates, which would be impossible altogether to avoid, they must still be very numerous ; and amongst them are many of the finest plants iu this curious Natural Order. They have been classed in ten sections by Dr. Lind- ley in Po.rton's Flower Garden, i., I'Si. Dendrobes are nearly all Asiatic, inhabiting trees and rocks in all the damp hot tropical countries, and some are found a little beyond the tropics in Japan and New Holland. S. not/ile withstands the periodical cold of Canton, in China, where it freezes occasionally. 1). calearutum and monilifonne grow along with Rhododendrons, JlaguoUas, and Oaks iu Japan, as far north as the parallel of Lisbon, and are annually subject to a very low temperature. D. alpestre grows ou the Himalaya range, where the snow sometimes lies in winter for a week or more. To the southward, as far as Port Jackson, where the mean temperatm-e does not exceed 00°, Allan Cunningham found D. tcmulnni growing in an extremely dry atmosphere on the rugged trunks of the Ironbark, Eucalyptus resiniferu, where it iJourishes most luxuriantly, and flowers in summer when the dry north-west winds often prevail. /'. undulnlnm, a handsome species, originally discovered l)y Sir Joseph Banks at Bustard Bay, has lately been found ou baiTeu liills, naturally clear of timber, upon the banks of the Brisbane Eiver at Jloretou Bay, where the plant forms tufts on bare rocks exposed to the full heat of the sun, which, during nine months of the year, is very considerable on that part of the coast. D, spe- cinsnm, a magnificent old plant from New South Wales, has only recently been domesticated, and lirought to yield its long spikes of flowers to tlie iuduslry of om' gardeners. Such are the data of the outlying Dendrobes from the great body of the family. If our space allowed we might enume- rate peculiarities in the difl'erent sections which have more local habitation. IJ. transparens is found in Nepaid, and from the Garrow Hills, at an elevation of 5,:j00 feet it was recently obtained by Messrs. A'eitch and Co. through their collector, Mr. Lnbb. It has erect, smooth, tapering steins ; its leaves are willow- shaped, and rather twisted at the point. Flowers two or three together ; sepals and petals pale lilac, somewhat like the leaxes iu shape, but blunter ; Up pointed, downy, sides rolled inwards, pale lilac, with a dark lUac spot in the centre. B.J. j THE FRUIT-GAEDEN. ■ PnoTECTioN TO Blossojis. — " Better late than never, } is an old maxim, and must be our apology for venturing, j at the begiiniing of April, to recommend the above-named ' practice. Like root-pi'uning, and some other additions I to modern practice, the pros and cons, as to its utility, are I most numerous; but if a mere majority must settle it, we think the balance will be found in favour of the practice. It really does seem strange, that (to take an isolated case) any man should doubt the propriety, or I shall we say harmlessness of a gardener, with a keen north- THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [April 3. easter, and a falling thermometer (already, it may be, in- dicating some 0° or B'^ of frost), venturing to hang a mat over his tine Moorparlv apricot in full bloom, at Ave o'clock in the evening, iu tlie middle of ]\Iarch, merely to avert the rigours of the night But so it is ; and many persons who would not hesitate to clothe a Moutau Poeoney, or a clioice Tea-scented Hose, yet stand horrified at the idea of taking the most simple means imaginable for dulling the edge of sucli a clumsy customer as a sharp spring frost, out of season and unexpected. It is not trouble, it is not expense, for a few spruce bouglis will suffice. We, moreover, know many excellent practical men who repudiate the practice, and who would take double the trouble if they could once fairly satisfy them- selves as to the soundness of the practice. Now these are serious difl'crences in the eye of the amateur, and no wonder. Tlie patlnvay of science — improvement — call it what you will, has, iiowever, always been beset witli such, and will be, luitil the real position of the question is not only seen but felt. Now there is a collateral point of great import con- nected with this question. A point wliicli has been but too often lost sight of " amidst the clash of arms." We mean the ripcninij of the wood. It may seem tiresome to many of the readers of this work, to hear perpetually this cuckoo cry. Could, however, the maiority be brought to a thorough appreciation of this one point, the cry would cease ; there would be no further occasion for it. So great, we are assured, is its imjiortance, tliat we can readily fancy Mr. A., a sound convert to this doctrine, sleeping soundly with a thermometer indicating some 8° or 10° of frost, and neitlior spruce boughs, canvass, nor bunting in liis garden; wliilst Mr. B., a deep and i rich borderman, witli his trees invested in their night- j caps, shall aiter all his pains have an inferior crop to Mr. A. What is the consequence? Mr. B. thinks he has been misled about this covering affair, and resolves ] to leave all to chance. As long, nevertlieless, as this question is narrowed into what is tormed protection to the blossom, it is shorn of half its importance. Tliere is another bearing to it, and probably the most significant one, we mean huhhd- ATiON, or, in ordinary terms, delaying the blossoms. Divest the practice of this and the wood-ripeuing, and the whole becomes, indeed, not worth consideration. With regard to retarding, who will deny the untoward fate whicli sometimes befals some precocious pet in the plant way, which happens to be placed iu some highly favoured corner, of immense benefit, to be sure, at otlier periods, as furnisliing the requisite heat, but as far as concerns a late and luie.xpected spring frost, a complete trap ! It will bo also remembered by most of om- readers who are at all critical in such matters, that the majority of our hot-wall men, whether in ]irint or in practice, fight shy of the idea of using their artificial heat too liberally at an eai/i/ i]eriod. They fear being entrapped. How different the case, however, in September and October; here their caution diminishes, and they begin to talk of ripening the wood, and fires are laid on witli little hesitation. Surely a due consideration o( oil these points in concert, must throw an amount of liglit on this hitlierto ravelled afiUir, which no counter arguments can ])Ossibly obscure. Opinion is nothing have; facts, strung properly together, are everything. So strongly imbued are we witli the weiglit of sucli arguments, irre- spective of mere pi'actioc, that we have this winter covered at least double tlie extent of subjects ; comprising apricots, peaches, nectarines, pears, plums, cherries, gooseben-ics, currants, &c. No doubt some of our readers will consider tlio )irocess expensive. It is by no means so vvilli boughs, although, of course, a little lahour is requisite. Whore, however, materials do not come to hand readily, it may be so. We have abundance of spruce boughs close to om- elbow, and, in addition, a little canvass for some of the more dainty kinds. We do not know that any material is more proper for covering than thiu canvass, such as is manufactured by !Mr. Nathaniel Hulme, of Paradise-gi'een, Knutsford, with whom we have dealt for many years, and which he sells at about fivepence per square yard. He generally makes it in widtlis of three yards, which is enough for most walls, so that every lineal yard costs fifteenpence ; but then this canvass will last well for seven years, if pro- perly preserved and a due care be exercised. Thus it will be seen, tliat tlie annual expense of protecting a lineal yard of walling is not more than twopcnce- haUpenny, exclusive of a few ordinary poles. We place a pole every six feet, running under the coping at top, and straddling away nearly two feet at bottom. At two I'eet above the ground level, an auger hole is bored in tlie pole, and an oaken peg driven iu, the end left pro- jecting nine inches forwai'd, and when the canvass is lowered in the day, it hangs in folds on this line of pegs, this keeps it from contact with the damp soil. Every pole has a ring dangling from a staple close to tlie top ; and on the outer face a rope of sash-cordiug is attached to the edge of tlie canvass opposite each ring ; this being passed througli the ring from the under side, enables tlie operator to pull it up, or let it down, with ease. Thus, when the canvass is lowered, the wall is uncovered, and vice rersd. Now these rings and coi'ds will add to the exiieuse ; and since both are very durable, we may, perhaps, add another halfpenny ))er lineal yard to the amount, accounting the ropes to last nearly as long as the canvass. A still more complete plan is to hang the canvass like curtains, or after the manner of the covering to what are termed conservative walls ; and, doubtless, this ought neither to be thought too much trouble or too expensive. We cannot help tliiuking it a niggardly economy in any person to lay out some scores of pounds in building garden walls, and then to leave them at the mercy of all weathers for the lack of a few pounds more. Few, however, would do so, if they could be assured that the principle is good ; and we shall certainly do all we can to place the question on a proper basis, and to lead cur readers carefully to distinguish between the use and the ithiisc of this practice ; as also to place the culture of hardy fruits on so sure a basis that walls may be worth covering. | What is termed bunting is much used in the neigh- i bourhood of London, and is for the most part nailed down on the walls, and, therefore, not capable of daily removal. Having bad no experience in the use of this article, we cannot speak decisively about it; but we suspect that this or lUii/ other Jixcd covering, which pro- duces a faint and uniform shade, will never succeed so well as a moreitljle covering, or that which produces flickering rays, with now and then " fields " of light, as the spruce does when properly placed. Now it appears that next to a fair settlement of the question of covering or no covering, arises that oi fixed or vwreiilile coverings. Of course, the one must, on general principles, be better than the other ; exceptions there may be, but it is the principle or rule we have to deal with". The question, therefore, whether fixed cover- ing, or, in other words, shading, is right, has yet to be I decided by the gardening public. I'or our parts, we 1 have long since formed an opinion, based on practice, that flickering or shifting gleams of sunshine are of the utmost importance ; and tliat a.li.ved covering, producing the sort of [lale glare, which a farthing rushlight will^ furnish, is not the thing for developing the resources of the awakening blossom bud, which, being in an inchoate condition, requires actual sunliglit, at least at intervals, without an intervening medium. One of the principal charges, and cue of a grave cha- April 3,] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. racter, which has been made agamst the covering principle, is the fact, that fixed or mattened coverings " draw " the blossom bud ; that is to say, attenuate it, and by consequence produce vegetable debility. Now, it must be at once achnitted, that if any person taking a dry and abstracted view of the question, fastens down his pro- tecting material, and leaves all the rest to the chapter of accidents, minus the necessary attention, those " pro- tectionists," who recommend moveable coverings, ought by no means to be held responsible for the consequences. Before concluding this piece of advice concerning the protection of blossom, it behoves us to offer a necessary caution. We have before spoken of the retarding prin- ciple as an essential and indivisible portion of the gi'eat question of blossom protection. Let it be observed, however, that to retai'd in the end of January, and in the end of March, are two very difi'eront affairs. And why '? Simply because the advancing spring brings a much advanced average temperature ; and it is scarcely neces- sary to remind our readers that the inducements to " draw " are much greater at high temperatures than low ones. And here we fall within the regions of science — here the great matters of heat and liglit, not abstract- edly, but in their combined action, call for a consideration. The thorough elucidation of this, in a purely scientific point of view, must be left to enlarged views and faii'er opportunities ; we may merely add, that such is the case in practice ; and that he who covers heavily as late as March, simply on the itrotectire plan, will possibly find his labour wasted, and it may be, end his days in an unconverted state, carping at those crotchety fellows who persist in not only protecting, but retarding blossoms. In concluding this paper, let us importune our jury — a discerning public — to divest themselves of prejudice, and to begin by judging it as a mere common-sense matter. Let them take a lesson from every early goose- berry bush in yonder warm corner, wliere no blast can reach, and where every glimpse of sunshine is enjoyed. Or, if analogy is permissible, let them observe the fate of the poor honey-bee, put to bed hungry in October, and tempted by tlie cravings of an emjity stomach, by the first gleam of sjiring, to wander through devious tracks in search of the pale primrose, the crocus, or the tussilago. R. Ehuington. THE FLOWER-GARDEN. The Routine of the Season. — For the great bulk of cottage gardens, the beginning of April is not only the best time, but also the most convenient season to put tlie tlower-garden in order, and get the borders and beds ready for sowing seeds. '£\\e grass, if there be any, should be swept, rolled, and mown; the grarcl walks first scraped, to gather off all blacks, or other discoloured parts, then stirred with a hoe to loosen the surface a little, so that the rake may put it all level, and gather off large stones, that when it is rolled the whole will have a smooth hard surface. Then, and not till then, is the right time to give the walks a fresh appearance, if that is desirable, and one can afford to give them a very slight coat of fresh and finely-screened gTavel. It is a great waste to lay on a thick coat of gravel, for unless tlie new gravel is of a good bindinig quality tlie walk is not so firm after a thick coat of it is put on as when the surface is merely covered. Our walks here are as good as walks can be ; we have no stint of good gravel, and this is exactly the process we adopt with them every spring. When they are thus regulated they look all over the garden as if they were quite new, and yet they are as firm and as hard as if they had not been touched for years past. Nothing sets off a garden so well in the spring as really good and fresh looking walks, whether the garden be large or small. Where the proprietor of the garden is employed all day long at his calluig, and has to do all the garden- work early and late, the more economical way is to finish all the digging and wheeling first, and let the walks come in for the last part of the spring dressing. Flowers in general are great impoverishers of the soil, therefore it is a safe plan to add some compost to the borders and beds every season. One-half of this com- post should be very rotten dung, and the other half fi'om the rubbish-heap which every garden furnishes during the twelvemonths ; but fresh earth from banks, or com- mons, is still better than the best compost one can make. There is not a single bed or border in the flower-garden here but we dress after this manner every spring, and all the beds are emptied in three years. They are three spits, or spadesful, deep, and one spadeful is removed every year, and the same quantity of fresh earth and compost is added, and always on the top. Our top layer being thus fresh every season enables the young plants to gi-ow away, at first, with all the vigour that good gai'- dening is capable of giving them. When they are once established in good health, and their roots strike deeper in the beds, they meet with poorer soil, and the deeper they go the poorer it becomes, so that on oiu' dry soil the plants are never too leafy, and they flower pro- fusely to the last. Now the old plan, and the one more generally followed, is this : a coat of decayed dung, or of some compost, is laid on the beds as often as it is found necessary, and this is dug a spit deep ; or perhaps the bed is trenched, working the manure regularly throughout, but always leaving a surface of the old soil to set the plants ov sow the seeds in ; the seedUngs or young plants do not grow, at first, so strong or so fast in their bed of old soil as they would do if in a fresh compost — time is lost — but hy-and-by, as the roots get down to the manure, the plants grow too fast, produce many more and larger leaves than are essential to a good bloom ; and, if the situation is low and damp, by the middle of August we have more leaves than flowers, and when the garden ouglit to be in the height of its beauty eveiy thing looks weedy. This old-fashioned way we must abandon before we can hope to do much good. All the new stuff, what- ever it may be, or however slight the dressing, we must leave on the very surface. In other words, we must take a leaf from the farmer's book. His most precarious crop is the turnip, and he does not bury the muck for them, so that the roots cannot reach it for many weeks. No , he opens his drills, puts in the muck, closes them up as soon as he can, and runs the seed-machine depo- siting the seeds right over the muck, and very nearly in contact with it, so that as soon as it sprouts the roots are in the very midst of it, enabling his plants to grow away rapidly, so that neither fly or beetle can make head against them. That is the way they do it on the farm, and that is the way we must also do it, if we want to keep our head above water, and the way to do it is this ; say that our bed requires three inches of compost, then, first of all, remove three inches of the old sod from the top and wheel it on some border — the Dahlias, or Hollyhocks, or Phloxes, and, indeed, all the herbaceous plants may thus be annually refreshed. Favourite shrubs, or new trees, will come in for a share, and, if there is any to spare, make a heap of it for another time, or let it go to swell the compost-liea]) for next year-. At any rate out witli it from the best flower-bed ; then fork the rest of the bed as deep as your prongs will reach, and spread the three inches of good stufi' on the top, and pass on to the next and the next bed till you are all round ; when you come to a bed that produced more leaves and less flowers than you liked last year, do not fork that so deeply, remove more of the old soil, and put in cinder- ashes, lime-rubbish, or sand, or something very poor and porous instead, but let a little, if ever so small a quantity, of fresh stuff be put on the tO]), to encourage the young things at the first going off. Then enter tliis G THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [ApuiL 3. meraoraudiiin in the r,'ai'den-book — " 18-Jl. Floner-heds, top spit removed." 'rben iu 1852 you will know what you ai-e about. Wlien you begin the flower beds you will reserve the top spit, aud wheel away the second spit, and this time you need not dig the beds at all, but cast down the top spit as tlie second is cleared ott', aud the tVesli layer comes on the top as before. !Make a memorandum of tliis, and the tliird season the third or bottom part of the bed comes in for its turn to be removed; so that, as I have said belbre, your bed, or at least the greatest part of it, is renewed every three years ; and tlius one may go on for a life time with all the chances of success in a flower-garden, and with no more trouble or expense than at present with fits and starts. Our compost-heap for tliis annual dressing amounts to about two lumdred and fifty, or say three liundi-ed one- horse cart-loads, made up as follows : one hundred loads of any rougli earth, from banks, ditches, or waste places wliere alterations or im))rovements are going on about the farm or other ])arts about the park, or on the estate, near enough ; this is got in tlie winter. In the summer we burn a large quantity of clay for different purposes, and of this fifty loads go to the flower-garden heap ; all the primings of the shrubberies and the refuse old stalks from the garden we char, as Mr. Barnes advises; this gives us so many loads ; we then gather large quantities of leaves, for we uevei' bury one in the shrubberies, but dress them with the soil from the flower-beds; all the short grass aud sweepings from the garden, aud all the leaves, and stalks, and old plants from the beds in the autumn, go to the rubbish-heap ; and last of all, just at the tail of the corn harvest, we get twenty loads of half- rotten dung, and the whole is tiu'ned over. The diftereut materials are well mixed together, and the heap is turned twice afterwards dm-ing tlie winter ; the burnt clay is added by degrees, from July to September. When the heap, or any part of it, begins to smoke from the fer- mentation of fresh refuse, a layer of the burnt clay is thrown over it, which sucks up all the goodness as it rises ; or, more to the purpose, to fix the ammouiacal gas. Professor Way has found that raw clay keeps the goodness of liquid-manure, as it passes downwards, better than burnt clay, but there is no better fixer of the gaseous products than dry thirsty burnt clay. At any rate, there is no better thing for giving to fine flowers on a light soil over a dry bottom, aud working it as we do, one could hardly perceive, at the last turning of the heap, that there was any clay in it; and I am quite sure that without some such systematic course for keeping up the condition of a large garden, or a small one either, we should soon get into a muddle. Anxu.\ls.— All the hardy annuals, and many that are in the lists of half-hardy, may now be sown in the open ground. Cahforuian annuals, such as the Xeinopliillas, CulVumas, &c., that are sown the first week in April, will be iu bloom in June ; and those sown at the end of the month will not come into flower till the beginning of July. Almost all the annuals will trans- plant when they are a few inches high, so that they may be sown on a warm border, and put out when spring flowers are over by the beginning of ilay. China Asters and all the Mariyolds, and Tagctes, will do to be sown in the open border, if the soil and situation are warm aud dry. 1 never saw the marigolds come up from sell-sown seeds in the autumn, but the China Asters always do so here, and more especially if they be in peat or American beds, and yet tliey call them half-hardy. BiE.NNMAT.s. — Hever.al of the best of them will flower this autumn, if they are sown now. No one should be without a few Sweet Scabious in the autumn ; tlie best selections of them and of the annuals are in our former lists. Peeennials, — Any of these which come into bloom on this side jMidsummer, should not be disturbed after the first week or ten days in April. The middle and to the end of the month is a good time to transplant autumnal-flowering perennials, particularly the Asters, or Michaelmas Daisies, and it is a thousaud pities that they are so little cultivated. There were nearly thirty kinds of them in a garden where I was many years ago, but now I hardly know more than half a dozen sorts. Any oue, therefore, who may happen to know a good selection of the more dwarf kinds, would be doing real service in sending the names, heights, and colours to our pages. Cuttings. — -April is not a good time for out-door cut- tings in general, because everything is on the move now, and when a cutting makes new leaves as soon as it is planted it is almost sure to die for want of roots. Still, many of the bedding Bases that are pruned at this season would come from cuttings; and the more surely if put in behind a hedge or wall. This is the right time to put iu stout ei.ittiugs of the Gloire de Rosamene rose, to bed out this time next year. L.vvEiis of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, hardy Heaths, Daphne Cneorum, Laurustinus, Laurels, and almost all the evergi'eeus will do well, if the wood of last year is buried and fixed well in the ground any time this mouth, and this is the easiest way of increasing a good stock of them. Those that I have named require no tongueing, but merely to be laid as they are. All the va- riegated and the yellow-berried Hollg will root by layers, but require two years to make good rooted plauts; and if you twist the pait where the last year's growth began, it is better than tongueing them like carnations, at least it is the safest way, as the wood is brittle and may snap like glass if tongued. Graiting. — If the weather is fine and dry this is a pleasant way of propagation, and there is no end to the things that may be grafted. All the beautiful early Almonds, large and small, will gralt on the wild plum. The Caraganas, a set of beautiful shrubs, graft on C. arhoresceiis. The Cijtisus, and they are many, will all graft on the Laburnum. Cotoneasters will graft on young Mays or thorns, or on little apple stocks. ] have seen a young ash sapling eighteen feet high, and as straight as a fishing rod, taken up out of a grove, grafted with the Weeping ash iu a back shed, and then planted, aud it answered perfectly. The M'eeping labur- num is still a scarce plant, but it will graft on straight stems of the common one easy enough. The Weeping Sophora japonica is one of the handsomest plants we have; it will only do well on the upright Sophora. The best way to learn to graft is this : — go to a laurel- bush, and begin with branches about the size of the little finger, and as high as your breast, so that you can stand up while you are trying the experiment, bemg the easiest way for the back. ^Make an up cut two inches long ; tie the piece thus cut oft' to the same branch, and see that it fits by keeping the cut jiarts exactly to eaeli other : thus you learn fitting and tying ; after that take a ditierent shoot, and see if you can out that also, so as to fit the stock first cut. Whatever we graft on is called a stock. Now any plant that will graft at all will do so exactly like this laurel, as well as by any of the plans ever tried, when the stock and the graft are about the same size, and almost equally so though the stock be twice or three times the size of the graft. Jiut in this case we can only lit one side of the graft to oue side of the stock, and the covering of clay must be put on more carefully, to keep the air fi'om dry- ing the i)art of the stock not covered by the graft. Tongue aud crowu grafting, side grafting, and other modes have been explained akeady. 1). Beaton. April 3.] THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. THE EOSARY. Propagation. Bij Cuttings. — Whenever any one be- comes possessed of a beautiful flowering plant, he very properly desires to increase it, and in proportion to its facility of sending out roots from a small portion of the esteemed plant (which is usually called a cutting, but sometimes a dtp), he will be tempted to try his skill, and be pleased, if he is successful. Now, there are few plants of a woody texture that strike or tln'ow out roots more readily tlian the Rose, especially that class called the Chinn and the Tea-scvntnJ. Tlie Bourbons and Xoiscttes, also, strike readily, and so do the Hybrids of tliese classes. Neither need the cottager or the amateur deprive themselves of the pleasure of propagating their Roses in this way, though tliey may not have any con- venience but a shady border. We will, however, sup- pose, first, that every convenience for striking Roses by cuttings is within the reach of the cidtivator. Tliese conveniences are a pit heated with hot water, and a tan- bed to plunge the cutting-pots in. With this apparatus, and proper soil to put the cutting in, every one, or nearly so, ought to grow. The first tbing to do is to procure some good virgin loam, put it through a coarse sieve, and lay it up under shelter for a week or two to become moderately dry, then have the requisite number of pots, either new or clean-washed, ready, together with a quan- tity of broken potsherds for drainage. The best season to commence this operation is the mouth of either March or April. Cuttings should be made of last year's wood, cut into short lengths. If there is one bud below the soil with the leaf cut off, and another bud just above the soil with the leaf on it, the cutting is large enough. In iilanting the cuttings observe two things: first, to insert it nearly close up to the top ; and, secondly, to place it so that the leaves on it shall point inwards. But previously to making the cuttings, have the pots ready, by first draining them well, an operation we need not stop to describe, as it has been often dwelt upon in The Cottage G.irdenek. Ne.xt, flU the pots with the pure loam, and a covering of sand, water it gently, and let it stand to settle whilst yon are making the cuttings. Make no more at once than will fill one pot. Insert the cuttings in the manner above described round the edge of the pot, marking each kind in some way, either by number or name, so as to know tbem. ilake the soil firm about the end of each cutting, and fill up the holes made by each plantiug-stick with some more sand, give a gentle wateiing, and plunge the pots in the tan-bed, shade from bright sun, and water when the surface is dry. We shall give a list shortly of the kinds most suitable to be propagated by this method. T. Appleby. Prop.agating Roses. — I can well recollect the ex- citement, with which I watched the first cuttings I succeeded in rooting. They were inserted firmly in pots, were honoured with the window sill inside, morning, evening and night, but were diily ensconced beneath the table, that stood close to the window, whf never the sun's rays came round to them. Many a tickling of the inquisitive bump took place, Vjfore I could do anything to unravel the mystery of root- 'Ing; many a horse laugh was raised at my expense, when quietly placing my doubts before elder blue aprons, such a laugh as is often raised to cover the ignorance that strides in the assumption of superior wisdom. There were no cheap and easy methods of getting at knowledge then. One of the contributors to this work, was almost the only young gardener I had then heard of, who out of eight or nine shiUiugs, per week, would have (1 think the quarterly or monthly issue of) Loudon's Magazine. But with all the extra knowledge now dift'used, the striking from cuttings is just as exciting to new beginners as ever it was, and never will they feel more anxious as to the causes of success, than when they are achieving its pleasing results. Among other plants now demanding increase of numbers, the queen of flowers should not be neglected. All the China group, the Tea-scented, the Bourbons, the Noisettes, most of the perpetuals, and a great many of these with the prefix Jn/hrid as a handle to their name, may now, and for a few weeks to come, be struck by cuttings with great ease, if a little trouble only be incurred. This, with all the tender kinds, shoidd take place at the period when they receive their final pruning, as what is removed will often be valuable for this purpose. The first thing necessaiy, is nice stubby young shoots, proceeding from last year's wood, of from one and a half to three inches in length. The second, cutting these ofi' with a heel, close to the older wood; dressing them by removing the lower leaflets, and then allowing the base to dry for several hours, placing a little damp moss meanwhile on the to}ys of the cuttings ; and tliirdly, inserting these cuttings round the sides of pots, filled with light, sandy soil, well drained, and then plunging them in a mild hotbed; or fourthly, and this is better than the last; when numbers are to be provided for, make a slight hotbed, consisting of from twelve to eighteen inches of dung and leaves, to suit either hand lights or a small frame, with one or two sliding sashes ; place some rough soil over the manure, and then several inches of light, sandy material, terminating all with a sprinlding of sand and cliarcoal dust ; water, press down, allow the heat to rise a little, and then firmly insert the cuttings; syringe and shade in sunny weather, give air when warm, especially at night, tlie object being to have the extra hent, chiejti/ at the base of the eiUting ; pick oft' a decayed or damped leaf when necessary, and if due attention is paid, you will be rewarded in a few weeks with a number of plants, that if well treated will blow the same season. Many roses will strike root as cuttings, when thus slipped up close to last year's wood, when young, in this herbaceous looking state, that will not strike at all easily at any other time. We have, in our time, succeeded with almost every kind by this mode; but Provence, and Moss, and Scotch, were so bad to manage, that the little success we bad with them might well be termed a failure. R. Fish. GREENPIOUSE KED WINDOW GARDENING. gener.al management of greenhouse — [Continued from vol. V. p. 398). Time of Potting. — This, when necessaiy, should gene- rally be done after pruning, and when fresh growth has taken place. The reason for this is, that it is advisable never to give more checks to a plant at once than cannot be avoided. The cutting down is a check, the repotting or sinfting is another. Therefore, in both cases, we apply an extra stimulus for a short time immediately after, by keeping the plants closer and warmer. Some of our friends may wish to perform both operations at once, and thus save labour; but such wisdom will generally be foinid to be throwing away the pound to save the shilling. When cut down, or pruned, the energies in the stems, and unmutilated, untouched roots, are at once put forth in the production of fresh shoots. When these are formed and forming, and the ))lant is kept close for a time after shifting, fresh roots will soon he formed through their agency, upon the same prin- ciple that roots are protruded from a cutting of half- ripened wood under a band-glass. The time, mode, preparation, Ac, for potting have lately been referred to. Time for Cuttings. — Every family has its family pecu- liarities ; now we speak merely in general terms. I in- THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [April 3. stanced last week how tlie stem of the Pelargonium may he cut into pieces for cuttings. Many other soft-wooded, and hard-wooded plants, too, will succeed in the same manner, if you are content to give them time. Other tilings being equal, the older and harder the wood of the cutting, the longer will it bo in striking. The younger the wood is, pi'oWded it is just hard enough at the base to possess a sufficiency of organisable material, the sooner it will strike : if too soft and spongy it will rot and damp off; hence the general time for propagating I is I'egulated by the general time of pruning and fresh growth taking place. Small side shoots, from H to 3 inches in length, just getting firm at the base, cut to a point with a clean sharp knife, or taken off close to the older branch, and a few of the lower leaves removed, will succeed in the great ma,joiity of cases. It is desir- able to get them in in April or May, in the ease of slow growing jjlants, to have them estal)lished before winter. I iiave said so much on propagating, that I sliall merely specify a few requisites; 1st, clean pots; 2nd, secure drainage by an inverted small pot inside a larger one, or by crocks so as to fill it three-quarters full ; 3rd, jilace rough material or moss over the drainage to prevent the finer soil washing through it; 4th, cover it with an inch or so of sandy soil, similar to what the plants delight in, if a little charcoal is added all the better, finishing with a layer of pure sand, watering all well and then allowing it to drain before inserting the cuttings; 5th, insert the cuttings firmly, till the small holes made by tlie dibber with sand, dew all over with the fine rose of a watering pot, allow the foliage to become dry, place each pot under a bell-glass or anumber under a hand-light, and shade from the sun, either in a corner of the greenhouse, or better still in a close frame or pit without any artificial heat being applied, at least none before the cutting begins to swell at its base. Some things may have bottom heat at once, especially those tliat have been a little forced previously. Though sliade be indispensable, yet as much light as the cuttings will endure must be given, increasing the quantity gra- dually, I lately recommended conical instead of flat- headed glasses, and did the same thing many years ago. I perceive in a contemporary, tliat in a large celebrated establishment, the sujieriority of these has now been discovered. Sowing Seeds. — Tliis may be done at any time wlieu the seeds are thoroughly I'ipe. As it is of importance to have the seedlings potted off and established before winter, April and May are the best periods in several circumstances. Where tliere is no hotbed the latter period will be the best, and even then, for confining heat and moisture, the pot sliould be covered witli a bell- glass, or a square of glass laid over it. Where there is a hotbed, such as a cucumber frame, the seeds may be sown a month or six weeks earlier, and hardened off as soon as they are fairly up and potted off. In sowing any light sandy soil will do; for all fine hairy-rooted plants sandy peat is tlie best. Tlie pots should bo nearly as well drained as for cuttings, watered and allowed to drain before sowing, as the less water they have afterwards until tliey are up the better. Hard seeds tliat have been kept dry over the winter will vegetate all the sooner for being steeped several hours in warm water, say from 13" to 14°. In covering tlic seeds the thickness should be regulated by the si/e of the seeds. Hence, for very small dusty seeds, tlie surface of the fine soil should be made smooth, the seeds evenly scattered over it and sliglitly jiressed in, and then just dusted witli a little fine sand, but in unpractised liands it is safer to bo content witli tlie slight ju'essing in, with a clean round board having a nail in the centre to hold by, and then place a square of glass over tlie pot, witli moss or paper above to shade until vegetation has taken place. After Ireatmerd of Outtings and Seedlings. — This is almost identical. Neither cuttings nor seedlings, if at j all thick, will thrive long in the cutting and seedling pot. The sooner they are potted ofl' the better they will thrive. Before that, air must be given to prevent them damping; first at night ; next, night, morning, and evening ; and lastly, when roots are well formed, during the day removing the glasses altogether from the cut- tings : all this time, the little moisture necessary must be carefully given. The less it touches either the stems or leaves the better. When a little advanced, dust them overhead with a fine rose watering pot, or a syringe, but be careful to have the foliage dry before shutting up for the night. I am alluding to touchy things, and have previously shown that with the half-hardy and robust no such care is necessary. In potting oft' tender plants that are very small, tlu-ee or four may be put round the sides of a four-inch pot ; a strong growing one into such a pot at once. In every such potting, and every time that reshifting is necessary, a moist close atmosphere is of importance for a short time afterwards ; thus lessening, by means of shading and syringing, the evaporating processes until the roots have begun to work in the new soil, when air must be given, first gradually, and ultimately plentifully. Resting. — " Is there no rule by which we may at once know when and whether a plant wants resting?" No, not that I am aware of If there were, gardening would be so easy that it would lose the best of its interest, and thinking and inquiring gardeners would even be less valued than they now are. There is quite as much difterenoe among plants as there is among animals. The subject is too large to be dealt with ui a general way. A few glances will show this. There is a bulb that has flowered some time ago, its foliage is now beginning to turn yellow, and this tells you to give up the watering pot for the season. Alter being kept dry, and it begins to vegetate, it will thank you for fresh earth and "water. There is another plant that has Vieen kept growing freely until the flower-bud is formed on the points of the young shoot ; but tlie beauty and robust- ness of the flower depend upon that bud swelling slowly in a cool airij atmosphere. Here is a deciduous plant that blooms in summer ; when done flowering it is ex- posed to the full sun and air ; in winter it is kept cool and comparatively dry, and only excited into growth by the returning warmth" of spring. Other plants there are that bloom in winter and spring on shoots of the pre- vious summer's growth ; witness the Epiicris impressa, the fewer the shoots, the more beautiful the long wreaths of bloom, but only if these shoots are fidhj perfected, without that you may have fine looking shoots and no bloom on them. Therefore, by the end of July, we begin to think less of the .(/coici/ii; principle than of the maturing, and hence we cannot get a place too airy or sunny for them ; taking care, however, that the roots are not scorched. Except in such cases of winter flowering plants, it is advisable to give all plants a rest from low temperature in winter, as sturdy growth can only be secured by proportioning our heat to light. Little assimilation of i'resli matter takes place in dull weather in winter ; mere expansion by heat is not addi- tion, the less we liave of the former without the latter [ the better it will be. ! We hope these hints (far from satisfying ourselves) will not damp our correspondents ardour, but rather I engage them in the pleasing pursuit of knowing as much ' as possible of the plants they grow. With their little greenhouses they cannot do much with the plants de- scribed by Mr. Appleby, but for obtaining an insight into the principle of resting plants, &c., they will derive the greatest advantage irum studying those most excel- lent practical essays. ^' ' I!,. Fish. Apbil 3.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 9 HOTHOUSE DEPARTMENT. EXOTIC ORCHID ACE^. PLANTS THAT THRIVE WELL IN POTS — (Continued from p. 386). Epidendrusj selligeruji (Saddle lipped E.) ; Mexico. — Though uot very sliowy, this species is desirable ou account of its powerful perfume. The flowers are brownish with stripes of pink, numerously produced on long I'acemes. 21s. There is a variety witli a purple shade much hand- somer than the original species. 31s. Od. E. Skinnerii. See Barkeria Skinnerii. E. Stamfordianum (Lord Stamford's E.); Guatimala. — The flowers are jmle yellow with streaks and spots of rich brown. The iiowers, unlike the rest of the genus, spring from the base of the pseudo-bulbs. They emit a pleasant perfiune. The flowers are in branching panicles, and last a long time iu bloom. It is a very desirable species. Strong plants J,'2s. E. VERRUCOSUS (Warty E.) ; Me.tico. — The whole flower is of a pinky hue ; tlie sepals and petals are thinly spotted witli crimson, the lip is very thickly dotted with ths same colour. The flowers are nearly three inches across, and very fragrant. The flower stem is covered with limpid warty excrescences, hence its specific name. A very splendid species, but very rare. lOos. E. vitellinuji (Yolk-of-egg E.); Mexico. — Sepals and petals rich orange scarlet, the lip is of a bright golden yellow. The leaves and pseudo-bnlbs are of a milky green colour, by which the plant may be distinguished from all the genus except one species, E . (jlaucum. It is the most beautiful of the whole family. It was dis- covered by ]Mr. Hartweg, in Mexico, at an elevation of nine thousand feet above the level of the sea, conse- quently does not require the highest temperature of the Indian house. It is a truly desirable species. 42s. There is a variety known as E. riteUinmn major, a fine variety, with much larger and more numerous flowers. The whole plant, also, is larger and stronger. U3s. Culture. — Compost for them : rough ])ieces of fibrous peat and chopped sphagnum in equal parts, with about one-fourth added of broken potsherds and sm.all pieces of charcoal. In potting use plenty of drainage, the pot at least one-third full of broken potsherds, place a little moss over the drainage, and fill the pot to the rim with the compost well nii.xed; then place on it the plant, after clearing it of all dead roots, decayed leaves, dirt, and insects ; pack the compost neatly about the roots, round- ing it off so as to leave the plants on a little hillock iu the centre of the pot. Fix the plants firmly with short books to the round pseudo-bulb; sticks to the long- stemmed varieties. These plants generally begin to grow about March, and then is the time to pot them. All the species that are natives of Demarara and the West Indies require a higher temperature than those from the cooler regions of Mexico and Guatimala, yet the difference is not so much but they may be gi'own in one house. Those from the warmer regions in the warmest part, and the others in the coolest. During the time of growth the temperature should be 70° to 75° by day, and 00° to 6.5° by night. Whilst they are growing a moist atmosphere should be kept up, by having the paths, walls, and stages, almost constantly wet. The plants must be watered moderately at first, but more abundantly as the new pseudo-bulbs advance in size. Care must be taken that the water does not lodge in the hearts of the young leaves, especially during the night. They should also be gently syringed when growing, not with a driving force, but with a gentle shower as fine almost as dew sent gently through the very finest rosed syringe. When in flower tlie syringing must be withheld, as it would spot and spoil the beauty of the blooms. As soon as the bloom is over the syringing must be renewed till tlie simimer growth is perfected. This may be known by the full size of the pseudo-bulbs or stems, and an evident inclination they will shew to cease swelling or growing. As soon as this state is })erceived, the syringing and watering at the root must be gradually reduced. This will generally happen about the middle of September, and that is a proper season for the resting of these plants to commence. After that time no more water at the roots should be applied, or only given if the pseudo-bulbs appear to shrivel very much, and even then very little will be necessary to keep them plump and healthy. During this resting season the great care of the cultivator must be directed to keeping the roots from perishing through the winter. This can only be done by having them nearly dry, but not too much so, or they would witlier and perish. These may appear tedious particulars, but It is necess.ary, in order to bo successlul in the highest degree, to attend to the least minutiie in the points of culture, not only for orchids, but for every kind of flowers or plants. This is the winter treatment, which lasts till the end of February, and then recom- mences the growing and flowering season, or summer treatment above described. Eria. — This is a largish genus of not showy plants. Very few are worth the general grower's attention ; we shall only enumerate the following; Eria fi.oribunda (Many-flowered E.); Sincapore. — Sepals and petals white, delicately shaded with crimson; lip the same gi-ound colour with a margin of crimson spots. The flowers are produced on long pendant raoemeSj and are really pretty. 42s. E. LONuiLABRis (Loug-lippcd E.); Philippine Isles. — Sepals and petals white ; lip much lengthened, hence its specific name, with the same ground colour and beau- tiful tints of purple. 31s. Od. E. poLYURA (Many-tailed E.); Manilla. — This is a pretty species, with flowers like clear little bells tinged with pink ; the centre is rich purple and yellow. 4'2s. E. stellata (Starry E.) ; Java. — Flowers produced on long racemes rising from the base of the plant. They are of a straw colour spotted with reddish brown ; star- shaped, and rather pretty. 21s. Culture. — These plants are of easy culture, only re- quiring to be grown in the warmest heat of the Indian house, growing them fively during summer ; with a much less degree of heat and moisture iu winter, and potting them when they begin to gi'ow in the same compost as that described above for Ejndendrmns. Edlophia Guineensis (Guinea E.) ; Sierra I,eoue — Sepals and petals brownish green ; the lip light pink, slightly streaked with purple. It is a handsome species. 31s. 6d. This is a small genus of orchids, chiefly terrestrial. The only one worth growing is the above species. It requires a compost of turfy loam, filirous peat, and half- decayed leaf-mould, well mixed with a little river sand. Pot the bulbs in February iu tliis mixture, draining them well, and place the bulbs so as to be just covered with the soil, and level with the rim of the pot. Give a gentle waterhig to settle the earth about the bulbs, and place them iu a heat by day of 70° to 70°, by night of 60'-^ to 05°. As they advance in growth, give mode- rate sujiplies of water till the new bulbs are freely formed, tlien gradually lessen the supply, and when the leaves turn yellow withhold it altogether, and place them in a house the temjicrature of which does not exceed 00° by day, and 05° by night. This season of rest ought to be begun in September, and continued to the time of repotting in February. Witli this manage- ment carefully followed up, this beautiful plant will grow well and flower finely. Galeandra Bauerii (Mr. Bauer's G.) ; Mexico. — 10 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [Apbti. .■?. Sepals and petals brown streaked with pale purple ; lip rich purple streaked with shades of pale yellow. A very pretty species. The flower stem rises and droops fioni near the top of the pseudo-bulbs. In large strong plants each spike produces frequently as many as from ten to twelve flowers. The colours will be much heiglitened if the plant is well exposed to the light. ;Us. 6d. G. ORisT.\T.\ (Crested G.) ; Cayenne. — Sepals and petals white ; labellum, or lip, purple, and of a cnrious lozenge shape ; pretty but rare. lO-'is. G. Devonianuji (Duke of Devonshire's G.); Rio Negro. — Sepals and petals brownish orange; lip large and showy, ground colour lilac shaded with white and yellow, with well defined dark purple stripes. When the plant is healthy and strong the stems are large and round, producing long leaves, gracefully drooping from amongst which the flower stems rise, having ou each several of their truly beautiful flowers. This is the handsomest species of this handsome genus, but is very rare. 2l0s. Culture. — Though this genus is a smaU one, the plants in it are worthy of every care. Being natives of the warmest parts of South America, tliey require, when growing, a high temperature : 75° to S5° by day, and 70° by night, with a moderate supply of water at the root. 'J'he usual compost of turfy peat and chopped sphagnum, in the proportion of two of the former and one of the latter, suits them well. Pot them high, that is, let each plant stand elevated about two inches above the level of the rim of the pot, tlie compost gradually sloping down rather within its edge ; thus leaving each plant on a little hill in the centre. By this mode the water will never lodge about the base of the young shoots, hut will run down to the edge of the pot, and sink down to the ample drainage, and escape without doing any injury to the young and tender shoots. undauce of excellent honey to dispose of. AH his ways are old-maidisii and methodical ; it is wonderful how soon that way comes on witli single people. His little cottage could not be cleaner if he possessed the best house- maid in the land; and on his return from work, lie liglits his fire, prepares his supper, looks after his household matters, and sits down to his lonely meal with as much order and propriety as if he had a family round him ; nay, perhaps more so, because all his little tidy ways are undisturbed. We have gone in more than once when he has been taking his evening meal; and we could not help smiling at the scene. His cup and saucer, and knives, and plates, and table cloth were so clean 1 He was sitting so iieacefully in his single blessed, or HH-blessedness, the fried bacon looked so delicate, and smelt so good, and the loaf of hmne-huked bread seemed so sv.eet and wholesome, that we could not help saying when we came away, " Certainly M does seem the happiest and cleanest man in the neighbourhood." Yes ; he bakes his own bread, and makes it witli his own hand. He makes some common preserves too, when his fruit is plentiful; and I daresay he mends his own clothes, for he is very neat-handed, and looks better clothed than any of his neighbours, althoug'i he is but a day labourer. He rents a field, and cultivates it carefully, and never is he seen tipsy or idle. He is always busy doing something at liis leisure hours, and his ready smile bespeaks contentment, ilany a cottager may learn a useful lesson from John M . My sister was once in trouble about a swarm of bees, which had left the hive when no eliicient person was at hand, and she sent iii a hurry for JI ■ to come and secure them. He came; and effected the operation neatly and cleverly, and with all his little old-maidisms about him. He brought his own veil and his own gloves, and packed himself up for the undertaking, just like one who liad no one else to take care of him, and had been used to look after himself all his life long. While youth and licalth remain this is all veiy well. It is of the other. We pass through the empty, untidy, desolate garden of poor JIartin, in which stands, here and there, a half-blighted, straggling apple tree, lea\ing behind us a cottage, whose aspect alone, is enough to send a man, who has no right principle in him, to the beer-house ; and then a little wicket admits us to a bowery garden, in a sort of a gentle dell, ,/'«/; of all that a garden should contain; with a clean door way, and frontage to the cottage ; no litter, no dirty pans and buckets, but everytiiing in order ; and the Uttle box-edged walks leading in different directions, in- viting a walk to the flower beds or the bees. JM once took in a man and his wife as lodgers, but that system, I fancy, did not w-ork well, for John JI and his loilgers soon parted, and he has wisely maintained his own rights and privileges ever since. I am sorry to think that this quiet liouse-holder will, in time, grow old and dependant. It is all very well now; but he will, by and by, wish he had some one to care for him, and lead his feeble steps into sunny places, or play round i him, as he sits to enjoy the sweet ever-refreshing air. A steady, stirring wife, and well-taught children, would make him happier, and more useful to liis country. H e would be training up sons and daughters to till the soil, or hght for their country's cause ; and happiness is promised to him as the father of a family. But the lilessing, the special blessin;) is reserved for the man " that feareth the Lord." His children oiili/, are to he as " olive plants round about his table." Let the labourer, ' the cottage gardener,' and the ' amateur ' too, remember this : Unless a man /'ears God, his children may be but blighted branches. To inherit the blessing, he must be qualified for it; therefore, to fear and love Him who created and redeemed us, is to be happy here as well as hereafter, to bring down a blessing upon oiu" childi'en, and oiu' children's children, and to " see the peace upon Israel." In this sense, tlie poorest man may be a benefactor to his country; and his prayers and example may do immeasm-able good, far beyond the limits of his humble sphere. Promising children, and a happy home ai'e good; but the favour and blessing of the Lord are better. WINTER TREATMENT OF BEE-HIVES— 1850-18.51. ( Frosty and still weather, late, after dusk, or very early in the morning, is the best time for wintering bees ; but cai'e must be taken not to shake or knock the hive in the least degree. They would do no harm if buried even in October, but it would, perhaps, be well to defer it till after the icy season is over. It is recommended that, if possible, a amusing to observe the qiuet contentment, and methodical i thorough system of ventilation be adopted, whether by ways of one who is not yet qiute an old bachelor; but when j means of a tube, according to Dr. Bevan's plan, or other- age and sickness arrive, as they will some day, I often think ! wise. In Jlr. Richardson's shilling book on bees, will be poor M will foel a solitary, uncared-for beiug. Even ! foimd mention of a very good jilan, i.e., resting the hives on now he has no higher object in life, than to make provision | a long frame of wood, so elevated from tlie floor or stone as for his own wants. He has no one to work for, no one to ■ tliat tliere may be a current of aii' underneath, and covered quicken his labours, no one whose future good he is anxious 1 with plates of perforated zinc for tlie hives to stand on. Any to secure. An old bachelor has no interest in life, all dies | number of hives of straw or wood might be ranged side by with liiiii ; and his latter days are generally passed as a ; side on such a frame ; the wdiole to be covered to some lodger, in some cottage, without a creature to love and , depth with leaves or cinders, the dust being removed as well cherish him, and nut even a fireside nook to call his own. as the smaller stones. Tliis seems the best plan of all, but The vision my fancy conjures up for poor JI 's latter i tliey would probably cat more than is desirable ; therefore, days, is an asylum in the cottage of his dirty sister, Mrs. it would be well to try every other practicable plan. If JIartin, of whom I have already spoken. Jlartin's garden, \ buried in tlie south, there should be no clay bottom, but a and that of John JI open into each other, and the two : stony or gravelly substructure of some depth, whether arti- plots of ground are only less iiulike one another, than are i ficially formed or otherwise. Also the hives slionld be the brother and sister. I cannot imagine a more sti-iking | thickly covered and tightly bound by a rope of straw. It is contrast than there is between all that belongs to these ■[ not recommended to use leaves, from then- heating and rot- 12 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [Apbii. 3. ting tendency, excepting when yhvj diy and under a shed. Wherever they are placed, let the hives he free from concus- sions and distiu'bance of every kind. The best time for dis- interment is as late in the season as possible. Not earlier than settled mild weather in April, and on a day sunny and warm thromjhout, as far as can be conjectured. — A Countky CrilATE.) Such were the directions sent out in the autumn, and the results begin to arrive. J. W. Knight, Esq., "Weston Favell, Northampton, sends the following : — jer of hives description lem ; whe- s warms, , old hives, preserved ible age of n. Has she led off a m? her buriedl tie ground,! n leaves, on rwise, and hat depth ? method of ilation, if was had re- se to? of inter-] t, and statej eather. ht of each' on inter- t ; contents as far as d be ascer- cd. 5 SJ c is -a O ^ £.5 ht of con- s on disin- cnt. Further observations. Num and of t ther cast or bees Whe in t or i othe at w S a s^3 |S o Weig hive men onl; cou tain pi One ; a late The queen Ground Half, inch 20th 74 Ills- GraveliMild. 20th Good; Bees U 5^ lbs. Bees dead. A large cast, to found 2 ft. from pipe from Decem- The cast being under . March very Comb i portion dead some- which bees among the top of hive entrance. ber, purchased in the shed. ' 1815. dry. — time. Queen and from a stock dead bees to surface 1850. hive. I could not North S a few bees around hud been was a tine of ground. Frosty. tell the exact Not a her appeared not to united. one. weight of con- tents. It was thought at the time of burial to be 9 lbs. ; on weighing the hive afterwards, the above was found to be cor- rect. drop of honey was found in any of the combs. have been long dead. Four hives, not bu- ried, lost from 1st December to let March, 3 months, 4^73. 4i, 4?, or5lb. 6oz. each. The re- sult of the experi- ment will not induce me again to try it, as the consumption equals that of bees not buried. I in- duced a cottager to place a hive (two casts united) under the roof of his cot- tage to the north. They were placed there the last week in December, and • taken away the first j week in February, and in forty days lost 10 nz. 1 TO CORRESPONDENTS. •** We request that no one will write to the departmental writers of The Cottage Gardener. It gives them unjustifiable trouble and expense. All communications should be addressed " To the Editor of The Cottage Gttvdener, 2, Amen, Corner, Paternoster Row, London.^* Glaziers' Charges (fief. J. S.). — We think them very high ; but you can judge for yourself if you consult the prices given in some of our advertisements. Farming Directions (Z(.). — If the duty were ofFpaper, so that we eould increase the number of our pages, we should have room for carry- ing out your suggestions. Garden Plan, &c. {W. J. M.). — Vour plan is very good. Anoint your cow's teats with common lard. Cows, if kept clean, are not a nuisance. Fleas in Hen's Nests {W.A.E.). — Let your box-nests be well scrubbed with soap and cold water, and then lime-washed. Are you sure that your hen-house is not likewise infected? Raisin Wine. — Take some Smyrna raisins, six pounds to the gallon. Let them infuse twelve days, stirring them well two or three times a day. Press the fruit in a hair bag in a wine or cider press. Tun it and fill up as it sinks from the fermentation. In a fortnight or three weeks it may be stopped close. Forced Sweet Peas {M.C.E.). — There is a peculiar variety fitted for forcing gently, and blooming in pots moderately early. There is no peculiar treatment reciuired. Sow them thinly in pots four and a half inches wide, and when they are about three or four inches high, trans- plant them, with the ball entire, into six-inch wide pots ; grow slowly. Use rich light soil, and water freely when the plants are a foot high till they flower. Place three feet high twiggy sticks to them, dressed up neatly, so as to form compact plants. Any London seedsman would fur- nish you with the right variety, as well as the seed of that pretty plant Saponaria culabrira. If you fail in obtaining them, write to flir. Ap- pleby. Pine-apple Place Nursery, Edgeware Road. Various Queries (Percy A. liebonl). — We cannot make out by your description what your first plant can be, you call it an Acacia, with flowers like a Chamomile, Such an Acacia wc never saw or heard of. Pray send a small branch with a flower, if possible. By your description of your second plant, wc think it must be Aloe margaritacea, the Pearl Aloe, but we cannot be sure without a specimen. Your rose-tree is covered with insects fwhat kind?] and you ask if smearing it with sweet oil would injure it. We judge it would. We have seen apple-trees quite killed by painting them with oil to kill the mealy bug. A safer and cer- tain remedy, if your tree is infested with white scale, is to wash the entire tree with strong soap-watxir, made in the proportion of one pound of the coarsest brown soap dissolved in five gallons of hot water, to be applied moderately warm, about 9 Q'^. Verbena Seed Sowing (Guillautne). — Any light sandy soil, with a little leaf-mould, will do. Only slightly cover the seeds, and place the pot or pan in a hotbed. We cannot see why yours did not come up if the seed was genuine. Azalea anu Rhododendron Seed (/6(rf}. — Sow in shallow pans or pots, filled with peaty soil, somewhat rough, 'to within one inch of the top, which inch should be filled with finer; water them well, and allow them to drain ; press down their surface gently with a round board ; then scatter the seeds regularly ; dust over with a very little fine sandy heath mould ; press again gently, and keep the pans in a close dark frame or pit shaded, and if there is a little heat, all the better. When the plants can be handled, prick them out into other pans, keep them close, and expose to the open air gradually. Sow now. You must cal- culate upon several years elapsing before you get flowering plants. Abronia u:\ibellata {Ibid). — This may bloom the first season from seed, if you sow it early in a hotbed. Erratum at foot of page 352, vol. iv. — Mr. Fish noticed this at the time. It is merely a misprint, and the contents almost sufficiently cor- rects it. The Lantana SalluwH will not be luxuriant unless in peaty or heath soil. Epacris Plant (Prester John). — The points drooping, if not the result of being dry, we can scarcely resolve the question, unless it be owing to bright sunshine after dull weather. Perhaps, however, it is dying. Examine its stem at the bottom, they generally decay there first. If not, to be sure your plant is watered, set it in a tub to soak, and then shade a little. Cutting Down Epacris {Ibid). — You must not cut to the surface of the pot, but only to the surface of the base, say an inch from it of the last year's shoots. Azalea macrantha PURPfREA (L J'.).— We should say, from the appearance of the half-dead leaves, that the plant is in rather too large a pot, the temperature too low, and the thrips have been very busy. Sy- ringing with clear soot water and very weak tea, made from laurel leaves, will help to stay their ravages ; but your chief means of safety consist in giving the plant a higher temperature and using the syringe freely. When you use the soot or laurel water, lay the plant down, that it roar not have its soil saturated. The high temperature and moisture will cause most of the leaves to fall, but you will have fresh ones, which you must endeavour to keep clear of such almost imperceptible vermin. Neridm oleander (/iirf).— The treatment has often been given. You are quite wrong ; when growing, it can scarcely have too much water, and it will stand the highest temperature you can give it in the green- house ; rich soil. The shoots made this year, if matured, will bloom the next. Cliantiids puniceus I a Linwr of Fer7is). — This should not be cut down late in the autumn, but when it has done flowering. Under the best management in a pot, it ie generally short-lived. As it propagates Apbil 3. 1 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 13 SO freely, and grows so quickly, it is best to have younj plants, as from their vigour, they are less subject to the red spider. We have had flower- ing plants four or live feet in height, a twelve month from the cutting, but they never rested, unless for a short time in winter, when they were kept cool and dry, and they were managed, after being once potted, on the one-shift system. Old plants should not V>e too much cut down ; but even then young plants will always easily beat them. \\'ell-drained peat and loam suits it. A rather close atmosphere for the plants when young, and plenty of the syringe ; exposing them fully to the air, before autumn, that the wood may be hardened. Allotment Fariming (Jfiid). — These papers cannot be purchased in a separate form. Preventing Swarming (C. A.).~" When does Mr. Paj'ne re- commend the small hives to be put on ; and is it necessary to put on more than one at a time on each hive, to keep them from swarming? " Put the first small hive on at the end of April, or beginning of May, and when partially filled, place the second one between it and the stock ; the adopting board should always be used, and in very hot weater, during swarming time, ventilation should be attended to ; perhaps the easiest and most effectual method is to put three pieces of sheet lead between the adapter and the small hive ; it gives a little opening, but not sufficient for a bee to pass. Fa>-cv Genaniums {Ladjf'bird).—'V\v&\Q are more than one fancy geranium called Nosegay, but they arc all very fit for beds, as far as their constitution and flowering go. They are good bedders, but not gay or rich bedders. Lndy Mary Fox will mix with Diadematum, but not with Unique. There is only one, and that not a free flower, which will do with Unique, it is called Moon's Defiance. If all birds would utter such brief notes, and so much to the point, as Lady-bird, there would be little cause for "obduracy." Warning to Bee-keepers (Sif^ma).—'^ I bought a swarm in May last ; in about a fortnight after they were hived in one of Payne's Cottage Hives. I placed a ten pound glass on the top ; when that was filled, or nearly so, I raised it up, and placed a small hive between the stock-hive and the glass. When the glass was quite full, I removed it, and used the honey. The small hive I left on the top of the stock-hive even till January, when it was empty of honey; being determined that my bees should have even too much honey for their winter supply, rather than stand the chance of losing my first swarm through over greediness on my own part. I placed a board before the entrance of the hive, to keep the winter sun otf it, so as not to tempt out the bees. Thinking the bees were so well provided for with winter food, I only fed them once or twice before Christmas, until the end of January, when I began to feed. I filled my feeder with sugared water, but I did not find that many bees came into it, and, therefore, I thought the swarm had plenty to eat, and did not want it. About a fortnight ago, at the beginning of March, I discovered that all my bees were dead. On opening the hive, I found all the combs empty, except about twenty cells. Why have I failed?*' You should have weighed your stock of bees in the autumn, after taking the glass of honey, and if it had not 18 or 20 lbs. of honey in store, it should have been made up to that weight by feeding, as recommended a""ain and again in The Cottage Gardener. Sugared water has never been recommended as bee-food ; if that, and that only was given them, the disease you mention must not be wondered at. The best liquid food is 1 lb. of lump sugar, ^ pint of water, and 4 ounces of honey, boiled for two minutes ; and the best solid food is barley-sugar. Names ok Plants [Merioneth). — 1. Fuchsia strratifolia. 2. Fuchsia Chandlerii, we think. 3. Miss Lawrence's Rose {Rosa Lawrenceana). A.BiUardiera heteropkylla,no-n' called Sollya heterophylla. 5. kn Acacia, but impossible to say which from such a specimen. (Lavinia). We believe, from the leaves sent, that yours is Crassula obvalluta, or House- leek-leaved Crassula. Not desirable in a good collection. Soil for it, a mixture of sandy loam, old mortar, brick-bats broken up into small pieces, and the pots should be well drained; the plants should be kept upon a dry shelf in the greenhouse, as near the glass as convenient, and have but little water during the winter months ; but as the growing season advances, of course a little more water must be given. Hartley's Rough Plate-glass. — Amongst many other testimonials in its favour, Messrs. Phillips and Co., Il6, Bishopsgate-street, have received the following from N. Hibbert, Esq., Munden House, Watford : " As far as my experience has yet gone, your patent rough plate-glass, which I have used in my greenhouse and vinery, answers very well ; and, nothwithstanding its want of transparency, there is more light in the house than before. ... I observed no burning of the plants, neither did my gardener." Circular Pond. — A correspondent, Rlr. W. 3. Ayrton. The Harehills, Leeds, says that "for the ' large circular pond,' mentioned at p. .'^26 of our last volume, nothing \vill be better than Periwinkle, blue and white ; also, London Pride will answer, but it does not wear so bright a green in winter as the Periwinkle." Suggestion [A. B., Carlisle). — Thanks; we will endeavour to carry out your suggestion next week. Bones {E. F. M.). — These will not dissolve in sulphuric acid unless broken ; a boy \vith a heavy hammer would soon break them into two- inch pieces, which would be small enough. I'2arly Horn Carrots {Ibid). — \A'e have had a good crop of these sown in the middle of June, after Walnut -leaved kidney Potatoes, though ! not so large as those sown earlier. Do not transplant them. Garden Implements {Rei:. J. F. B.). — We will endeavour to meet your wishes, but will wait until we see what is exhibited in Hyde Park and \\'indsor Park this year. Syringing Vines {M. R. C. S.). — You may syringe them with great benefit whilst breaking, and until the blossom opens ; afterwards it is best to have the air moistened, when needed, by wetting the paths. Gravel Splashes. — D. suggests that" the splashing of gravel against a house may be prevented by a simple method, and not the least expen- sive, by laying a border of about two or three feet wide, and about two or three ir.ehes deep of graocl washed, so that nothing but the small stones remain, similar to the sea-beach shingle. No splash can come from gravel so prepared. The gravel or stones can be sifted to obtain all about one size. There will be no difference in appearance when laid down of gravel proper and the same so prepared. One man would pre- pare sufficient for a large house iu a couple of days." Bee FuMiG.iTOR. — A Recent Subscriber says, *' I shall be glad to know, through the kindness of your correspondent B. B., what size and shape his fumigating lamp is made : whether it is fixed in the nozzle of the bellows ; when used ; and what kind of fungus he uses ; also about what time of the day he likes best to operate on the Hivites ? " Gooseberry Insects (J. 5., B«r^).— What do you mean by Insects? Green-fly, or caterpillars, or Saw-fly? Be more precise. Your Pear- tree shoots die of canker — it may be from old age, or it may be from the roots descending into a wet soil ; — state particulars, for we are not gifted with clairvoyance. Rose Cuttings (,3Iinnie). — You will have in our pages to-day the information you seek. Azalea Indica and Carnation Seed (P. A. M.). — Apply to any of the principal seedsmen who advertise in our columns. They will send the seeds by post. Meli lotus leucantha Seed {R. A.). — Wethink the only difference in the samples is that one is better than the other. We say we think, because there is so much similarity in the seeds of many of the Melilots that no one can discern a difference. Top-knots of Poland Fowls (Ijicubatnr). — Wash them with warm water and soap. We believe any respectable person may see the Royal Poultry House at the Home Farm, Windsor. Sell your fowls to a dealer, without advertising. Fertilizing Powder C^. U. F.). — Be assured it is all a quack. No powder applied in homccopathic quantities enveloping the seed can by possibility afford sufficient manure for the future. The quintessence of guano would not do it, if such a preparation could be made. English Fbontiniac (Sliss G.). — To six gallons of water put three full pints of elder flowers picked clean from the stalks ; boil it rather more than quarter of an hour ; strain it off; then put the decoction on the fire again, adding 18 lbs. of lump sugar : boil it and strain it well. When nearly cold, put in the juice of six lemons, and the rind thinly pared, with tilbs. of raisins stoned, and a little good yeast. Beat it up as it works ; in two or three days put it into the cask, and as soon as the fermentation begins to subside stop it up. Bottle in six months, and in doing so put into each bottle a dessert spoonful of brandy. Raisin Wine {Ethelreda). — To every gallon of cold water add seven pounds of Malaga and Smyrna raisins, let it stand sixteen days, press it off, and put it into a cask, let it stand open four months with some paper over the bunghole to keep out the dust, then add half a pint of brandy to every gallon ; draw it ofl" in a fresh cask before adding the brandy. Grape Wine. — Take six pecks of grapes, pick them from the stalks, put them in a tub and just break them with your hand, then add four gallons of water, let it stand three days, then break the grapes well, then drain through a sieve into a tub, measure it to sec what more you want to make up nine gallons, well bruise the grapes in the sieve adding the water required, and let it stand twenty-four hours, strain it off again, then put it into a cask with thirty pounds of loaf sugar, keep stirring it and filling it up as long as it keeps working, then bung it down and let it stand eighteen months, after which bottle it, first rincing the bottles with a little brandy. If the grapes are not ripe, put four pounds more of sugar. Orange Wine. — Take twelve Seville oranges, one lemon, and three pounds and a half of loaf sugar to the gallon. Boil the sugar and water twenty minutes, and clarify with the white of an egg beat very fine, one white to every three gallons; put it into a tub and let it stand till it is as cool as new milk, then put the juice of your oranges and lemons, and one-third of the peels pared very thin, pour the juice through a cheese cloth, which leave with the pulp and pips, and tie loosely and hang it on a stick across the tub, so th:it it remains in the wine in the cheese cloth, for should the pulp mix with the wine you will not be able to clear it again ; let it stand two days in the tub, and then put it into your cask ; in about a week put one pint of brandy to every ten gallons of wine, and let it stand about three more weeks before you stop it up. London: Printed by Harry Wooldridgk, Winchester High-street, in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William Somerville Orr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.— April 3rd, 1861. THE COTTAGE GARDENER— ADVERTISEMENTS. mHE DAMP8HA MELON (vide ! JL Gardeners'' Magazine of Botany, p. 45). | This splendid Melon, the fruit of which will i keep for three months after it is quite ripe, re quires little heat, and will produce a heavy and fine flavoured crop. 2s 6d per packet. Campanula ViD A LI I, a new shrubby species from the Azores; suitable for bedding, with white flowers, and perfectly distinct. 3s 6d per packet. Digitalis purpurea superba, or Double Foxglove, very distinct. Is per packet. Stocks, six superb kinds, home saved. 2s the set. Larkspur, sis superb kinds, home saved. 2s the set. Calceolaria, from splendid kinds. 2s 6d per packet. Ipomea rubra cerulea (true). Is per packet. Balsam, White and Purple Camellia, very fine. Is per packet each. Ditto, mixed, fid per packet. VEGETABLE SEEDS. Snow's Winter White Brocoli, from John Snow, and warranted true. 2s per packet. Walciieren Cauliflower, or Brocoli, the true dwarf. 2s per packet. Cape Brocoli, very choice and superb. Is per packet. Brocolis, the eight best for succession throutjh the season. A packet of each, in- cluding the above, "s 6d. Brussels Sprouts, very choice, home saved. Is per packet. Ibiperial Green Paris Cos Lettuce, from the Azores, grows to the weight of 5 lb. ; a splendid summer kind. Is per packet. The Negro Potato (vide Cottage Gar- de7ier, p. 3ti2).— " We know the Negro Potato well, and we enter fully into your pleasant re- membrance of the great balls of sparkling flour, looking as if some currant juice had been thrown over them, and then been sprinkled with snow." A few bushels, in peck bags, at 2s per peck. A fine collection of Greenhouse Plants, Heaths, Azaleas, Fancy Pelargoniums, Chry- santhemums, Bedding Plants, &c., at reason- able prices. \VM. P. AYRES, Nurseryman, &c., Black- heath, Kent. Post-office Orders payable at Greenwich. ■\TEW VALUABLE ELOWER IN SEEDS. PoRTULACA NOVA ROSEA. New Rosc Va- riety, very handsome, Is per packet. Ipomea Ql'a:moclit alda. Half-hardy, Is per packet. ,, BuRRiDGii. Splendid hardy, 6d per packet. Saponaria Calabrica. Variety multiflora, 6d per pacUet. No giirden should be without this most valuable annual. RIartynia angularis. New and hand- some, (id per packet. Gloxinia. Hybridized by a first-rate grower. Is per packet. Calendrima umiikllata. New and hand- some half-hardy annual, Is per packet. A few packets of Lisi ANT iiDS Kusselliana, l3 per packet. Tropieolum speciosom. Very handsome, Is per packet. DUNCAN HAIRS' object in selecting the above fe-v Seeds from his collection, is to draw the particular attention of those who are fond of Novelty and Beauty. D. H. prides himself on having some first-r.ite Seeds of Florists' Flowers, viz.. Calceolaria, Cineraria, Hearts- ease, Dahlia, Vcrhena, Carnation, Pink, CocUs- comb. &c., &c,, in 6d and Is packets. German Stocks and Asters, in Collec- tions, 2s to 5s. 1 09, St. Mil rtMs Lane, Charing Cross, London. Catalogues, per post, free, pUllVKYOll to her MAJESTY, X and the King ai' the Nktiierlands. JOHN JJMLV, li:t, Mount-street, Grosvenor- 8C[uare, Lumlon. Dealer in all sorts of useful and ornamental Poultry, Wild and Tame Phea- Bants, Domi-sticated Wild Ftiwl, Fancy Fowls' eggs for setting. Bail^'s llegistered Poultry and Pheasant Fountain, to ensure a constant supply of clean water for Gallinaceous Birds, especially adapted for ('hickens, Pheasants, Poults, Pigeons, &c. ; by its use, man^ of the diseases to which the«e birds are subject, are avoided, as, although there is an ample supply of water, they cann(jt get into it. 14 quarts, 178 Gd ; 7 (luartR, I.'ts fid; 3 fjuarts, liJs (id. Particulars, with a drawing, turvvarded, per post, on application. ^ s. a. 1 8 0 1 2 6 I 15 0 1 6 0 pRASS SEEDS. Finest I.AWN GRASS SEEDS, reifectly free from VJ Weeds and Coarse Grasses, 2Is per bushel, 38 per gallon, or Is 3d per pound, with instructions. To insure a pure Turf of finest Dwarf Grasses, Blessrs. SUTTON strongly recommend the sowing the above Seeds, whereby the great expense of cutting, carting, and laying Turves may be avoided. PERMANENT PASTURE GRASSES, mixed expressly to suit the soil for which they are required, at the reduced prices of 22s 6d, to 2Ss per acre, viz.: — Best Mixtures, for laying down Land to Permanent Sleadow or Upland Pasture, per acre . . . . . . . . . . . . Ditto, for laying down Reclaimed Marshes and Common Inclosures, per acre Ditto, for fine Park Lands, near mansions, per acre Ditto, for Irrigation or Water Meadow, per acre .. Sutton's Renovating Mixture, consisting of Perennial Clovers and fine Grasses, for im- proving old Parks, Meadows, and Upland Pastures. JOHN SUTTON and SONS having reduced the price of these Seeds 25 per cent., viz., to lOd per If}., or Is 6rf per g'dlon, great impruvemcnt in Pastures, Sfc, may be ejected at a small cost, by the application of 6 or 8 it/s. per acre, soivn immediately upon the old Turf. We are almost daily receiving, unsolicited, the most gratifying letters from our customers, in praise of our Seeds; and though we refrain from publishing nnines unnecessarily, we have much satisfaction in quoting the following : — From a Member of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society. — " Messrs. Sutton,- — I was particularly pleased with your Grass Seed, which I employed by itself, for laying down some fresh brokcn-up Land. It became a close fine sward by August. I have now about 30 acres of land to sow immediately, &c., Aic, and shall be glad of your advice for the purpose." From the Land Agent at a large Estate in Hampshire. — " All the kinds of Grasses sown sepa- rately grew admirably, and the 20 acres of Park laid down with your Mi.rture last spring is most excellent. We are anticipating a large crop of Hay, and I can see, by the various habits and successional growths of the several kinds, that we shall always have a fresh growing bite for the cattle after the Hay is cut. The Clovers, too, I see, arc plentiful." From a Clergyman, an eminent Agriculturist and Mc7nbfr of the Royal Agricultural Society. — " I have had the pleasure of praising your Seeds in many quarters beside that to which you refer. This I have done from a sense of justice only." Another Clergyman writes us — " My Turnip crops are the admiration of all the farmers round, especially the Swedes and your Purple-topped Hybrid. I hope you have some of the same kind this year, as I am certain the superiority in my crops is mainly owing to the stocks." The above are similar to hu7idrL'ds of others. N.B. — Instructions for Sowing accompany every parcel of Grass Seeds ; and any other informa- tion required by post will be promptly given, Goods delivered free of carriage to any Office in London, Bristol, Gloucester, Exeter, Southampton, ^c. Reading, Berks, March 22. TUEW and CHOICE FLOWER SEEDS, GERMAN STOCKS, GERMAN 1 1 ASTERS, &c. — We have selected, out of a large collection of Flower Seeds, twenty of the most bcavitiful and showy varieties, each sort distinct in colour, and calculated to produce a fine effect when planted out in beds or groups in the flower border. We have had each variety dis- tinctly marked with its Botanical and English name — height — time of flowering — colour of the flower — manner of growing — whether erect or trailing, Sec, ike. — the time it should be sown, and other valuable hints as to its cultivation. In selecting these twenty varieties we have been careful to exclude all which are shy-bloomers, or have an insignificant appearance; so that the collection will comprise only those wliich are really showy and handsome, and which we believe would prove to the entire satisfaction of any lady or gentleman who might be disposed to order them. The German Stocks and Asters, especially, are most superb. The Twenty Packets are neatly packed up in one paper, and will be sent free by post, to any part of the kingdom, for Five Shillings. J. C. WHEELER AND SON, Nurserymen and Seedsmen, by OfjUcial Appointment, to the Gloucestershire Agricultural Association. KiNGsHOLM Nursery, and 99, Nortiigate Stueet, Gloucester. pOBERT M. STARK, Nursery and 1*J Seedsman, begs to intimate that his Ca- talogue of F'lorists' Flowers, Bedding Plants, &c., for the present season, is now ready, in which will be found many novelties interesting to the florist and botanist. Edinburgh, Edgehill Nursery, Dean, and 1, Hope-street, March 24th. WARRANTEErUNEQUALLED. ROBERT WHIBLEV is now supplying Selections in Pots, and by post, from his select Collection of FUCHSIAS. Twelve varieties, new and distinct, of last year, lOs fid cash. Sec List containing a great variety of choice new Plants for one stamp. Nursery, Kcnnington, London. nENUlNE^~HORTICULTURAL VJ and Agricultural Seeds. .TAMES CHAR- TRES, Seedsman, &c.. King William-street, City, London, begs most respectfully to call the attention of purchasers to his establishment, where will be found an extensive stock of Kit- chen-Garden, Agricultural, and Flower Seeds, selected with the greatest care, and grown chiefly under his own inspection. J. C. takes this opportunity to return his best thanks to all w^q have favoured him with their commands durmg the past season ; and it is with much pleasure he can state that numerous ladies and gentlemen who have visited his establishment, as a proof of their satisfaction, have recommended heir friends. A Descriptive Catalogue can be had on appli- cation. Jan. 2. IS.'.l. AND 8. (iAINES, Seedsnien, • Florists, and Herbalists, opposite King Street, CovL-nt-Garden Market, London. Dealers in all sorts of Medicinal Herbs, Essential Oils, and Distilled Waters; also, in the celebrated pre- pared LENTIL POWDER, or Invalids Food. W. and S. G. respectfully inform the Nobility and Gentry that thev have a choice selection of Vegetables of all kinds for PICKLING. Im- porter.-s of GOLD and SILVER FISH. EEES. 4th edition, foap., cloth, with 100 Engravings, price 4s. THE BEE-KEEPER'S MANUAL; or. Practical Hints on the Slanagement and Complete Pre- servation of the Honey Bee. By. Henry Taylor. " All that is required for practical purposes, will be found in this volume."— Bf//'s Messen- ger. *** Order Tnylor\'i Bee-Keeper's Manual, 4th edition, of any bookseller. London: Groombridge and Sons, 5, Pater- noster Row. nOrClHS, ASTHMA, and INCT- \J PIENT CONSUMPTION are cff'ectually cured by KKATING'S COUGH LOZENGES. During a period of more than 4U years this valuable medicine has triumphantly borne the severest test of public opinion, and upon that sound basis alone it has gradually but surely won its way to pre-eminence, until it is now universally acknowledged to be the most ef- fectual, safe, and speedy remedy ever off'ercd to the world for that large class of disease which afl'ccts the Pulmonary Organs. Prepared and sold in Boxes, Is l^d, and Tins, 2s Qd, 4s6d, and lOsGd each, bv THOMAS KEATING, Chemist, &c., No, 79, St. Paul's Churchvard. London. Sold 'Retail by .ill Druggists, &c. I important testimonial. Church-street, Folkestone, Nov. 22nd, 1848. Sir, — Having been troubled with a very bad Cough for the last eight months, I applied to Mr.HATiiMON, Chemist, of this town, fur some relief; he recommended me your " COUGH LOZENGES," which I am happy to say cured me in a week. I beg most cordially to recom- mend them, and beg you will not hesitate to make this letter public ; such a valuable remedy cannot be too highly recommended. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient humble servant, To Mr. Keating. JOHN HILL, Bart. April 10.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 15 M W D D 1 io'tb IIP 12 S 13 Son 14M 15 To 16 W APRIL 10—16, 1851. Weather near London in 1850. Sun Rises. Sun ' Moon Seta. ; R. & S. Moon's Clock Day of Vear. Barometer. iTbermo. Wind. Rain in In" Age. bef. Sun. Beech leaves. Camb. Term ends. O.^ford Terms ends. Palm Son. Swift seen. Mole Cricltet churs. Common Flesii Fly seen. Lady-Bird seen. 29.664 — 29.538J 50—34 29. 800 — 29.691! 47—25 29.819-29-598: 51—33 29.341-29.218 51—25 29.533 — 29.288 55—32 29.719 — 29.548' 50—36 29.785 — 29.719 50—34 N.E. ! 0.04 N.E. [ — N.W. O.OI S.W. : 0.12 S.W. j 0.03 E. 1 0.08 N. — 13 a. 5 IS 14 12 9 7 5 45 a. 6 2 44 46 3 26 43 4 0 50 ' 4 29 52 4 57 53 rises. 55 7 a. 44 9 10 11 12 13 © 15 . 27 1 10 0 54 0 38 0 23 0 7 Oaf. 8 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 William Kent, of whose progress through life we are about to place a sketch before our readers, deserves our notice as the founder of land- scape gardening, and our imitation as one who dared to break loose from the trammels of fashion, and to obey the more enlightened dictates of the good taste with which he was richly gifted. It is very difficult to draw a just line between presumption and self-reliance, yet, no two mental qualities are productive of more widely differing results. He, who is presumptuous, infallibly bears himself on to disgrace, if not to ruin ; whereas, witliout self-confidence, no man can win his way to virtuous eminence. The distinction is, that the one is bold, from feeling his own strength, whilst the other is daring, from a vain estimate of the weakness of his competitors. Kent had no presumption, but through life he was confident, yet untinctured by obstinacy. He was born in Yorkshire, in l6S5, and was apprenticed to a coach painter, but aspiring to a higher path, he repaired to London, though unaided by his humble connections, and without the permission of his master. Thence, aided by some gentle- men of his own country, he proceeded with Blr. Talwin to Rome, where he studied under the Chevalier Luti, and gained the second prize of the second class in the Academy. His first resources failing, he found a patron in Sir W. Wentworth ; and finally in Lord Burlington, with whom he returned to England in 1719. and resided for the remainder of his life at that nobleman's house. As a painter, however, notwithstanding the influence of his patron, tlie estimation in which he was held soon sunk to below mediocrity. As an architect and designer of furniture he succeeded better, and was much employed. By the patronage of the Queen, and through the interest of many noblemen, he was appointed Master Carpenter, Architect, Keeper of the Pictures, and finally chief Painter to the Crown, the eniolumeuts of which produced about ^60Q per annum. From 1743 to 174S, he was much troubled with various in- flammatory attacks which terminated his life on the 12th of April, in the last named year, and he was buried in the Earl of Burlington's vault at Chiswick. It is said that Kent frequently declared that he caught his taste in gardening from the perusal of Spencer's picturesque descriptions. Walpole, IMaaon the Poet, and G. Mason, highly panegyrize him, and, indeed, by general consent he is estimated as the first general practiser of landscape gardening. For the remaining particulars we are indebted, almost exclusively, to Mr. Walpole, his contemporary. " His portraits liore little resemblance to the persons tiiat sat for them ; and the colouring was worse, more raw and undetermined than that of the most errant journeymen to the profession. The whole lengths at Esher are standing evidences of this assertion. In his ceilings, Kent's drawing was as defective as the colouring of his portraits, and as void of every merit. I have mentioned Hogarth's parody, if I may call it so, of his picture at St. Clements. (This was an Altar-piece of angels playing on various instruments, very ill-drawn, and still preserved, perhaps, in the Vestry-room of St. Clement Danes.) The hall at Wanstead is another proof of his incapacity. Sir Robert Walpole, who was persuaded to employ him at Houghton, where he painted several ceilings, and the staircase, would not permit him, however, to work in colours, which would have been still more disgraced by the presence of so many capital pictures, but restrained him to chiaro scuro. If his faults are thence not so glaring, they are scarce less numerous. He painted a staircase in the same way for Lord Townshend, at Rainham. To compensate for his bad paintings, he had an excellent taste for ornaments, and gave designs for most of the furniture at Houghton, as he did for several other persons. Yet chaste as these ornaments were, they were often unnifasuraljly pon- derous. His chimney-preces, though lighter than those of Inigo, whom he imitated, are frequently heavy ; and his constant introduction of pedi- ments, and the members of architecture over doors, and within rooms, was disproportioncd and cumbrous. Kent's style, however, predominated authoritatively during his life; and his oracle was so much consulted by all who affected taste, that nothing was thought complete without his assistance. He was not only consulted for furniture, as frames of pic- tures, glasses, tables, chairs, &c., but for plate, for a barge, for a cradle. And so impetuous was fashion, that two great ladies prevailed on him to make designs for their birth-day gowns. The one he dressed in a petticoat decorated with columns of the five orders ; the other like a bronze, in a copper-coloured satin with ornaments of gold. He was not more happy in other works, in which he misapplied his genius. The gilt rails to the hermitage at Richmond, were in truth but a trifling impro- priety ; but his celebrated monument of Shakspere in the Abbey, was preposterous. What an absurdity to place busts at the angles of a pedestal, and at the bottom of that pedestal ! Whose choice the busts were I do not know, but though queen Elizabeth's head might be in- tended to mark the era in which the poet fl(jurished, why were Richard II., and Henry V., selected? Are the pieces under the tiames of ihose princes two of Shakspere's most capital works ? or what reason can be assigned for giving them the preference? As Kent's genius was not universal, he has succeeded as ill in Gothic. The King's bench at West- minster, and Mr. Pelham's house at Esher, are proofa how little he con- ceived either the principles or graces of that architecture. Yet he was sometimes sensible of its beauties, and published a print of Wolsey's noble hall at Hampton-court, now crowded and half hidden by a theatre. Kent gave the design for the ornaments of the chapel at the Prince of Orange's wedding, of which he also made a print. Such of the drawings as he designed for Gay's Fables, have some truth and nature ; but, whoever would search for his faults, will find an ample crop in a very favourite work of his, the prints for Spenser's Fairy Queen. As the drawings were exceedingly cried up by his admirers, and disappointed the public in proportion, the blame was thrown on the engraver, but so far unjustly, that though ill executed, the wretchedness of drawing, the total ignorance of perspective, the want of variety, the disproportion of the buildings, and the awkwardness of the attitudes, could have been the faults of the inventor only. There are figures issuing from cottages not so high as their shoulders, castles in which the towers could not contain an infant, and knights who hold their spears as men do who are lifting a load sideways. The landscapes are the only tolerable parts, and yet the trees are seldom other than young beeches, to which Kent as a planter was accustomed. But in architecture his taste was deservedly admired ; and without enumerating particulars, the staircase at lady Isabella Finch's, in Berkeley-square, is as beautiful a piece of scenery, and considering the space, of art, as can be imagined. The Temple of Venus, at Stowe, has simplicity and merit, and the great room at Mr. Pelham's, in Arlington- street, is as remarkable for magnificence. I do not admire equally the room ornamented with marble and gilding at Kensington. The stair- case there is the least defective work of his pencil ; and his ceilings in that palace from antique paintings, which he first happily introduced, show that he was not too ridiculously prejudiced in favour of his own historic compositions. Of all his works, his favourite production was the Earl of Leicester's house at Holkam, in Norfolk. The great hall, with the flight of steps at the upper end, in which he proposed to place a colossal Jupiter, was a noble idea. How the designs of that house, which I have seen an hundred times in Kent's original drawings, came to be published under another name,* and without the slightest mention of the real architect, is be3^ond comprehension. The bridge, the temple, the great gateway, all built, I believe, the two first certainly, under Kent's own eye, are alike passed off as the works of another ; and yet no man need envy or deny him the glory of having oppressed a triumphal arch with an Egyptian pyramid. Holkam has its faults, but they are Kent's faults, and marked with all the peculiarities of his style." Upon Kent's taste and style of landscape gardening, Mr. Walpole is still more particular. " I call the sunk fence the leading step to a more picturesque gardening, because no sooner was this simple enchantment made, than levelling, mowing, and rolling, followed. The contiguous ground of the park without the sunk fence, was to be harmonized with the lawn within ; and the garden in its turn was to be set free from its prim regularity, that it might assort with the wilder country without. The sunk fence ascertained the specific garden, but that it might not draw too obvious a line of distinction between the neat and the rude, the contiguous out-lying parts came to be included in a kind of general design : and when nature was taken into the plan, under improvements, every step that was made pointed out new beauties and inspired new ideas. At that moment appeared Kent, painter enough to taste the charms of landscape, bold and opinionative enough to dare and to dictate, and born with a genius to strike out a great system from the twilight of imperfect essays. He leaped the fence, and saw that all nature was a garden. He felt the delicious constraint of hill and valley changing im- perceptibly into each other, tasted the beauty of the gentle swell, or con- cave scoop, an(l remarked how loose groves crowned an easy eminence with happy ornament, and while they called in the distant view between their graceful stems, removed and extended the perspective by delusive comparison. Thus the pencil of his imagination bestowed all the arts of landscape on the scenes he handled. The great principles on which he worked were perspective, and light and shade. Groupes of trees broke too uniform or too extensive a lawn ; evergreens and woods were opposed to the glare of the champain, and where the view was less fortunate, or so much exposed as to be beheld at once, he blotted out some parts by thick shades, to divide it into variety, or to make the richest scene more en- chanting by reserving it to a farther advance of the spectator's step. Thus Relecting favourite objects, and veiling deformities by screens of plantation ; sometimes allowing the rudest waste to add its foil to the richest theatre, he realised the compositions of the greatest masters in painting. Where objects were wanting to animate his horizon, his taste as an architect could bestow immediate termination. His buildings, his seats, his temples, were more the works of his pencil than of his com- passes. We owe the restoration of Greece and the diffusion of architec- ture to his skill in landscape. But of all the beauties he added to the face of this beautiful country, none surpassed his management of water. Adieu to canals, circular basons, and cascades tumbling down marble steps, that last absurd magnificence of Italian and French villas. The forced elevation of cataracts was no more. The gentle stream was taught to serpentine seemingly at its pleasure, and where discontinued by dif- ferent levels, its course appeared to be concealed by thickets properly interspersed, and glittered again at a distance where it might be supposed naturally to arrive. Its borders were smoothed, but preserved their waving irregularity. A few trees scattered here and there on its edges sprinkled the lame bank that accompanied its mieandevs, and when it disappeared among the hills, shades descending from the heights leaned towards its progress, and framed the distant point of light under which it was lost, as it turned aside to either hand of the blue horizon. Thus dealing in none but the colours of nature, and catching its most favour- * "The plan and elevations of the late Earl of Leicester's house at Holkam, were engraved and published, London, 17(>1. fol. by Mr. Bret- tingham, architect, who had not the modesty to own that it was built after the design of Kent." Gough's Brit. Topogr. vol. ii. p. 25. No. CXXXII., Vol. VI. 16 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [April 10. able features, men saw a new creation openinjj before their eyes. The living landscape was chastened or polished, not transformed. Freedom was given to tlie forms of trees ; they extended their branches unre- stricted, and where any eminent oak, or master beech had escaped maim- ing and survived the forest, bush and bramble were removed, and all its honours were restored to distinguish and shade the plain. Where the united plumage of an ancient wood extended wide its undulating canopy, and stood venerable in its darltness, Kent thinned the foremost ranks, and left but so many detached and scattered trees, as softened the approach of gloom, and blended a chequered light with the thus lengthened shadows of the remaining columns. " I do not know whether tlie disposition of the garden at Rou3ham,laid out for General Dormer, and in my opinion the most enpai^ingof all Kent's works, was not planned on the model of Mr. Pope's, at Icist in the opening and retiring' shades of ^^enu3's vale. The whole is as elegant and antique as if the emperor Julian had selected the most pleasing solitude about Daphne t'> enjoy a philosophic retirement. That Kent's ideas were but rarely great, was in some measure owing to the novelty of his art. It would have been difficult to have transported the style of gar- dening at once from a few acres to tumbling of forests ; and though new fashions like new religions (which are new fashions), often lead men to the most opposite excesses, it could not be the case in gardening, where the experiments would liave been so expensive. Yet it is true, too, tliat the features in Kent's landscapes were seldom majestic. His clumps were puny, he aimed at immediate effect, and planted not for futurity. One sees no large woods sketched out by his direction. Nor are we yet entirely risen above a too great frequency of small clumps, especially in i the elbows of serpentine rivers. How common to see three or four beeches, then as m.rny larches, a third knot of cypresses, and a revolution of all three I Kent's last designs were in a higher style, as his ideas ' opened on success. The north terras at Claremont was much superior to the rest of the garden. A return of some particular thoughts was com- mon to him with other painters, and made his hand known. A small lake edged by a winding bank with scattered trees that led to a seat at the head of the ))ond, was common to Claremont, Esher, and others of his designs. At Esher, Where Kent and nature vied for Pelham's love, 1 the prospects more than aided the painter's genius— they marked out the points where his art was necessary or not ; but thence left his judgment m possession of all its glory. Having routed pru/essed art, for the modern gardener exerts his talents to conceal his art, Kent, like other ■ reformers, knew not how to stop at the just limits. He had followed nature, and imitated her so happily, that he began to think all her works were equally proper for imitation. In Kensington-garden he planted dead trees, to give a greater air of truth to the scene — but he was soon laughed out of this excess. His ruling principle was, that nature abhors a straig^fit tine. His mimics, for every genius has his apes, seemed to think that she could love nothing but what was crooked." Meteorology of the Wbek. — At Chiswick, from observations made during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- peratures of these days are 56,1° and 36.8°, respectively. The greatest . heat, 73°, occurred on the gth, in 1844, and the lowest cold, 22°, on the I 11th, 1843. Rain fell during 82 days of the period, and 86 were fine. We are always gratified by every display of well-directed industry, and no one can admire more than we do the power, and accuracy amid intricacy, displayed in all the engines, machines, and implements employed in our national mines, workshops, and raanutactories. All these combinations proclaim that wealth is making giant efforts to increase its wealthiness ; — efforts praise- worthy, and diffusing competency and comfort to millions necessarily enlisted to aid and sustain those efforts. We survey the whole and see the good effected, and we rejoice over that good. But, if some one steps forth and proposes some little implement, some simple ar- rangement of household utensils, whereby the home comforts and innocent luxuries of the employed millions can be increased at a cost quite within their means, we look upon that with quite as much pleasure as upon the steam-impelled giants of the mechanical world ; and this pleasure springs from a consciousness that there is ano- ther honey-drop sprinkled in the cup of millions — that cup which, though " well-mi.Ked," man has so contrived that it usually brings somewhat too much of the bitter to the lip. Any device, then, that sweetens the every-day life of the mass of our fellow-men, we hail with more than ordinary pleasure; and if it be only a mode whereby he may obtain a violet in winter to sweeten his chamber, or an early cucumber to render his crust of bread more palateable, we rejoice over the device, and spare no pains to render its adoption easy and general. One of such devices is contained in the following letter from a gentleman who signs himself C. J. P., Dawlish; and though there is nothing new in the principle, yet there is some novelty and merit in the mode of its application, so we give it this prominency — " I am induced to send you the description of a very eco- I nomical and excellent means of raising cucuuibei's, vegetable marrow, and other plants usually requiring a hotbed or 1 greenliouse for their propagation. The well-known pbilo- j sopbical fact, that vegetation is most luxuriant where the 1 atraosijhere is both moist and warm, was the principle that guided nie in the experiment I am now about to detail, and which in the result proved singularly satisl'aftoi-)-. I had a common large-sized garden pot tilled one-third from the bottom with coal ashes, to serve as drauinge ; on that a third i consisliug of woU-decoinposed leaves and stable manure I mixed together as a compost; ftiid on this was placed the remaining third of rich black peat moidd, in which, as a first experiment, were set twenty-two vegetable marrow seeds. A large flint glass bottle, such as those exposed in chemists' shop windows, and usually containing poppy heads, &c., and which, at any of the large glass works, may be purchased for a very small sum, was now procured, the circumference of the mouth of the bottle being about two inches greater than the circumference of the garden pot at its widest part. The bottom of the glass bottle and the sides, to the height of the rim of the garden pot, were then lined, as it were, with damp moss, and the pot, filled as above described, gently slung by means of four strings passed round it into the bottle. For the sake of neatness of appearance, the strings are confined to the outside of the neck of the bottle by means of one of the ordinary elastic vulcanized India-rubber rings.* The moss serves a two- fold pm'pose ; first, to imbibe the moisture, which is after- wards evaporated by the heat of the sun or room in which the bottle is placed, and is again condensed in the interior of the sides of the bottle in the form of dew, thus serving constantly to maintain the warm damp atmosphere so fa- vourable to vegetation. Over the mouth of the bottle is placed a glass cover, removable at pleasure. The following rough diagram may serve to illustrate the above plan. A, damp moss. B, the garden pot with seeds, when plunged into the moss. D, the moveable glass cover. ♦ Instead of representing the pot of seedlings suspended by strings from the cover of the glass jar, we have shown it as plunged in the moss, whieli we think more simple, and more likely to keep up a proportionate root-actioQ. — Eu. C. G. ApniL 10.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 17 " As an instance of the great i-apidity with which seeds germinate in this apjiaratus, I may mention, that of twenty- two vegetable marrow seeds, so planted on the evening of Monday, March the 17th, in the present year, thirteen were above ground on Sunday morning, March the 23rd, without tlie beneficial influence of even one daj-'s exposure to tlie rays of the sun, in consequence of the late incessant rains. The afternoon of that Sunday proving fine, the bottle was for about two hours exposed to the full rays of tlie sun, the condensation of vapour on the interior surface of the glass being so great, as to render the seedlings, for the time, almost invisible; by the following day every seed had germinated. I ascertained the temperature of the air inside and outside the bottle, on the morning of the 'ion\ instant; and found the external temperature in the shade to be .')!)", and tlie internal temperature in the shade at the same time to be 83". On the afternoon of the same day, the thermometer inside the bottle mounted in the sun to 92°. The plants have continued ever since in the highest health and vigour, and on the day I am writing, two thirds of the seedlings are at least two inches and a half high. " I trust that your numerous readers may derive the same advantage that I have done, from this very simple and excellent mode of raising seeds, requiring a very mild and genial atmosphere." Solomon once said — "Oh ! that mine enemy wotild write a book ;" a wish of no little malice if the desire to give it a slashing criticism was parent of the wish. But that enemy would have invoked a more bitter visitation if he had replied — "Oh that Solomon in the nineteenth century of grace might have to bead all the books sent to him for criticism." However, here is heap of those wo have read now before us, and ns, unlike a certain prelate, we do not give an opinion upon works we have not perused, let ns address ourselves to these. Maund's Botanic Gajrden. — The re-issue of this work we hail with great satisfaction. For one shilling we now have four beautifully coloured drawings of hardy flowering plants, with full descriptions ; an outline of some choice variety of fruit, with a similar naiTative; two pages of a dictionary of botanical terms ; twelve miniature woodcuts of every kind of plant — stove, greenhouse, and hardy — arranged alplia- bcticully ; — and we never saw more information gatliered into a small space, yet of the readiest comprehension and easiest reference. We consider this the cheapest serial now publishing, and one of the most useful to those who delight in hardy flowers and fruits. Elementary Catechisms. — These fom-penny first steps to knowledge are admirable ; and an extract will give our readers the best opportunity of estimating their contents. From Cottage Farmiiii/ we select this on " Cow-keeping: " " Q. When may the cottage farmer who is pursuing the foregoing system, upon two acres, begin to keep a cow ? — A. As soon in the spring as the cottage farmer lias vetches, clover, or Trifolwm incarnatiim fit for cutting, he should provide himself with a milch cow to eat those crops while green, and thus supply almost all the manure he will require. Q. Should the cow be constantly confined to her stall ? — A. The cow should be confined to her stall, except when led out to drink and move her limbs ; unless her owner have a right to graze her on some free land, in which case, no doubt, she will derive some benefit from the enjoyment of liberty throughout some hours of the day ; but the cottage farmer should not turn out his cow on his own field. Q. What green food should, in autumn, succeed the vetches and clover? — A. The leaves of cattle beet will supply the cow with food in the months of October and November. Q. What should be her winter food ? — A. Cattle beet or carrots, and some soft sweet hay, with grains and pollard, or bean meal, iiotatoes or Swedish turnips boiled and mixed together in a tub, with about half an ounce of salt at each meal, should be the cow's winter food. Q. Why should not potatoes or Swedish turnips lie given raw to a milch cow ? — A. •Turnips of any kind are apt to give a disagreeable taste to milk and butter, and therefore are not to be recommended as food for a cow whose milk and butter are intended for the market. Q. Does raw field beet give a bad flavour to milk and butter? — A. Raw field beet does not give any disagreeable taste to milk and butter, and it certainly adds richness to the milk. Some people scrape off the rind of the field beet, lest any of its flavour should be communicated to the milk and butter. Salt should always be given with it. Q. Ought not, then, the cow-keeper to cultivate field beet, or cattle beet, as we also call it, in preference to tumips ? — A. With suitable soil, and plenty of manure for it, the cow- keeper should decidedly prefer field beet to turnips ; on in- difi'erent soil, turnips, however, yield much greater weight. Q. What weight of produce ought a well-cultivated rood of field beet to yield, in a good loamy soil ? — A. A rood of field beet, not transplanted but sown, and well-managed in every respect, ought to produce four or five tons' weight, besides sixty or seventy bushel baskets of beet leaves, cal- culating the rows to be two feet apart, and the plants eighteen inches from each otlier in the rows. Q. What quantity of beet per day should be given to a cow? — A. Three stones (of 14 lbs.) of cattle beet will give three sufficient feeds per day to a cow, giving milk; when dry, she should not get any roots, lest she should become fat ; hay alone will then sustain her body in good condition, for the secretion of milk; grains, bran, and mashes of all kinds, are only fit for a cow while giving milk. Q. If a rood produces, as we have calculated, four or five tons' Aveight of cattle beet, and the cow consumes, on an aver- age, 421bs. per day, — during how many days will the beet serve for her food, — with hay of course ? — A. A rood of beet, under the circumstances 'supposed, would maintain a cow during from '213 to '270 days : a rood would be suflicient for two cows during half the year, with other roots occasionally given for a change of diet, wdiicb is a very necessary thing to be attended to. Cows, like human creatures, relish a change of diet, and milch cows require it. Q. Ai-e not the leaves of field beet also very good for cows ? — A. The leaves of field beet are very good for cows, if given to them quite green and fresh. Q. May the leaves be stripped oft' while the plants are growing ? — A. No : until the plants have entirely ceased growing no leaves should be stripped off, except as they begin to droop. Their drooping is a sure sign that they are no longer servicable to the plant, and may be removed from it. Q. Is the culture of field beet simple and easy ?— ^. The cultm-e of field beet is as simple as that of Swedish turnips, and may be considered in the cottager's case as exactly the same. After the land has been thoroughly worked, open drills 20 inches apart; fill them with short dung, and cover it; roll, or with the spade level the ridges ; make holes not more than an inch deep, 12 inches apart ; drop three or four seeds into them, and cover them with the finger. Q. What after culture is necessary ? — A. When the plants are the size of a man's little finger, the supernumerary ones should be drawn out so carefully as not to injure the roots of the remaining plants. AVeeding and hoeing should be attended to for the remainder of the season. Q. How much seed is enough for a rood? — A. Half a pound is enough for a rood : in dry weather the soaking of tlie seed for twenty hours in tepid water will quicken its germination. The soundness of the seed, too, will be tested by this process. Q. Should food be given to cows in large or small quan- tities at a time V—A. Food should be given to a cow in moderate quantities at a time, so that she may have leisure to chew the cud, digest her food, and eat again with appetite. Q. Will not a cow sometimes go dry three or four months before calving? — A. Yes; but a cow which goes dry three or four months before calving ought to be sold off as im- profitable. ♦ A little nitre put into the pall into which the milk is to ho drawn, or into the churn with the cream, will, in a great measure, dissipate the unpleasant flavour given to milk and butter by raw turnips, cabbages, and potatoes. 18 THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. LApril 10. Q. Will it be prudent for the owner of one cow to rear her calf? — A. A person who has but one cow ■will act im- prudentlj' in rearing her calf, unless it be of a very valuable breed, or he can spare the milk which it will require. If he rears a calf, it should be one worth rearing. Q. What is the most approved method of rearing a calf ? — A, The calf should be removed altogether from its mother after it has sucked the distm-bed milk, which acts as a wholesome medicine to the calf, while it also relieves the mother ; it should get about two quarts of neiv milk each day during the first week, foiu' quarts the second, eight quarts the third. Afterwards, three pints of oatmeal gruel should be put into hot skim-milk, to make it milk-wann; any sort of milk may be given the fifth week, and if a little linseed or oil-cake be added the increased vigour of the calf will repay the expense. Q. Proceed. — A. An ill-fed calf will never make a fine beast, however well fed it may be when grown up. After five or six weeks, water may be mixed with milk, and the porridge left ofi' gradually, and at fourteen weeks the calf will be weaned, and able to feed on bran, tender grass, etc. A handful of fresh hay or grass hung up by a string a little higher than the calf's head is perhaps one of the quickest methods of teaching it to eat. Q. Why should not a calf be allowed to suck its mother ? — A. It is diflacult to wean a calf which has often sucked its motlier, and a cow feels so restless when her calf is taken from her, that it becomes difficult to milk her by hand ; besides, a calf may suck more than enough when allowed to help itself mthout measure. By giving the above quan- tities, a calf of average size gets milk enough for its nou- rishment, and sufficient is left for family use." Flowees and THEm Poetry. By Dr. Bushnan. This is one of the few books one has the pleasure of meeting with m which everything is elegant and appropriate. The poetry, the illustrations, the printing, and the binding are all indi- cative of good taste — all perfect in theu- way. It is a book that no one can take up without gratification ; and we could, without a shade of weariness, take each poem on its pages successively as a theme, and carol over it until sundown. It is a gem of a book, and if we dare spare time and space, we would give Dr. Bushnan's own Birth of the Flowers, verse by verse, with a note upon each ; but we must rest satisfied with a shorter one, by " Delta," and w-e assure our readers there ai-e few less excellent in this volume all Flowers. [written undee a drawing of a bunch of these flowers (by a deceased sister) in the album of lady l. l.] " Look to the Lilies how they prow ! " 'Twas thus the Saviour said, that we, Even in the simplest flowers that blow, God's ever watchful care might see. Yes ! nought escapes the guardian eye — However vast, however small — Of Him who lists the raven's cry, And marks from Heaven the sparrow's fall. Why mourn we, then, for those we love, As if all hope was reft away ? Let not our sorrowing hearts refuse Meekly to bend and to obey. Shall He. who paints the Lily's leaf, Who gives the Rose its scented breath. Love all his works, except the chief. And leave his image, Rlan, to death 7 No t other hearts and hopes be ours, And to our souls let Faith be given, To feel our lost friends only flowers, Transplanted from this world to Heaven. Society's Journal, and a correspondent informs tis, that Mr. Forsyth went direct from Alton Towers, to his present engagement as head gardener to Mr. Brunei, at St. Mary's Church, Torquay, where a now residence is erecting from a design by Mr. Burns, and the garden and arboretum are being laid out by Mr Nesfield. In common with several of our contemporaries, we obsen-ed and expressed our regret that Mr. Alexander Forsyth had left the service of the Earl of Shrcwsbm-y, at Alton Towers, and that despite his known abilities as a gardener, he could obtain no adequate engagement. We arc right glad to find that our sympathy was uncalled for, inasmuch, as that we see he has communi- cated a paper to the recent number of the Horticultural GARDENING GOSSIP. A WIDELY' spreading notion that Pansies should be ex- hibited in pots has given rise to a stii- among the growers for sale. It is the general opinion that the buyers would be more satisfied at seeing the habits of the plant, and the manner in which the blooms grow, than they are at seeing the flowers, as it were, constrained to a flat form by the mode of placing them in theii' respective holes on a board. Again, it would make a more decided feature in an exhibition to require twelve plants in bloom, than tliirty-six flowers on a stand; besides which, it should be required that not less than a given number of flowers should be open on a plant. It is quite certain that by such a regulation many new crumpled and uncertain varieties, which now teem from the hands of the dealers, would be condemned at once. Tlie Pansy, like the Verbena, depends greatly, for its real value, on the habit of the jdant, whether grown in beds or borders ; abundant bloom, compact growth, and rich foliage are essential, but ordinai-y exhibitors, who sacrifice all kind of neatness in their gardens for the sake of torturing flowers into a condition for cutting, will naturally object to a plan of showing, which will obhge them to cultivate plants as tliey ought to be grown, instead of spending all thek efibrts on incU\idual flowers. We confess that mth all our ambition to show, we would no more encumber om* garden with shades and props, and tables covered with pots, than we would turn in a half a dozen pigs. We remember to have visited a garden once the day before a show, when the lady of the house observed, that we should find it more hke a china- shop or a glass-warehouse than a garden, and so it was ; dozens of finger-glasses, basins, and other domestic ai'ticles were covered over flowers intended for cutting the next day, and all manner of contrivances to prop and fasten blooms destined for the show ; plants were reduced to skeletons to throw aU their strength into one portion, and no beai'-garden could look more confused, Uttery, and ruinous. As to a garden, it was unworthy of the name. Gardening must be corrected somehow ; for in tliese matters it is going mad. The more public societies insist on shomng in pots the better ; for cut flowers deceive everybody but real florists, and those also, unless the show be exclusively for the floral object whatever it may be. The Botanic Oardens at Chelsea, which we had not visited for some time, and which were in a deplorable state when we were there last, has been so greatly improved under the ouratorship of Mr. Moore, tliat they remind us of the change made at Kew. Two new ridge- roofed houses, one a stove and one a greenhouse, are gi-eat improvements, and the plants in all the houses remarkably hcaltliy. The Society is rich in aloes, and all medicinal plants, but all out-of-door vegetation sadly feels the effect of the smoky atmosphere and dry situation. Tlie remains of the two Cedars which mark the site of this garden, and are seen afar ofl', appear to grow less every year, and some of the old specimens are splendid ruins ; but in all that can be im- proved by careful culture we are glad to recognise the change.. There is a talk of establishing an Amateur Florists Society for mutual protection, to which, of course, no ApRti. 10.] THE COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 19 dealer is to be admitted, and the proposed rules liave been sent to one party whose opinion is considered weighty, if not decisive. It is far from a London affair, and oi'iginates in the north. Complaints are made by several growers of certain nursery- men monopolizing everything, and giving others no cliance. It must, however, be admitted, that some of even the greatest buyers, if they do pick up a good thing, very considerately buy the good-for-nothing also. Those who have only one flower, and that a good one, are to be enned. NEW PLANTS. THEIR PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. Dark yellow Cinquefoil {Potentilla ochreata), Paxtons Flower Garden, i., 143. The name of this extensive genus is a diminitive of potens, powerful, alluding to a supposed fever-subduing quality inherent in some of the wild species, and particularly in Potentilla reptans. The name originated with the great Linnaeus ; but other genera have been founded by Tournefort and other botanists out of some of the species of Potentilla, which now stand as synonymes to it. The Potentilla heads a group of very natural genera belonging to the Roseworts (Rosacese), of which the Strawberry is the next best known instance to most of our readers. In the Linnaean olassifioation the Poten- tillas are found in the twelfth class Icomndria, and its third order Trigijnia. Potentilla ocherata is a dwarf, harry, hardy bush, which flowered last September in the Dublin Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin. It is a native of the Himalaya Mountains, where it was found near Sermore by Captain Gerard. The leaflets are partly placed together like the fingers of the human hand, and partly arranged like those of the Labernum (pinnate) ; they are grey, oblong, rolled back at the edge, wrinkled, and whitish and hairy beneath ; some are two lobed. The flowers axe dark yellow, at the ends of the slender spreading branches, very short stalked, calyxed, each sepal or division of which is yellow inside ; the petals are circular. Dr. Lindley gives the following good distinctive cha- racters of the truly shrubby Potentils : — Flowers yellow. Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby P.). Bracts five, narrow, smooth on the keel, longer than the sepals. Leaflets five, narrow spear-headed. Poten- tilla arbuseiila (Busby P.). Bracts ten, as long as the sepals. Potentilla ochreata (Dark yellow P.). Bracts five, rough on the keel, long as the sepals; leaflets oblong, 5 to 9, much wi-inkled beneath. Flowers white. Potentilla Saksorii (Salesotf's P.). Au erect bush ; leaves hoary beneath, and saw edged. Potentilla glabra (Smooth P.). Bush half-trailing ; leaves smooth, and entire edged. Of Boseworls it may he obsei-ved, that no deleterious quality has yet been detected in any of them. For the decoration of the long " herbaceous borders" peculiar- to the kitchen garden of the last century, a few of the wild poteu- tillas might have been seen, chiefly small herbs from Siberia and Switzerland, and in those days no flower-border was thought complete without the only two shrubby or woody species known in the genus, Potentilla flovibiiiida and fruticosa. About six or seven-aud-twenty years back, a few potentillas, from the mountain ranges of Nepaul,in the East Indies, were introduced to our gardens, such as formosa, sphndens, atrosani/iiiiiea ; particularly the latter. The great demand for these " new potentiUas" caused a greater atten- tion being paid to the rearing of seedlings from them by the trade, and in the short space of four years, whether by accident or some natural process, alrosaiiijiiiiiea "broke" into a crimson scarlet seedling, called Riisselliuna, after Mr. Russell, who, also, originated the fine spotted crimson Rlwdodendron Biissdiiana. From this fortunate circum- stance may be traced the biographies of " the trade's" if not of "tiie florists'" potentillas, which have increased in numbers so much that the older kinds are now all but forgotten, and the new race have recently been admitted into the good graces of Jlr. Glenny, the great authority in om- country for all and everything which delights a florist. The profound mysteries of the man of shapes and circles are but play things in the hands of Mr. Glenny, and, in accepting the Potentillas under his guardianship, he has launched forth his whole energy, in a playful style showing up the best of the new seedlings, the surer ones to obtain still more progress from the soil they do best in, and all tlie " properties" which he thinks requisite for a " man of taste " to recognise or fraternise in tliese sprightly flowers, and other things which we do not pretend to understand ; but the whole may be seen in the last October number of the Gardeners' Magazine of Botany. B. J. THE TEUIT-GAEDEN. Insects. — So surely as returns the spring, so surely return those myriads of pests of the garden, known as the green fly, the red sjjider, the American blight, &c. These three may be said to be the chief enemies of tlie fruit-cultivator ; many others there are, but his attention must at all times be firmly fixed on these. Fii-stof all as to the Peach and Nectarine. No sooner does the young wood-bud unfold, than the AjMs is sure to appear ; at least, we cannot remember au exception. Indeed, in most cases, they are keenly at work before a leaf can be fairly seen; and gi'eat is the devastation they most frequently commit before the cultivator is aware. And we are sorry to be compelled to aver, that one half of our practical gardeners sufler tliemselves to be caught napping on this very point. By far too many wait rmtil the ravages are manifest before they assign any importance to the little rascals, but of all the gar- dening follies this is one of the greatest ; the mischief committed by the time their ravages are fairly per- ceptible is enormous, and we had almost said irre- mediable. No wonder that so many huge peach-trees ai-e still to be met with, even in gardens of high pre- tensions, wdth their foliage in detached groups, or with merely a tuft of leaves and fruit at their extremities. Now it is somewhat singular, that the Aphis always seems to attack most severely the lower parts of the tree, or rather those back shoots which we have, in our prun- ing and disbudding articles, characterized as a nursery from which the fabric of the tree may be repaired. It is not very plain why this should be the case (unless it he that such are generally more snugly situated and sheltered), but so it is, and the loss of these as surely lays the foundation for naked and barren limbs in suc- cessive years. 20 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [Apeil 10. We are not aware" that there is anything in use superior to tabacoo-water : this we know to be perfectly effectual, without the slightest damage to the tree. It has been said—" There is a time for everything," and so indeed it is with this application. It so happens that the appearance of the Aphides is about coeval with the develojimeut of the blossoms ; and it becomes a nice point so to apply the tobacco-liquid, as by no means to paralyse those delicate organs, the stamens and pistils, on which we depend for the ensuing crop. We never did apply it whilst they were performuig their oiBce, and we dare not recommend such application. Immediately, however, such period has jiassed, we say, apply it with- out delay, for lu another ten days or so, the embryo fruits will be bursting their decaying vegetable cere- ments ; and the tender skin of the young peach or nectarine appears ill-adapted to endure so foul an appli- cation as the tobacco-liquid. The lapse of time, tlien, between the casting of the corolla or decaying blossoms, and the bursting of the decaying calyx, for the unfolding of the fructiferous germ, is, as we think, of all others the most eligible for this application ; and it has the advantage of coming in a preventive, rather tlian a remedial form. Such, at least, has been our practice for many years, and the amount of success which has accompanied it, warrants us in recommending it with the utmost confidence. This thing, however, must not be done by halves ; one hurried dash with the syringe will not effect the utter e.xtermination of the aphides: which is the point to be aimed at; and let no man shoot one inch lower who would boast of a noble peach wall. It has been repeatedly stated in these columns, that two doses have always been foimd necessary to the sure extirpation of these pests ; but as The Cottage Gah- DENEU possesses such an amount of elasticity, that it is constantly stretching itself, and that, too, much amongst the rising generation, we feel bound to give the details of such important processes over again occasionally. Our practice is to brew from ordinary tobacco-paper, at the rate of two pounds to a gallon. This mixture ought to be of double strength, for a pound to a gallon used to be the ordinary quantum; but this "paper" has become so adulterated that it is doubtful whether using Shag tobacco is not the most economical — two pounds to a gallon — than of the tobacco-paper ; and to one gallon of this we add nearly three of ordinary soap- suds, and generally also a quart of water in which four ounces of strong Shag tobacco has been soaked. If the soap-suds are ven/ strong, it will be well to use only half the quantity, adding water instead of the residue. If Shag tobacco is used alone, six ounces, with the additiou of soap-suds, should make an efficient mixture. The tobacco, or the paper, must have its strength extracted by pouring boiling water on it, and allowing it to stand in a vessel until cold ; and it nuist be kept closely covered to prevent evaporation. The liquor is then strained through a cloth, or fine sieve, and the material must be squeezed and wrung, in order to extract the whole of its qualities. We always brew the mixture a day or two previous to use, and tiy a little a night belbrehand, in order to be sure that it will kill the Aphides without injuring the trees. It is important that a line afternoon be chosen for the operation ; for rain would wash away many of the quali- ties. If, therefore, the second afternoon should turn out foul, we delay it another day. The wall is syringed regularly througli, from one end, and we return from the contrary end back again sligbtly, in order to search any portions that may have lieen missed ; and we do the same on the second application. The application is made at about five p.m., and as we have canvass, we immediately let down tlie covering for the night. By these means we receive no farther molestation from the .Aphides ; and this has been our practice for some fifteen years at least. The peach and nectarine wall here is 240 feet in length, and it requires about eight to ten pounds of tobacco paper to complete the whole. It is not, however, the Peach and Nectarines only which are liable thus early to be infected; the Plums, too, sometimes early evince signs of a severe approach- ing attack from these insects, and when such is the case we advise the same preventive measiu'es. We generally commence with the Plums as soon as they are out of bloom, by using soaji-suds, repeating the dose at inter- vals ; and this generally kills or drives the Aphides away. j Such applications should, however, be tested beforehand ; for our laundresses sometimes use strong mixtures in their washing ; and although we have never ourselves suffered this way, we always feel anxious ; for damage thus occurring is a very disheartening affair. The Red Spider. — About the extirpation of this insect we have already, this spring, given explicit direc- tions as to the Peaches and Nectarines ; and we may add, that we ajiply the same mixture to valuable Pear trees ; and as our leading slioots are twelve iuches apart, and the young slioots tied down thereon, the application is made with much ease. Apple trees are sometimes much injured by the red spider; and choice kinds, in a young stale, are well worth a little trouble iu this respect ; for we have known nice young espaliers thrown into a state of complete stngna- tion for want of a little assistance. Nothing is necessary but to apply the peach mixture with a brush over their branches. The American Blight. — This pest, too, generally shows signs of resuscitation in the middle of March, and unless means are taken without delay, trees in which it had been well-nigh extirpated will be as bad as ever in a few months. We had two men employed this very day, one on each side the tree, applying spirits of tur- pentine with small brushes. At this period they are mere specks, and one touch with the turpentine bi-ush, dexterously applied, is enough in most cases. A friend of ours has recently informed us that he has used stale urine with much success ; but that we have not proved, although it is a well-known cleanser of imiimities con- nected with the bark of fruit-trees. Whilst on the subject of insects, as connected with fruit trees, it may be well to direct attention to the scaly coccus, termed, we believe, by our entomologists, Aspidiotus astrecefonnis, or, in plain English, the pear- tree-oyster scale. We are not aware whether the coccus which attacks the apple tree is precisely the same, we fancy it is ; of this, however, we are assured, that soft soap alone, with a good scrubbing, will extirpate it. We liave kept it fairly at bay, if not extirpated it, with the soap, after the rate of four or five ounces of soap to the gallon. Some of our gardeners use very powerful mix- tures for these pests, in which spirits of turpentine plays a conspicuous part ; but we fear to direct oiu' amateur performers to the use of such caustic remedies, for it is very easy to burn one's fingers. One tiling may be observed, all appliances in this way should be made, if possible, during the " rest season," for then the bark of the tree is less sensitive ; then there is no danger to be apprehended as to the unfolding bud, and tlien may a little extra strength be imparted to the mixture without danger. Nevertheless, if any one has fruit trees infested with the bark scale, and hitlierto neglected, the soft soap (as before recommended) may be even now applied, with every prospect of success. Above all, let those who have fancy espaliers of choice kinds, whether wall fruits, or such things as apples, pears, or plums, take immediate care that their early spring growth is made unfettered by insects. No lasting success can ever be effected by leaving these things to chance. R. Errinoton. Apbil 10.] THE COTTAGE GARDENEB. 21 THE FLOWER-GARDEN. Companion to the Calendar. — Some of the more pressing operations for this mouth I touched on last week, and now that my idea of a Companion is out, I shall begui alphabetically, and go regularly through the Calendar. A.'jNUALs (tender) ai'e the first on the list, aad the tender sorts for the flower-garden are chiefly half-hardy ; such as the different Lobelias, Mesembri/anthemums, Phlox Dnimmondii, Portulacoas, Salpiglossis, and others of that stamp, and all of these that were sown in February and March ought now to be fit for pricking out into other pots to be still kept in a warm bed till they take a good hold of the fresh soil, when they will be lit to be removed to a cool place to harden tliem off in time to be ready to transplant into the borders or beds. Pricking out is the florist's name for a change from the seed-pot to the uursing-pot. No matter how many or how few seedling plants of any kind we may have to prick out, the most economical way is to put four, five, or six of them into a 3-inch pot, to save room, whicli is always more scarce in April than at any other time. Four seedlings is the right number ; but to make sure I say five or six, and, if they all live, four of the best of them will be i-eady for a pot each at the beginning of May. At that time, by quartering the ball, each little plant has a sufficient quantity of soil to carry it on for the next stage. Every one of us knows by this time that I make strong objections to bulls at planting out time, and in this way ofprioking out and quartering we lay a foundation against the ball system. The best gardeners and nurse- i-ymen adopt the plan with their more delicate stock, such as Heaths, from cuttings or seeds, which take two or three seasons before they are fit for sale ; while such things as Verbenas, which come to a marketable size in a few weeks, are potted singly from the beginning ; not that single potting is the best system, but because, for them, it is the most convenient. So that, in learning things from the practice of the best gi-owers, we may be led into mistakes, and I hold it to be bad practice to put flower-garden plants from the cutting or seed-pot into single pots at .all, and I should consider it a fortunate circumstance if every kind reared from cuttings since last July could be had, four in a pot at planting out time, when, by quartering the ball, the plants would have enough of soil about their roots, and there would be no need of shaking part of a ball ofl', to loosen the roots so as to enable them to take to the soil in the bed at on(;e. That is the philosophy of pricking out and quartering. At the next stage, that is, when the little seedlings require more room, I would not pot one of them if I could help it. I would rather plant them in temporai-y beds, made of a few inches deep of light compost, iu imitation of planting iu the open beds; only that I would plant them as thickly as the quarter ball would allow. In three weeks the roots would so spread about that one might get a good deal more soil attached to them than would be equivalent to a ball from a 3-inch pot. At the proper time for planting, finally, in the flower- garden, I would take a barrow, or a basket, or a sieve, as the case might require, and with a trowel would lift them plant after plant, allowing as much soil to follow the roots as they would carry, and in that excellent condition they coidd not fail to do well. Besides the pleasure of knowing that one was iu the best path, there is a great economy of time, pots, and room in this sys- tem— three things that are always scarce about all gardens by the end of April. When an exception to the rule occurs, the next best plan is to put two seedlings, or two rooted cuttings, into one small pot directly oppo- site each other, so to remain till the time of planting out finally in the beds or borders, and then either to make two halves of the ball, putting in each plant separately. or merely splitting down the ball nearly to the bottom, and planting the two occupants together, and then training them down to the soil right and left. By this splitting you get some loose soil iu between the parts, into which the roots will work much sooner then they will do from the outside of the ball parts. Planting whole balls, under any circumstances, is the very worst practice in gardening. I have seen so much mischief resulting from it that it makes me shudder even to think about it, and to enforce my objection I shall repeat what, I think, I once told in these pages. A few years since I went, late in the evening, with one of the best London growers to look at a long border of choice novelties, planted with balls some weeks previously. The border had beeji well watered with a rose pot an hour or two before, and had I not been interested to mark some plants, which I wished to purchase, the whole might be passed as in a flourishing condition ; but the first which I examined did not come up to my idea of a bedder at all, and I was told it was " a miffy dog;" and well it might. The border was fresh dug at the time of planting, all the plants were put in with the balls entire, and by the time of the visit, what with the watering and the'settling of the soil, the top of most of the balls were above the general surface of the border ; the sun and air baked the exposed surface of the balls, so that the water could not enter them, and there they wei'e, as dry as Scotch snulf, the plants half dying in the midst of plenty ; and I am afraid the poor fellow who planted this border ran a hard chance of going without his dinner next week. But our chance visit saved half of the plants from actual destruction ; at any rate, the master said he would have every one of them taken up next morning, the dry stufl' shaken away from the roots, and then replanted in the same places, and well watered. Box-EDGixGs come next in the Calendar. I never could make out how it is that in England nine persons out of ten plant bo.x-edgings with rooted plants, while in Scotland not one in a hundred ever thinks of such a thing. There they prefer slips without roots. At Beau- fort Castle, beyond Inverness, where I first learned to plant box-edgings, I have seen miles of it put in without a single root, and not a sprig failed. I have there sat for weeks together cutting ofl' the tops of strong-rooted dwarf box, with a chopper on a block, and then trimmed it for planting ; and that was the regular practice all round that part of the country, and is so yet for aught I know. It was the same in Morayshire, and round by Aberdeen to Perth and Edinburgh, and in some nurse- ries I have seen them cutting down box-edgings close to the ground to get slips for propagation, and letting the roots throw up a fresh crop to be dealt with after the same manner in three years afterwards. In several parts of England I have planted it just in the same way, and with the same result; and I firmly believe there is not the least advantage in planting dwai-f box with roots to it. I have seen it thus planted every mouth in the year Avith almost equal success; hut, I believe, October is the best month to plant it; but roots or no roots, it may be planted now and up to the middle of May. I Biennials come next, but out of the a n c order. ' From the middle to the end of April; again in July, and also in February, we sow biennials, according to the kinds and the season we want them to flower; but I cannot spare room to say more of them just now. Bulbs done flowering in glasses, &c., I shall leave for Mr. Fish. CARXATiohvS, Cloves, and Pinks. — I was never a florist, and I.fear never shall be one, but these plants are so very useful for cut flowei's, and every one likes them that way, that we gi'ow them extensively in the reserve garden, but never in the flower garden, where the best of them are no better than the Nemojyhilas, as far as a long season of bloom is concerned. Yet, where 22 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [April 10. a blank bed is no eyesore, what is handsomer than a bed of gay Piootees, oi' sweeter than one of dark or white Cloves^ I never heard if those new perpetual carnations, which Messrs Knight and Perry have on sale, would last out a summer in bloom in a bed. If they do, they would be invaluable. Among other ways we leave a quantity of layers of this tribe on the old plants or stools all the winter, for planting out now and to the end of the montli, and that prolongs their iiowering season, as they cannot bloom so early as layers from the same stools taken off and planted last September ; and, for any one having a slight hotbed to root them in, this is an excellent time to put in cuttings of them for early flowering next year, or for forcing; and in a warm rainy autumn I have seen plants thus reared come up into fine bloom through June and July, but much depends on the season, and probably on the locality. I am quite certain that cuttings now from strong grass (of the carnation, &c.) in the open borders, make forcing plants better than cuttings taken from those forced this winter, and I could tell the reason if I had room ; as it is, I see I shall not be able to say half of what I intended for my specimen Companion to the Calendar. Climbing Plants train and regulate. Nine-tenths of our hardy climbers produce their iiowers on the wood made the same season. Then to " regulate " them means that the pruning is done properly, or according to their natural habits, so as to assist nature for pro- ducing a certain amount of bloom. As a general rule in pruning climbers, all the very weak shoots ought to be cut out altogether ; also the very old branches that have borne spur shoots that are now next to useless through age, and to lay in healthy shoots made the last season, or the one before that. But in the absence of either, a very old branch had better remain for another season ; hut see that the best young shoot near to it at the bottom is cut down to a couple of buds, so that one of them may grow strong this season, and be ready at the next pruning to take the place of the worn out one. Always make provision for keeping climbers in young healthy wood, and not too crowded with weak and useless spray. As to training, pliant shoots will turn any way you wish them to fill up the allotted space. Dahli.\s plant to remain b. ; that means that old roots are to be planted, if the ground is ready for them, at the beginning of the month, where they are to flower, and it is just as safe to do so as to plant potatoes ; any time this month will do when the ground is dry. Wlien we want to increase a particular dahlia of which we have a root or two, the simplest way is to plant the root in a warm comer out of doors, early in April, and to take it up again at the beginning of May, when every eye or bud on it has sprouted in a natural way, and, therefore, more fit to be trusted again to nature for the rest of the season, than the best we can bring out by our artificial ways. Any one who can cut "sets" of potatoes for planting, may cut a dahlia root after it has sprouted ; you have only to take a morsel of the old root away with the sprout, and the work is done ; and if the piece is planted deep euougli to keep the top of the sprout just level with the ground, it will do as well, if not better, than if potted. A May frost never hurts dahlias that are thus treated more tlian it does potatoes. Sometimes the tops are scorched, but that does veiy little damage. It is not a good jjlan to plant a whole root, even if you want no increase, for the plants go too much to straw from the force of such roots. Dock them well by cutting of}' more tlian one-half of the finger and toe-like tubers ; but tliat in some heavy wet soils should be done a week before planting to allow the wound time to dry, as, otherwise, they might take the damp-rot. JIoEi.s'o and Raking are still the standard operations. There is not one out of a thousand readers who could make out my real meaning in that short sentence. In March I have for years recommended hoes and rakes to be locked up. I would as soon see an excited stranger with a drawn sword, as see a clever young gardener hoeing a fiower-bed of mine any day during the spring; because I could run from the former; but destruction, and to a fearful extent it may be, is inevitable by the Dutch hoe fiddling among choice things just beginning to grow underground. Now after explaining all this again and again, " hoeing and raking are still the standard operations," in nine places out of ten the rake is as great a rake as the hoe among young beauties. Insects and Grubs. — There is no better way of keep- ing the latter down than hand-picking, or placing baits for them so as to catch them at the feast in great numbers ; and for early green-fly tobacco water is the sim- plest way, as the Calendar says, but strange enough the writer never uses it out of doors, but banishes all the flying creatures with ammonia water. This will be the seventh season in which we keep down the fly in the rosary, and all over the garden, by the garden-engine dashing clear water over them wliich smells badly. It is from our liquid mama-e tank, into which the sewage wafer from the mansion runs, and all the tobacco in Virginia could not answer better. This is the only instance in which we ever use clear liquid manure. Stakes. — Our principal collection of dahlias is planted on a sloping bank behind an Italian gai-den, beginning with the lowest in the front row, and so on to the highest at the back or fifth row ; as soon as the border is trenched in April, the stakes for the dahlias are put down as regularly as soldiers at parade. The ground is then forked to get out the foot marks, and drills are drawn between the stakes for sowing annuals, which keep the bank gay while the dahlias are growing, and for some time after they begin to bloom ; but to keep the border good, one-thu-d fresh compost is added every year. D. Beaton. THE EOSARY. Stocks for Budding — So far as dwarf plants are concerned, many stocks may be procured in most gardens of large extent, wliere old perpetuals, and other free-growing and spreading roses are planted, as with- out any trouble of layering, suckers are often plentifully produced ; and these, during the winter, or note, being separated, planted in nursery rows, and well-headed down, will answer well for the great majority of dwarf roses in summer. Allusion was lately made to grafting such pieces of roots, and we have grafted them, very roughly, with a fair portion of success ; generally, however, fixing the scion not upon the root part, but on the young wood above it: sometimes slipping the scion in a wedge form between the cleft stock ; and in other cases taking a slice oB' the side of the stock, and a slice ofl' the side of the scion, tying them together, and then planting ; placing the tied part and all, except a bud of the scion, underneath the soil, and doing every thing except the planting in bad weather in winter. This may still be tried, but backward or late scions must now be used. It is chiefly, therefore, for summer budding that these runners and suckers must now be sought after, especially where there are no means of getting stocks of the dog-rose from hedges, or woods, or buying them from men and boys, who get them and sell them amazingly cheap. in all good loamy soils the dog-rose flourishes and does excellently as a stock for either dwarf or tall standards. With the exception of new stocks almost entirely in the hands of the nurserymen, the dog-rose is almost the only one we can get for tall standards. We say nothing of the beauty of such standards ; they are fashionable, and with many people that is enough, however rickety they seem. In procuring them, many beginners give themselves much pains and trouble April 10.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 23 i which might be avoided : first, by cutting off all the side shoots to the desired heiglit, leaving them as smooth as a walking stick ; they will be sure to push plenty of shoots in summer, all of which must be removed, except one or two at the top. Tlien, again, the trouble of tracing out a length of roots is quite needless, nay injurious, as if kept they only insure an abundant supply of suckers, which are always disagreeable fellows to contend with : from six to twelve inches length of roots are quite enough, though we will not quarrel with several of them ; and from these everything like inci- pient shoots and huds should be carefully removed before planting. Then they should not be planted shal- low, but the roots should be at least six inches below the sin-face, for whenever dog-rose roots come very near the surface, they are so full of buds that shoots will be protruded that will rise to the surface in the shape of suckers. The soil can scarcely be too rich for this pm-pose, and a good mulching from rotten dung laid over them ; and a watering with manure-water in May, will cause the bark to run more freely in June, and more early. If many are planted, a double rail of rods may be tied together, to which to fasten the sticks and the shoots when budded, as for want of a support many a bud is lost. Any one who wishes such stocks must pro- cure them now without delay. There is a great deal of pleasure in budding. Those who care nothing for this, but love roses, had better apply to their nurserymen, who can supply them much cheaper than they can do themselves. R. Fish. GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW GARDENING. PiMELEA. — This is an interesting family of plants, consisting of neat bushy imdershrubs that bloom chiefly in spring and early summer. Most of them are natives of New Holland, and the neighbourhood of the Swan River. Estimate of Species and Varieties. — The gi-eat pro- portion of these produce whitish flowers, arranged in close terminal heads, or corymbs, of bloom at tlie points of the shoots. One of the most pleasing of these is Pimelea incana, and that more from the singularity of its hoary stems, and its red stamens peeping through its white petals, than from anything strikingly beautiful. Another rather interesting is the P. drupacea, or cherry- fiiiited ; a compact little shrub, flowering in May, and followed by black berry -like sessile fruit, which when numerous are pi'etty ; and the plant is also among the hardiest, tln-iving tolerably against a warm conservative wall. The species with rose and pinkish flowers are, however, the most beautiful, and a few of these I will now mention. P. decussata, so called because the leaves are arranged in pairs that alternately cross each other. This is, though an old, still a very useful plant ; and when close and compact in its habit of growth, neither bearing the traces of neglect, nor the flat-headed rounded decrepi- tude-look of age, it is very beautiful when clothed with its reddish rose-coloured blooms. To keep this species compact and bushy, more flbry loam is necessary than for the most of the species. It is apt to grow too free and lanky when it has too much peat to revel in. P. diosmicfolia (Diosma-leaved). — A pretty, compact, low shrub, growing from one to three feet in height, with rose-coloured flowers, and blooming freely in the spring and summer months. P. hispida. — An elegant little shnib, with stiff bristly hairs ; from 1^ to 3 feet in height ; and having nume- rous blush, red and whitish flowers. P. st/lveslris. — Ari elegant middle-sized shrub with blush flowers ; flowering in a cool gi'eenhouse about Midsummer. P. intermedia. — A pretty graceful plant, clothed gene- rally with light pink masses of flowers ; blooms in spring and summer. P. rosea — An elegant little bush, from 1 to 3 feet in height, and adorned with rosy red flowers. P. rosea Hendersonii. — A superior variety to the last ; the colour is much deeper and more elegant, and if any thing the habit of growth is superior. P. spectabilis. — A most beautiful thing ; mode of growth rather slender and graceful ; flower-heads very large ; light flesh colour, with a dash of pink when well exposed to sun and air. This species blooms beau- tifully in winter in a temperature of from 40° to 47° at night; and, therefore, when wanted to grace exhibition tables in May and June, it must be kept very cool and airy during the winter. P. macrocephala. — Another large flowering sort, and somewhat similar in colour to the last ; light pink ; leaves large, and habit of the plant erect, growing from 3 to 4 feet in height. This is the newest, introduced by Messrs. Pince and Lucombe of Exeter, and is almost the only one of the group which, at one time or another, we have not seen. If it sustains the character given, it will be worthy of ranking with Spectabilis and Hender- sonii, which previously were the two most desnable for small collections. Propagation. By Seed. — This shoidd be saved in the heads, without rubbing out, during the winter, unless in the case of eai'ly-flowering sorts, or such as have been slightly foi-warded, so that the seeds may be ripe shortly after midsummer, in which case they may be sown at once in dampish soil in pots, and covered with a square of glass, giving but little water until the seedlings appear. As a general rule, fresh gathered seeds reqrure less moisture in vegetating than those which, from being gathered sometime, have become more indurated. In the case of old seeds, moisture should also be given with caution, as its quick absorption, even when vitality still exists, will be too apt to end in rottenness and decay. But in general, the seeds, being kept dry in the heads all the winter, may be sown with most advantage in well drained pots, in sandy peat, in March, covered with a square of glass, and then plunged in a sweet, gentle hotbed. By Cuttings.— li any shoots have missed having flower-heads at their points, these points will proceed to grow as the flower-buds commence to expand. In other instances, sometimes young shoots will protrude from behind the flower-heads. In either case an opportunity is aftbrded for obtaining a few early cuttings in March and April, the advantage of which is that the plants will be struck, potted oti', and established in their pots before winter. Wlien these young shoots are from one to two and a half inches in length, and getting just a little firm at the base, is the best time for taking them oft', and inserting them in the cutting-pots. When cut- tings cannot be got by either of these means, we must irait until the beauty of the flowers is gone, then cut them all neatly ofi', give any little pruning that is neces- sary to regulate shape and outline, as the two-year-old wood wDl generally break freely enough, and then wait until young shoots are formed", when as many may be thinned out as will be requisite for cuttings. Cuttings ft-om older wood wUl strike ; but then they require much longer time, are not so certain, and after all seldom give such healthy fi-ee growing plants. In preparing the cutting-pots, let them be tliree-fourths filled with drain- age, or place a smaller pot topsy-turvy inside of a larger one, and fill the space between to a similar height with drainage, then strew a little green moss to keep the drain- age clear, over that some lumpy fibry peat, over that finer sandy peat, and over all, from a cjuarter to half an inch of pure sand. If below this sand, or even blended with it, unless at the very surface, there is a little fine pounded 24 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [Apmi, 10. clean charcoal, but not mere dust, that bein7 a. 6 58 VII 9 1 10 15 11 25 morn, 0 26 1 17 % 0 Moon'a Clock Age. bef. Sun, 17 18 0 22 0 3fi Day of Year. 107 108 109 110 HI 112 113 Good taste is that power of the mind which enables it justly to appre- ciate the beautiful— yet who can say what constitutes the beautiful? Who can discover a combination of form and colour, that all persons at all times shall say is an embodiment of beauty ? Many cultivated minds — Burke, and Price, and Payne Knight, and Alison, with many others of lesser mark, have wrestled with the problem, but it foiled them all, and What is beauty? yet remains an unanswered question. It has been said that the precious remains of Grecian sculpture afford standards of real beauty, grace, and elegance in the human form, and the modes of adorning it ; but it is not so, for although they are admitted as examples of such excellence by Europeans, they are the very antipodes of what is beautiful in the eyes of the natives of the other three quarters of the globe. Habit — that to which the eye is accustomed — fashion, call it what we will, sets all standards of ideal beauty at defiance. " Of this," says Mr. Payne Knight, " the revolutions in dress only, not to mention those in building, furnishing, gardening, &c., which have taken place within the last two centuries, afford ample illustration ; and it is not the least extraordinary circumstance in these revolutions, that they have been the most violent, sudden, and extravagant in the personal decorations of that part of the species which, having most natural, has least need of arti- ficial charms ; which is always most decorated when least adorned ; and which, as it addresses its attractions to the primordial sentiments and innate affections of man, would, it might reasonably be supposed, never have attempted to increase them by distortion and disguise. Yet art has been wearied, and nature ransacked; tortures have been endured, and health sacrificed ; and all to enable this lovely part of the creation to ap- fiear in shapes as remote as possible from that in which all its native oveliness consists. Only a few years ago, a beauty equipped for conquest was a heterogeneous combination of incoherent forms which nature could never have united to one animal, nor art blended in one composition : it consisted of a head, disguised so as to resemble that of no living creature, placed upon an inverted cone, the point of which rested upon the centre of the curve of a semi-eliptie base more than three times the diameter of its own. Yet, if high-dressed heads, tight-laced stays, and wide hoops, had not been thought really ornamental, how came they to be worn by all who could afford them ? " " In judging, however, of the works of nature, it must be owned that there appears to have been less inconstancy ; the beauties of particular kinds of trees, plants, flowers, and animals, having, I believe, been universally recognized in all ages, and all countries ; but, over these, it must be remembered that the power of man is more limited, nor can he indulge those partial and extravagant caprices of his taste, which he has so abundantly displayed in the productions of his own art and labour. As far, however, as he has been able, he has done it most profusely. At one time he crops the tail and ears of his dogs and horses ; and, at another, forces them to grow in forms and directions, which nature never intended ; his trees and shrubs are planted in fantastic lines, or shorn into the shapes of animals or implements ; and all for the sake of beauty. Happily for the poor animals, it has never appeared possible to shear or twiat them into the shapes of plants, or it would, without doubt, have been attempted ; and we should have been as much delighted at seeing a stag terminating in a yew tree, as ever we were at seeing a yew tree terminating in a stag. These metamorphoses of plants are not now, indeed, in fashion ; but it is merely fashion that has ex- ploded thetn; and as both fashions have had their respective admirers, not only among the vulgar, but among the most discerning and en- lightened of mankind, it may reasonably be doubted, whether either of them be at all consonant to the real principles of beauty, if any such there be." That there are no such principles, we fear must be admitted, and that as there never was a face so ugly as to find no taste that could discern in it a line of beauty, so has there never been a fashion for arranging dress, or dwellings, or gardens, that has not been generally adopted and ad- mired for a time. It is vain, with such facts before us, to search after the principles of beauty; for abstracted beauty can but be what is pleasing to the many at a given time, and at a given place ; yet, as we have already observed, many men of powerful minds have sought to detect those prin- ciples, and the writings of one of those men, R[cuard Payne Knigbt, are now open upon our table- He is among the defeated, and as he failed in the research, who is likely to succeed ? Nursed in the lap of wealth, with an eye that had dwelt, and a hand that had rested upon all the best that remains of Grecian and Roman art ; highly educated, and with a taste that could appreciate and practically demonstrate what is beautiful in nature— beautiful according to our ideas of the beautiful— yet, in no one page of his writings has he demonstrated a principle of universal beauty. He has shown us that Burke and Price were mistaken, but he has not substituted one truth of hia own in the niche from which he plucked their error. We have wandered with him through every passage of his Land- scape, his Pro!^re.s— Elton, Waterloo, and Black Eagle. «ra«!4cmes— Elton and Downton. A large and long-keeping Red Currant. P/Kms— Ickworth tmperatrice, and two improved Damsons, JVerfnrines— ImpiSratricc, Ickworth, Downton, and Althorp. Pears— Monarch, Althorp Cressane, Rouse Level, Winter Cressane, Belmont, and many others. Many excellent and productive varieties of Potatoes, of which the only one named is the Downton Yam, The Knight Pea, and improved varieties of Cabbage. The originator of these great additions to our garden harvests was born at Wormsley Grange, on the 12th of August, 1/59, and was but five years old at the time of his father's death ; and his early education, like that of his brother, was much neglected. However, after a little tuition at Ludlow, he was removed to a school of considerable reputation at Chisvvick, then kept by Dr. Crawford. He was afterwards entered of Bahol College, Oxford, where the late eminent physician. Dr. Baillie, was his contemporary : who used to say of him, " that he managed to acquire as much Latin and Greek as most of his fellow-students, though he spent less time about it, and much less than he devoted to field sports." He was at this period, and continued for many years afterwards, to be an eager sportsman, and an excellent shot ; but with him, even in his boy- hood, killmg the game was only a secondary consideration to the oppor- tunities which his long rambles with his gun afforded him for studying nature ; and from the facts and incidents collected at this early period he laid in a fund of information which formed the basis of many of his sub- sequent investigations. He was at this time painfully shy, and it was difficult to draw him out ; but he was remarkable for the steadiness with which he resisted all attempts, whether by persuasion or raillery, to join in the intemperate habits then so common in the Universities. rn 1791, Mr. Knight married Frances, the younget daughter of the late Humphrey Felton, Esq., of Woodhall, near Shrewsbury. The gentle- ness of her disposition, and her unceasing endeavours 'to promote his comfort and happiness during the forty-six years thev were permitted to spend together, secured to her the affections of a heart so calculated for the reception of the endearing ties of domestic life, as that of Mr. Knight ; and the pain of separation was softened to her by a recollection of the uninterrupted harmony in which this long interval was passed. On his marriage, Mr. Knight established himself at Elton, in the immediate vicinity of his mother's and brother's residences ; the acquisition of a hothouse and a farm now enabled him to prosecute his experiments in horticulture and agriculture with more advantage than heretofore. His income, as a younger brother, was at this time limited, and it was asto- nishing how much he did to advance the science of horticulture, with a garden and an establishment of the least expensive description ; but one of his peculiarities was, the readiness by which, with his own hands, and 'n ^^^'^*™'=.'^ °f ^ common carpenter or blacksmith, he would construct all the machinery he required for conducting his most elaborate experi- ments. About this time Mr. Knight became acquainted with Sir Joseph Banks ; and this introduction had so important an influence on his future proceedings, that it should not pass unnoticed. It occurred in the following manner:— The Board of Agriculture bad drawn up a set of queries, to \yhich they desired to obtain answers from different districts ; and an application had been made to Sir Joseph Banks, to recommend persons properly qualified, to whom the queries should be addressed. Sir Joseph referred to Mr. Payne Knight to recommend some one for this purpose in Herefordshire ; who mentioned his brother, as more likely than any one he knew to fulfil the object in view, from his practical knowledge of the agricultural operations of that part of England, as well as from the attention he had given to its natural history. This in- troduction to Sir Joseph gave wings to his advancement through that realm of science whither he directed his course. At Sir Joseph's house he had occasionally opportunities of comparing his own observations and t theories with those of many of the most celebrated naturalists of all countries ; and it would probably have been advantageous to him had those interchanges of information and opportunities for discussion been more frequent, for it would have saved him trouble in working out facts I which cost all the labour and time of original discoveries, and which I labour would have been more profitably employed in building on the sub- I structure already laid by other hands. He for some years purposely ] avoided to read the works of his precursors in the field of vegetable physiology, from an idea that, by the study of nature, unbiassed by the I opinions of others, he should be most likely to arrive at truth ; but he was at length induced to deviate from this course by the adrice of his friend Sir Joseph. IMr. Knight's first communication to the Royal ' Society, was a paper " Upon the inheritance of decay among fruit-trees, ; and the propagation of debility by grafting," read April 30, 1795; and, in 1797, he published a "Treatise on the culture of the apple and pear, and on the manufacture of cyder and perry." In this work he repeated the same opinions which he had advanced in his paper, viz., that vege- I table, like animal life, has its fixed periods of duration ; and that, how- ever, the existence of a variety of a fruit-tree may be protracted beyond the natural life of the original seedling plant, by grafting, or by unusually favourable circumstances of soil or situation, still there is a period beyond which the debility incident to old age cannot be stimulated ; and to this he attributed the cankered and diseased state of most of the trees of the old varieties of cyder apples in the orchards of Herefordshire. In the year 1805, Mr. Knight was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and on the 4th of November, 1 806, the Copley Medal was voted to him for his papers on vegetable physiology, and presented at the anniversary meeting on the i St of December following, when Sir Joseph Banks de'livcred an address expressive of the sense the society entertained of the value of his discoveries. But the time and attention he devoted to scientific pursuits did not divert him from the prosecution of objects which, though less cal- culated to secure him an eminent rank among philosophers, were gaining him the still more enviable distinction of a benefactor of his country. He had by this time become well known as a practical agriculturist, and an improver of the breed of Herefordshire cattle. The stock of this county had been long distinguished for its superior quality ; the origin of this superiority he had taken some pains to discover, and the result of his inquiries led him to attribute it to the introduction from Flanders* of a breed of cattle by Lord Scudamore, who died in 1671. to whom the orchards of Herefordshire were also indebted for the introduction of many of their best apples. In 1804, was established the Lmidon Horticultural Society. John Wedgewood, Esq., was the first projector, and on the Society being constituted on the 14th of March, 18U4. the rules and re- gulations which had been suggested by Sir. Wedgewood, were adopted. On the 30th of March, a meeting was held for the appointment of an annual council and oflicers, when the Earl of Dartmouth was elected Pre- sident, Mr. Wedgewood, Secretary, &c. The first part of the Transac- tions was published in ] 807. It opens with an introductorj' paper written by Mr. Knight, and also contains another paper from "his pen, " On Raising New and Early FruiU ; " read November 4, I806. From this time every succeeding part of the Society's Transactions contain several communications from him. In order to put the Society upon a more firm foundation, and to give it a higher character, both in this and foreign countries, it was determined to obtain a charter, which was granted in April, 1808, and on Lord Dartmouth dying, about the end of the year, 1810, Mr. Knight was elected President "on 'the Ist of January, ISII, and continued to fill that office during the remainder of his life. His rcsi- dencc in the country prevented, indeed, his usually taking a part in the deliberations of the council ; but it enabled him more effectually to promote the objects of the Society, by the prosecution of his investiga- tions ; and on every occasion where his time or his purse could be made available to its interests, his assistance was always most liberally given. With one or two exceptions, he was present at the anniversary meetings on the 1st of May, tdl the last year of his life. At the period" when Mr. Knight became President, the Society had made little progress ; and its rapid increase afterwards, is, in a great measure, to be attributed to Mr. Sabine, who became a member about the same time, and afterwards accepted the office of Secretary, and whose zeal and activity, supported by the reputation of the President, gave a new impulse to its exertions, and enlisted among its supporters not only men of science and practical gardeners, but nearly all the rank and wealth of the kingdom. With the ample means thus placed at the disposal of the Society, information and produce were collected from all parts of the world, and were distributed with unsparing liberality ; and by the sound physiological principles taught by the President, and the unceasing activity of the Secretary a complete revolution was effected in the science and practice of gardening and a great public beneSt was conferred throughout the kingdom, by m- ducing many in every class of life to employ their leisure hours in an innocent and healthy pursuit. The Society first established a small ex- perimental garden at Kensington, in the commencement of the year 1818 ; but this being found too limited, and too much within the influence of the London atmosphere, it was determined to select another site, and the present garden of thirty-three acres was taken a few years afterwards, and the stock finally removed there in the early part of the year 182'' The great expence attending the establishment, and keeping up of so large * In Cuyp's pictures the cattle are usually represented of the Hereford- shire colour, with white faces. No.CXXXIY.,VoL. VI. u THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [April H. a garden, together with the failure of the parliamentary grant, and the royal subscription, both of which the Society had been led to expect, but which it never received, added to some losses which it sustained a few years afterwards, gave a temporary check to its means ; but the active support of its many zealous friends enabled it to recover its position, without contracting for a moment the field of its usefulness, and long before his death, Jlr. Knight could safely contemplate this Society as a permanent means of applying to the benefit of the community those ph}-3iological principles which he had laboured through life to establish. One of tlie earliest means adopted by the council for promoting the im- provement of horticulture, was the establishment of medals as a reward for merit ; these were first given in the year 1808, and on the Ist of May, 1814, the gold medal was voted by the Society to Mr. Knight, " For his various and important communications to the Society, not only of papers printed in their Transactions, but of grafts and buds of his valuable new fruits." A few years later, the council thought it desirable to establish a class of medals of a smaller size than the original ones ; and soon after the death of Sir Joseph Banks, in 1819, on carrying this resolution into effect, they embraced this opportunity of recording their sense of the benetits the Society had derived from hia support and influence, by calling it the Banksian Medal, and nlacing Sir .Toscph's profile on the obverse of the medal. In the year 1835, in consequence of the extensive distribution of these medals, the dies had become worn out ; at the same time, the encouragement to horticulturists which they had given had been so manifest, that it was determined to have three dies prepared by one of the first artists of this country. An emblematic representation of Flora, attended by the four Seasons, was selected as the design for the large medal ; the head of Sir Josejih Banks was again adopted for the smaller one ; and for the intermediate one, the council diHermined that no device could l>e more appropriate, and at the same time more accept- able to those whom it was intended to encourage, than a similar profile of Mr. Knight. The die of the Knightian medal was accordingly ex- ecuted, together with the two others, by Mr. Wyon, and was first dis- tributed to those to whom it had been -awarded in the course of the year 183/. At a meeting of the Society held on the 4th of May, 1836, it was resolved, "Tiiat the first impression of the Society's new large medal be struck in gold, and presented to Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq., for the signal services he has rendered to horticulture by his physiological re- searches." In the spring of 1809, Rlr. Andrew Knight and his family quitted Elton, and removed to Downton Castle, which flir. Payne Knight had given up to his brother, having built himself a cottage in the grounds, in which he passed his mornings during the summer and autumn months ; the rest of the year he spent in London. He still received his visitors at the castle, and frequently joined the family party at dinner, or in the evening, and the arrangenient probably contributed to the comfort of all parties ; for while it relieved the elder brother from the trouble unavoid- ably attendant on a large country establishment to a bachelor, it afforded many advantages to 5lr. Andrew Knight and his family. In 1827, l^fr. Knight had to bow beneath a hereavement from bis only son, who died from an accidental shot, and the bereavement was the more severe, because he had attained to mature manhood, and was gifted with high mental powers. In a letter to a friend written in the course of the following year, i\Ir. Knight says : — " I am at present, as I have been for some months, not in a state of mind to attend to, or interest myself about anything. I endeavour all I canto rouse myself into action, and I trust I shall in time succeed ; for I know that I cannot long survive in a state of idleness. I cannot but feel consoled and gratified by the interest taken in the calamity of my family by all classes. My son, if his life had been spared, I am confident would have fully justified the favourable opinion generally entertamed of him. As a father, he never gave me pain, except when the ardour of his character, and I may say his absolute love of danger, excited very painful apprehensions in my mind. The ways of Providence are hid from our sight, but the rule by which all is guided is just, and life is at best but an uncertain blessing, and it is, perhaps, 1 weakness to mourn for the dead." To a casual observer a slight appear- [ ance of nervous excitement was soon the only symptom that indicated the I change this blow had made — but to those who lived with him, and were I anxiously watching the workings of his mind, the fearful struggle that was going on within, was painfully apparent; disappointment, neverthe- ! less, never, for one moment, had power to sour the sweetness of his temper, and he seemed to be always trying to fill the blank in hia heart, by bestowing, if possible, redoubled kindness and affection upon those who were still spared to him. It was long before he was like himself again ; and even to the close of his life, though time had done much by its softening influence to restore his mind to a healthy tone, there had been impressions made under the first overwhelming influence of this blow, which no effort of reason, nor the persuasions of those around him, i could ever entirely eradicate. I In 1838, he was visited by Sir G. S. Mackenzie, who thus records the ' impressions made upon his mind by his host: — "The venerable and talented proprietor of Downton, surrounded by a princely domain of ten , thousand acres of rich and beautiful country, thinks of nothing but of what may be useful to his fellow-creatures. He received us with that un- ostentatious but kindly welcome which displayed the true spirit of hospi- tality ; regarding a visit as a favour conferred on the host, and not on the guest ; and which at once excites mutual benevolence, that operates like magic in giving birth to friendship. It is true, we had seen our excellent host once before, and enjoyed occasional correspondence witli him during many years. But notwithstanding, on entering a house for the first time, we felt a little awkward, as Scotchmen generally do in such circumstances. In a short time, however, this was brushed off by attention from every side; and we experienced, with mucli delight the ease, grace, and kind- liness of English hospitality. Our venerable host, active and energetic in his /Sth year as a man of 40, is one of those rarities among men, that know everything — who can put their hand to everything, and give a sound philosophical reason for «'hat they do. He is one who can discern rotten- ness in church and state, as well as canker in a fruit-tree, and can fathom both. He can see the traps set for the people, as they are closely analogous to those ingenious ones he sets for the blackbirds that come to devour his fruit. He soon introduced us to his garden, which we were most anxious to see. We found no display — nothing for show — all was per- fectly simple and business-like, and full of experiment. \''arious modes of culture were in progress with everything; and reasons were given for commencing every experiment. Were we to attempt describing all that we noticed in a garden at which, on account of its plainness, those who regard show and display would turn up their noses, it would be proper to think of writing a volume. We will, therefore, conclude by stating that Mr. Knight has not yet subscribed to the theory of the rotation of crops derived from the experiments which showed that plants deposited excrc- mentitious matter ; the theory being that, while such matter is useless to the plants that reject it, other plants are nourished by it. Further ex- periments are wanted to elucidate this curious subject ; and no one has better means to confirm or overset the theory than Mr. Knight." For these most interesting particulars we are chiefly indebted to a memoir written by the members of Mr. Knight's family, and prefixed to a volume in which are published A selection from the Physiologicnl and Hovtiniltural Papers of the late T. A. Knight, Esq.; and it remains but for us to record that he died on the 11th of May, 1838. "His end was as peaceful as had been the pursuits of his long and useful life ; and few men have descended to the grave more beloved or more sincerely regretted by all ranks of society." JIeteor'ology of the Week.— From observations at Chiswick during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- peratures there of these days are 6o.8° and 38. S'^, respectively. The greatest heat, 80°, was on the 25th in 1840 ; and the lowest cold, 25°, was on the same day in 1S27. Rain fell ou 72 days, and 86 were fine. The World's Fair is about to commence, and thousands of thousands of the idle, the inquisitive, and the diligent are about to gather, and are now gathering, to one point, from every civilized region of the eartii. The timid and the croaking are prophesying of the evils to result from this mingling of nations : but the same minds would have muttered similar forebodings over an intended gatliering of Christian men, to celebrate a cen- tenary of the Reformation. We, on the other hand, venture to pro]ihesy, tliat there will ho no such catas- trophes as those morbid imaginations have incantated, but that there will he more prejudices broken down, more useful information imparted, and more excitement to emulous exertion diS'used during the weeks of The Great Kxhiuition of 1851, than years could have elfectcd witliout such a passage of arms in one arena, where the skilful of the whole globe arc admitted to contend for the prizes. Excellence has emulation as well as diligence for a parent, and never have both parents been rendered more vigorous than in the endeavour to raise an oifspring worthy of tenanting the Crystal Pavilion. Nor is this all the good that will be effected among our countrymen, for thousands will visit London on this occasion, tempted thither by the Exhibition, and the cheap transmission, who, under ordinary circum- stances, would have contemplated such a visit only as a dream of a wished-for land. Nor will these come to the metropolis actuated by the mere idle love of the new and the strange. We know, from the letters before us, of many little schemes and arrangements for acquiring useful knowledge during the visit, whicli the acquirers are thirsting to carry back with them to their out-of-the- way nooks of our happy land. Many of these schemes embrace the intention of visiting the establishments— the gardens, private as well as public— that may furnish suggestions and specimens for memory to store up, and exertion to imitate in after years ; and wo will not spare ourselves in our cllbrts to promote these intentions. "What ought we to see?" is a question in many of the letters we have mentioned, and we cannot employ ourselves better than by furnishing this general answer: First of all we recommend Kew Gardens to be visited, not only because there is assembled the best and most April 24.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 45 ample collection of jilants iu England, but because they we fav better cultivated — and we speak this to tbe sliame of tbe Hovticultui'al Society — than in any other public garden near London. The Kew Gardens and their Museum are open every day (Sundays e.xcepted), from one to six o'clock; and the jileasantest mode of journey- ing thither is by one of the steamboats which take passengers to Chelsea, whence another boat conveys them to Kew, the entire expense being tenpence. We shall not particularise the objects most worthy of notice in Kew Gardens, because a shilling guide, by Sir W. Hooker, may be obtained at the gates. Although we have held up to reprobation the prac- tice of the Horticultural Society, yet their Chiswick Garden will be found well worthy of a visit at any of their three exhibition days. May 3, June 7, and July 19. Here will be then assembled specimens of the best achievements of modern gardening. But visitors must seek for warnings rather than examples iu the cul- tivation of the garden itself. The flower-borders rarely exhibit auythuig striking, the fruit-ti'ees are diseased and mostly barren, whilst the kitchen garden is a farce. Some first-rate gardeners were walking round this department last year, and seeing the aspara- gus beds marked out as under experiment, the simulta- neous query was, " But where is the asparagus ? " and a similar query would have been applicable to each quarter — "Where is the crop?" This is not as it ought to be; and we say so whilst we gladly admit the benefit the Society effects by its exhibitions, and by distributing cuttings, and other means of propagating new and superior tenants for otn gardens. We liave yet to mention some other public gardens, but these nnist be postponed until next week, and we will conclude to-day with a notice of some of the nursery gardens near London, and that we may avoid even the ap- pearance of partiality, we shall arrange them alphabeti- cally. Ambrose, Baltcr.ica. — A well-kept nursery. Here axe a large number of the best kinds of Genanums, especially the fancy varieties. To such persons as ailmke this class of Horists' iiowers, a visit to this nursery wUl be veiy gi'atifying. Three miles from London, by omnibus. Beck, Isk-woHh. — A well-known raiser of tine Gera- niums. The young stock is pai-ticularly well grown, as well as the specimens. Ten miles from London ; by either steamers on the river, by South Eastern Kailway, or by omnibus. Ch.vndler and Sons, Vanxhall. — This old established nursery is particularly famous for fine collections of Camel- liiis aud Chri/siintlumiims, especially the latter. Two miles from London, on the Wandsworth-road. South Western Rail, from Waterloo Station to Vauxliall; and by omnibus from the Bank. Fairbahn, Brothers, Clapham. — This is a good nurseiy for Greenhouse jilants, but more especially for Heaths. These ai'e grown by thousands, and are exceedingly healthy. The large specimens are also very line. Three mUes from Loudon ; omnibuses every ten minutes pass tlieir gate. Fraser & Co., Lea Bridije Road. — An excellent nursery for New Holland greenhouse plants, and a fair collection of Heaths. This nursery is famed especially for specimens of the above plants. Five miles from London ; by Eastern Counties Eailway to Lea Bridge. Gaines, Battersea. — In this nursery is a large collection of Geraniums and Calceolarias. Persons desirous of seeing these plants well grown, should visit this nursery in May and June. It is close to Mr. Ambrose's nursery mentioned above. Groom, Clupham. — Here, in tbe month of May, may be seen, perhaps, the finest bed of Tulips iu the kingclom. There ai'e also a good collection of Aariciilns, also an im- mense stock of the Lilium lancifolium, aud all its varieties, besides several other rare bulbs, such as the beautiful and rare triljes of Calochortus, Bii/iJella, &c. Two and a half miles from Loudon. Omnibuses from Gracechurch-street pass the gate every ten minutes. J. A. Henderson and Co., Pine .Ipple Place, Edgeware Road. — This is, perhaps, the largest plant niu'sery near London, and well deser\ing a visit. There is a good collec- tion of select Orchids; a select collection oi Stove plants; an extraordmary collection of Xew Holland, Chinese Azaleas, aud other Greenhouse pla]its ; a fine select collection of Cape Heaths ; a choice collectiou of the best Carnations, Cinerarias, and Calceolarias ; a fine collection of Exotic and Hardi/ Ferns, itc. At their Nurseiy at Kilburu, a mile and a half further down the road, they keep a good collection of Tines, Peaches, Nectarines, and all other choice hardy fruits. One mile from the marble arch, Oxford Sti-eet. Omnibuses every five minutes from the Bank and Chariug Cross. E. G. Henderson, Wellington Road Nursery, St. John's Wood. — The great attraction of this large nursery is the Cinerarias. Their fame has gone forth to all parts of the Idngdom. Heaths are grown in great numbers ; also Chinese Azaleas and Geraniums, especially the fancy varieties. There is, also, a fair collection of Stove plants, CameUias, i-c, &c. Two miles from London. The Atlas omnibuses run past every five minutes from Charing Cross. We have before us some specimens of dried Ferns, mounted and arranged by a young botanist, for whom we confidently ask the patronage of our readers. He proposes, if he can obtain one huudi'ed subscribers, to furnish each subscriber with a complete set of di'ied specimens of British Ferns. They will be in six parts^ each part containing fifty named species, and be charged no more than five shillings. We can vouch for Mr. Brocas' good knowledge of the subject, for the excellence of his specimens, and for the taste and care with which they are mounted. He is a youth struggling up that rough path which the orphan has to take, whose own head and own hand have to win the blessing promised to the diligent. We hope many of our readers will add their names to his subscription list. His direction is, Mr. F. York Bkocas, at B. S. Hill's, Esq., Basingstoke, Hants. NEW PLANTS. THEIR PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. Smooth-leaved Solandra [Solandra lacis). — Pax- ton's Flower Garden, i. 171. — Dr. Solander, like A. Bertolini, whose namesake we have biogi'aphied at page 82, had four genera named in compliment to him by four difierent botanists, of which Linnfens, his preceptor, named one ; but to this one by Swartz, a German bota- nist, Solandra is now limited. It belongs to the natural order of Nightshades (Solanacese), and in this arrange- ment comes nearest iu aflfiuity to the genus Datura, and, like it, is characterized by lai'ge handsome flowers and soft succulent wood. In the sexual system of Linnreus it comes into the first order of the fifth class, Pentandria Monogijnia, having five stamens and one pistil, like Solanunt, to which the Potato is referred, and after 46 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [April 24. which the order of Nightshades is named, an order com- prising from nine hundi'ed to a thousand species, the lialf of which is included in the genus Solanum itself. The order contains the narcotic poisons Henbane, Man- drake, and Deadly Nir/htahade, with others more or less vh-ulent, all or most, of which, however, ai'e valuable medicines in the hands of practitioners, though dan- gerous to, and always to be suspected b}', such as are not awai-e of the force of their natural qualities. Other species are pungent and powerful stimidants, as Cayenne pepiier. which is the gi'ound jiods, &c., of a species of Capsicum, while the tubers of the Potato supply whole- some food for man. The genus Solamlra, as now restricted, is a small one, the species, however, are no less remarkable for their beauty than for the large size of their flowBrs, more especially Sohindra yrunrliflora, which in many countries is trained like the Glycine sinensis, and attains to an equal size, flowering on the spurs and young wood made during the previous year. A few years back there was a large plant of it trained against the garden wall of the Governor of Malta, at St. Antonio, where it covered a siu'face fifty or sixty feet in length, and flowered magnificently in the early part of summer. Can any reader inform us if this plant is still living, and what the dimensions are ? From what we know of the diflereut species in other countries, we believe all Solundros would flower more freely if they were subjected to a dry greenhouse treatment from October to Apii], and great heat and sunliglit when they were growing. They were iu great reinite I'oiTnerly witli our gai'deners, but from a supposed difficuky of bringing them into flower they have undeservedly fallen into great disuse of late years. Sweet recommended strong soil for them, and great heat when growing ; and lie recommended to propagate them by young liranclies after they were ripe, so that they might flower in small pots. No plants can be more easily increased or preserved. The genus is in honour of Dr. Solander, a Swedish natu- ralist, a pu]iil of LinniKus, and the companion nf Sii- Joseph Banks, in Captain Cook's first voyage round the world, on whqm devolved the arrangement cjf the botanical researches of the voyage, which, with his other manuscripts, are now in the British Museum, where Dr. Solander was once imder- librarian. His perfect acquaintance irith the sexual system of Linnieus gave a great stimulus to the cultivation of bota- nical science in this counti-y, where it was but veiy imper- fectly understood previously to his anival in 1760, and thus it supplied the cradle in this country to the more usefid and now more sought after natural system of Jussieu. Solamlra lipvis is a native of Guatemala, and is synony- mous with the Solandra grandijtora we have already men- tioned, and which was found by Hartweg in the mountains of Quezaltenango. The flowers are pale green, and about seven inches long. Linden's Uroped (Uropedium Lindenii). — Gardeners' Mayazine of Botany, ii. 219. — This is a new and extra- ordinary genus, even among Orchids, and was recently named by Dr. Lindley, from oura, a tail, and pedion, a slipper, alluding both to the extraordinary long appen- dages to the flower, more than two feet long ia the wild specimens, and to the slipperdike form of the lip, as in the Cypripeds (Cypripedinm), to wliich Uroped is the nearest in affinity. The specific name was given by the same author in compliment to M. Linden, a conti- nental collector who travelled in South America, and whose great success in discovering and bringing over alive many of the rarest and finest orchids iu the new world was attested by his sales of them in London in 1847 and last season. Uropedium Lindenii sold at the latter sale at prices varying from two pounds six shillings to nine pounds, prices considered by some to be about a fourth of their value. These collections were chiefly from Colombia, in South America, better luiown as New Granada, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Dr. Lindley has written a half-crown pampldet describing M. l^inden's Orchids, by the title of " Orchidacecc Undeniana, or Notes ujjou a Collection of Orchids formed in Colom- bia and Cuba by Mr. J. Linden." In this pam]dilet we were first made acquainted with the subject of our biography, " one of the most exti'aordinary of known orchids." Those of uur readers who may have April 24.] THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. 47 friends or connections at Caraccas or Maracaibo, or, indeed, in any of tlie great towns in Venezuela, should endeavour to enlist theii' good services to procui'e some of the rare and heautiful plants which inhabit the deep forests of those regions, or the mountain ranges of Merida, from which hardy or half-hardy fine things could be had in abundance; but in attempting importations from thence the unfortunate fate of Hai-tweg's collections at Carthagena must not be lost sight of. If any of oar supporters should determine on a tiial of this nature, we think we could give them such infor- mation as would be likely to lead to success. Uropecliiim Lindenii was discovered in the woods of New- Grenada dm-ing 1S4-'I by Mr. Linden. The sepals are yellowisli white, the petals, including the tail-like labellum, are of a similar pale colour. B. J. THE EKUIT-GARDEN. A Calendarial Companion. — It is strange to reflect, that two minds, wide, it may be, as the poles asmider, shall drop simultaneously on the same idea, as it were, intuitively. Yet, so it is, and our worthy friend, Donald Beaton, has actually been guilty of the robbery of a favourite idea of ours, as to this Companion to the Calendar. We beg pardon, it is scarcely robbery, it is, perhaps, in politer terms— anticipation ; or it may be something else. Be these things as they may, there can be little hesitation in following such a leader; and we must this week take the liberty of doing so, believing that we shall be reBidering the state a service. Bottom-heat, Reneir. — The most jealous care is neces- sary over all removals of fermenting materials in the month of April. Young gardeners are apt to forget, that a double or treble stimidns to fermentation has arisen in the great increase of the average heat, as also in the impulsive power of intense sunshine. For these reasons, we would never plunge any pots their whole depth at the spring removal ; but rather add what tan or other material is necessary by degrees, as the heat sub- sides. Those who are inexperienced should make a point of feeling then' trial sticks daily, at a given time. There is an old saying — " What is done any time, is never done ; " and young beginners should suffer them- selves to be influenced by its moral. Cucumbers : Frequently remove linings. — Nothing tends more to preserve the inmates of frames, under early forcing, in good health, than frequent turnings of the linings. Most of the cases of " burning," are traceable to the neglect of this. We would never, if possible, suffer any lining to remain undisturbed for more than a week, any time between the commencement of ft'ame forcing and the beginning of May. The linings should be I'emoved alternately ; never both at once ; and water should be ft-eely applied. A quiet day is most proper, for there is apt to be an inconvenient loss of heat on such occasions. When turned, the linings should be topped up with fresh materials, and at the next turn- ing the latter may be thrown into the bottom. Figs. — These are exceedingly apt to cast their fruit, and it perhaps oftener happens through want of mois- ture than any other cause ; not as to the amount, at any given period, but as concerning regidarity of supply. Orajtes : Increase the air to those rijieninrj. — Tliis, in other words, signifies let them ripen steadily ; do not hurry them, if flavour and good colouring is an object, ^lany persons, in their anxiety to have gi-apes ripe by a given period, sadly prejudice the character of the ]iro- duce. We have always found, as to in-door fruits, that the slower they ripen, the better they are, both in colom- and flavour. Some of our readers may have noticed the ettects of a lowering of temperatvu'e on the Keen's seed- ling strawberry. Through the pressure of various things in the forcing house, in March and April, we have often known a hall-gathered crop in pots compelled to give way to others of a fresher character ; and we have known the rejected ones, crammed away into cold frames, pro- i duoe much superior fruit to those which were gathered from them in the house. Indeed, we have known the premier prize taken by benies thus ripened, and they were almost black in colour, and of the most exquisite flavour. Such matters should not be passed by as trifles by our rising gardeners — they point to facts of great im- portance ; facts which possess a wider bearing than light iMnkers ai'e willing to concede to them. Peaches : Disbud slouiij. — To this we may add, watch the development of gross shoots, commonly termed "robbers." Let it be a maxim to cause them to give up their unjustly gotten wealth betimes, by beheading them; a rather severe judgment, to be sure, for the fashionable vice of monopoly. It is, however, the most, I had almost said only, legitimate way of training a proud tree, and of equalising its strength. As we have repeatedly shewn, years since, all the fine diagrams of winter pruning would never ettect an equalisation of the sap. Indeed, it is matter of notoriety, that since the fallacy of such notions has been rendered so potent by the horticidtm'al press, during the last seven years, those fine liau'-spUtting systems, and fantastical modes of training, have almost disappeared from the stage. Thank God, we say, for the advent of so much common sense. Tvmatoes. — Wlio does not relish a little of this deli- cious zest with a rump-steak'.' Now this is a clumsy customer to lipen in the north. Our London fair-wea- ther gardeners little imagine what battles we fight, in order to induce tomatoes to colour at all on the open walls. Early sowing, say end of January, fast cifltiva- tion when up, and a thorough hardening ofl', are here the best preparatory steps. A south wall is the only certain aspect with us ; and this can be ill-spared, as everybody knows. In addition, we deem it necessaiy to plant them on mounds, raised six or eight inches above the ordinary level, and this, in order that a wholesome check to ram- pant gi'owth may be always at work, for every trifling drought through the summer, curbs theii' fitfuluess, and keeps them short-jointed. We do not plant out finally until the second week of May, and they are then robust plants, almost showing bloom ; and even then it is well to bang a spi\ice bough over them, for fear of an undue visit from the ice king. Thermometer. — Beuare of extreme night heat. We are quite aware that "exti-eme night heat" is a most indefinite afl'air ; yet such is the amount of brevity in- herent in all calendars, that everything is compelled to wear an apothegmatical and sententious character; and this, indeed, would seem to point to the propriety of the course suggested by Mr. Beaton. By e.rtreme, was meant attempting the maximum point, on every occasion, for the sake of accomplishing, it may be, an uncertain good. There can be little doubt that much lower night tempe- ratures are endured, nay, enjoyed, by most of the in- mates of oin- hothouses in their own climes ; for it must be remembered, that if a blind adherence to what is termed nature, is to be the sole maxim, we must, for- sooth, have our tornadoes, our liai'mattans, and now and then a rattling hail storm. These things, however, would ill assort with our tender hothouse pets, and, therefore, such extremes are more honoured in the breach than in the observance. For instance, who can prove that a thermometer of oU" at night would be inju- rious to vines iinder forcing, provided they had been brought up hardy, — by which we mean liberally venti- lated, no codling? We throw this out as a hint for consideration. Having done with the fi'uit-forcing calendar, with now and then a skip — which said skip strongly reminds us of a skipping schoolmaster, who, not being well uj) in his scholastic lore, used to say to his boys, when he jnet with those long and difficult names with which 48 THE COTTAGE GAllDENER. [April 24. our Bible abounds, " Skip it kd ; neither tliee nor I knows it ! " — having finished that, we proceed to a few things in the hardy fruit-garden. Bloiwms of icidl-fruit protect and retard. — Everybody now knows what protection means ; but are not so know- ing as to the retarding principle, which is as yet only in its swaddling clothes. Itis, however,aflne baby, and will, doubtless, one day grow up to be a ciiedit to its parents. Our worthy editor seemed to regret that we had not stirred nearer the bottom when disturbing this subject in the number for April 3rd. The fact is, we thought it anything but premature to discuss this matter so late in the spring — a matter better fitted, perhaps, for the middle of January. Still, "better late than never,"- — a maxim as broad in its bearings as charity itself There can be no doubt of retardation being a fact, and a (jreat fact too. We have not here room to go into the philo- sophy of the thing, but a little careful consideration will show any one its beai'ings. If any one doubts it, let him try the reverse course for three consecutive springs, and see what the average efl'ect of premature excitement can accomplish. This, although not logically conclu- sive, will yet have the eft'ect of tearing away any film from the eyes which may liitherto have obstructed the vision, and of afl'ording a broader glimpse of the subject. Mulching. — It is of no use at the end of April await- ing to discuss the over-nice point of whether mulching does, or does not, prevent the soil receiving the rising solar heat. That it does so, there can be little doubt ; but it is not a question of heat alone. It is by far more a question of moistui'e ; permanent moistiu'e, we mean, as concerns transplanted trees especially. In advising the million, therefore, we say, mulch or top-dress all newly- planted trees at the end of April ; and do the same to all half-starved or meagi'e-looking fruit-trees, as also to all full-bearing kinds, especially if the subsoil cannot be relied on. Wasps destroy. We confess to believing in the doc- trine, that keeping down wasps in the spring, as sm-ely tends to keep down nests in the ensuing summer. Not being entomologists, our readers will doubtless excuse a country joke about them. We have a wasp-wise per- sonage, a shrewd old countryman, who has had much to do with catching wasps, and taking them here, for the last quarter of a century, and who bears the very pojui- lar cognomen of Tom Brown — a surname second only to the Smiths in our directories. Tom atflrras stoutly that every other year is a wasp year, come what will ; and that, strange to say, those springs that produce most single wasps, are by no means the most prolific in nests. We cannot vouch foi' the depth of Tom's pliilosophy, but really Tom has facts on his side very fi-equently. R. Eeringion. THE PLOWER-GAEDEN. Gladioli. — Now is a very good time to plant out the different varieties of these very showy border flowers that were potted last October and November, and kept in cold frames, and which may now be five or six inches high in the leaves. Also a good time to plant the last lot of bulbs of the Olndinhis jisittaciniis,iiuA its seedling varieties, wliicli do not require to be potted or planted till tlie spring. Wo have often advised that these spring gladioli blioidd be brought on in three successions, by planting some of them in February, otliers in JIarch. and the last lot about this thno, which will carry on the bloom till tlic middle, or end, of October. Those, tliore- forc, who may wish to try this experiment for the first time, will still find dry bulbs, or roots as they are called, in tlie seed shops, particularly the London bouses. Last week I put the last hundred bidbs of the psittacintis into a bed of pure sand, in the reserve garden, to root and sprout a little, so as to be forward enough for plant- ing finally where they ai'e to bloom sometime after the middle of May. The spaces they are to occupy being now too full of other things for spring flowering. I never found that moving them from this temporary arrangement had any ill eflfects either on the bulbs, or on their flowering, if they are carefully handled at the time of transplanting, so that their tender roots are not broken or crammed into narrow dibber holes. The roots spread out in all directions in the loose sand, and tliey will carry some of the sand with them when removed, therefore, the best way to plant them, is to open a flat drill three inches deep, if they are set in rows, or if in patches, to take up a spadeful of soil, and put five or seven of them together, a few inches apart, then to cover them with some light compost, and give them a good watering to settle it about the roots. Any one who knows how to make up a bed for a choice collection of hyacinths or fancy tulips, can manage a bed for gladioli exactly in the same way ; and those who do not, must try and make a deep, rich, light bed for them, say two feet deep, filled with equal quantities of sandy loam, or loam and peat one half, and the rest of leaf mould, or rotten refuse of some vegetable matter, with a little sand or road scrapings, but no J'resh manure, for no kind of butt likes to he near fresh duny. AVhen this kind of bed cannot be had, the next best way is to dig out a round hole, eigliteen inches wide, and two feet deep, and to fill it with the best light compost that can be pro- cured. The turf parings from the sides of the walks and flower-beds this spring, is an excellent thing to put at the bottom of the hole ; and broken tiu'f from a com- mon is stiU better, say to the depth of on« foot, then the rest may be from the top spit of any of tlie quarters or corners of the kitchen garden, if it can be spared. Planting out of pots does not disturb the ball in the least, and place it so that it is half an inch lower than the general level of the bed or border; the soil of the hall shoidd be moist throughout, at the time of planting, and a few boughs of some evergreens should be placed round those tlutt have leaves, for the first ten days or so, to break the force and chill of the easterly winds, till the leaves are inured to the change. When all these things are at hand, and things go on as they ouglit, gladioli will flower and seed far better this way than in pots under the best management ; and no garden shotdd be without lots of them, and under this system they need not be taken up every year, nor for many years, if the bed suits them. J.^PAN Lilies. — The very same kind of treatment will do for these also in beds, borders, rows, or patches ; and they are even more accommodating than the Swoi'd Lilies, or Gladioli, for they will do just as well in the American or peat beds, as in the best compost one can make. In planting them, it is a good plan to cover them full six inches, or, as they must now be turned out of pots, say four inches. They, too, may be left undisturbed tor years ; and it is worthy of remark, that a young brood of them, not expected to flower for the next two years, will increase in size and strength in the open gi-ound, when rightly prepared, at double the rate they would in pots in the hands of the best growers ; so that the trouble of pot-nursing them is best dispensed with, even if no flowering bulbs can be spared for the borders. It is very strange how few of the finer lihes one sees in the best of gardens ; for mixed borders, no jilants give less trouble, and every one admires a fine lily in bloom. IxiAs.— The strongest of them would answer to bo turned out of their pots now into a warm border, in front of a greenhouse, or some such shelter; and I have often treated a siuqilus stock that way, but I must say I never found them do nearly so well as wlien planted at once into the border, at the end of September, and pro- Apeil 34.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 49 tected from tlie frost by a moveablo covering. The number of half-hai-dy bulbs, however, that would repay one, by a little care, on a front narrow border, is almost endless ; and I believe, the chief reason why this class of plants is neglected, is the want of knowing the times at which the different kinds go naturally to rest, or flower, or begin to grow ; for notliing is less satisfactoiy than to find out that of two bulbs, planted side by side, one grows during our summer, and the other only from October to May, as, to do justice to the first, the second must be altogether out of its proper course. I have, over and over again, met with this difficulty when I had to do with new bulbs, or such as I did not know how they went on in their own country ; yet jjeople give me some credit on my success with bulbs generally ; so that I had, as it were, a character to sustain in our most useful Cottar/e Ganlaier's Dictionary respecting them; and, as far as my acquaintance with them, and tlie space allowed would permit, I have shown the seasons of their growth, flowering, and rest; and that, with their culture and propagation, by Mr, Fish, is all that is necessary for any tolerably intelligent gardener to know. Our amateur readers who And the details too limited, have only to apply foi- what more they require in these pages, antl between us all, we must surely spread an increasing interest in the cultivation of half-hardy bulbs. I believe I have not told distinctly that I have effected a true cross between the gi-eat Candalabra bulb, Brimsntjia, and the purple Valotta, and I am as confident of tlie cross as if I had it now in bloom on my table. The curious cross between this Valotta and the C'yrtnnthus, which I ob- tained two years since, is as sure to be an intermediate breed as anything can be; so that these three genera, notwitlistanding the dissimilarity in their habits and outward appearances, are, after all, but one and the same thing — true Amaryllises, chips of the old block, which will cause a derangement in the classification of Decan- dolle, Endlicher, and Lindley, and bring Dr. Herbert's words true, " that the gardener can force the systematic botanist to reconsider liis arrangement tlirough the pro- cess of cross-breeding." There are in cidtivation scores of good plants which never produce seeds, caused in a great measure by the want of some provision of nature, in the wild state, for the dis- persion of the pollen dust ; and if we would but take the trouble to effect this by our own hands, we should be repaid by a crop of seeds of many things that are still corapai'atively scarce and dear. Mr. Sweet is the only writer, tl)at 1 am aware of, who lays a proper stress on the necessity of artificial impregnation when seeds were desirable ; and he was so expert in the practice himself, that he could cause almost any plant to seed if be got it into bloom. This is altogether irrespective of crossing. Some of the more knowing ones make a little fortune by growing seeds that none can grow without the arti- ficial setting of tlie jiods. For some years, I have been adding to a list I keep of plants or genera that will seed, altliougli the flowers be destroyed before they e.\pand ; and for practical purposes, I look on all flowers as giving no aid to the setting of the seeds, and that they may be dispensed with whenever it is difficult to ensure impregnation, as in long-tubed flowers. All that is really essential, is to see that no remains of flowers, or their envelopes, or any other thing, get in contact with the young seed-pod, or with the style which is always connected with it, and cause tliem to damp or be otherwise injured. In short, let the nurse be taken care of until tlie youngsters are able to take care of themselves. Ann.\NGEMENT. — .Just now is the most likely time of the year to get into confusion with a large stock of half- hardy plants for the flower-garden — so many of Number this, or Number that, are fit to bo placed out of doors under mats, or other temporary shelter, while the rest of that sort are yet too young or too delicate to stand a puff of cold wind ; and so on through all the sprhig- propagated plants. Or let us say that one-third of the AnaguUis, American groundsel. Lobelias, &c., are unfit to leave the glass frame, while the rest of them are being hardened off' somewhere else, and that before the middle of ilay some of each kind are placed in three difl'erent places. Then say that twenty or thirty thou- sands of little plants are so distributed when it is time to begin planting out for the summer arrangement ; and if that is not confusion, I know not what is. Every pot or plant that is changed from one place to another from tlie beginning of April to the end of May should be arranged like the words in a dictionaiy, and this is how it is done. The best scarlet Verbena is marked number one upon a little stick in the pot, and in the garden book, under Verbena number one, the name is written in full, and after the name stands number five hundred, meaning that so many of number one are to bo planted this season. As soon as a pai'cel of number one is ready to be removed out of doors, or into cold pits, you place the whole of them together at one end, count them, and check the number by the book ; you find it to be three hundred and fifty, so you must leave a blank space for one hundred and fifty more, some of which will be ready next week, and some not tUl the week after ; but by the time they are all ready, they are put in the blank space ; and when you come to plant out number one verbena, you know to a plant where they are to be found, for if they are not in the proper staU, some one has made a blunder, and you must spend the half of a fine after- noon liunting through the whole collection for them, instead of turning them up like a word in the dictionaiy. Tills process must be carried out with numbers tuo, three, and every number in the book, and nothing is more simple ; but the system should be rigidly adhered to all the year round, and from year to year. The propagation book should tally with the catalogue in every instance, and may be called the day book. Here is the first entry for this year- August iith. Geraniums. 23rd. 30th. 1. Tom Thumb, 500—300—150. Which means that on the 5th of August, 500 cuttings of Tom Thumb were made, that variety being number one, 300 on the 23rd, and 150 on the 30tli of the same month. Then follow all the rest of the Gera- niums, accordmg to their numbers, and so with every other family. By looking over the propagation book before the frost sets in, you see the stock on band of every sort, and you will know bow many of the old plants to take up for ne.xt year. Each sort will be kept separate in their winter quarters ; and when you begin propagating in tlie spring, you make all the cuttings of one number before you begin the next : and when a li'ame full of cuttings is ready to pot off, contrive to pot all of one number in the same way. D. Be.won. THE EOSARY. Pruning and Peop.^gating Tea, Bourbon, and China Roses. — All the tender kinds should receive their final pruning this month ; and, as a general principle, the more freely they are cut down, the more freely and strongly will they bloom, tliough the bloom may not be so early as if longer pieces of the old wood were left. After a slight protection during the winter, with moss and spruce or laurel boughs, when these are removed, fine strong buds will be found breaking near the collar of the plant ; and, if cut back to these, there will be a succession dm'ing the season of strong, somewliat succu- lent shoots, each surmounted with a number of fine flowers — which shoots should be cut back as soon as 50 THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [April 24. the flowers have faded. I am aihidiiig chiefly to the tender dwai'f kinds ; and in their case, treating them thus, as if tliey were semi-lierhaceous, causes tliem to yield tlie gi-eatest quantity of liealtliy strong blooms. Tliese prunings may be even rendered useful for increas- ing the number of plants. I mentioned, the other week, how the small young side-shoots might be treated ; and a few of the tenderest of the Teas and Rourbons, thongh the cuttings should consist of a pa.rt of the old as well as tlie now wood, might receive similar treatment ; but for the majority of moderate hardy and strong-gi-owing kinds, such care will not be necessary. All that will be required, will be to out the |iruniugs into pieces of the last, and even sometimes of the previous year's wood, fi'om si,\ to twelve inches in length, cutting across at a joint at the bottom, or. better still, at a heel., where the last year's shoot has sprung from the shoot of the pre- vious yeai', and having at least one bud in the upper pai't. Prepare a small border on the north side of a wall, hedge, or other fence, by putting a layer of coal- ashes, witli a little salt, at the depth of twelve inches, fill up nine inches with very sandy soil, containing a little leaf-mould, and flnisliing with from three to six inches of sand on the surface. Then firmly insert the cuttings in rows, water, jmt a few twigs among them for a few months, and, with the exception of a watering now and then, they will reqiure no more attention. R. Fish. GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW GARDENING. Potting — One-shift Systeji. — Concluded from paye -36. 4tli. The j>ecuUar treatment to insure success. Pirst, in common with other modes of potting, the puts should be sound, fairly burned, dry, and either new. or tho- roughly clean, outside and inside. The man who puts a plant in a dirty pot, has too much of the Goth in his composition to possess, in any circumstance, much deli- cacy of feeling. Secondly, fjooJ. dntinarie — always essen- tial— must liere form a chief element of success. In all plants intended to remain in the same pot for years, it cannot be too particularly attended to. Green moss, or chopped wheat straw, strewed over the drainage, is a good thing for preventing the eartliy particles above lieing washed into and choking it up. Broken charcoal, from whence the dust has been extracted, is also very useful for this purpose. Indeed, larger pieces of charcoal may constitute tlie chief part of the drainage, which will be lighter tlian most things that could be used — a matter of considerable importance. On tJiis account, alone, it is valuable for mixing with the compost, to keep it open, independently of any chemical properties it may possess. Thirdly, sod. This, whatever may be its con- stituents, should ho rough and lumpy ; the bulk, in general cases, consisting of pieces from the size of peas up to that of beans and walnuts ; and in cases of larger pots, a few pieces may be as large as hen's eggs. In such compost the plants will grow rapidly ; and even in the case of heaths, &o., they will maintain a healthy appearance for years. If the compost, sliould much of it be in In rijer pieces, the plant will not at all be greatly injured for tlie first season, or more, nor yet as long as the roots are contented to crawl around the surface of the lumps; but when they have reached the side of the pot, and necessity leads them to pi^netrate tlio large pieces, a declining ujjpearance is apt to present itself; because these pieces, closely jiacked from their vei'y size, are apt to become ,iour in the centre, as the purifying influence of air cannot reach them. Hencp the com- plaints against the system, that tliough phi)its grow vigorously at first, tliey were short-lived. Such large shifts in the fine sifted soil of old could not succeed, unless in potted specimens, that received more care than can in general be given to plants. Using huge lumps of loam, or peat, would tend to produce a similar evil, though ti'om causes appaa-ently cM'erent. The middle course is the safe one. •■jth. Ill potting considcrahJe care is necessary. A plant never thrives well when the surface of the ball is simk sevend inches below the rim of the pot ; and there is something luicouth in oliserving the (.'entre of the ball sticking up in the centre of the pot, like a mole-lull, as used to be the case in growing hoatlis, &C-. before the principle of drainage and using rough soU were so well understood as they are now. In all cases, therefore, but especially where it is intended for a plant to continue for years, the compost should be pressed firmly before tlie young plant is set in the centre of tlie pot ; and as, nevertheless, it will gradually sink a little, the surface of the old soU may just be a little below the rim of the pot. If the roots ai'e the least matted, they should now be gently disentangled, and packed carefidly with the hand, in layers, putting the finest of the rough soil over the young rootlets, and the coarser towards the outside next the side of the pot ; and squeezing all rather firmly together with the hand, taking care, however, that the soil is in that happy medium that may be termed neither dry nor wet, and yet sutticiently heated to occasion no immediate check by cold. nth. Watering is the most important of all points, and, where it cannot be properly attended to, the one- shift system should not be attempted. I have repeatedly said, that the principle to be generally attended to, is to reach with moisture every fibre of the roots, and then wait until your services were required. But, in ordinaiy cases, such advice is synonymous with advising the moistening of all the soil in the pot equally and tho- roughly. Do so with newly-potted plants on the one- shift system, and you will soon have candidates for the rubbish-heai). For some time you must merely water as far as the roots extend — the unappropriated soil must not be soaked, or it will become sow and unhealthy for the roots even before they get to it. If you wish to be convinced of this, set a well-drained pot, filled with soil, along with pots having growing ))lauts in them, and give them all a dash regularly from the watering-pot, and just take the trouble of examining the composition in the plantless pot, after a few weeks' experunent, and the soaked, soapy look will at once show you the in- fluence of roots in keejiing the soil in pots in a good condition. No regular routine dash or dribble from the water-pot will do with the one-shitt system. I should have said, under the preceding head of pot- ting, that, with rough soil, it is necessary to surface with a little that is finer, that the air may not enter too freely. 7th. Temperature. On this system, for some time after potting, the ]ilants should have fi'om 5° to 10° more heat than they otherwise would require; and a close atmosphere luitil fresh growth is proceeding Ireely. A dash from the syringe frequently in liot days will be of great importance. Every incitement to gi-owth must thus be given ; and when that has been accomplished, then air must be freely imparted, and a ibier atmosphere maintained, that the fresli wood so freely made may be thoroughly matured. This will be especially ueccssaiy with all lastuig plants, or they wiU become rather (joutif in winter. Temporaiy fh'eting beauties will be encou- raged by the Siuue treatment. sth. Time of Potting. I'pon this system, in the case of all lasting jilants intended to be our conqianions for yeai'S, this should take pha* in spring and early summer, in order, fii'st, that growth may be quickly made, and then maturation of the wood be etiected before the dark dajs come, when, in tlic generality of cases, the low temperatiu'c of winter will givt; them the rest they require, before breaking and flowering vigorously and profiisely the following season. R. Fish. April 24.] THE COTTAGE GAEDENEK. 51 HOTHOUSE DEPARTMENT. STOVE ANNUALS.— (6'o«t(«!/.eti/roHip«(/e 26). Browallia demissa (Low B.) ; South America. — A pretty low growing annual witli blue flowers. B. Ei..\TA (Tall B.) ; Peru. — This is a taUei' grower, also with blue flowers. B. ELONGATA (Elongated B.) ; Peru. — This S2)eoi6s has blue and white flowers. Culture. — Sow the seeds in a gentle hotbed in March, in 5-inch pots, filled with light rich earth. When they are two inches high transplant them singly into .3-inch pots. Soil. — The compost suitable for these pretty annuals is formed of light turfy loam, sandy peat, and leaf-mould, in equal parts, adding a fan- portion of sand ; mix these well together, and use the compost moderately dry. As soon as the roots have reached the sides of the first pots, repot them into o-inch pots, well drained, placing them in the stove near the glass, stopping them to cause them to make nice bushes. Eepot again in a month into S-inch pots : in these they may flower. This is a genus of annuals worth growing, though not so showy as the Balsam or the Cockscomb. They are valuable for the sake of their variety of habit and colour of blooms, causing an agreeable diversity in the general view of the plants in the stove during the summer months. Cleome cardinalis (The cardinal flower C.) ; Mexico. candelabrum (Chandelier C.) ; Brazil. PENTAPHYLLUM (Five-leaved C.) ; West Indies. ■ ROSEA (Rose-coloured C.) ; East Indies. This genus of plants contains a considerable number of annuals requiring the heat of the stove. In it there are, also, some species that are pretty hai'dy. Their beauty consists in their extraordinary long stamens, which are beautifully disposed. Unfortunately the seeds are difficult to procure. It would be desirable if some of our collectors, when searching for plants in their native localities, would collect the seeds of these pretty annuals and transmit them to this country. Our readers may obtain some of the species by applying to some large dealers in London, such, for instance, as Charlwood, in Covent Garden, and Carter, in Holborn. Culture. — Soil. — The same compost as recommended for Browallias will answer for these plants. Raising the Plants. — This is rather a difficult task, as they are very apt to damp off in a hotbed, and yet cannot be raised without heat. Sow them towards the end of Marcli in shallow S-inch pans, well drained. Place them upon a shelf in the warmest part of the stove. In this situation they will be in a drier atmosphere, and, consequently, not be so liable to fog ofl'. When they have made their appearance, prick them off thinly into S-iuch pots, replace them on the slielf, water very moderately, and shade from bright sun for a week. After they have made a second gi'owth, pot them singly into small pots, give water, and shade again till fresh roots are emitted; then give more air and light, and repot and grow on till the plants have attained a con- siderable growth, and are in S-inch pots. They may then be permitted to flower. Mimosa pudica (Sensitive plant) ; Brazil.— This is the well-known plant whose leaves, when touched, fold them- selves up, and fall down as if struck with death ; for which interesting property it is desirable to cultivate a few plants. Soil. — Light loam, and sandy peat, in equal parts, with a fourth of leaf-mould, and a small quantity of sand, will grow these plants satisfactorily. They do not re- quire such rich soil as most other stove annuals do. Raising the Plants. — Sow the seed about the middle of March, in a oiuch pot ; a sixpenny packet will be sufficient, and will produce a score or two of plants. Place the seed pot either in a hot-bed, or on a shelf in the stove. Give a gentle watering, and keep just moist enough for the seeds to germinate. As soon as they have made two or thi'ee leaves, pot them singly into small pots in the compost, draining well, and repot till they are in G-inch pots. Nip off' the tops occasionally to make the plants bushy. These plants will not bear an indiscriminate quantity of water, it must be applied regulai'ly, but not in floods. If a second crop be sown in August, they will survive the winter in a warm stove, and will sooner make fine large plants in the spring. Thunberqia alata (Winged T.) ; East Indies. — This fine, and, when well giown, beautiful stove climber, though not strictly an annual, is by far better to be treated as such. There are several varieties, and to preserve the finest, it may be desii-able to propagate such by cuttings; but these never make such plants as those raised from seed in the spring. If the seed be saved from the best formed and highest coloured flowers, there will be a goodly number of good varieties. The best consist of the following colom's: pure yellow; orange, with a dark spot in the centre ; pure white ; and white, with a dark centre. Though they are all beautifid, yet such as have the dark centre ai'e the most esteemed. Culture. — Soil. — There is a peculiarity about these plants, in regard to the compost they will thrive in, that very few plants will hear. The finest specimens we ever observed were grown (after they had attained the height of six inches) in a mixture of loam and night sofl, which had been well incorporated for twelve months, and ft'e- quently turned over to mellow and sweeten. In this exceedingly rich, strong compost, the plants grew with a vigour and luxuriance that was perfectly astonishing. The leaves were neai-ly double the usual size, and the flowers were much larger and more highly coloured. It may, however, be not always convenient to obtain this rich stnnulant. The follomng will answer the purpose very well. Good well-mellowed loam of a strong texture, well-decomposed dung, and sandy peat, in equal parts; mix them well together without sifting, leaving the turfy paj'ts as rough as possible, so as to ensure a loose porous compost. This compost will, with the addition that we shall mention, grow the plants most vigorously — every other point of culture being duly practised. Raising the Plants. — Sow the seed in a light, rich compost of loam, peat, and mould, in pots five inches wide. Place them in a moderate hot-bed, giving them a little water at the first, and more freely after they have come up. Pot them off into single pots, whilst very young, in the same compost as they were sown in. As soon they have filled the pots with roots, repot them into pots two sizes larger. Use then the richer compost, draining them well. In this stage they require a larger share of air to prevent them drawing up weakly and spindly When they have filled tlieir last pot with roots, repot them for the last time into ] 0-inch pots, but do not quite fill them with the compost. They will now require some kind of support ; various articles may be used for this puiqiose; the most simple, and, perhaps, quite as ornamental, and certainly the cheapest of all is, to procure some twiggy, straight branches of birch or hazel, between two and three feet high, place three, tri- angularly, in each pot, trimming them round neatly so as to form an upright bush. The plants will cling to, and soon cover, them with foliage and flowers. Another mode of training, not much more expensive, is, to split some laths into three feet sticks, making them round, and placing five in each pot ; put a hoop of some kind either made of willow or strong wire, of the same diameter as tlie pot, about half way between the pot and the top of the sticks, tie each stick at equal distance from each other to this hoop, then draw them together at the top, tie them firmly, and there is a very economical and elegant trellis for the shoots to twine round. If expense is no object, the best thing for the purpose is a wire trellis; 53 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [April 24. perhaps a balloon-sliape, with a kind of crown on the top, is as ornamental a form as any. However, the cul- tivator must decide for himself what form of trellis he would lilce, as it is quite immaterial, so long as there is plenty of room hoth in width and breadth. ]5y the middle of July, or even earlier, the cultivator will he i-ewarded by having plants three feet across, and one foot or more through. GoMPHiiENA Globos.\ (Globc Amaranthus) ; India. — This, also, is a beautiful stove annual. It forms neat, dense hushes, each shoot bearing a head of flower almost round, or globe-shaped — hence its name. Colour bright purple. Tliero is also a white varietj'. Culture — So'il. — The usual compost formed of loam, sandy peat, and leaf-mould, with a due portion of sand to keep it open, answers well for these plants. Raising the Plants. — The seeds generally come to the grower in the husk, or seed vessel. It must he cleaned out of it, and sown in a .o-inch pot, covered with fine soil the thickness of a sixpence, then give a gentle watering, and place in a hot-bed, or wai'm stove. The seedlings will soon he up, and when they have made three or four leaves, pot them singly into 3-inoh pots; repot as they require it tdl they are in 6-inch pots, which is large enougli to flower them in. This is the last of the stove annuals we judge worthy of cultivation. There are plenty more, but either the flowers are small, or otherwise undesii'able. T. Appleby. FLORISTS' FLOWERS. Pinks will require attention now to refresh them, by stirring up the snri'aoe of the soil, and adding a thin coat of either very much decomposed manure or decayed leaf-mould. This covering will prevent the soil from cracking, will feed the plants, by its nutritive properties being washed down with the rain, and protect the roots from the heat of the sun's rays. Tansies, in beds, require the same treatment. The long shoots may be pegged down, and layered the same way as the Carnation. 'They will throw out roots where the incision is made, and from the layer making fresh roots, and drawing support also from the old roots, the finest and most perfect tlowers thus will be obtained. T. Apple UY. THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. Routine "Work. — Sow the various kinds of late brocolis in full crop, make another sowing of Walcheren cauli- flower, borecole, and other varieties of kales, Savoi/s, Cohicorts, &c. Plant both hklneij and dwarf beans in well-pi-epared gi-ound, and plant out those which have been forwarded in heat, or in sheltered situations, and protect them by raising a low bank on each side, which should be covered with bouglis or some other material. Sow Sweet Basil. Marjornm, Tlii/mc, Savory, and Burnet, in full crop, if not already done. C'rtjM' brocoli should be sown occasionally for the ne.xt six weeks; and plantings should be also made of this vegetable and of cauli- flowers, for some time to come, on well-prepared ground, and where they may be pai-tially shaded hy peas, scarlet runners, or a northern aspect. Much is to be acoomplislied by attending to such little matters at this season, with regard to seeming a succession of healthy, useful pro- duce in the heat of summer, at which time wo have I'l-equently oliserved tlie crops too liable to failure in some gardens, in consequence of an injudicious selection of vegetables, and tlie sowing and cropping the soil too fully at one time. It should always be remembered, in ar- ranging for tlio dill'erent seasons, that in the summer cer- tain crops ore required to partially shade otliers ; whilst, in winter, the same provision is required to shelter tliem. Peas and Beans. — We practice the sowing of peas, &c., on the warm side of sloping hanks at an early season, and, as the season advances, we plant and sow on the shady, cold side, and nurse such oropsas require heat and shelter on the warm side. The dwarf late kinds of peas should now he sown on the cold sides of sloping banks or borders; also the green-garden and Windsor leans. Spinach, turnips, lettuce, nulishes, &c., should be sown in succession in partially shaded cold situations, and the present is, also, a good time for sowing the true Viryinian tobacco, so as to get a good produce of large leaves for smoking the pits and frames, &o. We sow in pans at the end of this month, and place them in gentle humid lieat, pricking off the plants into pans or pots, as soon as they can be liandled, an inch or so apart, with some rich, open, healthy soil, placing them close to the glass in frames, pits, or other place wliere a gentle heat is at eommand, such as the back of cucumber or melon beds, for a short tiuie ; and as soon as the plants are established, and grown large enough to produce four or five leaves beside the seed leaves, they are pricked into small sixties, which can at that time be spai'ed from the flower-garden plants, that are then being turned out. The growth of these tobacco plants is encouraged for a few weeks, and hardened in order to turn out by the end of May, or begin- ning of June. If we have ground well-prepared to spai'e, part of them are turned out upon that, and the remainder between every alternate row of early potatoes, three feet apart from plant to plant. By the time that the potatoes are ripe and taken away, the tobacco is well established ; and the plants having be- come stm'dy and strong, the ground is forked over, and, of course, always kept clean and open by repeated sur- face stirrings. A liberal soaking of manure-water is occasionally applied, or advantage is taken of showery weather to have the earth raked away a foot round each plant, and a small portion of guano sown round it, and the earth at once again returned over it. By such treat- ment we grow the tobacco from five to seven feet high, well fmnished with luxuriant foliage from the bottom to the top. Fine weather is taken advantage of for gather- ing the leaves from the base first, and placing them in proper places for gradually drying. When sufliciently dry. they are packed closely and firmly into dry boxes ready for use ; and ultimately, at the end of the sea- son, stalks, roots, and all, are put together, and dried ; and, when made use of, are chopped up fine, and turned to useful account for destroying vermin, either by smoke or decoction. Fbajiing. — Cucumbers and Melons sow in succession of favourite kinds. Pot off early, and stop at the first joint. Do not allow any vacancies to occur in pits or frames ; but at all times have nice plants in readiness. Continue to keep each methodically trained, and the vine thin. Fruit, too, slmuld be regulated according to the strength of tlie plants, and not so to impoverisli them that tliey are imahle to bring the fruit to the greatest perfection. Keep it picked oti' and thinned in duo season, taking care, at all times, to keep those that are set on the strongest vine, and of the handsomest shape. 'Those in full bearing assist with occasional application of tepid manure-water. Mehms, wlien about half grown, require good attention of this kind. I^ay the fruit on slate or glass, clear from the soil, and point the blossom-end of it towards the north aspect ; no cracked i'ruit will then bo seen, unless water is applied over tliem, and the sun is allowed to shine on tlie structure the next morn- ing, previous to air beuig given. It should be carefully borne in mind at all times, botli with cucumbers and melons, that air should always be apjdied i)revious to tlie sun's rising, or, at all events, previous to its shining on the structure in which they are cultivated ; for nothing will produce canker so soon, or to the same extent, as the morning air thus confined and mixed with tlie previous night's humidity. James Barnes. Apbil 24.] THE COTTAGE GABDENER. 53 MISCELLANEOUS INEORMATION. ALLOTMENT FAEMING FOR MAY. CcxTUBAr. Matiehs. — Under this head may lie classeJthe following : sowing, planting, hoeing, raldng, rolling or tread- ing, watering, weeding, &e. We will offer a little adnce on each separately. Sowimj. — This appears, at fii'st sight, snoh an ordinary operation, that it could hardly afford room for a remark. Not so, however; to sow seeds evenly, and of a proper thick- ness, not only tends to economy of seed, hnt economy of laboiu'. There is an old maxim, " sow thick, thin betimes, itc." Now this extreme doctrine ought to be received with caution, for we have known young crops require an excessive amount of labour in ihinnimj alone. Take for instance the carrot, which, when young, is a delicate plant, and behold what a time it requires, if sown very thick, to single them out, as it is tenned, especially if there shoidd be a plentiful produce of weeds with them. Moreover, the plants become blanched and tender in the stem, and we have known a crop thus situated, singled out during a showery and growing day, succeeded by intense smisliine, half-destroyed by the sudden influence of sunlight on their stems ; and, if not destroyed, so paralysed as not to thrive again for some weeks. We say, therefore, always sow at tlie ordinary distance, unless the seed is known to be inferior, avoiding all extremes ; and as seeds, even from first-rate houses, will at times prove inferior, we shoidd advise those who live near large towns, to divide their necessary amount of purchased seeds in two, pm'cliasing one-half at one shop, and the other at another shop, and then mixing the two samples together. Thus, if one is inferior, the other may coiTect-its deficiencies. In so^ving onions we always mix the whole of our sorts together, and, of course, we never fail of a ci'op ; they are easily sorted at har\ est time, for the lands do not always answer to the name on the bag or paper. Cm- seedsmen, in general, have so many superlatives, in these days, attached to then" packets ; the terras superb, splen- did, superior, &c., they fling about at random ; but we much fear that the superlative term is a jjiece of waggery in many instances, and refers to the price ! We advise our allotment friends not to sow in wet weather, although they may be behind with their crop, they had better risk another week or so in most cases. Most seeds are the safer for rolling or treading in, but this must only be performed when the soU is dry and mellow ; the philosophy of this seems to be, that it has a tendency to prevent heavy storms from closing up the pores of the soil, and is done on the same principle as a clever potting henchman presses his fresh and elastic soil around the plant, which soil is then not nearly so impervious to air as it would be if tumbled in loose and settled, as some of the dogmatical gentlemen of the old school used to recom- mend in our boyish days ; which settling, performed with finely riddled soil, too often proved a settler indeed. We were on the rail, a few weeks ago, on the North Stafford line, the pottery branch, and at Stoke (we think) there is a large allotment piece, much subdi^^ded, whereon were working several persons, each one to his plot. One near the rail was sowing onions, apparently, and was in the act of riddling through a sort of flour riddle the fine dust to cover his seed. If this meet his eye, we beseech him to hang his riddle up and let it rest. Planting, — Or rather, shall we say, transplanting. It is good practice to get the ground perfectly ready, the drills cU'a^™, and any other necessary point, during dry weather, so as to have everything ready in order to avoid much trans- planting when showery weather occurs. Never curl up the long roots in planting ; if they cannot be got into the holes, it is far better to cut them oft' to a convenient length. Let the planter be sure to fasten his plants well ; many plants are half-withered during scorching weather through this bad planting, otherwise termed " hanging." HoEixo. — We fear it is too much the practice to use the Dutch hoe, which, although of great service on well prepared light soils, is by no means so well adapted for oiu' stiffer soils ; and, indeed, does no good in a cultural sense. What- ever ground is hoed should be raked as the hoer proceeds. It is lamentable to see a poor fellow hoeing away on foul soil for many hours, and going away fancying he has despatched the enemy, when lo ! a growing shower or a thunder splash, and three-fourths of his weeds ai-e imbedded again, as though transidanted. As a general maxim, we advise the cottager to i/iy in all he can ; this is the best cm'e, and is, morever, a kind of summer fallowing. ItAiaNO. — We seldom or never rake ground after seed sowing, knowing it to be a mere convenience, and decidedly averse to sound cultm'al jninciples. By a little forecast, and a nice handling of the spade, seeds may be got in upon the most stubborn soils. Where the extent is not great, we would have the allotment man cover his drills of swedes, mangold, parsnips, can'ots, &c., by hand, ushig a little mellowed soil, with which some old vegetable matter or very powdery manure was blended with a little soot or guano. DrUls tlius covered, we press, when dry, by movmg the foot up them. Weeds. — " No quarter" should be the only aim with the allotment man ; let him never dream them a trifling affair. But to be successful this way, he must not simply act on the defensive ; he must carry tlie war into the enemy's camp. He must not merely prevent the grosser weeds smothering his rising crops, he must, as it were, anticipate them, getting to work at them the moment a resuscitation appears. Of all the weeds most plaguing amongst young seedlings, we think young seedling grass the worst. We have known them, where the common annual Poa had been suffered to seed in the previous year, so thick amongst beds of onions or carrots, as almost to induce the cultivator hopelessly to dig them in, crop and all. Let our readers, therefore, beware of seed weeds. Manuees. — Let no manures be left micovered after the month of JIai'ch, say we, whether on the land or in the midden. We do not expect evei-y one to cover, daily, their little manure heap ; we merely point to what we conceive a great principle ; for, after all, soil is the most simple and ready fixer of ammonia, if not the best. There is, at least, this merit in frequently coating dmighills with soil — the bulk is increased, and that, too, by a medium which is mecha- nically essential in breaking up and dividing the flakes of manm'e. Those who are " well up " in cultm'al matters know full well that manures require the intervention of soily materials, in order to facilitate the speedy extension of the fibres amongst growing crops. We come now to the con- sideration of the .allotment crops separately. S\v"EDEs. — We observed last month that, for a succession or associative crop, the swede grower must not be ruled by any man's time for sowing. He must sow with a view to have good stout plants ready the moment they are wanted. Fur such purposes the first or second week in May wiU, in general, be quite soon enougl). Mangold. — No transplanting here, at least we will not recommend it; although we have known pretty good crops thus ti-eated on rich soils. On light and rich lands we would not sow mangold until the beginning of May ; but on hai-sher and poorer soils we would be a fortnight sooner. Cakeots. — Those who have nut sown their main crops of carrots must do so immediately. Those who have been in the habit of sowing carrots in the end of March will feel alarmed at the laxity of oiu" notions as to sowing ; but om' experience goes to show that late sown carrots are much less liable to the grub than early sown ones ; and this is not a trifling consideration. However, the soil must be in a good tilth, and the seed introduced with proper care; the land, of course, in a clean state. I'.utsNips. — Up of course, or just at hand. Let the weeds be kept down, and " single out " betimes. Potatoes. — Those that wiil thi'ust their heads through the soU in the end of .-\.pril will require a cap, or at least it is well to furnish them one, and this may be done cheaply ; we merely go over them twice, and with a rake or hoe draw as much of the loose soil over their heads as will keep them in " dm'ance rile " until about the twelfth of May, when, accord- 54 THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [April 24. ing to long experience, it is tolerably safe to let them show their faces. If any friend should fancy he can get them earlier, by an earlier display of their abilities above ground, he wU, on the average of years, find himself mistaken, unless he use some artificial covering. Let no man fancy they are idle because out of sight ; lilve the mole, they work well in the dark. Peas. — tjet them well staked, keep down weeds, and plan some stolen crop, if possible, amongst them, or one to raise out of their nuns. Beans, the Beoad. — Soil well up the stem, for fear of storms throwing them prosti'ate. Look out for the bean weevil and liand-pick. We have not space, or we would tell a tale about these rascals. We wUl one day bring some of their mauffiuvi'es to light. Beans, the DwjUjp on Kidney. — Not a cottager's crop ; the runner ought to completely supersede them. There is, however, an idea afloat that the latter «shs< have long strings, or ten feet stakes. Wlien this idea is got rid of, runner culture will extend. What is more delicious than a iriece of bacon boiled in the same pot with rmmers ? A dish for Soyer, we should say. The dwarf beans merely reqiure soiling up. Sow in the fii'st week of May, in a wai'm nook, on light soil. EuNNEr.s. — Planted the last week in April. They are so good natured, that tliey will cUmb twelve feet, or stay -nithin three feet of home, which you please. If the latter, pray top them directly they are the desired lieight ; and tUrect yom' urchins to pinch then- heads off through tlie summer when their ambition is prompted " to o'erleap itself and fall on t'other side." Manure well, and water in dry weather. Do not sufier any more large pods to remain on these and the dwarf Iddneys than you want for seed. Pluck them away, if you give them to the hog. About BroccoUs, Cabbages, Lettuces, Leeks, Spinach, Onions, &c., we have said much in foi-mer advices ; we must now conclude with a few general observations. A friend, and one of no mean repute, has this last week, per letter, reminded us of those rocks a-head — the filthy beer-shops. He says that allotments will never carry half the benefits so benevolently intended, if placed far away from the cottages of the holders, especially where beer-shops prevail. His remarks are, doubtless, founded on facts, and we shall not lose sight of such sound and sensible adrice. In the meantime, if we have allotment friends and holders who must have their beer, let us implore them to resolve not to sit lounging their time away over it in the beer-house ; let them get then- beer, if they will have it, and away to their work ; not by any means permitting themselves to sit down m such places. E. Ebeihgton. THE APIARIAN'S CALENDAR.— May. By J. H. I'ayiie, Esq., Author of "■ The Bee-keeper's Giiitle." Axthouoh much has already been said as to the necessity ai feeding bees, I fear that, from the dull and wet weather of March and the early part of April, many stocks, where a liberal portion of food has not been supplied, will be found to have perished. BARLEY-SuGAn. — I am more and more convinced, by daily experience, that of all other kinds of food (wliere honey in the combs cannot be had) barley-sugar is the best, and not only the best and tlie cheapest, but the safest, and by far the least trouble ; for when liquid food is used it is carried down by tlie bees immediately upon its being supplied and stored in tlie combs, and tlie proprietor lias no means of knowing at %vhat time the store is exhausted, and a fresh supply rerpiired; but it is not so with barley-sugai", for whilst a morsel remains, which may easily be seen, it is certain the bees will not die of want. The best method of supplying it is at the top of the hi\'es or boxes ; my plan is to tie a dozen sticks of it together, and after opening the hive at top, to place the barley-sugar over the opening, and to cover it with a garden-pan or a flowerpot, and just before it, is all con- sumed give a fresh supply in a similar way. Persons gene- rally are apt to imagine that as soon as a few blossoms make their appearance in tlie spx'ing that their bees will not want any attention, which is a very great mistake, as many a young apiarian has this year discovered both to his cost and disappointment ; for, during the months of Mai'ch and April (and this yeai' far into May, I fear), greater car-e is required in feecling than at any other time, for the popu- lation is then rapidly increasing, and in a wet and cloudy season like the present, no suppUes whatever can be obtained but by artificial means. Placfng shau. HrvES, &c. — The time will soon arrive for removing aU kinds of feeding apparatus from the tops of the hives, and placing in their stead receptacles for taking honey ; but it is better not to do it until tlie stock-hive is full of bees, and want of room appears evident, the bees will then at once enter the small hi\e or glass, and commence their work immediately, especially if the precaution of fixing guide- combs be taken. Ventilation. — It has been my practice for some years to give all the ventilation possible to my stocks in boxes by withdramng all the slides about October, and keeping them open to the end of Apiil ; for then no condensed vapom" can injm'e either the combs or the bees, and then shutting them for a week or two before putting on the glasses, so that upon again opening them the bees immediately take possession of the sapers, and begin their work in them. RE3I0VING Bees from one Hive to another. — I am fre- quently apphed to by beginners for the best plan of remoring a stock of bees at this season from an old hive to some fancy one they have chanced to meet with, and I have,in all cases, said that it is a plan I have never either adopted or recommended. Let the bees remain in the old Inve, and if it be too unsightly to be tolerated, have a tasty cover of wood or zinc made to fit it, and let them swai-m, and put the swarm into the new hive. If a weak one, join the second swarm to it. If not, liive the second swarm ui the usual manner, and then, in September, eitlier by diiving or fumigating the bees in the old hive, join them to the second swarm. GiTiDE-coMBs .are small pieces of worker-combs, say an inch deep, and two or three inches long, fastened to the top of the receptacle for honey before placing it upon the stock- hive. If it be of wood or straw, warming the comb a httle, and pressing it carefully upon the post where it is to remain will be suflicient ; if of glass, the glass itself must also be wanned. In selecting pieces for guide- combs it is always desu'able to take the edges of the combs in preference to pieces cut out of the middle. THE YEARLY TRANSACTIONS OF THE HEN-YARD. A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOE THOSE WHO MAY WISH TO KEEP A FEW FOWLS AND FIND THEM PROriTABLE. MAY. When the little chickens are first hatched, they are too delicate to be placed out upon the cool eartli at once, especially if they are of a choice kind. It is better to put them and the mother in a good large hamper, with a bed of hay or straw weU rubbed. Place them out in the sunshine (if you are fortunate enough to have any) ^\ith tlie hamper lid up; thus tlie old hen can leave her chickens and stretch her legs I'm- a few minutes after her long confinement, if she likes to do so. About the second day she should be put down with some dry dust for a quarter of an horn-, that she may have an opportunity of ridding herself of any vermin she may have got while sitting. Supply her often with food with which to feed her young family, I give mine groats, varied by barley-meal mixed with water, broth, or milk ; the last must be given with caution, us it is relaxing if cold, and too much the contrary if boiled. When the chickens are a few days old, the hen may be placed under a coop. A gravel path is a good place for the coop, as the young brood can there easily pick up a sufficient supply of the tiny stones so necessary to assist digestion. If the spot where they are set down is not laid with gravel, a small quantity should be spread under the coop. Talce especial care that they are well sheltered from cold wind, for a sharp easterly wind is as injiuious to young chickens as to a consumptive patient. I very early discontinue the use of groats, which occasions some little discontent among the chickens at first. A correspondent to The Cottage Gardener, signing herself, H. L. K., speaks of them, with justice, as objection- April 2-1.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 55 able. I have never found fine seasonalile chiclcens, that is, those which are hatched in Apiil, Slay, or the early part of .lime, go oft' in the manner H. L. K. describes, but I have found it the case \vith early and also with late broods. Any food liable to swell in the crop is injurious to young chickens; I think this is the fault with groats. On reatling the letter of H. L. K., I walked out in seai-ch of a mill which could grind the barley as coarsely as described, and also en- quired at the corn dealers' if they could grind some in this manner, but after going to several shops, I could find nothing better suited to the purpose than a little hand coffee mill, a patent invention by the HiU Top Foundry Company, with an adjusting screw to make it grind fine or coai'se. This I find giinds the com too fine, but it is, nevertlieless, much reUshed by the chickens and approved by tlie mother hens, whose opinions I always consider well worth consulting. If H. L. K. would kindly inform the readers of The Cott.\ge G.i.itDENER, how the barley may be ground as she describes, lo the size of a pin's head, I am sure it would oblige many persons. After this little digression, we will proceed with feeding the chickens. At this age when it is advantageous to promote growth and strength, it is desuable to encourage them to eat; to increase their appetites, therefore, let their food be varied, for which reason I name several difterent things on wliitdi I have found them thrive: boiled corn, boiled rice, either with or without a little cold millc over it, bread thoroughly swelled, oatmeal and barley meal porridge, siniflower seeds, potato cut small, and any similar food. Once a day they may have a bit of raw beef, or a little jiiece of cool;ed meat, or boiled bullock's liver, cut quite small. When about a fortnight old, a little corn may be given to tliem in addition ; oats ai-e best to begin with, and these a good mother will skm for her young ones mth great dexterity. 'The coops which I generally use are of wicker work, but not of the usual round form; they are a long square, measuring tliree feet long, two feet wide, and two feet high, with a door at one end. They may lie made to order by any basket malcer for about three shUliugs each. I fix the door back and place against it a bo.K, or common dog's liouse, large enough for the ben to retire into witli her brood in case of a shower, and I have never met with one wlio fails to avail herself of the accommodation. Besides these, I have one round coop for the convenience of ftidng the hen to any small space ; in bad weatlier, when one is glad to take advantage of only a fine half hour to put out a brood, this often comes into use. Until tlie chickens are quite fledged, it is better to keep them under shelter entirely in wet weather, for a regular soaking seldom fails to interfere with their health. Tlie sooner the hen can be turned in witli the other fowls, the sooner she will commence laying again; but the period when this is done must depend on the strength of tlie chickens, and also on the disposition of the cock. Some cocks will make very kind fathers, even helping tlie hens to feed their young families, while others will lose no opportu- nity of ill treating or even killing the little ones. A tempomry mother, under which the young chickens may nestle when taken away from the hen, may be thus made: — Prepare a ball of twine, and cut some very stout fleecy into six inch lengths. Stretch a piece of the twine between two nails, or in any other convenient situation ; double a length of fleecy, put the loop over the tivine, pass the two ends together througli the loop and draw them quite tight; repeat this tUl you have a long piece of fringe. Then take a piece of coarse embroidery canvass, the shajie of the top of the liasket (in which you wish to place the chickens), sew the fringe on it in rows half an inch apart, until it is quite covered and resembles a bit of lamb's sldu with the wool on. The chickens mil nestle into tliis and receive air through the canvass. When the hens have brought o\it their broods, before you allow the nests to be occupied in the same manner again, see that the nests and all the parts adjacent are well cleansed and lime washed ; for if the sitters axe infested with vermin, they will ne\"er do their duty steadily. Fowls which have been well housed and properly managed, and which have not yet sho\vn inchnation to sit, will by this time liave been laying without intermission for many months ; it must not be forgotten that in this period they have had to furaish a great number of shells as well as eggs, conse- quently they are much in want of lime. As easy a plan of giving it to them as any, is to break up a few oyster shells with a hammer or biUhook ; the fowls will peck up the bits which are small enough to swallow with great eagerness. These hens wiU also require abundant feeding, and if they are thin, may have bai'ley-meal or midtUings twice in the day, in addition to their other food. WOKK TO BE DONE DAILY. Feed all the stock. Attend to sitting hens. Place out the young broods, the liens under good roomy coops, and feed them veiy often. G ive extra feeding to such fowls as seem to require it. Anster Bonn. THE PAST WINTER AND THE PROSPECTS OF THE FRUIT GROWER. NoTTsiTHST-iNDiNo the almost universal expression of "what a mild winter we have had," the first of April found vegeta- tion no further advanced than in the majority of seasons. Now to account for that cu'cumstance doubtless many reasons may be advanced ; yet if vegetation had been ten days or a fortnight in advance of what it now is, I doubt not but equally cogent reasons could, also, have been fomid to account for that. Without, therefore, suggesting any other reasons for the backwardness of the season, than justnoticing the unusual absence of sunshine during the whole of March, I will at once set myself to attempt to describe what the season really has been in the part of the country I write from (Kent), and will venture an opinion of what its in- fluences may be hereafter. Commencing with the autumn, it is only necessary to observe that it was much drier than that period of the year usually is, and what frosts we had were so late, that tender flowering plants might be said to be more blanched to death by the cold fogs and damp than chilled by the frost, so that man}' beds of flowering plants were dug up while the herbage was as fresh as in September, but the damp had perished the flowers. One of the best plants to stand this baneful in- fluence is the Ctiphea striijiilosa, and it is on that account one deserving especial notice where very late out-door flowers are wanted. As we generally calculate on having severe weather sometime during the winter, beds of Petunia, J'erheiia, Gera- nium, etc., are always unceremoniously digged up. I, however, last year, left some beds of Calceolarias, three of which ai'e the old yellow Inte'jrifolia, and, though they have never had the least protection, they are as fresh and green as they were in September ; and, what is equally of importance, uniform in growth. One bed, in a more conspicuous place, I sometimes threw mats o\er on nights threatening to be very frosty, but that does not look so well as those wholly miprotected. The darker kinds, partaking more of a herbaceous nature, have not stood so well, and I fear will be gappy. Verbenas I find sufl'er as much from damp as from frost ; for while most of the single plants in mixed borders have stood tolerably well, those in beds have mostly all perished. One bed, in a very dry and exposed place, is, however, in very good order, and I hope will be ready to flower pretty early this season. The stems of the small-leaved Salvia (cocciuea I think it is called) have endured the winter, and are breaking out all the way up; so, also, are all the Fuschias, scai'cely even a morsel at the tips is hurt. The largeleaved or Hose-tinted Geranium has also stood pretty well, and up to the first of March aftbrded sprigs and green leaves for bouquets, since then it has suftered much, but I do not think any scarlets have survived. But now to the weather, which, as yoiu- worthy correspondents do not seem to notice it much, must have been more severe with them than it has been here, and when we hear of ice-houses being filled there need be no further proof of its baring bi'en partial in its risitation. As I have before said, the autumn was mild. The ther- mometer only once fell as low as 2S° in October, in November (the last day) it fell to 24°, and on the 31st of December it was at 22°, the previous night having been 28°, after which dull mild weather set in, which continued nearly up to the end of January, the thermometer only once falling to 25°, while many nights it stood above 40. February set in with B6 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [Aphii. 24. somewhat clearer days, and nights a little colder, yet seldom below 30°, and only once as low as 33°, which was tlie lowest we have had during the winter; besides, there had been much less rain than in the average of seasons. We now come to March, which is always an important month, and, here I may mention, that up to the first of March, vegetation was in a forward condition, so much so that great fears were entertained of the after bad weather checking it, or rather injuring the fruit blossom; for it has been checked, and I do not remember ever witnessing so little progress in March as there has been this season, and yet no severe weather. The thermometer only once as low as 24°; but the almost total absence of sunshine, and some cold chilly winds in the beginning of tlie month, with heavy perishing rains from the midtUe to the end of it, landed us at the first of April with vegetation only a \ery little in advance of what it was at the end of February. I certainly never remember so little sunshine in March ; and its loss must have told fear- fully where forcing is concerned. The e\ils of sharp frosty nights are in some measure compensated by the bright gleams of sunshine we have in tlie day-time, but this season we have not had either, and, consequently, the tardy progress ; be- sides which, many things require the useful influences of bright sunshine ; slniirbcrries, peaches, clurrks, and other fruits in forcing, do not set well unless assisted by that aU important agent, whose indolence this season must certainly be deplored. Another thing, the wall fniits do not set well without more or less of the assistance of the monarch of the day, and having now been so long in an expanded state, I think it may fau-ly be inferred that the generative powers must become debihtated by delay, so that when the assistance does come they have so long waited for, they may be beyond its powers. Thus taking all things into consideration, I liave very little hopes of a prolific season for fruit, as, independent of the reasons above given, I think the blossom looks weaker and smaller tlian usual. This remark, also, holds good with ijoose- berries ; so that, in more plain terms,Ifeai' the crops olpeaches, apricots, and yooseberries, will be deficient. I'lions may be better, and I think pears have a chance to be good ; apples, probably, may be an average crop. In giving these opinions, I beg to say, I am guided solely by the appearance the bloom presents ; and, although favourable or adverse weather must have a considerable share in augmenting or diminishing a crop, yet I am far from attributing success or faihire entirely to these causes alone. A well developed bloom bud, endued with all the energies necessary to produce a healthy fruit, will generally, with the assistance of a vigorous tree, pro- duce one almost in spite of the weather; but to obtain such a bud, we must go back to the past year. However, that subject has been so ably handled by Mr. Errington, that I need say no more here than that I fully coincide with what he has advanced on that very important matter in fruit growing. Still, I am sori-y to say, that I do not like the appearance of any of the trees I have seen this season ; one evil of which is, that the crop of last year was, perhaps, in many cases allowed to be too heavy, and a consequent half- barrenness I fear will follow. I'erhaps I may be wi-ong ; I only pen these observations in order that others, in other localities, may judge for themselves, wliether a mild winter, or even a mild spring, will always command a fruit crop. As a proof of a contrary effect being sometimes produced, I may mention that all the early blossoming fruits were in abundance here last year, while we had the tliermometer as low as 17° and 18° on the 20th and Wih of March, lower by 4" or 0° than we have ever bad it all this winter. Certainly, a dry atmosphere tended materially to counteract its effects, but I attribute more to tlic vigorous state of the bloom ; the crop of the preceding year for small fruit being next to a total failure. This year I fear the case will be reversed. While speaking of the probability of partial failures in the fruit crops, let me add that of another article of, perhaps, more national importance, though out of place here, but having once passed the rubicon, and ventured on the hazardous speculation of prophecjnng evil, 1 can only add another item to my offences by putting down the /in// crap of 1N,'')1, as also under an average. In this case, I admit, the weather that is to ccimo will have more effect on that than oil the fruit crop. Yet taking the chapter of chances for what may be their average worth, I yet think that grass which has been grooving uninten'uptedly for the last thirteen months, is not in so likely a condition to continue so, as when it has had a period of rest; certainly favourable weather and other circumstances may overcome that sup- posed mabiUty, at all events ; I shall he must happy if I am wrong in aU my forebodings. L. M. N. TREES SUITABLE FOE TAEK SCENEEY. {Continued from paije 41.) The Group, or Clujit. — Although some writers make a wide distinction between these two objects, yet they would be puzzled to define their difference at planting time ; the case is, that a group is only a more poetic name for a greater or less number of trees congregated together than the formal name " clump." To carry the illustration furthei-, we may say that the usual way of planting a patch of ground with trees, and surrounding them \rith a fence, more or less irregular in outline, is certainly correctly named a clump, and until that fence be removed, and judicious thinning, A-c, applied to the trees so enclosed, they can have little clami to the more classic title, " group ;" so we may take it for granted that the one merges into the other as age advances; and will, therefore, proceed at once to the planting. In this feature of park scenery, a much greater variety of trees may be introduced than for single trees ; many of the less robust kinds miglit here find a little shelter by the side of (not under) their more free-growing brethren ; and such as the tulip-tree, acacia, the copper beech, and others, that sel- dom make much show alone, would form excellent adjuncts to a clump. The wild cherry, too, is by no means a despica- ble tree, and wlien in flower contrasts beautifully with other things around it ; for instance, the copper beech. In the groiip, the great featmre is to m.ake the whole appear har- moniously to the eye; to effect which some insist on only one kind of tree being used ; but that is carrying the matter to the opposite extreme ; certainly an incongruous mixture is bad, and for that reason we'exclude most of evergreens from the clump. An evergreen oak might be admitted, if one was wanted ; but avoid the upright-growing firs, and we might also add the Lombardy poplar, and similar things. Thk Screen ou Belt. — Although these objects have a widely difterent signification, yet, as the trees appUcahle to both are alike, we here class them together, the latter being merely an elongation of the former. In this feature of the landscape recourse nmst be had to trees most likely to thrive best in the places allotted them ; and, for the screen (which is a small plantation made to hide some offending object), a considerable mixture of evergreens may be used— we mean fir trees — and there would be no great harm if the wliole were of that kind; but in the continuous belt, deciduous trees of many different kinds may, also, be used, but we certainly object to an indiscriminate mixture of them with spruce and Scotch firs, and the like. When firs are used let them be mostly alone, hiding or sheltering any particular object that may require their darkening shade. An occa- sional silver or spruce fir towering above a mass of deciduous underwood, is certainly in good keeping ; and, likewise, tall Lombardy and other poplars are useful in breaking that monstrous outline which belts so often presentwhen riewed in connection with the liorizon; but they must not be regularly dotted over, or the evil is equally bad. For belts which are neither more nor less than plantations on a small scale, we shall not presume to recommend any particular kind of trees ; those which in the locality thrive best, and aft'ord the greatest return as profitable planting, are tlie most suitable for planting in this department; and the description of ti-ees which ill one place realize the greatest amount of profit, may be wliolly unsaleable in another, therefore, no rule can be laid down applicable to all cases. In dramng our remarks to a close, we again impress on any of our readers who may be about planting an avenue, to consider well what we have urged in regard to the width such a thing ought to be; in fact, it was the many errors we have seen in that way that led us to commence the present paper, and we have every reason to believe that all who have had experience in the evils of avenues planted of medium width, will bear us out in what we have said against such planting, and now that avenues are rising again into import- ance, we trust that in raising our warning voice against a certain kind, we shall not be writing in vain. S. N. ^'. April 24.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 67 FLOOE-BOARD FOR HIVES. The floor-board tliat we use is similar in principle to that described at page 10 of " Taylor's Bee-Keeper's Manual," 3rd Edition; but lest your subscriber should be without that excellent little work, I will describe it as well as I can. It consists of two circular pieces of wood, one twenty inches in diameter and one in thickness, the other sixteen inches in diameter and barely half an inch in thickness; the smaller screwed down upon the larger in such a way that the grain of one piece may be at right angles to the grain of the other. Before the small piece is fixed, a bit two inches wide at each end, four inches long at the side next the centre, and having a chord five inches long at the ch'cumference, is cut out of it, and an inclined plane formed from the opening thereby made towards the centre of the piece, the operator taking care to bear a little to the right and left as the paring away progresses, so that the plane may be eight or nine inches broad where it meets the level of the board. This fonns the entrance ; by the use of small blocks of wood its "n-idth can be handily altered according to the strength of the hive and the state of the weather. Un- derneath the thick piece are two clips, each nearly the length of the diameter of the thick piece, and about two inches deep, and one inch and a half broad. These clips are screwed firmly to the thick piece at right angles to the grain, and are, therefore, parallel with the grain of the thin piece. These assist in keeping the whole from warping by tlie ex- posure to which it is subjected, and are jilaced just wide enough apart to fit over the cross piece of the post on which the board is to be placed. A wedge of thin wood between the cross piece and one of the cUps keeps the whole steady. The main difference between the above and Taylor's consists in its being formed of two pieces instead of one (setting aside the clips, which hi Taylor's are only used " to prevent warping and for convenient lifting.") It is, in my idea, thereby more easily made by amateur carpenters, and more effectually prevented from wai-ping. There is nothmg I like so well for a stand as an old nine gallon beer barrel, with the ends, or one end, out. Such things ai-e often knocking about the yard waiting their turn to be burnt, and it has been my good luck to rescue several from such an ignominious fate. Painted up a bit, and plunged about eight inches in the ground, they not only look neat, but form such a broad basis that old ^Eolus vents his rage upon the hives in vain. The jacket that stands upon the floor-board is the simplest thing in tlie world; merely a cyUnder of zinc, seventeen inches in diameter {i.e., an inch broader than the thin piece of the floor-board) and eighteen inches high, with a stout rod of iron run into it round the top to give it stiflhess. Upon this is placed the milk-pan. At the bottom a piece is cut out seven inches broad, and about six inches high, and round this opening a piece, about three inches broad, is soldered to form a kind of awning to protect the entrance to the hive, to some extent, from the sun, and altogether from the rain. The jacket may be made of old oil-cloth, stiffened with ribs of wood ; but, of course, will not then be so durable as if made of zinc or tin. The liives I use are common flat-topped straw hives, with a 4-inch hole in the centre. In order to work four glasses, if expedient, at once, I have a circular piece of wood, nearly the cUameter of the jacket, with two U-inch and two 4-inch holes in it, raised upon four pieces of wood an inch and a half in depth, which are nailed to the under side of the circular piece, and form a square sufficiently large to uiclude within its area the foiu- holes. This stands on an adapting board, with a 4-inch hole in the centre, placed over the4-inch hole in the hive. The mode of operation is obvious ; the apparatus can, with a little ingenuity, be adapted to ordinary round-topped pieces. In cold weather a large piece of cloth can be thrown over the glasses. In winter, when only one glass for condensing purposes is required, a spare hive will cover it. The circular- piece being nearly the diameter of the jacket, any light that may come from the opening at the bottom can be easily excluded by a piece of list, or something of the sort. When, however, a cloth is over the glasses,, nothing at all ml\ be requii'ed. RESULTS OF BURYING BEES. WINTER 1850—51. What sort of | ' 1 hives have , State of Weight of 1 What been buried 7 1 j weather hives when | At what percep- i Swarms, Date 1 Whether in earth, and in what kind 1 at the Proba- buried, exclu- ' Weight of time was the State of tible ■a 3 casts, old of 1 of soil ; or beneath a shed, out- 1 time of ble age sive of hives, \ contents of Btock, or hive on con- stocks, or ' inter- liouse, on stone floor, or under inter- of &c., as near as ' hive when stocks, dis- being disin- sump- z preserved 1 ment. ! leaves. ment. beea ? | queen. may be i dug up. guessed. | interred. terred. tion of food. 1* A swarm in | Nov. ■ Ground, on a stone floor; in a [ Sharp One 12 lbs., exclu- ' 83 lbs., ex- April I, The hive 3i lbs. a straw hive. 28, 1 gravel soil ; two feet from top of ' frost at year. siveofhive.&c. elusive of 1651, perfectly i 1850. hive to surface, with three inches of ' 8 p.m. hire, &c. dry, except- ashes at the bottom of hole; a tube. ing at the quarter-inch bore, placed at the lower parts, entrance communicating with exter- where it was ' nal air ; and hive previously encir- mortared to cled with straw bands. the floor stone. 2t A swarm, Nov. Side by side with No. 1, the only Sharp One 14 lbs., excla- April 1, As No. 1. straw hive. 1 28, difference being its having no tube frost at year. aive of hive. 1851. 1 1850. 1 coramunicatijig with external air. 8 p.m. 3{ A cast, straw Dec. 1 In the hay-loft, under dried leaves, Damp, Young. lOlbs., exclu- 1 lib., exclu- April 2, Hive per- 9 lbs. hive. ! 4, on a stone floor, with a tube, quar- fo&gyi sive of hive, &:c. sive of hive, 1851. fectly dry. 1 1850. ter-inch bore, at the entrance, com- at 8 &c. The combs municating with external air. p.m. mildewed and in a wretched state. 4§ A cast, straw Dec. Side by side, and just the same as Damp, Young. 6 lbs., exclu- ^Ib., exclu- April 2, Hive dry, 5.1 lbs. hive. 4, 1850. No. 3. foffgy. at 8 sive of hive, &c. sive of hive, 1 &c. 1851. comb damp and mil- ^ p.m. dewed. Further Obseevations. * Very many of the bees were dead and putrid, the combs bkewiae much damaged with mildew, ar d evidently t he bees have died of dysentery. I do not think 1 shall be induced to bury any more, certainly not without allowing plenty of ven placed at the top of hive, 710^ at the entrance.* tilation, with a good inch-l ore tube t I could not weigh the hive, as the combs had all fallen down on to the stone floor ; nearly all the b es dead, man y been dead or a long time, as there was a great quantity of maggots and tlics amongst the dead bees ; many quite decomposed. All are now dead, April 7 . Other bees robbed it of all the honey after it was placed upon its stand in the apiary. i A few bees ative, the rest dead, decomposed, full of maggots, and altogether in a miserable state. ^ All the bees dead, decomposed, and full of maggots.— Edward Kingspord. * Since I sent you my report on the ** Wintering of Beea," I am sorry to say that No. 1 hive has died ; and on examining the contents I found all the bees but about 100 dead; the queen had evidently been dead some time. There was about five pounds of honey in the comb«, which were quite mildewed. — Edward Kingsford, Sunburj/, Middlesex, 5S THE COTTAaE GARDENER. RESULTS OF BURYING BEES. WINTER 1850 — 51. Winter treatment of bee-Lives, communicated by " A Country Cm'ate." [Apbil 34. What kind of hives ? Whether swarms, casts, old hives, or pre served bees, have been buried or otherwise win- tered ? Probable age of queen, Has she ever swarmed ? Date of win tering the bees, and state of wea- ther at the time. State here the peculiar- ity of each plan of win- tering- adopted. Was any- thing done to them in the winter, and if so, what? Original weight of contents of each hive, including bees, comb, and food Weight of contents on restoration to the sum- mer stand. Perceptible diminution in weight during the winter. If buried in the ground, in what soil? at what depth ? and in what as- pect ? North best. What system of ventilation, if any, was adopted ? E. Stray swarm of June 27th, 1860. H. Cast of the latter end of June, 1850; exact date of issue un- known. B. Cast of June 18, 1849; did no- thing in 1850. 2. Prime (artificial) swarm of May U, 1850 {not my own). F. Artificial stock of August 5, 1850; fed entirely on a beer and su^ar and honey mixture. Pre- served bees out of four hives. Cannot tell supposed cast, and therefore the queen young, Born last spring. Nov. 8 ; mild, dry weather. Oct. 29 ; cold, dry weather. Born in the spring of 1849. Unknown ; but supposed born in 1847 or 1848. Unknown ; probably born in the spring of 1850. Oct. 29 ; cold, dry weather. Nov. 8 ; mild, dry weather. Oct. 28; cold wea- ther. Buried in the open ground. See Cottage Gardenbr, vol. v., page 120. Suspended fromaSalton balance in a dark hay- loft. Left on its summer stand, facing the direct east. Left on its summer stand, facing due S.E Left in its summer situation, in a window, with shade from the sun, facing s.s.w. Nothing. On the 6th of March the hive was ex- posed in a sunny place for the day, to give the bees an air- ing. Sus- pended again Weighed re- gularly at different Ditto. II lbs.7oz, Gross weight 18 lbs. 1 5 lbs. 4 oz Gross weight 23 lbs. 5 oz. 17^ lbs. Gross weight 29^ lbs. 27 lbs. Gross weight 37 lbs. 143 lbs. Gross weight 22Slbs. Dug up on the 1st of April; 3 lbs short of an ounce. Gross weight gi lbs. Finally libe- rated on the 1 1th of March. 8 lbs. 4 0Z. Gross weight 16 lbs. 5oz. Finally weighed April 3rd, Hi lbs. Gross weight 23ilbs. Finally weighed April 4 th IS^lbs. Gross weight 28ilb3. Finally weighed April 2nd 9^ lbs. Gross weight, 17^ lbs. S^lbs. in four months and three weeks. In a gravelly soil and in an open plot of ground, facing no particular quarter ; three feet deep. 7 lbs. in four months and eleven days. 6 lbs. in five months and four davs. Eat only ilb. of food in March. 8i lbs. in four months twenty-five days. S^lbs. in five months and four days. None, save only that the hive was surrounded with slates overlapping each other, and sloping away from the crown. The whole also was surmounted with a large milkpan, be- fore the hole was filled up. Hive simply hung up on a board having a trap-door beneath it, which was occasionally left open, and any dead bees (seldom more than two or three found) re- moved. Entrance always fully open. Hive entrance left open. Hive entrance in general closed at night, and fre- quently for some days together; once for nine days, but many bees died. Further Observations. The buried hive (E), on disinterment, was found slightly covered with mildew externally, and there was much black dirt on the bottom board, but the after evacuations were of the usual colour. The bees appeared in prime health, and were shortly flying about in crowds, for the day was fine and mild. About 200, or rather less, were found dead in the pit ; these had probably become impatient of confinement, and so had crept out and perished, not being able to find their way home again. The bees have smce been busy pollen gathering. As, however, the hive was light, and the business of feeding would have been tedious, I set the hive over F (whose population was small) on the 8th of April. During the first three weeks after the suspension of hive H, several young grubs, in different stages of forwardness, were cast out of the hive dead. Their own dead also the bees invariably rejected, but there were not many. Some few flew out and were lost. They carried pollen actively within a short time of their liberation, on the same dar/, and they have been very busy since, while the population is very large. Under these I set stock B on the 9th of April, as their own stores must have begun to fall short, and this hive contained plenty of honey though few bees. Of hive B the population was actively collecting farina so late as the I4th Noveraberj but they have been quite idle this spring. Z, artificial swarm, is now the most active stock in the apiary, and promises great things. I cannot help thinking that the old queen must have died some time last summer, and that a young and vigorous queen has taken her place, otherwise she would now be drawing near her term of life. This is the swarm forced on the 1 1th of May, 1850, whose history has been given in The Cottage Gardener. I tried several experiments with F last autumn and in the winter by confining the bees, often to the entire exclusion of the external air, but I destroyed many hives by so doing, and the population is but thin in consequence at present (April 8th), though very active. Saw bees enter this hive with pollen so early as the 1 2th of January this year, and several young bees were cast out dead on the 25th of February. I forbear to add in this place any comments on the above facts ; perhaps you will allow me to say a few words when all the papers sent out by me in the autumn have come in. — A Country Curate. EECEIPTS FOE THE COTTAGER. The comforts of the poor might, as I have before oh- served, be much increased if a little trou))le were taken l)y the " gude wife " in varying the humble meal. Change of diet is both wholesome and agreealilo ; we see it is neces- sary for animals, and, I am sure, every one Jccls it is so for man. Sheep and cattle, if liept long on one piece of land, get " pasture sick," and willingly cliange it for the coarsest herbage. Thus if peoido sit down, day after day, with nothing before tliem but bread and potatoes, they must become tired of it. Do not think 1 am ti'ying to make you discontented with your lot. No: I well know that content- ment is great gain, and I also remember that we are com- manded to be content with such things as we have ; but at the same time it is our duty to make om- homes (be they ever so humble) as comfortable as oiu' means will admit. The hard earnings of the husband should be laid out to the best possible advantage by the wife, and his cottage home made as comfortable and happy as it can be. Happiness, it is true, does not consist in having a good dinner ; for " l.ietter is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and liatred theremth." Yet of this I am very sure, that much vnhiijjpiiifss would be spared if the arrangements of tlie cottager's fire-side were more studied. Nothing drives men so quickly to the 2)ublio house as an untidy, mismanaged, home. And now, having said so much on what ought to be avoided, I will give you a lew hints on what I consider the April 24.] THE COTTAGE GAKDENER. 59 most economical food for a labouring man's family. But- cher's meat is now so cheap, that I am surprised to see it so little used. You may depend upon it that a shilling's worth of meat is much better economy thau anything else at the same price. I do not mean that you are merely to roast or boil it, and then eat it ; but if a pound of meat, at 4d., is boiled down mth vegetables, and a pound of rice, at l^d., you \vill find a good wholesome meal is ready for a large family. I have before given receipts for soup, and also for dressing sheep's feet, which in the counti-y can be bought for a penny each ; and, as I am convinced that you will find them both palatable and economical, I very much hope that a trial has been given them. I will now, there- fore, say a few words on two articles which, I think, are much neglected by the cottagers of England. These are, rice and oatmeal. The latter is fully appreciated by the Scotch : the cliildren there " live and grow fat " on oatmeal, and I can answer for its being most wholesome. The coarse oatmeal is very cheap, and easily procured. Breakfast is the best meal at which to eat it. A pint of oatmeal will make a sufficient quantity of pomdge for a good-sized party. It should be mixed with cold water gradually until quite smooth ; a quart of water to a pint of oatmeal is about the right proportion. When well mixed put it into a saucepan and boil it for a quarter of an hour, stnring it well during the time it is boihug. It should he eaten with salt, and if a little milk can be spared it wiU be a great improvement. If it is used for dinner, it should always be mixed with a little cold broth instead of water, and for that meal half the quantity of oatmeal is sufficient. There are numerous ways of dressing r/cc, and you ^vill find it a favourite dish with your childi'en. Before using it you should soak it two or three hours in cold water ; by so doing you save time and trouble, as when soaked it requires much less boiling, and as a saucepan must be watched this is an advantage. One pound of rice is sufficient for two gallons of broth, — you can buy rice quite good enough at IJd. a pound (sometimes even cheaper) ; you will, there- fore, soon find out how much cheaper it is than always eatmg bread. The following receipts wiU vary yom' cookery and lower yoiu: bills : — Eire Stirabout. — Take half a pound of rice, and half a pound of Scotch barley ; soak them for two hoiurs in suffi- cient water to cover them. Put them into a saucepan with one gallon of water, three tablespoonfuls of treacle, and a pinch Oi salt. Let it all boil together till the rice is quite soft, and you will find on turning it out an excellent break- fast for yoiur little ones. A nice cheap supper dish is made in the following way : — Soak one pound of rice for two hours. Put it into a sauce- pan with three pints of water ; when it has become a thick paste add one pint of skim milk, four tablespoonfuls of grated cheese, a little pepper and salt ; stir it well together, and when it has boiled up it is ready for the table. If skim milk is easily procm-ed, you will find rice plainly boiled in it, mth the addition of a little treacle, a very excellent substitute for bread. Bread is, certainly, " the staff of Ufe," but still I do not think it either profitable or wholesome to banish other food from the table. I know many of the poor living near me feed their children almost entirely on bread. -\ slice of bread certainly satisfies hunger, mth veiy little trouble ; but that consideration ought not to enter the head of any one to whom God has given the management of a family. Nothing can be done without exertion and trouble. And surely a clean, com- fortable, well-ordered cottage is worth some trouble, — surely a happy family party is worth some exertion ! No home can be comfortable unless the wife strives all she can to make it so. When once the determination is made to struggle against the love of ease, the results which follow vn\\ fully compensate for the extra trouble which has to be token ; and the cottage at whose head is a managing, tidy mfe, becomes the admiration — nay, even the envy — of the parisla. — A Friend. TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. I HAVE rend with pleasure what Mr. Beaton has written on various matters in The Cottage G/iEDENEE, particularly as to the making of walks and transplanting of ti'ees, and so far my observations enable me to form an opinion, I quite agree with what lie says ; but as to transplanting, I fear Mr. Beaton's method of introducing a truck under the tree would not, from the character of some ground, be found practicable ; and if that be shown, then a difficulty must arise in caiTjing out the course he advises. My garden is about an acre, on the north-east border of Chai-nwood Forest, and eleven years ago the greater part of it was used as a stone-quarry. In some parts only the sur- face stone was got, and in others it was got two yards deep ; but in those parts there was not much rock, the ground being composed of five-sixths of stone. The surface is very unequal. I got in much soil, and roses, rhododendrons, laurels, pinuses, and, indeed, almost anything grows remai'k- ably well. Trees which were planted nine years ago I have removed, and found that the roots bad got amongst the stones, and close down upon a rock, which was so near the tree-root as to render it impossible to get an opening tmder the centre of the tree, one foot wide and three inches deep, or, indeed, any opening whatever. I commenced breaking the groimd at the extremities of the roots, and carefully worked a way under them until the soil left round the stem was about three or four feet in chameter ; then the roots tmiied back obliquely, protected by straw, which was sm'rounded by a waggon-rope ; the tree was nexli heaved to loosen it, and tlien drawn forward on a strong plank, under which were two poles, then raised by legs and pulley, placed on a stonemason's truck, moved to its destination, and lowered by the pulley. This was my own contrivance, never having seen any tree other than my own removed, nor any machinery for the pui-pose ; and, being only an amateur, I shall be glad if Mr. Beaton, taking into accotmt the stony chai'acter of the gromid, can suggest any- thuig more simple and better for the purpose. The tree was too heavy to be lifted by men, or carried by them when raised. J. G. RETURNS. £ s. I :j acres of rye, cut green 9 0 To 20 tons of wurtzel . . 20 0 i 44 tons of potatoes, at rf3 Ids 15 15 3 tons of chats 3 0 27qrs.6bush.oats,atiSl 27 15 SiJ loads of straw 8 15 Cabbage plants sold on the ground 2 2 j«'86 7 6 Tithe and taxes 6 10 To trimming hedges To small seeds To planting cabbage . . To twice sowing turnips and harrowing the ground 5 7 1 10 ^72 7 loi PROFITS OFF SIX AND A HALF ACRES. At page 321 of our 4th volume, we gave a statement furnished us by the proprietor, showing tliat he had realized from the above-named space a profit of £60 in the year 1849. As an evidence of his impartiality, we now publish his balance-sheet for 1850, showing a profit from the same plot of barely i£I4. The average profit of the two years is sufficiently satisfactory, and we should observe that the oats were severely injured by the Wire-worm. EXPENSES. £ s. d. To twice ploughing 6^ acres at 12s. per acre 7 16 0 To It) sacks of potatoes for planting, at 10s. per sack 8 0 0 To planting 2 acres .... 15 0 To cutting plants 5 0 To hoeing and moulding I 5 0 To 6 bushels of oats, at 2s. fid 15 0 To drilling and harrow- ing 2^ acres 15 0 To 4 bushels of seed rye 10 0 To sowing and harrowing 1 i acres 5 0 To 12 loads of manure. . 6 0 0 To planting \i acres of wurtzel, part on rye ground 5 0 To thinning and hoeing 15 0 To cutting 2^ acres of oats 1 5 0 To carting home 15 0 To taking up 2 acres of potatoes 3 0 0 To taking up wurtzel . . 10 0 To threshing 27 qrs. 6 bush, of oats, at 28. 6d. 3 9 To rent of 6^ acres at sSi 26 0 ^72 7 101 Profit on the whole ^13 19 7i 60 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [ApEiL 24. GRAFTING GERANIUMS. A FEW years ago I grafted a number of Geraniums, and now enclose you a note of all I recollect about it. All the scions took at once, with the exception, singularly enough, of two or tliree variegated sorts, as in your case. They were done in the cleft manner, when the stock was growing strongly, but before flowering-time ; say about now, or a httle later. The stock was cut back to where the interval between the joints might be about an inch and a half, i. e., not too close to the region of crowded basal buds, or too far into the less organized and longer jointed part. Tlie stock was cut otf just above a leaf, which was retained as a vitahty pump till further orders. The scion was of wood, still more short- jointed, and of that degree of maturity when a faint tinge of brown was just stealing over its green youth. Its nose was nipped ofi', to inculcate patience and preserve discipline. It was tlien inserted, boimd and clayed, kept shaded and syringed whenever I came witliin sliot of it. The claying I found necessary, the cleft method not, as the leafless side of tlie split stock invariably perished, and the common splicing method is easier and as certain. The scion wiU now go through all the phenomena of a cutting, the leaves will keep green awhile, unless by your fault, and will fall off as the process of granulation commences, then swell the buds, and the heart of the j)ropagator, and a good growth made in a few weeks from the graft, which will flower strongly next season. I have done them, however, at several seasons ; one, I remember, in September. You, as a practical man, best know that the state of the plant is of more consequence than the day of the week in these matters. Seedlings make the best stocks. One of these run up to two or three feet by rich growth ; and pinching out of laterals makes a beautiful standard plant, grafted witli six or seven sorts, the second year, when you have formed a head to receive them. Thoeneyceoft. [We are at all times glad to receive such practical com- munications, and shall be right glad to hear from you when and as often as you please. — Ed. C. G.]. WINTER CONSUMPTION OF BEES. I HATE seven stocks of bees, five of which have been fed during the past month (March) ; the loss is as follows : — No. I. l^tt). and 3^16. food, Mr. Gelding's syrup. „ II. 1 ft. not fed. „ III. aj-lb. and 2J115. food, Mr. Gelding's syrup. „ IV. ll^ft. and 2 jft. food, ditto. „ V. 1 ft. and S^lb. food, ditto. „ A'l. 3J^ft. bees placed (7th August last) in empty hive, and fed. „ VII. 2 ft. andlift. food, Mr. Gelding's syrup. The bees fed have consumed more food than those notfed. The stocks fed on prepared food in autumn, have consumed more food than those left mtli their own honey. No. II. was not fed in autumn or this spring. No. 'S'. was not fed in a\itmnn. How do you account for this ? No. II. now weighs 20|ft. Have I, by feeding, put the bees into a too active state, or is No. II. in a bad state ? B. B. [It does certainly appear tliat, by feeding, the bees have been put into a " too active state," and, therefore, they con- sumed more food than they would otherwise liave done. No. II., I sliould consider in a very healthy state ; but that may be ascertained by standing a few minutes beside the hive on a sunny day, and if pollen is carried in freely, they are in a prosperous state. — J. H. 1'.]. GUTTA TERCHA MEMBRANE. 1 enclose you a sample of " Gutta Percha Membrane," and have to suggest an idea or two in reference to its applications for some gardening purposes. I find much useful matter in your pages relative to grafting, budding, cfec, and it occurred to me, that the material alluded to, would, on account of its firmness, elasticity, semi-transpa- l-ency, and impermeability to wet, be peculiarly adapted for such operaticjns ; it also occurred to me, that it might be usefully employed in the stove or greenliouse, whenever syringing was resorted to, for the covering over plants or indwiilual flowers, which might otherwise require removal during this operation. The material, you will perceive, is very thin and light, and the price moderate ; mine cost me Is 4d per yard, and the width of the piece is about twenty- seven inches. I have no doubt it might be had at the depots of tlie Gutta Percha Company at a less price, as I liad mine at " second hands." The puiqioses for which, at present, it is used here, are in surgery, for " water dressing " of wounds, (Src, also by di-ess-makers and bonnet-makers, as an inter- vening material to prevent the soiUng of the fabrics by per- spiration ; the material hitherto used for these purposes is the "oiled silk," which is more expensive, and this circum- stance alone causes the latter article to be superseded by the other. I would suggest that in grafting, budding, &c., a strip of the membrane be "torn" of the width required (for it tears readily lengthwise), and begin by closely wi'ap- ping two, three, or foiu' times round the branch operated upon ; cut ofi' the superfluous portion, and wet with mineral naptha the end of the strip which is round the branch, after which, tie round with twine until it is dry, when the twine should be taken ofi' again. As these are " mere hints, itn- accompanied with practical experience," any farther than simply concerns the natiu'e of tlie material itself, I merely give them in hopes to hear of some one trying the experi- ment. We have a climbing rose in this neighbotirhood (rather a gigantic one too), called, from the person who raised it, the " Blair Rose." It was obtained from the seed of a re- markably large fruit, or hip, and the tree raised from it sm'passes all others in the neighbourhood for a noble appearance when in flower, and is very generally admired ; the season's shoots are twelve feet or more in length, and it is easily raised ; the flowers are of a pm-plish rose colour. — W. L. [We accept your offer of a cutting with thanks. — Ed. C. G.] MATERIALS FOR DRAINAGE. I see a correspondent recommends cinders for pot-drain- age; such a make-shift has been recommended in Hanison's horticultural Cabinet some time since. We use a great quantity of drainage here, and our practice is, in bad wea- ther, to collect all the pieces of bricks, tiles, and crocks, and beat them small with a large hammer. We then take a fine sieve and sift away the dust ; we then sift it through a sieve with J-i«c/i mesli, and thtis have two samples of drainage, fit for eveiy purpose, always ready. We find this answer for evei-y kind of plant better than any other, ex- cept charcoal. We often mix a small quantity of this with the mould, for plants that require extra drainage, and judge that it answers well by the healthy appearance of the roots. — G. C. TO CORRESPONDENTS. To All OUR Correspondents, — \Vc are delighted to hear from you all ag often as you need information, and no amount of labour thrown upon us wearies us, ho long as we know we are useful ; but in return you must be patient and courteous. You must not, like our friend Ivy, ^et red in the face and black in the pen because our replies do not come quite so soon as either you or we could wish. We answer you all as soon as we can give the best procurable information, because, not being " up to everything," we have continually to seek better counsel i this causes delay ; and this, added to occasional deficiency of space, and our printing arrangements, renders it impossible for us to reply to any one before our second number after a question arrives. Conservatory, &c. {J. J. B., Bh-miughnm). — It is impossible, with- out seeing the spot, tu form a safe judgment of the somewhat compli- cated affairs about which you write. It is by far the safest course in such cases to employ a professional man, and the extent of your case, together with the possibility of *' sinning in haste and repenting at leisure," will, we think, justify our opinion. Wc will, however, speak to a point or two: if we understand your first plan, the stable and vinery will be pre- sented to the drawing-room window. No stable in front for us; it is astonishing what faults occur this way, leading to afterthoughts derogatory to the scheme, yet neccs.-iary. Your stable will recjuirc to be hid, and planting, or some contrivance adopted at variance with that freedom of lawn which is one of the moat important elements of the ofixnt cum dignitate. Your second sketch looks better, and we think that a ridge and furrow roof, a Paxtoniun one, might be carried continuously through both conservatory and vinery, presenting a uniform frontage elevation, from which, in the case of the vinery, a slant roof might be made to rise until it meets with the shed behind. Our space will not permit us to go into working plans. April 2-t.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 61 Vine Pruning (W. H. B.)-— Your plan is often resorted to; If, how- ever, you can carry crop enough, and your spurs are *' a(, home," do not leave any but the fruiters. Let your fires go out in the morning ; rake clean, and light again at two o'clock, a.m. Vines and cucumbers ought cot to be together, but they may be grown so ; the cucumber wants too much atmospheric moisture for the vine. Calla -^THiopicA {Lady -bird). — This, so usually called an Arum, is a plant that generally blooms freely enough, both in pots and out of doora, plunged in water. It requires a long rest, and may be rested either in summer or in winter ; wc bloom one set of them in April and May, and a second set from October to Christmas. They yield to forcing in the spring. We use strong rich loam for them, and give them abundance of water while they are in growth, and wc let them go gradually to rest as tlie leaves turn colour, and keep them quite dry for three or four months, and we believe we could have some in bloom every month in the year. More minute details will be seen in our first volume. We never heard of the scarlet geranium called Bnrnn Hugel, but there is no end to the varieties. Some do well every where, while others will only succeed in particular soils. A small leaf, with a very dark horse-shoe mark, is a great recommendation, and wc recommend it on your authority. Gri'b in Raspbebrv buds (W. Barker). — The tittle red grubs, or caterpillars, which burrow into the young shoots of your raspberry, are those of a small moth l)flonging to the family of Tortricidte, probably Tortrix Holmeanti. M'e have not, however, hitherto seen any instance of such a kind of destruction, nor do we think any such has been recorded. The eggs were laid in the previous summer on the branches, and, doubt- less, covered with gluten, in i)atches. \\'e can suggest no other remedy than hand-picking, or rather pressing the buds as soon as they droop, as extensively as possible, and so prevent next year's mischief. You will probably hear from flir. M'estwood on the subject. Large Flat-topped Hivr {A Jnumeitmnn Cuhhiet-maker). — This, in which '* A Country Curate " put his first artificial swarm of last May, is almost identical with that figured at page 24 ot the last edition of Mr. Taylor's " Bee-keeper's Manual " (which has since been published), only it is much larger. It will he seen, on a reference to that work, that the loose wooden crown-board of the hive (which is straight throughout, and open at each end,) is made of two circular smooth boards — each, say of half-inch stuff, glued together, the grain of the wood crossing, to pre- vent warping. The upjicr piece of wood, also, projects one inch over the hive-rim, while the under side " is cut so as to fall within the minor diameter" of the hive. The advantage of this peculiar crown-board is this, that "on removing a full cap." or plundering a full hive, "the combs can be separated from the sides with a knife or spatula, when there will be no difficulty in lifting the crown-board from its place, with the combs suspended from it, in a perfect and unbroken state," instead of cutting them away from below. A Country Curate says, " Of much the same construction, and on a similar principle, was my large hive; but as the advantage above-mentioned is but of little comparative prac- tical value, save in supers or caps of small size (in large hives I fear it is likely to be of little use, for the combs being so large and heavy, will be in danger of breaking away from it on lifting them out, as, indeed, hap- pened to a friend of mine last summer), I do not now recommend it. In my lately constructed hives, therefore, (of which a figure and full descrip- tion will be found in "The English Bee-keeper," just published by Messrs. Rivington,) with a view to a still greater improvement, I have made a slight alteration in the construction of the crown-boards. Like the former, they are made of two pieces of wood glued together, but, instead of the under piece fitting into the minor diameter of the hive, it rests upon the hive-rim, equally witli the upper piece, being of exactly the same diameter. This kind of board, it will be seen, fully secures the advantage of that of I\Ir. Taylor, while its chief use is this, that when a prime swarm in a large hive gets very heavy (and every good prime Bwavm should be put into a large hive, if it is to be kept for stock), and it seems desirable to rob it of part of its stores (a stock hive ought not to weigh a6oj*e 23 lbs. o^ contents 2^t iMichaelmas), which are always to 1)6 found at the upper part of the hive, the board may be removed, after passing a spatula right underneath it, so as to sever the comb from its attachments to it. In this way (the bees liaving previously been driven out pro. tern.), the treasures of the hive are disclosed to view, and as much of each comb as is thought desirable may be scooped out, leaving the loit'er part of the comb as clear gam to the bees. Where a hive has bars, which are always useful, every comb can be got at individually, without disturbing the others, after removing its particular bar ; or the crown-board might consist of two leaves, united by hinges, of which only one need bo lifted up at a time, so as to get at the contents of half the hive. The board is kept in its place by being secured down directly to a thick hoop, fastened to the outer edge of the upper part of the hive, or by means of hinges, of which one leaf is secured to the hive-top, while the other is fastened to the hoop externally. My hive is fifteen inches in diameter, by eight or nine inches high," Aspect for Bees (EUse). — We recommend south in preference to any other aspect. Kach of Pai/ne^s hives should have two, at least, of the small depriving hives to work it properly. QuEENLEss Bees {B. S. P.).—" Watching my hives the few fine days we have had the last week or two, and the activity of the bees at the ditferent hives, carrying in their pollen, I observed one, which hitherto I had considered to be the best stock in my apiary (being a very large and early swarm of last year), was, amongst all the bustle of its neighbours, idle— half a dozen bees basking in the sun at the entrance, stretching their legs, as it were, after a long period of idleness, apparently with no object in view, were the only signs which presented themselves of their existence. It is evident, I think, from this, that «o breeding is going forward, from, I humbly conceive, the loss of their queen."— You arc quite right, there is no queen. The only plan that you can adopt, at this season, will be to take a piece of comb from a strong hive that is filled with eggs and brood, and introduce it into your queenless hive, and your bees will at once set about making a queen. In Taylor's bos-hive this operation is performed with the greatest convenience.' Geraniums and Verbenas (B. P. S.).— We do not think that any of the Verbenas would answer well mixed with Geraniums, particularly with the variegated ones. Mangte's Variegated will do for a centre-bed : without any mixture. Tngctes ienui/ottd will soon cover a bed, if planted a foot apart each way ; but we allow only six inches ; Lobelia ramosa the j same. Old plants of Scarlet Geraniums will answer better than last autumn cuttings for a bed edged with White Petunias, because the I Petunia is likely to make too strong a growth for that of young Gera- niums, and unless the bed is well raised in the middle would overtop thera. Flower Beds (Esther Mifskett).— AW the plants you name are good bedders, and will arrange round the Heliotrope and light Verbena as a neutral centre. It is best in such cases, when corresponding beds on opposite sides of a centre are filled with plants having the same coloured I flowers, and to be of the same height, but not at all necessary that the ; same plant should be repeated. Nevertheless, your yellow Calceolaria , opposite a scarlet Geranium, across a neutral centre, cannot possibly ' mar " the effect," and that is one of the greatest advantages of keeping j subdued colours, or neutral tints, in the middle of a composition. j Stage for Pinks, &c. (A Breconshire Subscriber). — A frame, or, as it is technically called, a stage, for carnations should be fornxcd like the I skeleton of a house with canvass covers, with a walk down the centre, : and a low platform on each side. This platform may contain three or ' five rows of pots; the former is the most convenient for examining the j flowers. Under this shade the carnation flowers, and shows ojf to great I advantage. A frame with glass covers would be too hot and light, and, besides, would require to be at least three feet deep. Penstemon (Wind Flower). — You send a piece of seedling Penste- [ mon, and request us to inform what will be the colour of the flowers. We caimot tell, nor can anybody else. It looks like Penstemon campu- ntilata, which has a rosy red flower. The best way to keep Dahlias dwarf, or low, is to peg down the shoots with hooked pegs. Scarlet Geruniians will flower more freely, and produce less foliage, if they are planted out in their pots. Sodralia (.Y, X.). — Certainly a species of Sobralia, but the flower was so crushed in passing through the post-office, that it was impossible to name it. It is very likely a new species. Have you a piece to spare in exchange, wc might then make it out next year ? Various Questions {Cantien^is). — Verbenas, &c, to be planted in masses should be put in at nine inches apart. The time for planting is as soon as the frosts are over. Your young Patisies will bloom in June without any trouble. To get good blooms in September, put in cut- tings now ; and when they arc rooted prick them out, and nip off all the blooms till the first of August. Sow Verbena seed immediately, in a gentle hotbed, in a ehallow pan. Plant the seedlings out as soon as they are large enough. They will flower in September. Instructions ahout Dahlia grouing a.rchrief\y mentioned almost every week in The Cottage Gardener. A more full account of its culture and blooming will appear in due course. Payne's Hives (N. D.). — A letter directed "J. H. Payne, Esq., Bury St. Edmunds," will reach him. He is a private gentleman, and will aid you as much as he can to get the hives to Bristol. The common Long Prickly and Stan House cucumbers are the best varieties for use, and the Browston Hybrid for show. For Dahlia propagating see page 22. Winter Shelter for Pl.a.nts {Pauperis). — The plan you propose will answer very well, but we think you will find it dearer than the " Five- pound Greenhouse." An angle of 34° will do for the roof. Much the cheapest and warmest structure for wintering plants is one with sides a foot thick made of turves, with a door at one end, and a glazed roof at the above angle. Glass Jar {Horttis). — You could not expect to obtain this, described by our correspondent, for less than 6s., if new. A square glazed struc- ture would answer nearly as well in every respect but appearance. Our correspondent wishes to know where he can obtain seeds of the Browston Hybrid Cucumber ? Annual Creepers {J. B.). — The different varieties of Convolvulus major arc as good as any to plant with standard roses for training against them. Petunias we have seen so used ; and we have also seen Tropi£olum cunrtriensis, or the Canary Creeper, so trained, and when it reached the head of the rose it was carried in a festoon to the next standard. Yet the plan is much against the rose-trees, as these climbers exhaust the soil, which can hardly be too good for the rose by itself. Combination of Geraniums {Constant Reader). — The scarlet breed do not harmonise with the florists' pelargoniums, and neither Jehu nor Prince Albert are good bedders, but if you must use them with To»i Thumb let them be in the centre of the bed, and To}n as a belt round them. Your Vine will take no harm from the way you stopped the bleeding. Cupressus macrocarpa (/. H.). — There is not the slightest doubt about this being the same as C. Lambertiana. ; the officers of the London Horticultural Society who made out their identity arc beyond suspicion on such matters. A ditt'erence in the fragrance, or some being fragrant and others not, is an accidental variation in seedlings of them, not an unusual circumstance in this and other families. All the plants of wc(- crocnrpa being fragrant, while those of Lambertiana were not so, in a given nursery, is very easily accounted for ; they were propagated by cuttings from two or more individuals, the one fragrant and the other not fragrant, but that does not establish a specific diflerencc. We would plant this Cypress 20 feet apart, in an avenue, and in 10 or H years remove every other plant ; but very likely 6o feet apart would be better for the final distance, still, we would begin with 20 feet. Diseased Geraniums (C. T. P.). — You have the dreadful malady Called the spot among your geraniums, and, if we must tell the truth, there is not a man living who knows, for a certainty, the cause of it. It is infectious, and you cannot now get rid of it till the bloom is over and the plants are cut down to tlie hard brown wood, and a thin paint of equal quantities of soot and sulphur applied to the remains ; but a better plan is to plant them out on a rich border, and take cuttings from the tops of the young healthy shoots at the end of July, and let the frost destroy the old plants. Top-dress the Fuchsias and Ga'aniums with the same compost they are in. Potting your Cactus now will not prevent its flowering — but why pot till after the bloom is over ? If the Cactus is 62 THE COTTAGE GARDENEE. [April 24. strong, it will do in the same compost as you use for the geraniums ; but it is safer to add a fourth-part of old dry lime, mortar, or charcoal, about the size of filberts ; but an old brickbat, broken to the same size, will do just as well, if not better. Fuchsia (C. I. P.). — These, with the wood alive, but not pushing, will break all the sooner by being plunged in a hotbed ; though, if all sound, they will do so without that assistance, if you give them time. We pre- sume they have been kept very dry and cool. Begonia and Velvety-leaved Plant just Pushing [Ibid). — These must not stand in a saucer of water. When more advanced, they will require a fair supply of moisture, but even then we would not treat them as aquatics. Camellias {C. E.). — You may cut them back itoiv, but it would have been better done before they broke. You must give them a close and warm position to break freely in, and then there will be plenty of time to set their buds. If you do not prune now, your flowers will be nice and early. WooDLicE Eating Cucumber Female Blossoms {Ibid). — You must trap, scald, and feed them. First, put a piece of boiled potatoe in small pots, with a little dry hay over it, examine the pots before going to ; bed, and have some hot water ready to tumble the rascals into; secondly, ' lay down some dry hay in a corner, or several comers, after you have stirred the bed and sprinkled it with the syringe, at night, or in the ; morning; have some boiling water in readiness, with a small-rosed pot, j and as you move the hay, sprinkle the fellows over with the hot liquid ; i and, thirdly, while all these measures are in operation, strew the prunings j of the cucumber, young lettuces, &c., over the bed, to feed them and keep them from the cucumbers. We have, also, surrounded the plants with a circular double ring of zinc, containing water between the rings. , The only thing in the animal way likely to benefit 3'ou, are a few hungry, famished tofuLs ; and for this purpose, and others, notwithstanding the 1 prejudice against them, they are rare friends to the gardener. You must ; not easily give up the contest, for your enemy, if left alone, will soon be I legions strong. ! Planting (Caufiorts, Lancashire). —Do not plant on 54 inches of even hazle loam. Let 24 inches suffice, and let some impervious mate- rial form an artificial substratum. For your forcing pit, we should prefer plan No. 2, the general design of which is good, for you will have one capital morning side, and as good an afternoon one on the other, owing to its facing south-east and north-west. We object, however, to your front ventilation, being opposite the pots. We should bring it in below the pot-shelf, immediately over the hot piping, which we should place there, leavnig a two-inch cavity Ijetween the shelf and the wall. You must mind your levels, and also the relation of the whole to the ground level outside. Let us beg of you to reconsider your piping. Escholtzia alba ( ). — The seedbngs require thinning and trans- planting the same as the commoner kind. Peas (North ]Voolc).~\Ve do not know the varieties named HacArmaw's Imperial and Black-eijed Susan. Un PRUNED Vine {W.J. C). — You must now let this remain un pruned until the leaves are well expanded, you may then prune it without any fear of its bleeding. In the mean time disbud, train to the rafters of your greenhouse, and stop as you would have done under ordinary circum- stances. Bees iW. A. E.). — The hives may stand so close as to touch each other; but, for the convenience of easy access to each, it is better to have them on single pedestals, and three or four yards apart. We are glad that you found the barley-sugar so good a mode of feeding. Budding Roses {A, L, G.). — There is no reason against your budding six varieties on one stock ; but we cannot select for you without knowing your object, or which class you prefer, or what is the stock to lie grafted. Seedling Florists' Flowers (S. R. F.). — It is impossible to point out any jirophetic rule by which you can foretell which seedlings will produce the best flowers. Do not raise so many, and then you will not be cramped for room. White Flints (J. J — ., London). — Our correspondent requires some for building a grotto : who can supply him? At the nearest station to the chalk on the Brighton or South-western railways you could obtain them for a mere trifle. Flower Beds {Hinnhle Bee). — "We never undertake to plant flower beds for any one ; nor until next September will I\Ir. Beaton ofi'er sug- gestions again to those who ask advice as to their own proposed arrange- ments of flowers. Admitting Air to Vines in Greenhouse (G. S. B.).— W'e can state from experience, that it is perfectly immaterial whether you admit ' air by the front lights, or by side ventilators, or by the top sashes. Such fiddlmg over essentials is the proof of a man not having much practical knowledge. It is essential, to have good-flavoured, well-coloured grapes in a greenhouse, that they should have abundance of air, and it matters not on fine days how it is admitted. Mr. Crawshay, celebrated for his greenhouse grapes, has the glass so fixed that air comes in constantly between the panes. Green Fly and Caterpillars {Bury). — To destroy the greenfly on your gooseberry bushes, cover each in succession with a sheet, and fill the tent rapidly with tobacco smoke. Let it remain on for half an hour, and then syringe the bush. The caterpillars are best destroyed by dusting them, by means of a dredging-box, with white hellebore powder. This should be dry and fresh. It is procurable at the druggists. Bee Hives (S. S.). — Mr. Payne has had both wood and straw hives in use these fifty years, and is not yet able to say in which the bees do best ; but straw hives are far the cheapest. As you are only commencing bee- keeping, we would recommend your not driving your bees ; all operations should be performed by day, except uniting. Do not let your single stock swarm at all. Irish Acre. — " Permit us to offer, for the guidance of several of your inquiring correspondents, the difference of an English and Irish acre of land. The difference is 3000 square yards, as explained below — English Square Measure. Irish Square Measure, yds. I pole, or perch 1210 is 40 poles, or I rood 4b40 is 160 poles, or I acre yds. 49 is 1 pole or perch IpliO is 40 poles, or I rood rSIO is 160 i)oIes, or 1 acre Hardy ^ Son, Maldon, Esaex. N.B. English statute measure is reckoned by Gunter's chain, of 100 links, of which 10 square chains constitute 1 acre." Names of Plants {A Lover of Ferns) . — Your specimen came to hand in good condition ; and as far as we can judge from its eliptic lanceolate leaves, we should say it is the Punica gratmtum, besides, the respectable establishment you had it from, would not knowingly deceive you. We cannot tell you where you could obtain cuttings of the large and double Pomegranate. {Jiivertsis).—\. Fuchsia cordifotia. 2. Mesembrynnthe- mum snbulaiujn^ It is not hardy. 3. Iberis sa.ratilis. 4. Perhaps Dianthus utrorubens. Sends us a specimen in bloom. Geraniums {Royalist). —You have been deceived ; we do not think either are true to name. But we will say more positively, and answer other queries, next week. Your heath is Erica persoluta. CALENDAR FOR MAY. Kohl Rubi Seed {J.B. S.).- who advertises in our columns. -You can obtain it of any seedsman PLANT STOVE. AciiniENES, repot such as have started into large pans to bloom in masses. A:maryllis aulica, pot, to bloom in winter. Apiielandra aubantiaca, pot, or plunge in bark-bed. Begonias, repot, and grow on freely, to flower in autumn and winter. Clerodendrums, pot — for the last time— into very large pots, to bloom strongly in July. Cut- tings of all kinds of stove-plants put in under bell-glasses, in heat. Ekyturina christa-galli repot for the last time, and remove into greenhouse, to flower there during the summer. Gardenia Florida and varieties, and Gardenia radicans, done blooming, remove into cold pit ; and late crops of them place in greenhouse as they come into bloom. Gardenia Stanleyana, and others similar, syringe freely, to keep them clear from red spider; repot when necessary. Gesneras, now coming into bloom, tie out ; that is, open out the shoots with sticks and ties, to show off the flowers. Gesnera zeurina, pot now, to bloom late. Give Air freely as the warm weather comes on. Glox- inias, repot into large pots, to form large specimens; young plants continue to force on to bloom late. Ixoras, tie out. and shift into large pots; keep them plunged in bark-pit. I^SECTS, fumigate, to destroy green fly. Syringe freely, to keep down red spider. Sponge the leaves of such plants as are subject to this pest. In extreme cases wash the leaves with strong soap-water. Seeds, sow. of all kinds worth growing, in shallow pots, in close heat. Stove Climbers keep well tied in, and within hounds, by pruning treely. Water, apply plentifully, both at the root and on the walls, floors, &c., to keep up a moist atmosphere. T. Appleby. Heliotrope-scented Cineraria. — In answer to a query on this subject, M. D. P., of Bristol, and Mrs. Charles Stanley, of Lindfield, Sussex, have such a flower in their possesion. iMrs. Stanley's is a pure white flower. Label for Pot3. — R. W. M. wishes to know where the labels men- tioned in our No. 128 can be obtained. Failure of Hamburgh Grapes {A. Wallace). — Not only is the , setting of the bunches imperfect, but from the specimens sent it is j evident that they are much shanked — that is, the stalks arc ulcerated. As the Black Prince, Frontignac, and Sweet-water varieties, in the same ; house, are not affected, we feel convinced that there is a deficiency of root action. Examine whether the vine has not rooted deeply, and if so, remove i a few inches of the surface soil, and a little mulch put on at night, but ■ removed during sunny days, if the roots are outside the house, would probably be of service. Btrving Bees. — We find we were wrong in ascribing the report at page 12 to ,1. W. Knight, Esq., of Weston Favell. Will the party who forwarded us that report oblige us with his name ? Temperature i'or Cucumbers iO. B. O.).— Highest day tempera- ture from 75° to 80^; night temperature from 70° to 65^^. Bottom-heat about 711''', not lower. Water should be appUcd heated to yb°. Give air daily, with proper precautions, to prevent chilling the plants. FLORISTS' FLOWERS. Auriculas, done blooming, place upon coal ashes in a cool place behind a north wall. Save seed from best varieties. Prick out seedlings in shallow pans— keeping them under glass. Seed may yet be sown. Calceolarias pot, to flower in .luly. Carnations and Picotees, place sticks to, shade from hot sun; prick out seedlings. Dahlias, plant out; placing pots over them at niiiht for fear of frost ; place stakes to. Hollyhocks, mulch with short Uttery dung ; place stakes to them in good time. Pansies now in flower shade from sun ; put in cuttings of, under hand-glasses, in a shady place : layer the long shoots in the same manner as carnations. Pinks, place sticks to; put m pipmgs of. Polyanthuses, treat exactly the same as auriculas. Ranunculuses, water freely between the rows in dry weather; stir the surface frequently. Roses, intended for exhibition in pots, shade from sun, water with manure-water. Tie creeping roses frequently, but not too stiffly. Smoke roses fre(|uentlv with tobacco. Tulips still in flower shade deeply and effectually from sun. Take up early blooming bulbs and dry in the shade. Verbenas, plant out in beds. '^ An„,,.«v T. Applebv. ORCHID HOUSE. Air, give, in hot weather. Compost, materials for, procure this month. MoisTURK, in the aiV, keep up an abundant supply; at the root give April 2i.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 63 abundance, especially when the bulbs are half grown. Plants on blocks st/rhi^e every day. Rekanthera coccinea remove out of the stove into the Indian-house to flower. Wash the leaves of all the plants, to destroy insects and open the pores to admit moisture. Plants in FLOWEK remove into a cool house to prolong the period of bloom. T.Appleby. GREENHOUSE. Air admit freely in good weather. If the house should be shut up on cold nights, give air the first thing in the morning ; toward the end of the month leave a little air all night, increasing the (juantity by degrees. Annuals, &c., bring in from pits and frames, when approaching the blooming state. Sow quick-growing ones, as Balsams ; and hardy ones, as Collinsias and Nemophilas, for succession. Cuttings, consisting of nice stubby side shoots of young growth will now root readily in a mild bottom-heat. All bedding-out plants intended for the balcony or a small flower-garden may now be propagated very easily, if inserted in a bed of light soil over a little sweet dung, and a frame placed over them. Young shoots of Heaths, Epacrises, Azaleas, &c., may now be struck, inserting thetu in silver sand, in pots well drained, and putting a bell-glass over them ; keeping them rather cool for a few weeks, and then giving them a little mild bottom-heat. Earth : stir the surface on pots and borders, and fresh dress where repotting or renewing the earth is not advisable. Sow Seeds of the Orange or Lemon, and when of a suitable size let them be grafted or inarched — preferring the former — and placing the plants in a moist hot-bed; any stocks raised late last season may be so used. For flowering in a dwarf state, and almost continuously, tlie Otaheite orange is valuable. Shifting into larger pots must be carefully proceeded with. Succession crops of Achime/ies, Glo-rinias, Gesneras, &c., must now be seen after. Salvias must be propagated for autumn and winter blooming. Seeds of Salvia patens produce strong nice flowering plants. Their doing well for another season will depend on the treatment they receive 7iow. In consulting present convenience we must not forget the future. Hardy Plants should now be set in a sheltered corner, to make way for the importations from the pits and frames. Seedlings and Cuttings must be pricked off" in time, or they will destroy each other. Water will be required oftener as the sun gains strength. Plants with large leaves generally require the greatest supply. R. Fish. FRUIT FORCING. Aphides, keep down by fumigation or tobacco water. Bottom-heat, beware of extremes, watch frequently, do not exceed aa"^. Capsicums, pot off", and get forward, b. Cucumbers, increase atmospheric moisture to, in house ; remove linings in frames ; fumigate if the tly appears, and stop and set frequently. Figs, water freely ; stop a few eyes beyond the fruit. Insects in general look for weekly. Kidney Beans, water freely with liquid manure, and stop ; pot oif a succession, b. Liquid manure use clear and weak, frequently. BlrsnEOOM-iiousE, keep a very moist air in; make a late spring bed, mixing loam with the dung, b. HIelons, train, stop, thin out, set. &c., almost daily; water very freely as soon as the fruit are as large as eggs, using liquid manure ; continue to plant successions, and sow the latest lot, b. Nectarines, give peach treat- ment. Peaches, stop, disbud, thin their fruit, &c., and syringe freely twice a day. Pines, watch bottom-heat, water more liberally, and keep moist air to. Red Spider : sulphur pipes, flues, &c., once a month. ToMATOS, harlen off, b. Watering, increase with the season. K. Errington. ORCHARDING. Apricots, hand pick caterpillars, b. ; thin fruit, m. Aphides, destroy. American Blight, watch for. Borders, clean and dress. Budded Trees (last year), remove wild shoots from, and secure the growing bud. Cherries, train and clear from Aphides. Currants (Red and White), stop watery breast shoots, e. Currants (Black), keep down fly, b. Disbudding, perform frequently. Figs, prune, train, and disbud; com- mence stopping, e. Grafts, see the day is safe, b. ; keep down wild shoots of last year's, and secure the graft from wind, e. HIulching, attend well to, c. Nectarines, as peaches. Nuts, destroy suckers, e. Plums, clear from fly, and train, b. Peaches, disbud, and cleanse from Aphides, b. ; stop gross shoots, and thin fruit, c. Pears, train, and thin fruit, e. Protecting, remove from blossoms, m. Red Spider, extirpate; depend on sulphur and the syringe. Raspberries, thin out shouts where very tliick, and remove unnecessary suckers, m. Stopping, keep an eye to. Staking, look to in orchard, b. Scale on bark, ex- tripate, b. Strawberries, mulch and water freely in blossom. Alpines may still be planted, b. Training, attend to assiduously, especially with young trees. A\'ater, apply in drought to new plantings. Walks, clean or turn. R, Eerington. FLOWER GARDEN. An ESI ONES, water well between the rows. Annuals (Tender), remove into another hotbed; pot, if not done in April; water gently, and give air as much as possible; prick out April sown. Antiuruinums plant and sow for late autumn bloom. Auriculas done blooming, remove to N.E. aspect, where they will not have the sunshine after nine ; ofl^scts with roots detach, and plant three in a pot ; seedlings keep in the shade ; water moderately in dry weather ; auriculas to seed should be kept from wet. Awnings, or other shelter, continue over beds of tulips, e. now in liloora. Bedding-plants be not in too great hurry to plant out ; the middle of the month is time to begin any of the half-hardy plants. Biknnials, sow, b., in rows, thinly. Bulbous Roots, generally, directly leaves decay, take up and store ; seedlings shade through midday; plant again after separating off'sets, or else store until the end of July. Carnations, remove side buds from flower-stems ; shade from meridian sun ; water in dry weather; put sticks to, and tic stalks; sow. Dahlias, old, ])art and plant b.; young, plant out, e. Dress the borders, &c., frequently. Flowering Plants require staking, &c. Fuchsias, may be planted. Grass, mow and roll weekly. Gravel, roll weekly. Hoeing cannot be too frequent. Hyacinths, take up and store as leaves decay. BIignonette, sow for succession, b. ffiNOTUERA ma- CROCARPA make cuttings of when the young shoots are three inches long. Prune Laurestinus when done flowering; also Berberis aqui folia. Perennials, sow, b.; propagate by slips and cuttings. Polyanthuses, part, and shade throughout the summer ; sunshine destroys them ; sow seed of. Roses, watch for insects on, and destroy them ; roses in groups keep them low ; roses in pots may be planted out. Rose-stocks for bud- ding do not rub off shoot ; but stop those not wanted at the second or third joint. Stake and tie up plants; seedlings thin. Tulips, re- move seed-pods ; take up and store as leaves decay; water frequently in dry weather. Wallflowers, sow, to bloom next year. Water-glass bulbs plant in borders as flowers decay. Watering, attend to in dry weather, especially to plants newly removed, At the commencement of this month, during showery weather, plant cuttings n't Double Wallflowers, 2.n^ Fiinsies ; and divide the roots of Neapolitan and Russian Violets, trans- planting in preparation for potting to flower in winter. Half-hardy plants may now be brought from the greenhouse and their other winter shelters, and distributed in the borders. Mild moist weather is most suitable for this work. The more tender Climbinf^ Annuals, such as Tropaiolum aduncum and Convolvulus major, should not be planted out until the end of the month. Put in Slips of double White and Purple Rocket, under hand-glasses, or near a wall on the north side. Cuttings of China Roses plant in a shady place. D. Beaton. KITCHEN-GARDEN. Angelica, plant, or thin out, as the case may require. Artichokes, dress off", if not done, and plant a few suckers for succession. Alex- anders, attend to thinning, ^c. Asparagus, sprinkle with salt once a week during the cutting season. If this be attended to there will be no fear of weeds or slugs ; but the surface of the beds should be opened once a week with some little pointed implement. Balm, earthstir among. Beet (Red), thin out, &c. Basil should be exposed to the open air all fine weather, so as to have good stocky plants to plant out toward the end of the month in warm borders. Beans, sow in succession in cool situations ; attend to topping and earth-stirring advancing crops. Borage, sow. Borecole, sow, b. ; prick out, and save for seed. Brocolis of any kind may be sown at the beginning, for Cape Brocoli in particular, this is just the season, when sown sooner, they are so apt to run or button ; attend to pricking and planting out any early sown kinds, and look to favourite kinds for seed, Burnet, attend to. Cab- bages, sow or plant; earthing attend to. Capsicum raised in hotbeds should be well inured to the open air, for planting out in the open warm border, at the end of the month. Carrots, sow; attend to thinning- out advancing crops. Cardoons, thin out or sow, b. Cauliflowers, the early hand-glass crops should be well basined up, supplid with water, and liquid manure water, once a week ; attend to pricking or planting out in succession. Celery, may sow ; attend to pricking and planting out the earlier sown. Chamomile, earth-stir among. Chervil, sow, and leave for seed. Cress (American), sow; save for seed. Chives, keep clear from weeds. Coriander, sow. and leave for seed. Crops failed, lose no time to replace. Cucumbers, plant out under hand-glasses upon a little bottom-beat ; attend to thinning, topping, and removing any decayed leaves daily ; those in bearing assist with a little top-dressing often. Dill, attend to. Earth-stirr- ing, in all cases attend to in dry weather. Endive, sow a little towards the end of the month for early use. Fennel, attend to planting out seedlings. Hotbeds, attend to. Hyssop, attend to. Kale (Sea), earth stir, or carefully fork up among the old crowns, if not done before ; look over seedlings, and where sown in patches to remain, thin out and attend to. Kidney beans (Dwarfs) and Runners, sow main crops at the b,, or transplant from hot-beds; make another sowing e. of the month for succession; attend to protection in case of frosty nights. Leeks, thin out early, or transplant ; leave for seed. Lettuces, sow every fortnight ; plant out and tie a few every week. Marigolds, sow. Marjoram (Sweet), see Basil. (Common garden), may plant and keep clear from weeds. Melons, sow b. ; pot off and ridge out in succes- sion ; attend to setting fruit, thinning, topping, earthing up, and watering the advancing crops. Mint, plant out new beds where required ; if short of rooted plants, cuttings will root readily at this season, if planted and well watered. Mushroom-beds should be made in the coolest situations at this season ; attend to those in bearing. Mustard and Cress, sow in succession where required. Nasturtiums, sow without delay, if not done before. Onions, weed; keep the surface earth loosened; a small fine-tootbed iron rake mil be found an excellent tool for this and similar purposes; (Welsh) leave for seed. Parsley, sow; thin out Hamburgh, and leave for seed. Parsnips, thin, and earth loosen. Peas, sow in succession ; draw up earth along each side of the rows before sticking, in case soakings of water should be required ; sticking attend to in time. Pennyroyal may be planted in a cool situation. PoMPioNS, sow, or plant out under hand-glass, upon a little bottom- heat. Potatoes, hoe amongst, with rare not to injure the young fibre. Purslane, SOW; leave for seed. Radishes, sow in cool situations; and leave for seed. Rape, sow for salading ; (edible-rooted) sow, e. Rosemary and Rue, may plant. Sage, may plant ; cuttings root readily at this season if planted in a shady border and well watered, Salsafy and Scorzonera, sow main crop b. .Summer savory, sow or plant out. Savoys, prick out, &c. Spinach, sow and leave for seed, and thin out young crops. Tansy and Tah agon, may plant. Tomatos, attend to for planting out e, of the month. Turnips, sow, thin out, and leave for seed. Turnip Cabbage, sow. Vegetable Marrow, sow or ridge out under hand-glasses upon a little bottom heat. Many frosty nights may be expected during May, therefore, previously to jdanting out tender plants, remember how they are to be protected, should cold or un- kind weather set in. T. Weaver, London: Printed by Harry Wooldridqe, Winchester High-street, in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William Someeville Orr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Comer, in the Pariah of Christ Church, City of London. — April 24th, 1851. THE COTTAGE GARDENEK— ADVERTISEMENTS. ■VTEW and SPLENDID SEED- il LING CALCEOLARIAS. C. TATTER- SALL'S Descriptive Priced Catalogue will be sent on the receipt of One Postage Stamp. Padiham, near Burnley, Lancashire. YALUABLE VEGETABLES. V Cauliflowers. — Bfyatt's Improved Early. Rluch earlier than the old varieties, more compact, and heavier; considered by the raiser as most desirable ; quantity very limited, Is per packet. Brussels Sprouts. — Improved variety, direct from Brussels. Is peroz., 6d per packet. Caddage. — Mitchell's Enfield. This has been tried at the Horticultural Society's Gar- dens, and pronounced one of the best. Is per oz., 6d per packet. ,, Chappel's Colewort. Excellent for winter greens. 6d per oz. Carrot. — St. James'. One of the best for small gardens and shallow or heavy soils. 3d per oz. Celery. — Coles' Superb Red. Very exten- sively grown last season, and pronounced first rate. Is per oz.. Gd per packet. Lettuce. — Victoria Cabbage. But little known, but one of the handsomest grown, and which no gentleman's garden should be without. Is per oz., 6d. per packet. Paksley. — French fringed. Very handsome, much finer in appearance than the curled. 6d per packet. DUNCAN HAIRS, in offering the above selection from his general list, begs to inform his friends that he warrants them to be as des- cribed. 109, St. Martiri's Laiie, Charing Cross, London. pHOICE SEEDS, DAHLIA'S, VV Plants, &c. Asters, 4 splendid double varieties, 2s. Balsams, 6 beautiful ditto, 2s. Hollyhocks, saved by a celebrated grower, from Chater's best double show flowers, Is per paper. Dahlia Seed, double, saved from the best varieties of Self's and fancy colours, Is per paper. Pansey, saved by Thomson and other emi- nent growers from the best show flowers, Is j»er paper. Stocks, double Autumn-flowering, 6 best and brightest colours, 2s. Zinnia Elegans. G beautiful varieties, Is 6d. The above may be had of WM. DKNVEU. Seedsman and Florist, 82, Gracechurch-street, London. N.B. — A Dahlia List, just published, con- taining all the new and choice varieties, may be had on application. W. D. has always on hand a choice collection of herbaceous and other plants, embracing all the novelties of the season. Strong Plants of Dielytra Spectadilis. m LOCKHART, 84, Fleet-street, JL • guarantees the Seeds he supplies to be genuine. 500 Seeds finest Hollyuock, Is. German Stocks, imported, 12 sorts, 3s or 6s. ,, Asters, ,, ,, Ssorfis. Glenny's sis sorts of Balsam, in his own sealed packets, 2s 6d. Ditto Straw colour, six seeds, ditto do. do., 6d. Walciieren Brocoli, 2s per oz. Snow's superb winter White ditto, 5s per oz. Lockhart's Rosette Colewort, in sealed packets, 4s per oz. And all the best Vegetable and Flower Seeds in cultivation. Zinc Labels, improved, 2s per 100, and every thing appertaining to the garden. All the best Dahlias, (is to 128 per dozen, of which a list is to be had. prjlVHVOIl to lier MAJESTY, -I- H. R. H. Prince Albert, and the King Oh- the Netherlands. JOHN BAILY, 113, Mount-street, Grosvenor-squarc, London, Dea- ler in all sorts of useful and ornamental Poultry, Domesticated Wild Fowl, Gold, Silver, and Common Pheasant's eggs for hatching; all sorts of Fancy Fowl's eggs, large Aylesbury Ducks, ^c. Baily's Registered Pheasant and Poultry Fountains, by which birds are ensured a supply of clean and wholesome water, and the lives of thousands of Chickens and Pheasant Poults saved; U quarts, 17s 6d ; 7 quarts, ?5s 6d; :j quarts. 133 fid. Drawing and parti- culars forwarded by post on application. Baily's Hints on the Management and Fat- tening of the Dorking Fowl for the Table, pirce l8 6d. OPLENDID FLOWER SEEDS. CLARKE and CO., Seedsmen and ^ Florists, 86, High-street, Borough, London (near the London Bridge Railway), are very desirous of making known to the Nobility, Clergy, Gentry, and the readers in general of The Cottage Gardener, their first-rate and really beautiful Flower Seeds, and call especial attention to the German Imported Sorts, more particularly the Stocks, Asters, Double Wallflowers, Lark- spurs, Balsams, Picotces, Carnations, &c., &c., the superiority of which gave very great satisfaction last season, and CLARKE and CO. beg to assure the public' they will send out* the same qualities this season, at the following prices per packet: — ASTERS.— Quilled Double German, mixed, fid. Ditto do. 12 sorts, separate, 2s the collec- tion. Globe Flowered German, 6d. Tall Quilled German, 20 colours, mixed, fid. Auricula, from Stage Flowers, Od. Antirrhinum, Fowle's varieties, mixed, 3d. Balsam, the largest Giant, fid. Double Dwarf Camellia, fid. Brachycoma Intus Lutea, 6d. Alba, fid. Cockscomb, Dwarf, very large, fid. Calceolaria, finest Tigred, !s. Cobea Scandens, 3d. Carnation, saved from named sorts, fid. Centranthus Macrosiphon, 3d. CupHEA Purpurea, fid. Coreopsis, new Marbled, 3d. Dahlia, from Mr. Sicckman's collection, the raiser of Gasparine, fid. Digitalis, Spotted. 3d. Erysium Barbaria Variegata, 3d. Ice plant, fid. I pome A Burridgii, fid. Kermesina Hy- brida, fid. Jacobea, Double Crimson, 3d. Larkspur, Dwarf German Rocket, 20 colours, mixed, fid. Ditto do., 12 separate colours, 2s the collection. LupiNUS Aflinis, new, fid. Martinia Fragrans, fid. MiMULUS, splendid mixed, fid. Nemopiiilla Blaculata, 6d. Picotee. saved from the finest Stage Flowers, fid. Petunia, mixed, containing the most strik- ing colours, fid. Primula Sinensis, fid. Phlox Drummondii, beautiful Scarlet, fid. Ditto do. Alba (very scarce), fid. PoDOLOPis Chrysantha, fid. PoRTULACCA Striata Alba, fid. Rhodantue i\langlesii, fid. Senecio Elegans Atrocinereo, new, fid. ScuizANTHUs Retusa Alba, fid. Retusa, .3d, Grahamii, fid. Saponari.4 Calabrica. 3d. SiLENE Schiefcta, nd. GERMAN STOCKS, Annual Varieties.— New Large - Flowered Violet, Hi-week, fidt ]>itto do. Rose do.. 6d. Ditto do. Purple do., fid. Ditto do. Brown do., fid. Ditto do. Flesh Colour do., fid. Ditto dn. Lilac do., 6d. Ditto do. Blue do., fid. A\'allflower- leaved, finest mixed, fid. Finest lO-week, mixed, fid. Double Dwarf 1 0-week, in 24 separate colours, a packet of each, 4s. GERMAN STOCKS, Biennial Varieties.— The following varieties are very gigantic in their habits, and bloom several times in the season. Emperor. Crimson, fid. Ditto. Blue. fid. Ditto, Rose, Purple, fid. Ditto, White, 6d. Ditto, Lilac, fid. Ditto, Pink, fid. Ditto, Carmine, fifi. Troposolum Tricolorum, fid. Thunbergia Alata, white, tid. Aurantiaca, orange, fid. Verbena, many choice varieties, mixed, fid. ViscARiA Burridgii, :id. Wallflower, Double Blue, fid. Ditto Tall Black Brown, fid. Hollyhock, fine selected German, mixed, fid. 18 Prize Varieties, superior double flowers, 23 the collection. DiANTHirs Scoticus, 6d. 65 Packets of the best Hardy and Half-Hardy Annuals, lOa. 30 ditto, 5s. DAHLIAS. — Our list is now ready, contains all varieties worth cultivating, and may be had on application. Gratis. London, 86. Borough. April 2, 1851. D FANE'S WARRANTED GARDEN TOOLS. Horticulturists, and all interested in Gardening pursuits, are invited to examine G. and J, DEANE'S extensive Stock of GARDENING and PRUNING IMPLEMENTS, best London made Garden Engines and Sy- ringes, Coalbrookdale Garden Seats and Chairs. Brown's Patent Fuinigator, price 10s and upwai'ds. Averuncators Axes Bagging Hooks Bills Borders, various pat- terns Botanical Boxes Cases of Pruning In- struments Chaff Engines ,, Knives Daisy Rakes Dibbles Dock Spuds Draining Tools Edging Irons Shears Flower Scissors ,, StandsinWirei and Iron Grape and Fumigators Galvanic Borders and Plant Protectors Garden Chairs and Seats ,, Loops „ Rollers Scrapers Gatherers and Scissors Gravel Bakes and Sieves Greenhouse Doors and Frames Hammers Hand-glass Frames Hay Knives Hoes of every pattern Horticultural Ham- mers and Hatchet; Hotbed Handles Ladies' Set of Tools Labels, various pat- terns, in Zinc, Por- celain, Sic. Lines and Reels Marking Ink Mattocks Menographs Metallic Wire Milton Hatchets Mole Tra])S IVIowing Machine Pick Axes Potato Forks Pruning Bills ,, Knives, various ,, Saws ,, Scissors Shears Rakes in great variety Reaping Hooks Scythes Scythe Stones Shears, various Sickles Sickle Saws Spades and Shovels Spuds Sv.'itch Hooks Thistle Hooks Transplanting Tools Trowels Turfing Irons Wall Nails Watering Pots Weed Extractors and Hooks Wheelbarrows Youths' Set of Tools G. and .T. DEANE are Sole Agents for LINGHAM'S PERMANENT LABELS, Samples of which, with the lUnstrated List of Horticultural Tools, can be sent, post paid, to any part of the United Kingdom. DEANE'S Horticultural Tool Warehouse, opening to the Monument, 46, King William-street, London Bridge. /sv 1 n-f^Px— - W^. ¥Mus f at tlie "DEE HIVES, as shown at tl,e GREAT EXHHHTION of 1851, l,y Jj r;f:0. NElGHBOUn & son, 127, High Holliorn, Lonclun. No. 1. Nutt's Collateral Hive. 2. Improved Single IJox-Hive. 3. Taylor'K Amateur's Bar-Hive. 5. Neighbour's Improved Cottage Hive, workinf; Three or Five Glasses. / . The Ladies' Observatory Hive, &e., &c. A Priced Cata- logue, with drawings and particulars, forwarded on receipt of Two Stamps. Agents. — Liverpool: W.m. Dkury, Caatle-strcet. Manchester; Hall and WiLSO.N, 60, King-street. Glasgow; Austin and McASLlN, 168, Trongate. May 1. THE COTTAGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 05 M W D MAV 1— r, 1851. . Weather near I-iOndo.n .N 1850. Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon R. &S. Moon's Age. Clock bef.Sun. Day of Year 1 1 U 1 Barometer. Thermo. Wind. Rain in In. St. Ph. & St. Jas. Pr. Arthuh b. 30.078—30.048 51—28 N.E. _ 35 a. 4 19 a. 7 sets. ® 2 59 121 2 P May Bug seen. [1850 30.274 — 30.197 56—23 ! N.E. — 33 21 8a.33 1 3 7 122 3 S Honeysuckle fiowiiTs. 30.271—30.115 61—41 [ S.E. — 31 23 9 44 2 3 14 123 4 Sdn 2 Sunday after Easter. 29.979 — 29.72b 60—32 ' S.W. 0.08 29 24 10 51 3 3 20 124 i M Mealy Tree flowers. 29.617 — 29.583 60—38 N. 0.35 2; 26 11 52 4 3 26 125 6 To Pheasant lays. 129.581 — 29. 5.W 45—41 N.E. 0.68 25 28 morn. 5 3 31 126 / VV Swallow builds. 29.497—29.448 43—44 E. 0.10 24 29 0 43 6 3 36 127 No one who has not seen the vegetation of a trophical climate, can ap- preciate justly, either its gorgeous flowers, or its rapid gigantic vege- tation ; they are the results of uninterrupted high and moist atmospheric temperature, united to an elevated bottom-heat, by which the root action, and the functions of the leaves are sustained in accordant and in- tense action. The only place we know, in England, where a northern inhabitant of our globe can observe such a climate, and such a vegetation, is in the Palm House in Kew Gardens. We shall never forget the tirst day when we crossed the Ganges, and stepping from our hudgerow, passed under the arched trellis covered with the night-blooming Cereus, and entered upon the broad walks of the Botanic Garden at Calcutta. It was in the sultry and oppressive hours of the hottest season, and it was most refreshing to escape to the shade of the Banian trees, in them- selves a grove. There are several of these in the garden, but one of them ia of gigantic growth ; its branches, and their numerous sustaining self- emitted stems, form of themselves a tope (grove), covering about an acre of ground. The sight of this magnificent tree gives the stranger a more forcible idea of the vastnesa and strength of tropical vegetation, than any other object. The trees of milder climes sink into insignificance, when called to memory for the sake of comparison. The natives entertain an opinion that it is sacred, and never struck by lightning—a notion, probably, founded on experience. The fact, if truth it be, is to be ac- counted' for by the resinous, non-conducting quality of its leaves and wood. This, however, ia not the only plant deserving attention in this delight- ful garden, for near it is to be seen the far-famed, and rauch-fabled Upas- tree, the poisonous qualities of which are truly virulent, but not to the extent once believed, when that in Java was the only one known, and that very imperfectly. So far from the very atmosphere around it being ren- dered pestiferous by the exhalations from its leaves, we have continually plucked them, and handled its stem. Then there is the elegant and bril- liant AmkerstiUy with its graceful pale tinted foliage, and long pendulous pink flowers ; one of the rarest, and certainly the most beautiful, of trees. No one who has not seen it in blossom, can form even a proximate con- ception of its surpassing loveliness. Little inferior to this, is the Poi/i' cinnia regia, and beautiful beyond any of the riches of Europe, are the Pouisettias, Pasaijiorus, and many others, which we cannot now re- member. If the visitor turns to the waters of the garden, he will be scarcely less gratified, by seeing floating on their surface the classic flower of the Eastern Tales, the pink and the white-petaled lotus. The fruits cultivated here are also abundant. There is the pumplenose, or shaddock, not unlike a huge orange, with its flesh in granules. The oranges which come from China and Sylhet, diff"er but little from those we have in England, except that they are more luscious, as ripening in a more sugar-creating climate. The siveet lemon, globular in form, re- sembles a green orange, though its flesh is pale, as that of the lemon, and its flavour like that fruit exhausted of acidity by soaking in water, during the process of making lemonade. The ioquat ia now known in England, among those who have conservatories. It is an oval, yellow, smuoth-akinned fruit, about two inches in length, and one in breadth; not unlike a small golden pippin, with two or three chesnut-coloured stones. It is a grateful subacid fruit, of the same genus as the medlar, but not requiring to be kept until decayed. The plantain is in season throughout the entire year, but in greatest perfection early in fliarch. It is a yellow-coated, long, cylindrical-shaped fruit ; flesh butyraceous, and not unlike an over-ripe pear, Lately it has been obtainable in the shops of some uf the London fruiterers. '£he pi7ie-apple we consider tiie most delicious fruit of India; we mean that with the yellow flesh, and known in Calcutta as the Dacca pine : the common, white-fleshed, is a very in- ferior fruit. The guuva is a yellowish-green-skinned fruit, with pinkish flesh, and a harsh perfumed flavour, very different from that of the jelly to which it gives a name and colour. It is not unlike a small angular apple. The custard apple has a pale lurid green rind, divided into raised lozenge-shaped compartments. It is full of brown seeds, about the size of a kidney-bean, each enclosed in a white membranous bag, or foliclc, the interstices flUed with a sweet gelatinous mass, in flavour much re- sembling an insipid custard. Of the inaugoes there are five varieties, of different qualities. The green-skinned malwah is, we think, the best. They arc oval-shaped, with a large flat-stone, having numerous fibres ad- hering. The flesh is of a deep orange colour, very juicy, and if in per- fection, resembling in flavour the orange and melon mingled together ; but inferior specimens have a disagreeable taste, resemblmg turpentine. They are about the size of a goose's egg. The rose-apple is an oval hollow fruit, the cavity containing a much smaller round stone. Its flesh re- sembles that of the hip uf the rose-tree ; but, unlike it, is flavoured, and has a strong smell of attah of roses. The lichee, in outward appearance and form, is not unlike a very large mulberry, but its colour is pink, mixed with green ; and upon the skin being pteled off, beneath is a very juicy gelatinous flesh, inclosing a large oval seed. In flavour it is sweet, yet with a grateful acidity. The avigator pear is a pale green, smooth, oval fruit, not unlike a small bottle-shaped gourd : it contains a large ponderous stone. Its flesh is eaten with pepper and salt, and resembles, m flavour and substance, the yoke of an egg boiled bard. It is called, " midshipman's butter " by mariners. The Botanic Garden, in addition to gathering together these, and a vast assemblage of the rare and beau- tiful tenants of the vegetable world within its borders, from whence they have been liberally distributed to all applicants, and to all districts of th® globe, has also long been a nursery for the rearing and dissemination of many plants which are now elevating the qualities and varieties of the commercial products of India, and consequently, aiding its increase in wealth and civilization. Experiments are still going on, but hitherto without success, to acclimatize the cochineal insect, and its sustaining plant, the Cactus opuntia ; but better results have rewarded the eff'orta of Dr. Wallich, to raise seedlings of the tea, and Arabian coffee -plants, and the Otaheitee sugar-cane. Passing to a rising ground we were gratified by seeing a marble urn inscribed to the memory of Dr. Wil- liam RoxBUEGH, the predecessor of Dr. Wallich, in the curatorship of the Gardens. Not far from it Dr. Wallich showed us the spot which he had selected for his own grave, if it was willed that he should die in that land, but we rejoice that it has been otherwise ordained, and we hope that when the hour of his departure arrives, it will find him in a green old age, and as in the case of Dr. Roxburgh, in his native latitude. India IS gorgeous, and luxurious — both nature and art render life there splendid ; but no virtuous European feels that away from his kindred, he is more than a sojourner — " his heart's in the Highlands," amidst all the Eastern brightness, and most truly has one of Dr. Roxburgh's friends in India written— *' The skies are blue as summer seas — the plains are green and bright^ The groves are fair as Eden's bowers — the streams are liquid light — The sun-rise bursts upon the scene, like glory on the soul. And richly round the couch of day the twilight Curtains roll. But oh ! though beautiful it be, I yearn to leave the land, — It glows not with the holier hues that tinge my native strand." That so Dr. Roxburgh felt, we have reason to know, when he left India for the last time, " to die at home," in the i\Iay of 1315. He was a native of Scotland, and proceeded to India in the medical service of the East India Company, at that period when the Scotch interest was pre- dominant, and when, as it was satirically said, if you shouted " RIac," in the Tank Square of Calcutta, a sandy head was thrust out of every window. He soon distinguished himself for his knowledge of the botany of Hindostan, and as he nobly rendered it his ladder of success, Rox~ burghia, one of the evergreen climbers of India has been appropriately dedicated to his memory. In the early part of his career, being stationed at Samuleottah, in 17B1, his attention was confined to the plants of the Indian peninsular, and especially to the culture of pepper, but he was not less assiduous in promoting the introduction of plantations of coffee, cinnamon, nutmeg, annotto, bread-fruit, sappan-wood, and mulberry. The tree last named was connected with his efforts to extend the culture of silk, and, as he was indefatigable in promoting the commercial re- sources of the country, he was not unmindful of the growth of improved varieties of the sugarcane, and he was sustained in his efforts by another disciple of Linnieus — John Gerrard Kaenig, Koenig gave the first impulse to scientific botany in India, but less happy than his brother students, he saw his native home no more, dying at Jagre- natpore in the June of 1/85. Dr. Roxburgh made large collections of plants in the Carnatic, but had the misfortune to lose them, with his books and papers, owing to an inundation at Injeram. Like Newton and like Raffles, who also had to witness the destruction of the harvest of their labours, he rose superior to the trial ; and, without giving way to fruitless regret, proceeded with renewed diligence to replace his lost treasures. The East India Company presented to him a botanical library : nor did they stop here in rewarding his merit, but removed him to Calcutta in the autumn of 1/93, and appointed him superintendant of the Boranic Garden, which had been established by Colonel Kyd, and whose worth Dr. Roxburgh gratefully commemorated by naming after him the noble and useful trees included in the genus Kydia. His super- intendance of the garden continued until the year 1814, and during the time few men could have laboured with greater assiduity and success, despite ill health, and despite the unfavourable nature of the clayey soil for gardening purposes. During his temporary absence for the recovery of health, Dr. Carey, the celebrated missionary and Oriental scholar, took charge of the garden, and printed, at the Missionary Press at Scrampore, Dr. Roxburgh's Catalogue of the Plants in the Botanic Garden at Calcutta. There were then in the garden ."IJOO described species, of which about half had been named and described by himself. Besides describing the plants, he had them delineated by native artists — more than 2000 of their drawings being forwarded by him to the Court of Directors. Dr. Wallich continued this practice, and we can bear witness to the faithfulness and beauty of the flower portraits. Overcome by the climate. Dr. Roxburgh was at length compelled to return home, and died at Edinburgh in the IMay of 1815. After his death Sir Joseph Banks undertook the superintendance uf the publication of that splendid work known as Roxburgh's Coromandel Plants, but which includes some of the labours of Koenig ; and, in 183ii, Dr. Roxburgh's sons published his Flora Indica. Meteorology of the Week. — At Chiswick, from obsei-vationa during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- peratures of these days are 63.8° and 42.1°, respectively. The greatest heat observed was 81^, on the 6th in 1330, During the time 99 days were fair, and on 69 rain fell. No. CXXXV., Vol. VI. 68 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [May 1. Resuming, for the guidance of coimti-y visitors to the World's Fair, our list of the public and piivate horticul- tm-al establishments worthy of a visit, we come next to The Royal Botanic Garden, in the Regent's Park. Here they will see more taste and better gai-dening than at Chiswick, though as clayey a soil has to be contended against, and a smoky atmosphere. Visitors will also find the same admirable exhibitions of the results of the best gardening of England, as at Chiswick, on May lith, June lltb, and July 2nd. E.x.hibitions of Ame- rican Plants, May 31st, and June 7th, and the Ruse Garden will also be ojien on June 21st. Chelsea Botanic Garden is also well worthy of a visit; but we have so recently noticed its superior culti- vation, that we need only express a hope that, during May, June, and July, the Apothecaries' Company will open it to the public, without the preliminary inconve- nience of ap])lying for an admission order. At present, this order is readily obtainable by application to Apo- thecaries' Hall, Water-lane, Bridge-street, Blackfriars. Steam boats and omnibuses reach Chelsea every five minutes. Among the nurseries worth visiting, we add the fol- lowing to those already named — Knight and Peeey's, Kitty's Buml, Chdsea, is just now quite an exliibition. The showhouses are full of bloom. There are more specimens of Azalea Iitdica, in varieties, than we ever saw together, but of these there are not many in flower. This nursery is famous for Slaitdarils of all kinds. Rhododendrons, Bays, Laurels, Laurustinas, ic. In one house the glass roof is literally lined with the Stephait- otis Jloribtinda, and as full of flower- buds as it can he. One of the finest collections of the Conifira: that can he found near London is very tastefully grouped in fancy beds. The great treat, however, is a new house for AVater-plants, where the I'ictoria Regia is coming forward rapidly ; and the Ntjmphiea ccerulen is in full flower, throwing up numerous blooms far larger than we ever saw it before, and it is perfect beauty. Ni/mph(pa santjtdnea is growing fast. The tank is of slate, three feet from the ground, and exceedingly well made by Mr. Beck, of Isleworth ; we did not take the dimensions, but it may be fifty feet square or more, and planted with some of the greatest curiosities among tlie family of Aquatics. The Hyacinths in tlie showhouses were of the most choice varieties, and well bloomed ; and there was abundance of all the spring flowering bulbs. The immense Rhododoidrons {Arbnretim) , which liave so long graced the principal apart- ment in their range of glass, have no bloom this year, and they appear to exhibit signs of having been checked in their growth, but they are certainly the largest in the country. Tills Nursery is two miles from London. Omnibuses every five minutes from the Bank, and Circus, Piccadilly; and steamers. .T. AND C. Lee, Hammcrstnith (the well-known Nursery formerly Lee and Kennedy's). — The most remarkable feature in this nursei-y is the fine collection of that singidar and curious tribe of plants known a^ dry stove jjlants, or sttccuh'iils — Ccrctts, Echitiocacli, EpiphyUtittis, Mamviillaritp, and others too numerous to mention. Here is also a large numher of Gi-cctihotisc plattfs in the houses ; and a large space of ground devoted to the Rose tribe. There is also a considerable collection of Conifers, the Fir tribe. An liour or two here would be well spent. Two ami a half miles from London. (Omnibuses pass the gate every five minutes from the Bank. MEssns. Loddige's, Ilacltnetj. — This nursery is renowned for two things : the large Palm Hutise, nearly 80 feet high, and filled with fine pl.mts of that tribe; and their extra- ordinary coUeclion of Orchids. For these alone this place must not be passed by ; there is also a very extensive collection of Camellias, and also Slave plants. Exotic Ferns are also choice and plentiful, as well as numerous rare Heaths, and other greenhouse shrahs,hnrdtj trees and shrubs. A visit to this far-famed and long-established Nursery must not be delayed, as the lease is nearly expired, and the prin- cipal part will soon, instead of choice plants, be covered with bricks and mortar, in the shape of houses. H. Low AND Co., Clapton. — This may be truly designated a wholesale nursery. Every thing dealt in is on a large scale. New Holland plants, Heaths, Azaleas, and other (jreenhuKse plants are grown in amazing numbers, and sold wliile young, chiefly to the trade, both at home and abroad. Here is a tolerable coUectiou of that almost forgotten tribe the Proteads, and a large number of Conifers. Foiu- miles from London. Omnibuses run from the Flower Pot, in Bishopsgate-street, every quarter of an hour. This nm'sery is but a short distance from Messrs. Loddige's. OsEOEN AND Co., FulJiam. — A large establishment chiefly remarkable for a choice collection of hardy trees, slirtibs, and Fruit-trees. Four miles from London. Omnibuses from the Bank every quarter of an liour. RoLLisoN AND SoNS, Tootinij. — III this nurseiy is a large collection of Orchids in good condition. Also a fine collec- tion of Cape Heaths ; and several thousand seedlings of that fine plant the Rhododendroti Javanicmn. Some of the older plants have flowered and proved true, being the orange- coloured variety. Here is also a good collection of fllove plants ; and a house filled with Camellias in good condition. A day may be well spent by visiting Mr. Groom's, Messrs. Fau'barn's, and, lastly, Messrs. Kolhson's, for they are on the same line of road. The latter is six miles from London. Omnibuses pass the gate every hour from Gracechurch- street. Salter, Versailles Nurserij, Williamslreet, Hammersmith. — This nursery is but lately established. The owner formerly owned a niuser}- near Paris. He is famous for new varieties of Dahlias, Heliotropes, Phloxes, Ferbenas, and other florist's flowers. Wilmot, Isleicorth. — This is a fruit-garden famous for Pines, Grapes, and Strawbei'ries. Some idea may be formed of the extent to which the fruit culture is carried on here, when it is meutii>ned that ten acres ai'e covered with straw- berries alone. Eight miles from London, by omnibus from Piccadilly. WooDKi'FF, Kensall. — In this niu'sei7 may be seen the extent to which the culture of certain classes of plants can be carried in the neighbourhood of London. There are houses, perhaps 50 feet long, filled with one kind of Gera- nium alone; another filled with Heliotropes ; a third filled with Chitta Roses ; a fourth with Terbenas, and so on. This astonishes those accustomed to see only mixtures of such plants. Two miles from Loudon. Omnibuses jiass to Ken- sall Green every hour from the Bank. We have confined oiu'selves to the nurseries within an easy distance from London, for our space would be exceeded were we to enlarge our circle. GARDENING GOSSIP. The I'ali}' growers have been taken by sui'prise by the announcement that il/r. R. Latrrence, of HannHon, whose bed of tulips is, perhaps, the finest in the world, intends to sell them by auction about the last week in May. The value of this collection may be estimated by the fact, that there are in it no less than ;i(1 Louis XVL, 10 IMusi- dora, VI Fabius, I'i Ponipe Tenebre, 13 Vivid, 10 Nora crena, 10 Thalia, 8 Hose Arlette, C Dickson's Duke of Devonshire, 0 Brown's Ulysses, i Brown's Magnificent, 4 Brown's Polyphemus, -4 Bysantinum, 4 Pandora, U Marcel- lus, () Strong's King, 5 Lyde's (Jueen of Hearts, i Lac, besides several each of Groom's Queen Adelaide, Apelles, Brown's Handet, Lord Cidlingwood, Brown's ^\■allace, Par- megiano, Queen of the North, Salvata Hosa, Dutch Ponceau, iu fact every first rale flower in cultivation. It is quite cer- tain that there has never been such a sale before ; and as May 1.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 67 the bed has been celebrated for many years as the best in the kingdom, it will distribute more good tlowers over the country than has ever been sold in any three seasons. How- ever, the advertisement will contain partieulai-s. The Seicai/e Campiinij and some of those who have had their pijies laid on, are at loggerheads about the payment for the supply last year. The agreement having been for the snctirje, and the gardeners having been supplied with a-atcr, the works not having been completed. One thing is quite certain, tlie water was of the greatest service to the crops, and it is supposed the misunderstanding will end in a compromise. The works for the supply of the sewage from one of the principal sewers are nearly complete. The company have been laying out enormous sums of money, and we have always had cm- doubts whether there could, under any cir- cumstances, be a prolitalde return. The Fulham gardeners ai'e the only ones at present supplied. The Kiwj of the Dahlias, which has been shown, one of the most perfect models in existence, has been let out in dry roots, and we hope it may not lead to that strange mode of forcing which we too well know has ere now totally altered the constitution of a plant; excessive propagation is said to injure a plant ; but we draw a very distinct line between excessive propagation and that kind of treatment which destroys the very nature of a plant. The late Jlr. Girling was exceedingly unfortunate in some of his plants of the Dahlia; others, who are set down as very bad judges or very bad men, because of the number of bad things sold at high prices, may have been equally unfortunate, and have had plants change their very nature. Making hundreds of plants from one root, if not hurried, may not disturb the quaUty, but half tlie number may destroy its constitution, if forced. Suppose the mere number taken from a plant to affect the rpiality, the first would be good and the last the worst ; but we maintain, that although some Dahlias would not be affected by forcing, others would be altogether changed. We once visited a Dahlia grower when he had just planted all his dry roots of new things in his pit, and the glass was then at 90". We asked if he was not afraid of so much heat ? He said, " No ; he should have it higher when their shoots appeared." We observed that it was enough to destroy the constitution of a plant to force it into such rapid growth. However, he knew best; but the most promising tlower he had, turned out not worth growing, though it had been shown well the season before. We care nothing about heat to strike the cuttings when otf, but we maintain that, to force the growth of the shoots at railroad pace, risks the very constitution of the plant. Watkinson's Queen of Sheba, Browne's Marchioness of Ormond, Tren- field's Lady Stopford, Francis's Polka, and Wynnes's Duke of Cambridge, were shown tlie proving season, beautiful models of flowers. Not one of them were worth twopence when they came out. Things do not change without a cause ; and we believe nothing more likely to affect a plant than forcing its iirst growth ; for the very first cutting is likely to be as bad as the last. The King of the Dahlias will have a chance both ways ; but the owner is the one to depend on for a plant that will do service. I The Dahlia seems to have fairly struck out a new class for itself, and novelties upon the old fashioned models are useless, however much may be said in their favour. The Duke of Wellington, Fearless, Scarlet Gem, Yellow Standard, Sir Frederick Bathurst, Princess RadzriUe, the Marchioness of Cornuallis, and some two or three others, when not overgrown, may be seen so perfect, as to make all the rest on a stand look poor and coarse ; and new ones, to be worth an amateur's notice as show flowers, must be of their character. Eonndness of outline, closeness of the petals, fulness on the face, and symmetry, can alone justify the adoption of a new fiower for exhibition purposes ; but of sixty or eighty new tlowers shown last autumn, there were not half a dozen that could be called an advance on any of the hundreds already clieaj) and common. \\'ell, therefore, may amatem's call for an honest description of a few of the best to guide them in their choice; well may they hesitate when they want a few, and have fifty or a hundred all recommended as good. AVe do not wonder at thoughtful men, of limited means, declining to buy the first-rate, because they cannot afibrd to buy second-rate things at high prizes. Nor are the certificates and prizes obtained by a new variety any guide for their quality. So it is, that unless they consult some authority which they can depend on, they have no cer- tainty in buying the first season. E. Y. NEW PLANTS. THEIR PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. Pleasi.ng Rogiera (Mogiera anuena). — We have already alluded to this new and very beautiful flowering plant, at page 079 of the present volume, as having been named after M. Rogier, one of the cabinet ministers of King Teopold, by Dr. Plancbou, in a Belgian work {Flore dcs Serres, t. 443). We have seen a figure of the plant, with descriptions, in the Gardeners' Magazine of Botany, and we have since looked over accounts of other genera and species, which an; very nearly related to Rogiera, and fi'oni the whole we are much disposed to believe that Dr. Planclion has been deceived in this plant, and that it will be found to be only a species of Hedijotis, or Indian Madder; so called from the roots of Hedijotis umhellata being employed in India for staining nankin. Hedijotis beads one of the eleven sections (Hedyotidifi) into which the order of Cinchonads (Cin- chonaceas) is now divided. Linu»us, DecandoUe, and Endlicher, with some half dozen more botanists, have been led astray through the difficulty of determining the species belonging to the Indian Madder ; hence the genus is loaded already with many synonyms, Endlicher and Rafinesque having each framed three genera from as many of its species, and Wight and Arndt as many more. Even Deoandolle raised two of the species to the dignity of generic distinction; and judging from the 68 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [May 1. descriptions of Dr. Plauchon, and from some acquaint- ance with allied species and genera, we fear he too has added his mite to the load of genera which have given way to Hedyotis. Be that as it may, such things do not detract from the value of a fine garden plant, or one of any kind, although they must he recognised hy the biographer or faithful clu-onicler of family connections. And we do not hesitate to characterise this new plant as a valuable addition to our collections. It flowers in summer, and being a native of Terra Tem- plada, or the mUd regions in Guatemala, mil probably do in a warm greenhouse with, perhaps, a little more assistance of warmth from the middle of March until the flower-buds come in view, when the cautious gardener \vill remove his second plant of it into the greenhouse, to keep it behind the first, which he will keep in the stove untU the flowers are ready to open. The flowers are from the ends of the branches, as in the Ixora, Luciilia, and other fine plants, near relations to it, and in large loose heads called cymes, having a great number of flowers in each. The individual flowers ai-e about half an inch across, and neai' the same in length, and are of a fine rosy colour, deepenmg into the tube ; the leaves are rough, and two or three inches long, hairy on the edges— not a very usual thing in the order — and when the plant is not in flower, it appears Uke some of the Eranthe- mums. It is, however, not new to om' gardens, for Mr. Paxton says it is identical with Rondeletia thyrsoidna, inti"o- duced from Jamaica as long since as 1819. , plfxicmdis. This addition to Mouarda was lately pub- I lished in Belgium from a plant long cultivated in the Botanic Garden at Liege, hut how, and from what coun- try, it was first obtained is a matter of doubt. At Liege it was raised from seeds sent from the Strasburgh Gar- den, where it has been called by this name, amplexicaulis, said to have been given by M. Fischer, of St. Peters- burg. It is said, however, not to be recorded in the works of that author by such a name. Be that as it may, we have no doubt Monarda anqilexicaulis is a native of North America, whence M. Fischer received many new plants through the officers and agents of the Russian Fur Company. "With the exception of the Lemon-scented Monarda, wliich is a native of Mexico, we believe no Monarda has yet been discovered out of North America, where some of them, and particularly Monarda diclyma, is used as tea, commonly called Osweijo Tea. M. fistulosa is recommended by the North American practitioners as a febrifuge. It may be stated as an interesting fact, that there is no deleterious quality found in the whole order oi Lipworts fLamiaceai), to wliicb Mint, Thyme, Lavender, Kosemary, Hyssop, Marjo- ram, Balm, Basil, and such like aromatics belong. To such of our readers as devote a border, or bed, for gay flowers of a mixed character, M. amplexicaulis will be a welcome addi- tion; as it blooms from May to July, and very iirobably mucli longer, if the plants are reset every year, after being parted at the roots. It grows two feet high ; the flowers are collected together into a round head, on the top of the stalk, like those of the shrubby Phlomis ; they are white with a rosy tinge, and there are four rows of purple spots on the lip, or under part of the opening. Altogether it is a plant well worth inquu'ing after, and which no one coiUd pass when in bloom without marking it as conspicuous among a collection of mixtm'es. — B. J. Stem-Embraced MoNAJiDA (Monarda amplexlcaidis).— Oardencis Magazine of Botany, ii. 220. — The genus Monarda was named by Linnsus in his " Genera Plan- tarum," in honour of M. Monardez, a physician of Seville, in the sixteenth century. Like all the plants in the extensive Natin-al Order of Lipworts, the leaves are produced in pairs, oppo.site each other, on slightly four- angled stalks ; and, in this instance, the leaves are what botanists call sessile; that is, without leaf-stalks; so that each leaf is joined to the stem by its base, the two , leaves at each joint thus embracing the stem all round j This clasping or embracing of the leaves is called am- THE FRUIT-GAEDEN. Miscellaneous Aefaiks. — We must, perforce, let our remarks at present assume the character of a memento, for now, above all periods, there is a host of things impending, which, if missed, nay delayed, will much peril the success of the remainder of the year, and, indeed, prejudice the year to come. Peaches and Nectabines. — We may observe that we never saw anything more perfect than our long wall this spring. This we refer to, in order to inspire con- fidence in the cotn-se of practice we have continually suggested. We yesterday gave the first application for the utter extirpation of the aphides, which have just begun to appear, and one dose appeal's to have totally destroyed them. In conformity, however, with the practice which has insiued success, we shall rej^eat the dose, and then, if all be well, we shall hear' no more of these jiests of tlie peach until the ensuing spring. Three days since we tested the liquid to be applied, and which was composed of tobacco water and soap suds. Six pounds of tobacco paper, and one pound of shag tobacco, produced three gallons of liquor ; and we tried one part of this blended with six parts of ordinary soap suds, and found them perfectly efiicient. It may be added, that the trees were well syringed with soap suds two hours previous to the application, in order to promote economy in the use of the tobacco liquor, which is rather expensive. It is somewhat singular that we never have even one blistered leaf, about which so many complain, and which is mostly attributed to the east wind. Now this cannot be, for we never feel sliglited with regard to these casters; and although, for a fortnight past, we have had a regidar " blackthorn winter," as our cockney friends term such starving and diying jjeriods. May 1.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 69 still not a blister cau be discovered. Now, would it not be more logical to conclude, that the enormous dis- crepancy between root and branch, which exists at this period, is a fertile, and, perhaps, only cause of such mischief? Let us fancy a case of a south wall of peach trees heated occasionally to 80" or 9U^ by sun-heat, whilst the roots, in a border of some four or five feet in depth, in a sour soil, would not enjoy a temperature higher than 45". This is not an uncommon state of affairs; and if tlie border over their roots be subject to the annual trespasses of the spade, there is not, perhaps, a fibre nearer than eiglit inches from the surface. On the contrary, our trees have their fibres, like network, close to the surface; no spade ever enters; their soil, moreover, is only fifteen inches deep — a sound loam. This undug soil is now covered with a kind of network of small cracks — minute, indeed, but numerous — and indicating, at a glimpse, a ready sympathy with the increased atmospheric temperat\u'e. All tliis is the reverse of what gardeners term sourness ; and it may be affirmed, tliat root and branch are in a fau' position for a constant reciprocation. The setting of the blossom, which was unusually fine this year, appears to liave been most complete ; and the little peaches are now, April 1 6th, just beginning to show their noses in the centre of the caly.K. Disbudding. — At p. 33, the disbudding of the peach was adverted to ; we now turn to some other fruits. i The Apricot. — There is seldom occasion for much j disbudding with this fnut, at least, if the trees are in proper order, for most of their lateral produce will then be in a position to pass into the character of blossom spurs, with a little management. If any gross shoots appear in a position wliere sufficient shoots of ordinary strength exist, they may have their points pinched off the moment they are a couple of eyes in length ; or, if in a crowded part, stripped away at once. Gross lead- ing shoots on young trees should be carefully watched, and pinched betimes, but not all at once. Thus, suppose a ti-ee of some three or four years standing possesses four or five leading shoots, which, although differing from each other in degrees of grossness, are yet too strong to be fruitful in themselves, we would pinch the points of the two which extend the furthest, vvlien they are fom' inches in length ; then wait a fortnight and pinch another or two, and so on with the rest; this practice will have a tendency to bring the trees into equal shape, and also to equalise the sap ; which latter proceeding is carried out with facility during the period of rapid growth ; whilst, in the rest season, it can scarcely be efi'eoted by the most careful pruning. By this timely stopping, two very important points are accomplished. Tlie check given to the keen impetus existing in the grosser shoots, is just so much power added to the inferior portions of the tree ; the spurs on which, espe- cially at the lower portions of the wall, are apt to become lean through the monopolising character of the gross leaders, which, as shown in p. 33, plainly evince a tendency on the part of the tree to assume its native character of a standard, a state totally incompatible with the object sought in this country. Moreover, many apricots, as the Moorpark, bear tolerably well on tlie young shoots ; but these, to possess such a prospect, must be of early growth, and of a moderate degree of strength. This then, is a reason for stopping the gross leaders betimes, in order that a chance may exist of the branches proceeding from them becoming fruitful. Something more, however, must be done ; much of the breast wood amongst the natural spur will be dis- posed to ramble, and thereby choke the spurs. The apricot dresser, therefore, should look over these care- fully; and all which are of moderate growth, and for which there can be found room, should be left to tie down, and the remainder, if extending too far, be imme- diately pinched. All these proceedings should be well i attended to at the end of April, and beginning of May ; for, as we have before observed, the apricot needs all the sunlight and warmth a British summer can afford, j and will enjoy a warm chimney at its back into the bargain. Above all let the caterpillar, the produce of the Red- bar moth, the PcecHscu augustiorana, be hunted out, and extirpated. There can be little doubt but that the de- vastation committed by these devouring caterpillars, is one of the chief causes of the unlVuitfulness of the apricot in some situations. These rogues not only devour, but they curl up the leaves in such fascicles, as to much impede tlie elaboratory powers, on which, it is scarcely necessary to lu'ge, tlie fructiferous principle de- pends. We kuow of no better way than hand-picking as soon as they can be discovered. b'lGs. — The winter protection is, of course, removed long before now, and if the trees are not pruned and trained, it must be done immediately. These things are always best performed when the bud of the fig is con- siderably advanced, for then may both the bearing wood of the present season, and that most eligible to be retained for future bearing, be readily distinguished. The wood of the fig must be kept very thin ; as a general principle, the old slioots may be laid down at about nine inches apart. We think that it would be found better practice still, to place them at a foot or fourteen inches, and then to tie down sliort-jointed shoots all the way up the old stems. We here confess to a bias towards this practice for all tender fruits, not excepting tlie vine ; for we hold it a fundamental principle not to sliade tlie whole of the wall with foliage, but to make use of alternate portions as a reservoir of heat, and this we could never so well carry out on any other plan. We, therefore, practice it with nearly all, excepting such as the Morello cherry ; and tie down shoots reversed on any poition of tlie old trunk, sooner than allow a naked portion, being anxious to make every inch of our trees assist in paying a rental. Trees thus treated will be found clothed with buds to the very stump, of which we have very many instances. To return to the Fig ; a very liberal disbudding must be practised ; no tree produces more useless spray than the fig when in a growing state. However, if growing too freely, we advise root pruning forthwith. This must be done cautiously at this period, for fear of casting the young fruit ; and it will suffice in most cases to open a trench at or near the extremities of the root, and to leave it open for a few weeks, making two or three inroads during that period on the roots. Strawberries. — I-et us advise those who have not done so to mulch immediately. Ours have been done a fortnight, and the mulching is cbiofiy tree leaves and old litter mixed, in a lialf rotten state ; this we have placed two inches in thickness. When the blossom truss is on the eve of expanding, we shall, unless the weather is rainy, give one unusually heavy watering, and another similar application, if needed, in about ten or twelve days ; this, with the mulching, generally suf- fices. Wlien the first watering is completed, we place clean, new straw, drawn and placed in straight bundles, beneath the trusses, and running neaiiy close to the collar of the plants. We are obliged, however, to begin trapping for the mice immediately ; they are sure to be attracted if it be wheat straw, especially if badly threshed. It is probable rye straw would be much better, but we cannot obtain it. An eaily opportunity should be taken to destroy all useless runners, which impoverish both the jiarcnt plant and the soil, and should be well kept under. Vines. — Out-of-door vines will shortly be budding fast, and the finger and tluimb must be put in requisition, for they are sure to produce a host of barren and useless or ill placed shoots, which are best nipped away the to THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [May 1. moment they appear. The injury we have stated to arise from a sudden disbudding of the peach, does not aj)ply to the vine, which would seem to show tliat the reciprocity between the root and the leaves is much later in action with the vine, which it appears vnifolds and partially developes its shoots on the strength of its former resources. Stopping, too, will have to be prac- tised towards the end of May ; and where shoots, by farther extension, would become crowded, their heads many be taken off a joint or two beyond the fruit; and where naked spaces are to be covered, of course they may ramble until tliey have nearly covered the allotted space, and then be inmiediately topped. R. Eerington. THE PLOWER-GARDEN. D,vHLi.\s. — Any process or expedient by which we can economi/.o time, space, and pots, at this, perhaps, the most critical time of the whole year for the tlower- garden, is assuredly worth fighting for. In tlie " Com- panion to the Calendar" for April, I remarked that dahlias might be planted out any time that month as safely as potatoes, and our whole stock of tliem here, amounting to some hundreds, were in the borders by the middle of the month, after being started in heat, but never potted, — and this is how we went to work : Early in March all the dry roots were planted in pm-e sand, over a very slightly-heated bed, as close as they could be placed. Those roots of which we had more ' than we wanted were thus treated, as well the most | scarce kinds. The temperature of the bed was about j 70° all the time. A'ery sliortly, the eyes of some began ■ to sprout, for they were hardly covered with sand ; and \ as soon as four or five eyes had pushed two inches, the root was pulled out of the sand, and reset in a similar - bed of sand, in a cool pit, where no artificial heat was applied ; this sudden check put a stop to the first sti- 1 mulus by heat, but still a low rate of growth was going on, and time was gained over the system of planting at first in a cool place, or at once in the open ground, and ! we all know that Dahhas can never come too soon, I where only a display of flowers is the object. After the first remove, the bed was watched, and as soon as i two inches of growth appeared in any of the roots, their removal took jilace instantly ; aiid very early in April,} the bulk of the stock went through the process of start- ing, and were then in a cool place. By the middle of ! the month, the whole were considered to have recovered from the check by removal, as, by that time, "tliey were pricking up their ears generally," as the propagator observed, and that was the index to the right time of ! planting them out permanently. Ko matter how long rain continues, oui- soil is fit to work on after two fine ! dry days in the sjiring; and, notwithstanding tliat we have had five weeks of rain this spi-iug, we could, and did plant out all our dahlias a lew days after the rains were over. Tliey were i)lanted by the book, the stakes being first all placed where tlie roots were to be. No. I i comes in the first row, being the most dwarf of all the race, and so free a bloomer, tliat we aj'o tempted to use j it as every second plant along the whole row, which holds about a hundred plants, fifty of which are Zela- Jiicas, the name of this same old dalilia, which is as dark as Admiral StopfonI, and as ragged as a colt, but still . the best dwarf dahlia in England for the flower gardener, [ because it will associate with any of the colours or shades of colours — make rows or beds by itself or come i in between two colours that would not otherwise agree, i just as a white flower comes handy to get one out of a j fix at bedding-out lime. The dwarf fancv dahlias are j not grown in beds half so much as they deserve to he ; i they answer that way far better than the tall kinds j trained down, as some people manage them. They are, I also, as well siuted for growing, or rather for keeping in pots, to come in for " second planting," as any of the old tall ones. Although it is an easy way to plant out now, or sow such things as keep on floweiing for the whole season, that is not the best way to make the most of a large flower-garden. Where circumstances will allow of it, I would prefer planting a certain number of the beds twice during the summer, for the sake of change, and also because one could use many showy tilings which cannot be seen where " once-planting-and- done-with" is the fashion. Hollyhocks are over by the beginning of September, on the average of seasons; and when the staUis are cut down, how is a bed of them to look for the rest of the season? A mere wreck, at the best ; and very likely that is the reason why they are not grown in beds generally. There is nothing in the way of flowers — at any rate, in the flower-garden — more noble and handsome than a large bed of weU-selected Hollyhocks in full bloom, and no bed can be too rich for them, neither can they ever have too much liquid-manure, if it is not too strong. As .soon as they get past their best, they should he cut down, and the bed ought to he innnediately replanted with a set of dalilias, kept in pots, and plunged m the reserve gi-ound on purpose ; that is just the way we manage two large beds of them here, and they are as much admired as any thing we gi'ow. I would strongly advise a few dozens, or scores, or lumdreds, as the case may require, of Dahlias to be kept in pots, ready to come in for second planting by the end of Jidy, when many of the summer flowers are done with. It is little to the pm'pose to say there is no time, or pots, or space, for this preparation of Dahlias just now. 1 am as much pinched in these essentials, at present, as any gai'dener in England can he, and the way I got over this job the other day, will he a good hmt for many ; at least, I hope so. One of the men planted out about four hundred Dahlias one afternoon, on pmqiose for iiotting. They were planted in "the American beds," along the outsides, and there they will grow at their leisiu-e until om- hurry is over, and the garden is planted befoi-e the end of May, and when we shall have more empty pots on hand than we know what to do with. Then, on some damp or dripping afternoon, these Dah- lias will be taken up, potted, and then plunged in beds out of sight, there to remain ready for use. Salvlv I'ATE.Ns may he treated in all respects as these dahlias, that is, the plants may be put out any time in April, when the beds ai-e ready for them, either after being first started a little in heat, or just as they come out from their winter quarters; but, like Dahlias, they come earlier into bloom if they have a little indulgence in March ; and a lot of thcni may be planted out now anywhere, to be ready for potting by the end of May, or whenever you see that they have sucked up food enough to cause them to grow in earnest. This is a much better plan for them than potting them in the first instance, to say nothing of the difficulty of finding room for the pots, till the season is warm enough for them to stand out without getting pinched. China A.sters, Stocks, and Double Indian Pinks furnish almost an endless number of varieties for autumn flower beds, to come in after Cloves and Garnations, all of which I would bundle out of the flower-garden as soon as they are past their prime. At that time they may be as safely trans])lantcd as cabbages, and yet half the world are contented to let them remain till the hares and rabbits nibble them ofl' in the winter. If there was any danger in removing them when they were going out of flower, or if pots, frames, or glasses, were required to get up a crop to succeed them, and carry on the bloom to October, there might be some show of reason in keeping blank beds; but nothing of the sort is needed. The first week in May is just the riglit time May 1.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 71 to sow the China asters aud Indian pinks in an open border, to come in for this very purpose, and about the fit'teeuth or twentieth of May, the light time to sow some Tcn-zceck or German Stocks, as they uow call them, fur succeeding Cloves and Carnations, Clarkias, Eucaridiums, Leptosiphons, Spheuogyues, and 1 know not how many more most beautiful things, which a false taste, not to call it by a more harsh name, has con- signed to neglect. I must qualify all this, however, by saying that this kind of succession of beautiful flower- beds requires far move labour, or more expeuce, which are one and the same thing, that the plaut-a-bed-aud-have- done-with-it-for-the-season system. Sowing, weeding, pricking out, watering, shading, stirring the surface soil between rows of tiny seedlings, pulling up decaying annuals, trenching the bed, adding fresh soil to it, per- hajis, wateiing it before and after planting in the dog- daj's, and also morning and evening for the next ten days or more; all this, and more work besides, which I cannot now bring to mind, is not done by the fairies now-a- days; but those who can do it by hard cash, and do not attempt it, have no idea what a source of enjoyment they forego. ^VHITE Salvia patens. — Now that a good stock of this new Salvia can be had easily, I would propose a bed to be planted with it and the blue one, in equal numbers ; but the bed must not form one of a regular arrangement. Blue and white always look well together; and when the height and style of growth of the two plants agree, as in this instance, tlie eltect is much heightened. It is true that this blue is not of the best tint to stand against a white. It is two shades lighter than the best blue for that etfect; but, on the other hand, the white Salvia is not a very clear white, and therefore may suit better ; but of this no one can judge pi'operly without seeing the two as I propose. Speaking of mixed colours reminds me that I have said nothing this spring about the uliite and pii rjile Cliirkias mixed ; but I confess that I do not believe there are two other varieties of plants on the face of the earth, which put iu, or sown, together, will give so striking an effect; and in a single long row they look better than in a bed. I have seen ladies, of great taste and talent in the dis- position of colours and plants, stand, as it were, rivetted to the spot, admiring tliis row of Clarkias, which we never miss here, always in the same place, and about a hundred yards long. It is the second row of annuals on the dahlia bauk, which forms for that space one side of a level green, or grass terrace. The first row is of the two varieties of Eschcholtzia mixed, next the gi'ass ; then a row of the dwarfest Dahlias ; alter that these Clarhias ; tlien the second row of LhihVias ; the third row of annuals being a mixture of ten varieties of tlie late branching Larkspur; and the fourth row of Annuals. I have been striving for years to get one of the real old blue branching larkspur, but that I cannot procure here, or on the Continent, perfectly genuine, for love or money. Some of our kind readers sent me seeds last year, but they were of the perennial kinds. Clarkias sown next week will be in bloom by the 20th of July, and last till the end of August. D. Beaton. GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW GARDENING. A FEW Genehalities as bespects Window and Balcony Plants. — From the enquiries that reach us, we are frequently reminded that in gardening, as well as other matters, there is a possibility of " staiwing in the midst of plenty." Infonnation may be copiously diffused, but it can only be used effectually when inquirers gain the habit of generalising for themselves. Not- withstanding the attempts to simplify, many cannot help feeling that there is something like a mystery imex- plained connected with the treatment of some of their favourite plants. " Such and such rules" say they, " may do very well for those who have regular gi-een- iiouses, &c. ; but how are they to apply to us who have nothing but our windows and little balconies? True, we might keep them easily and cheaply supplied by purchasing them in bloom from the nurseryman ; but then, even if they looked better, we should not derive half the pleasure to be realised by obtaining the plants when young, and tending them through all their stages with our own hands." "When treating of things about which we are familiar, we are too apt to forget that what appears to us simple was once dark and abstruse ; that, in fact, simplicity and complicity are relative terms; every- thing appearing simple after it is thoroughly understood, but not before. A lady who has read this work, and praises it highly, and who is quite an enthusiast iu lier love for flowers, and does her outside gardening ex- tremely well, lately had hyacinths in glasses over the flre-place in the sitting parlour, their long lanky leaves being destitute of strength to keep themselves anything like upright ; while on the top of the dwarf cupboard recesses, so common by the sides of the flre-place iu such snuggeries, were neatly arranged Geraniums and Cinerarias, the latter in bloom, and striving magnani- mously, notwithstanding their position, to look gay and healthy. Tlie owner of such beauties had heard and read much of the value of light, but then she imagined her poor plants had received plenty of it, as the light streamed into every part of the room as soon as the shutters and blinds were withdrawn from the window. The difterence between direct and difl'used light never suggested itself to her consideration. She found that plants in full bloom kept in full flower in such a position much longer than when placed iu the window sill, and the conclusion is arrived at, that what preserves the bloom, will also preserve the plant, and minister to its health and luxuriance. Now, though shade and diffused light are the best circumstances for securing the long keeping of flowers, though the colour may be some- what paler, tliey are, also, the very circumstances most inimical to that firm and sturdy growth which is the best preparation for abundance of I'uture bloom. Plants necessarily difter in their aptitudes for bearing strong sunlight; but even those which we frequently shade iu summer would dispense with that kindness if they were more hardily reared and treated. It is the desire to see them grow in dull weather as well as in bright, the keeping them close and warm under glass, or inside our windows for that purpose, the expanding aud atte- luiating, rather than the addiug to and strengthening, of the tissues which thus take place, tliat render the plants flaccid and drooping before the first bright sun- light to which they are exposed. As a general principle, little is added to the carbon or solid substance of a plant, except what it assimilates in sunshine. Our room plants, therefore, can only be preserved in robust health in winter, early spring, and late in the autumn, by being kept as near the glass as possible during the day, and j presenting no obstruction whatever to the Hght. No I rules, at least few of them, are without exceptions. 1 These exceptions, if few, instead of mdlifying, only con- I firm the rule. Thus plants, in general circumstances, ' under glass, like as much light as possible, is one rule. Another is, theij dislike sudden changes of any kind. Hence the carrying out of one of these will often seem an exception to the general validity of the other. For instance, here in this gentle month of April we have a few days of bright sunshine, followed, as is often the case, with eight days of cold, sunless weather. Observe the plants out-of-doors, there is no stimulus, and, there- fore, they stand still. The expanding and assimilating. 73 THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [May 1. the absorbing and evaporating processes are all at a minimum, and, therefore, when the sun does break through and shines for awholeclear day, it does not find a debilitated drawn plant, with tliin watery juices, on which to act ; and, hence, every leaf stands out erect to salute his beams, instead of drooping, as nursed, coddled things, from weakness and paralysis. Did we, iu our hothouses, greenhouses, and inside our windows, take a lesson from natui'e, we should give ourselves less trouble, and obtain better success on the whole. But how few ama- teurs liave the courage to do it, even when convinced of its propriety. When the sun shone in the beginning of the month, everytliing looked so cheerful, that the window was opened a little to give the plants and the room a breath of fresh air ; but during the dark, rather dismal eight days, such a thing could not be thought of, whQe the fire in the grate burned brisker than ever, and very likely the temperature of the room was higher than even in the bright sunny day, when an increase of temperature would have been attended with no danger. But the bright, sunny weather suddenly comes. Pre- viously, from the heat of the room, evaporation of juices had been taking place through tlie leaves and stems, supplied with fresh watering at the roots, and damping the foliage; but the absence of sunlight had caused a very slow assimilation of solid matter. When tlie sun shines powerfully, tlierefore, after these dull days, upon the plants, the processes of evaporation, and the assimi- lation of solid matter by the decomposition of carbonic acid, ai'e efl'ected with too much celerity. Plants with thick leaves and succulent stems will stand the change pretty well, but plants rather tender, with thin leaves, run the risk of drooping, and having their foliage scorched at the points. Here we find that there may be too much of such a good thing as light. The rule of the danger of sudden clianges comes in as an exception, to neutralise any injurious tendency even in these circum- stances ; and, hence, we damp the foliage to lessen the evaporation from the interior of the plants, aud we shade witli muslin, or tissue paper, to break the force of the sun's rays, until the plants get used to them. Hence, also, the reason why a close atmosphere and shade for a time are so beneficial for all potted plants, before the balance of reciprocal action between branches and roots are restored. In artificial gardening, either against walls or under glass, it is of quite as much importance to avoid exciting changes, by shading from light, as it is to secure from frost. Tlie shading, however, should continue no longer than necessary, and it will be the less needed, the more our treatment inside is regulated by the weather outside. In such circumstances as we have referred to, the ijlants must have full unobstructed light by degrees. We must treat them as a wise phy- sician would diet a famished man. He would not at once stuti' him out with the richest and most concentrated food; that he knows would be quite as dangerous as the not having enough, nay, more so, as the effects would sooner show tliemselves. But if tliese remarks hold true, in the case of plants in a window in spring, inside of a room, where the heat is regulated, not by the wants of the plants, not by the temperature without, nor the absence or presence of sunshine, but by the sensations of heat and cold of those who cluster around the blazing ingle; how much worse must be the position of those I first referred to, grou])ed in the side-board recesses, and standing on the mantel- shelf. Tlie sun, it is true, may shine into tlie room, but all they can ever obtain of it, will b:^ a tidil'iUninr/ feast ; small will be tlic gleam thatcver plays on their blanched Ibrms. Need wc wonder, at times, that young beginners are disappointed, and tliat something like (Complaints roach us, thougli professions arc strong that practice was according to rule. Wliy, the rule which would apply to sturdy plants in a window, grown near the glass, obtaiiiing the direct rays of light, with the loss of those merely in- tercepted by the glass, with air given on all suitable occa- sions, and their comforts and necessities not forgotten, while their owners attended to their own, could never apply to such attenuated aud exhausted things as were clustered around the chimney corner. The best way to manage them, unless the possessor has a good stock of patience and perseverance, would he to consign them to the rubbish heaps. To recruit these, as well as those coddled in a close heated twilight atmosphere in a win- dow, tliey must be inured to light aud air rerg graduatlij. For instance, there is hardly a person who has flowered a hi/acinth for the first time on a chimney mantel-piece, but who would like to preserve the bulb that had minis- tered such an amount of pleasure. Well, then, the first thing to be done, is to take it to the window, and inure its leaves there to stand the full liglit, remembering that without the perfecting of these leaves iu light, you will look in vain for flowers from your bulb. This transition state passed, you may move it out of doors to a sheltered border, and there plant it in a new light soil, burying the bulb, so that it will be from two to four inclies below the surface ; and liere, in addition to watering, if the soil is at all dry, you will require again to shelter with an evergreen branch, partly to break tlie wind, and partly to blunt the force of the sun's rays. By and by the branch may be removed, and when tlie leaves turn yellow, your care as to growing for that season is at an end. If not too far exhausted, before planting out, (for all the time it stood on the chimney piece, it was feeding and living chiefly on itself,) it will bloom the next sea- son in the border. If much exhausted, it will require another season, if it does not die altogether, though that is not often the case. To get tlie bulbs to flower well in pots or glasses the following season, after doing duty in this — the keeping the leaves green and healthy after flowering, must be as carefully attended to, as if it were a flower stem you were tending. To efi'ect this, and enable the bulb to have a sufficient rest, the plant should be kept inside the window full in the sun, or placed in a pit or frame, for a similar purpose. Indeed, such a re- ceptacle, however small, is indisjiensable for a fine ap- pearance of plants in windows, as plants may be kept in such a place before they come to their best, and again, when perfecting the wood is necessary, after the flower has passed. But whether possessed of such a receptacle or not, the advantage of light, and also of shade, must be duly attended to in the case of all those plants preserved during tlie winter, and now to be shifted, planted, and for future display iu window, balcony, or garden. Tlie same rules apply to all young seedlings, aud several of which it is now advisable to obtaiu by sowing, for the outside of the window, aud for covering tlic outside of tho verandah, such as Nastur- tiums, Tropc'olum Oanaricnse, and Convolvulus-major, &c ; all of which, either sown where they are to remain, or to be pricked out afterwards, will thrive better than if sown inside a month ago. B. Fish. HOTHOUSE DEPARTMENT. EXOTIC ORCHIDACE^. (Coiiliinu'dfrom page 37.) LissocHiLUs p.vBviFLORUs (Small-flowercd L.) ; South Africa,. — Sepals and petals dull wliite, beautifully striped with pale rose. A pretty freely flowering species. 42s. L, spEcjosrs (S)iowy L.) ; Sierra Leone. — The flowers are large, aud bright yellow, with a few streaks of pink on tho lip. They are produced from the side of the large pseudo-bulbs, on stems frequently three feet high, and are very ornamental. ;Us. Od. L. ROSEUS (Rose-coloured L.) ; Sierra Leone. — The May 1.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 73 sepals are of a rich brown, and in texture like velvet ; the petals bright rose ; the lip is of tlie same colour, with a blotch of yellow in the centre. A very charming : species, but extremely rare. ! Culture. — This is a genus of terrestrial orchids, found growing in open glades, in the hottest part of Africa, requiring, therefore, the warmest part of the orchid- house. Soil- — Strong loam three parts; rough fibrous peat one part : leafy mould, not much decayed, one part ; : with a due quantity of sand, will form a compost suitable to them. Pot them in the spring of the year ; let the bulbs be slightly covered, placing the old bulb near to the edge of the pot with the gi'owing bud in the centre of the pot. The reason for tliis, is to cause the shoots to be centrally placed, and to allow the young bulbs plenty of room in which to swell. If the old bulbs were placed in the centre of the pot, the young ones, when grown, would be thrust agahist the side, and be cramped and deformed. Give a little water at \ the time of potting, to settle the earth, and then water but seldom, till the young shoots and leaves have made considerable progress. After that increase the quantity of water considerably, and every third time add a small quantity of liquid manure to the water. Always use the water of the same temperature as the air of the house. During the season of growth, let the au' be well sup- plied with moisture, and keep up a temperature of 70° to 80° by day, and 6.5° by night. In winter, reduce the water at the root, the moisture in the air, and the heat to 60° by day, and 55° by night. These two modes of treatment will give a season of growth during tlie longest days, and a season of rest during the shortest. Lycaste aromatica (Sweet-scented L.) ; Mexico. — The flowers spring numerously from and round the base of the pseudo bulbs, sometimes as many as seven or eight from one bulb, each flower being separate. They are of bright orange colour, and are very fragrant ; a nice plant for a small collection, las. L. obuenta (Blood-coloured L.) ; Guatemala. — Sepals and petals very deep orange, lip same colour, with a blood-coloured spot at its base. The flowers are pro- duced in the same mode as those of L. aronuUica, but are larger, of a finer colour, and their beauty is generally enhanced by the rich coloured stain at the base of the lip. A really fine species which ought to be in every collection. 31s. 6d. L. Harrisoxii (Mrs. Harrison's L.). — Sepals and petals cream or buff-coloured ; the lip is of a clear pm'ple, spotted and streaked with cream. This is a very handsome, large-flowered species. The flowers generally come in pairs, but sometimes, when very strong, three will be produced. A large plant, when in bloom, is very attractive. Though old, and comparatively common, yet it is worth having, as it is very hai'dy; that is, it is not easily killed bv mismanagement. 10s. 6d. L. PLANA (Level-flowered L.) ; South America. The flowers are of a greenish cast ; the lip is fringed. Though not of a showy character, this spiecies is worth growing on account of its large flowers, whicli ai'e produced on long stems, rising even with the foliage, and are then very conspicuous. 423. L. Skinneri (Mr. Skinner's L.) ; Guatemala. Sepals pure white, tinged at the base with crimson ; petals rosy white ; the lip is of a white ground colour, with nu- merous spots of the richest carmine, almost over-clouded. There are several varieties with the lip of brighter and darker shades ; but even the worst coloured variety is a splendid flower Each flower often measures five inches across. It has also a slight but delicate perfume. Alto- gether this is one of the finest orchids, pretty easy to grow, and lasting a long time hi bloom. 31s 6d. There are two or three more species of Lycaste, but they are scarcely worth growing. Culture— Soil— B.oagh lumps of peat, mixed with chopped sphagnum, and small pieces of charcoal, will form a compost suitable for tbese charming plants. In potting, they should be placed upon a little hillock, in the centre of the pots. Plenty of drainage must be given, as they are impatient of water lodging about their roots, especially when young or fresh growing. They, like all other orchids, require a season of growtli and a season of rest. During the former, they must have a free supply of water at the root, and a due aiuoimt of moisture in tlie air. Being chiefly natives of Guatemala, they do not require such a high tempera- ture as plants from India; 65° to 70° by day, and 60" by night, in the growing season, and 55° to 60° by day in tlie season of rest, is an abundant heat for them. When at rest, but little water must be given, and a much drier atmosphere allowed. We have often written of the desirableness, or, rather, we may say, of the absolute necessity of rest, and complete cessation of growth for orchids. Without this cessation of progression the powers of the plants to produce strong growths and abundance of bloom become prostrated. Tliey make growth, it is true, but do not secrete those juices which enable them to produce flowers. In that respect they are very similar to real bulbs. If these are forced into growth at unnatural seasons, or by excessive heat and moisture are compelled to continue growing for a longer period than is necessary to perfect tlieir annual growth, the bulbs become smaller and smaller, and eventually perish. The i-est of plants is something analogous to the sleep of animals, and we all know the great injury our health sustains if, for any lengthened time, we are deprived of our regular succession of repose. Maxillaria.— This is a large genus, mostly with small flowers that are of dull colours, from which we shall cull only such as are worthy of cultivation. We may men- tion in this place, that "several of the finest plants known as belonging to it, have been very judiciously separated from it by Dr. Lindley. The following genera have been either greatly added to, or entirely formed from, plants that formerly were all classed as MaxiUarias : Bifrenaria. Colax, Lycaste, Paphinia, Pronunaa, Scuticaria, and Warrea. Maxillaria Macleei (Mr. McKlee's M.) ; Guatemala. — Sepals and petals brownish red; lip ground colour white, with rich maroon spots. A neat, pretty species. 21s. il. pioTA (Painted M.) ; Brazil.— The ground colour of the whole flower is a bright pale orange, very prettily ', spotted and striped with red and purple. A pretty, I freely-flowering, and easily-grown species, very suitable for small collections. iOs. 6d. M. TENuiFoLiA (Sleudei'-leaved M.) ; South America. — ! This is somewhat allied to M. Macleei ; the principal difference being its ground colour, which is of a purplish cast, with spots and blotches of clear yellow upon it ; the foliage, too, is somewhat longer and broader. Mr. Lyons remarks, veryjustly, that " when it is in flower it is very striking ; and few will see it without remarking its fi-eshness, and the pleasing green colour of its foliage." 21s. M. TRiANGOLARTs (Triangular-leavcd M.) ; Guatemala. —Flowers of a rich dark brown ground colour, spotted freely with crimson. This plant has a resemblance to M. tenuifolia, but its leaves are larger and triangular i shaped. Very neat and pretty, but rather scarce. 42s. Culture. — Soil. — The compost we have found to suit them best is formed of rough fibrous peat, broken into small pieces, and all the finer portion sifted out of it. This wfll form the main body of the compost to the amount of three-fifths, add one part of chopped sphag- num, and another of broken potsherds, and pieces of 74 THE COTTAGE GAKDENEB. [May 1. charcoal, about the size of a pigeon's egg ; mix these well together at the time of potting. Fill the pots half- full of drainage, and pot when the plants begin to grow. M. tenxiifoUa and its allies require division every other time tliey are potted, and bringing down to the raised heap of compost in the pots; otherwise, being of an ascending habit, they would soon become unmanage- able. To keep tliem lirm in the compost, pin tliem to it witli hooked l)egs, they will soon fix themselves to it by new roots. The rest of the genus may be potted in tlie usual way. When growing tliey require the customary treatment of moisture in the air and at the roots, but when at rest a drier and cooler treatment. Tlie tempe- ratm-e of the Me.xicau house is suitable for them. AVe shall conclude our week's essay by a brief notice of a rising collection of orchids belonging to H. Wheat, Esq., of Norwood Hall, near Shefiield. It is under the judicious treatment of Mr. Jose])h Ellis, the gar- dener. A correspondent has sent us a list of the species now in flower tliere, which we shall give; such lists being useful to show to new beginners what they may e.xpeot to flower, witli the same excellent manage- ment, at this season of the year: — Acineta Humboldtii, Ansellia Africana, Cypripedium caudatum (very rare), C. barbatum, C. .Javanicum, Cyrtochilum fllipes, Chysis aurea, Ccelogyne cristata, C. humiUs, Dendrobium Huc- kerii, D. Cambridgeanum, D. densiflora (a large plant with 12 spikes), D. macrochilum, D. Wallichianum, D. nobile, D. Jenkinsii, Epidendrum selligerum, E. Stam- fordianum, E. aloifolium, Govenia fasciata, Lyeaste aroraatica, L. Harrisonii, L. Deppei, Oucidium papiUo, O. tricolorum, O. stramineum, O. Cai-thagenense, O. spha- celatnm major, 0. leucochilum (three spikes mucli branched), O. altissimum, Phaius Wallichii, P. bico- lor (two varieties), Trichopilia suavis, T. tortilis, Stan- hopea eburnea, Odontoglossum pulohellum. In all thirty-six species of orchids in flower in April, and that in a collection that has not been more than six years in forming — a result very creditable both to the spirit of the collector, and to the skill of the cultivator. T. Appleby. FLORISTS' ELOWERS. D.\HLiAs continue to pot off, and harden by full ex- posure to the air and hght on all favourable occasions. See that the ground in wliich they are to grow and bloom be in a forward state for receiving them towards tlie end of May. DUj deep and manure hnrd is a golden rule for the successful culture of tliis fine autumnal flower. Do not forget the Ranunculus Beds. Dry weather may now be expected, and then they wiU reqidre abundance of water. T. Appleby. THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. Asparagus. — Care should be taken iu cutting, or much mischief may be done to tlie crowns and buds. A long narrow-pointed saw-edged knife is no doubt tlie safest and best toolforthe purpose, and if thrust nearly pei-jien- dicularly down close to the slioot intended to he cut, the numerous other shoots and buds pushing from tlie crowns will thus be more likely to escape being cut off, or otherwise injured uuderground.i: Asparagus coming • Wc prefer Mr. Weaver's mode of letting the shoots grow sii or eight inehes above the bed before it is cut; and then cutting it level with the surface. All is then high-flavoured and eatable.— Ed. C. G. in for the first time this season, shoidd at first have only the strongest shoots cut, and the small ones should be allowed to remain, and continue to grow. Old beds, in full cut, should have all cut off for the first four or five weeks, and then only the best for the remainder of the cutting season. Salt may be applied to advantage, in moderate quantities, throughout the growing season, and wet or showery weather should be chosen for its application, either by sowing broadcast, or in a liquid state. We practice the dissolving it in liquid manure, and then applying it, with great advantage, and we always choose, if possible, showery weather for applying liquid manure to all out-of-door plants and vegetables, as it may then safely be apjilied at much stronger jiroof, and in less quantities, and also with safer and more beneficial effect. Liquid manure applied when the soil is dry and hot requires much diluting, and plenty of water applied to wash it in, so that the extreme fibrous roots may have an opportunity of feeding on it; at the [ same time, under such circumstances, much of its bene- ficial properties will evaporate away, and there is no power of condensing them to our knowledge, by any other means than the liberal use of charcoal, which valuable article we make use of veiy liberally, and have done for many years; and we have also par- ticularly observed its power, on many occasions, in sucking up or condensing the most fetid odours. Plants of all kinds, either in doors, or out, where char- coal is liberally made use of, always maintain an healthy, vigorous growth. Liquid manure, when apjilied in hot, dry weather, without being very liberally diluted, has a tendency to burn and injure vegetation; and if it is not possible, at all times, to apply it in showery or wet weather, we take care to do so when cloudy weather prevails, and in the evening, wasliing it iu liberally, so that it may be evenly distributed for a considerable depth in the soil ; besides this, we always summer mulch our crops, and always take care to apply the largest bulk of water to the shady side, and never over the foliage of any kind of crop ; a branch of spray brush-wood is thrust into the nose of the water-pots, and the applicant, with one pot in each hand, pours the water easily where it is re- ipiired, without danger of surface-binding the soil, or injuring the foliage of the plants. Preparation should be made for putting out a small quantity of the early sown Cclerij Plants, and pricking out tlie main crop as early as they can be handled. All kinds of seeding plants, as they appear, should have the surface of the soil carefully broken with a rake, and any deficiency of plants should be at once attended to, by sowing and transplanting. Sow tall Peas and Beans at this season in the coldest part of the garden ; stop the early Peas now in bloom, and get all the tall kinds securely sticked. Fbaming. — Maintain a kindly surface heat, shut up early with kindly humidity on fine afternoons ; set the fruit both of Oucmnhers and Melons, and keep the vine tliin and nicely trained; wash the walls of pits with soot, sulphur vivuni, and hot lime, and also all 1 frames as they become vacant. We use some boiling » water to slack a few stones of new lime, then add the soot and sulphur, incorporating it well together, and applying it well over eveiy part of the pit or frame, — this ■ is a great preventive of red spider and aphis. Should the canker appear, dredge the affected parts with newly ■ slaked lime. Prepare for getting the ridge cucumber bed made. If Mushrooms are desired in the late summer I and early autumn months, tlie present is a good time to spawn the beds. James Baknes. Mat 1.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 75 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. OUR VILLAGERS. By the Authoress of "My Flowers," d-c. One very fruitful cause of e\'il among the lower orders in I much evil that takes place in a parish to be ti'aced to such opinions and sucli practises as these? How can a parent chastise for faults towards himself, when he teaches his child to transgress the commands of a heavenly Parent? How can a master expect faithful service, when lie hires his neighbour to rebel against his Master in heaven ? A few months ago, two idle boys brought up in neglect and sin, went out to poach ; they meant only to catch a few rabbits, as they said, and, perhaps, as they Moh(//i^; but one step leads easily to another, as they found to their cost. They were going to take what was not their own, and whether that thing was a rabbit or a sheep, the theft in the sight of God is equal. There is no little sin. The boys were unable to catch any rabbits, therefore, they determined the rm-al districts, is the custom of Sabbath ' bird-keeping.' I am sorry to say the higher classes are equally to blame in this matter, because they employ children for this purpose ; and whether we do a wrong thing ourselves, or cause it to be done by others, tlie guilt is the same. At particular seasons of the year, when tlie grain is first sown, and when it is ripening in the ear, boys are set to drive away rooks and other birds which infest the fields, which is all very right during the week, but unhappily no difference is made on the Sabbath day, the same noise and uproar is continued, and during these times of tlie year, the poor little children are suffered to desecrate the Lord's day, and receive pay for doing so. I am q\ute aware that we may generalize too much in our I to rob a hen-roost belonging to a neighboui-ing farm ; and remarks upon habits and customs. We may erroneously ,...„... imagine that other localities pursue the same systems that ■ succeeded under the cover of night. Dreail of detection induced them to leave the parish ; so one of the lads stole two sovereigns from his own mother, and absconded with his companion, and a deadly weight of guilt on his head. The robbery was quickly traced to the two boys, whose habits were well known, and whose disappearance raised the first suspicion. Tliey were pursued and taken ; and are at this time still suffering liard labour in the county jail. I saw them returning from an examination before their committal, in the hands of the constables, with a group of boys I following them, and people standing at tlieir doors to see when he. is old he will not depart from it." Alas! if jthemgoby. "What a sight for their parents — for (•r<"ry parent! children are trained in the way they should not go, they are ' How it must have gone to the hearts of tliose who had still more obedient to the guiding hand, because the spared the rod — who had not laboured and praj-ed for the natural heart delights in sin, and tlie feet hasten gladly I souls of their children — who could not feel that the sin laid along its broad, inviting road. "When a parent allows his ' not at their own door! Anil what a lesson to those who are carried on in our own vicinity ; and I am willing to hope that in most neighbourhoods tliis practice is not resorted to. Still, as I see it so constantly before my eyes, and know it to be the case in the surrounding districts, I cannot forbear bringing it before the attention of the cottage gardeners, in the hope that where it may now prevail, it will be hereafter discouraged; for it is full of enl and cannot be too steadily opposed. Sabbath bird-keeping is S.abbath breaking. We are told to "train up a cliild in the way he sliould go, and child to turn his back upon Sabbatli duties, upon tlie public worship and service of God, and upon His strongly enforced command, " Remember," to keep it lioly; when he allows his child to disregard the " pearl of days," and spend it in wandering about the fields, screaming at birds, rattling marbles in a tin can, or firing a gun continually to protect the grain, he is giving that child a terrible lesson in sin. He is teaching him to disobey the commands of God, and handing him over to depravity and ruin. He is laying tlie first stone of a prison, if not planning the first beam of a gibbet. The unhappy victims of madness and folly, who reaped the reward of tlieir outbreak in the year 1H30, by transporta- tion in many cases, and by deatli in some ; those, I mean, belonging to our own neighbourhood, solemnly expresseil themselves upon the subject of Salibatli breaking; declaring that it was the first step in their career of crime ; and they implored tlie clergyman of their own parish, wlio visited them in prison, to convey a charge to their families and fellow-parishioners, " to keep holy tlie Sabbath day." How many of these poor men had been brought up to ' keep birds ' on the Sabbath, I cannot tell; but disregard of that day was confessed by them all to be the beginning of their troubles. The dying words of one of their fomier cympanions, and the parting exhortation of many otliers, were delivered with much solemnity from the pulpit to a listening congregation. It made a deep impression at the time, but I fear it has passed away, for many are still treading the same devious way. It is a very sad and painful thing to see, on the way to church, wlien the bells are chiming, and the congregation allow their little ones to run riot, to forsake the guide of their youth, to follow then' own little headstrong wills, and dishonour God and His righteous law! above all who for the lucre of gain, peril the eternal happiness of those whom God has given them. liCt us strive to honour our Maker and Redeemer in all we do; and let us strive to teach those who are coming after us to do so too. Our fields will stand quite as thick with corn, when we send -our little bird-keepers to church and school, as they do now ; and orchards and gardens will be far more safe, with an overflowing church and quiet Sabbath, than wlien our children are taught to despise the commands of the Lord, and grow tip in ignorance and sin. A little plougli-boy, whose week days ai'e spent in honest toil, may learn on tlie Sabbath enough to guide him on his heavenly way, and keep him from the " fowler's " snare. What is the value of a measure of wheat compared with our neighbour's soul? A special blessing is promised to those "who turn away their feet from doing their own pleasure on " God's "holy day;" they shall "ride on the high places of the earth," and be fed "with the heritage of .Tacob, for the mouth of the Lord bath spoken it." Let us even in what we mav think trifles, remember and obev this word. HISTORY OF AN APIARY. In my two last communications, I entertained your readers with an account of the method pursued by me last summer, in fonning artificially several prime swarms. I have now to explain the after treatment of the old hives. Exactly li) days after the And first as to my own stock are gathering from all points, little boys sitting under hedges, issue of the prime swarm (viz., the 3nth of May), all the or loitering about the fields, screaming half their time, and bees which dm-ing this time had been hatched in the hive, playing at marbles or getting into mischief the remainder; were driven, or swept out of it (as many as could not be in their working clothes, uncared for, and taking no part in driven), into an empty bell-liive in the usual manner; this the sacred duties of the day. The master who pays them, done, several of the freshest looking combs (some cou- and the parents who sell "them, are going contentedly to taining brood left by the old mother, but no eggs or grubs church, never considering that the souls committed to their deposited by the young queen) were taken from it, and charge v\-ill be required at their hands; but quite satisfied adjusted in the hive* destined for the reception of the that the rooks must be driven away on Sundays as well as swarm, each comb being carefully aflixed to its bar. The on working days, and, therefore, that the Bible precepts are bees were then compelled to enter it, and the hive placed not intended to interfere with what must be done. Is not : _• Onc of Mr^ Goldings, n inches wide by 9 inches high. 76 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [May 1. on the old stand. At tlie same time the old stock wa^ broken up, and its store of honey, not exceeding -I fta., taken from it. The swarm obtained in this manner fell very short of the size of an ordinary east in point of numbers, while many of them were unusually small, some being scarcely a Ihird of the common size. No doubt this was owing to the paucity of nm'sea for the first 'week after the issue of the piime swarm, and the consequent imperfect quality, or insufficient quantity of the food supplied at the time to the i/oiiiir/esl grubs. Most of the brood had left the cells, except about 300, some of which were dead, probably from tlie same cause. The most interesting result of the experiment, was, that the bees had reared their queen artificially. Six roi/ul cells, constructed in the centre of the combs, as is usual under such circumstances, were found in different parts of the hive ; one of which only had as yet issued from her cradle. Four of the other cells were restored to the bees in tlieir new hive, in order to give them every chance of success, in the event of any accident having befallen their young and inexperienced queen. Tlie fifth, which was constructed out of three rfroHc cells, in the very centre nf a larije cumh, In- tended for the hreedinij of drones e.vchisiveti/, I had the curio- sity to open. It contained a fine fat white grub, still fur- nished with the whitish looking matter (food, no doubt), which is usually found in royal cells. It had, evidently, but recently ceiled itself in, and wanted several days to its per- fect development. This alone would prove it to be a drone grub, and not a worker, for otherwise it would have been in a much more forward state, seeing that this was at least the aist day since the egg was laid, and queens ai'e often, in fact, ijeneraUij, reai-ed in sixteen days. I regret that I did not also examine the condition of one of the other cells, still closed, constructed out of worker cells, for these had delayed their exit five days beyond their usual time, but I should, dotibtless, have found their tenants, if alive, in a much more forward state than this favoured drone grub. If my conclusion respecting the sex of this quasi-royal nymph be incorrect, the bees must have transported a worker egg to this place ; hut it is more easy to account for the fact by supposing a simple fOGS; their Origin and Varieties — Directions as to their General Manage- ment— and Simple Instructions as to their Treatment under Disease. HORSES ; their Varii-ties — Breeding — and Management in Health and Disease. PKSTS of the FARM ; with Instructions for their Extiqmtion ; being a Manual of Plain Directions fur the certain Destruction of every description of Vermin. LAND DHAlNAtiK, EMBANKMENT, and IBRIGATION. By James Donald, Civil Engineer, Derby. In the Press, SOILS and MANURES. By John Donaj,T)son, Government Land Drainage Surveyor. London: Wm. S. Orb & Co., Amen-Corner. May 8." THE COTTAGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 79 M W " D fi Th 9 F 10 S 11 Son 12 M 13 To 11 W MAY 8— U, 1851. Weather NEAR LO NDON N 1850. Barometer. Theviiio. Wind. Rain in In. Emperor Moth seen. 29.573 — 29.369 51—39 N.W. 0.22 Burying Beetle seen. 29.933 — 29.742 51-29 N.E. — Flvcatcher seen. 29.997—29.959 60—43 S.W. — 3 SUNnAY AFTER EaSTER. Aspen 29.98I — 29.952 62—47 S.W. 0.01 Wall Butterfly seen. 30.002 — 29.9ifi 65—35 N.W. 0.01 Old May Day. 30.109—30.082 62—33 N.E. 0.10 Orange-tip Moth seen. 30.082— 29.916 59—41 S.W. — Sun Rises. Sun Sets. nioon 1r. &S. 22 a. 4 20 18 '7 15 U 12 31 a. 7 i 32 31 36 37 39 40 Moon's Clock Day of Age. bef.Sun. Vear ■9 3 40 123 8 3 44 129 9 3 47 130 10 3 49 131 11 3 51 132 12 3 53 133 13 3 54 134 As might be expected, whenever an amateur writes competently upon any art with which he is tlioroughly conversant, he usually writes more instructively than does a contemporary practitioner of that art. This is to be expected, because the amateur knows, from comparatively recent ex- perience, the description of information of which he most stood in need, when first requiring: instruction. He begins at the beginning of every operation ; he tells his readers every point about which care is required ; whereas, the professed artisan thinks "every body knows " all the ini- tiatory practices, and passes on to those which remain as difficulties, even to the proficient. Nor is this the only defect usual in the teaching by a practical man. He is, fnr the most part, a man of facts ; he knows when and how a plant is to be propagated, and he tells you so in the fewest possible number of words. Now, we admire brevity as much as brevity can be admired by any one who feels acutely that art is long, and life short ; yet we must acknowledge our conviction that brevity is not suited for teaching the uninstructed, nor for decoying the careless to be attentive. Repetition and gradual explanation are required for the first, and amusement blended with instruction for the latter. We are made fully sensible of what we have here advanced, by the books now open before us. The Complete Gardener, by G. London, and H. Wise, two practical gardeners, and The Clerg-t/man's Recreation, shewing the plea- sure and profit of the Art of Gardening, by the Rev. John Lawrence. Editions of these books were published within a year of each other, early in the last century, yet two more striking contrasts— a more notable in- stance of the dry and brief, being born twin brother of the agreeable, cannot be quoted. Yet they both treat of the .s:ime art, and both contain a mass of useful information, for Mr. Lawrence places upon his pages a record of his own experience, and that experience was long and en- lightened. No difficulty in gardening exists, or can exist, as he well knew, but it may be overcome by skill well-directed. It would have ap- palled most amateurs to ha%e found that the enclosure, called the garden, at the rectory of Yelvertoft, in Northamptonshire, was barren and shallow, resting on a wet white clay ; but it did not stagger Mr. Law- rence, for he addressed himself to its reclamation, and in three years harvested from it, not only the primest of kitchen garden crops, but the choicest of fruits. The secret of his success was his knowledge of the benefit of draining, of shallow planting, and of preventing the radiation of heat from his walls. Science guided his practice, for he was a naturalist as well as fond of horticulture, especially that part of it which includes the culture of fruits, priding himself upon the richness of his deserts. Working in his garden, he tells us was "the best and almost only physick " betook. He is represented as hospitable and generous, but we cannot entertain a very high opinion of his honour, if Lintot the bookseller adhered to the truth in complaining that in his " New System of Gardening," in difForcnt words he had republished what he had pre- viously sold to him (Lintot) in the form of " The Clergyman's and Gen- tleman's Recreation." But we think there is no ground for the accu- sation. Rlr. Lawrence's Neiv St/stem of Agriculture, being a cnmptete body of husbnndrtf and gardening, embraces instructions given in his other works, but the instructions are in another form, and the high- priced folio, which the " Ne-.v System" fills, could not have interfered with the far cheaper octavo, which relates to little but fruit-culture. This work, The Clergt/inan's Recreation, published in l/N. is concise, but, perhaps, there is no work that has less of error in its precepts. In his directions for pruning, training, and the preparation of an infusion of wall-nut leaves to destroy worms, &c., he has recorded his practical knowledge of various directions which have been in late years recom- mended as improvements. It is chiefly confined to the cultivation of wall-fruit. He mentions nothing about apples ; and is much too prag- matical upon the diseases to which trees are subject. The Gentleman's Recreation, appeared also in 1714, and, as he states in his introduction, is "an Appendix to the former," or Clergyman's Recreation. It is a mis- cellaneous collection of notes for the most part relating to the cause of barrenness in fruit-trees; and the superiority of fresh earth to some plants rather than dungs.— The most original observations are upon the benefits of horizontal shelter in preventing the blasting of wall-fruit. The observation upon permanent nails to which to tie the branches of wall-trees are equally worthy of the claim of novelty. The Fruit Gar- dener's Kalender, in 17I8, is composed of many excellent observations and directions. He mentions as a common practice ringing the branches of fruit-trees to make them bear, which he calls "circumcising" them. The remaining events in Mr. Lawrence's biography that are preserved to us, embrace little more than mere dates, for even the place of his birth and his parentage are unknown. He attained to bis Batchellorship of Arts whilst at Clare Hall, Cambridge, in lt)88, and obtained his Master's degree in I70i, previously to moving to Yelvertoft. He remained here untd 1721, vvhen he obtained the Durham rectory of Bishops Wearmouth, became a Prebendary of Salisbury the year following, and died at his rectory on the 18th of May, in 1732. He was buried in the chancel of hia church, and a stone with an inscription was placed over his remains ; but this, w«: are told, no longer is apparent, inasmuch as that some vulgar-minded and sordid churchwarden dared a few years after to have the stone turned over, and another inscription engraved upon the reverse. Can any of our readers inform us if this be so? and if it be so, we will readily subscribe our mite to have the stone restored to its former position, asking others also to aid in this small tril>ute to the memory of one who must always be included among the best writers upon gardening. It is worthy of remark, that even in those days when orthography was reduced to more uniformity than in the previous century, when sounds, rather than rules of spelling, were regarded, our author and his famdy spelt their name indifferently Laurence and Lawrence. As an example, we have at the end of The Gentleman's Recreation, this advertisement:- " Lordships surveyed, and maps drawn of the same ; timber measured and valued, with other artificers' work, and dialling in all its parts, per- formed by Edw.ird Laurence, brother to the Author of this book. He is to be heard of when in London, at Mr. Senes's, at the Globe, in Salis- bury Court.— N. IJ. In winter, and at such times as he is not surveying, gentlemen may have their sons or daughters taught accompts at their own houses, alter a natural, easy, and concise method, with the use of the globes and maps, and all other useful parts of the mathematicks." Mr. Lawrence had a son, the Rev. M. Lawrence, who died in 1791, aged 86, being the rector of High Rooding, in Essex, and of St. Mary Aldermanbury. in London. He inherited the taste of his father, especially for the culture of flowers, and was distinguished among his friends for his superior blooming of bulbs in vases. Meteorology of tue Week.— At Chiswick, from observations during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- peratures are 63"* and 40.6'^, respectively. The lowest cold, 27°, was on the llth, in 1838. Rain occurred on 6I days, and 107 days were fine. Did you ever consider the best place for applying manure to a crop ? This is a question which ought to have been suggested by every cultivator's own niiud ; and it is certainly a most important one to answer correctly. Yet, we believe, there is more want of thought and more carelessness existing relative to the place where manure ought to be applied, than upon most subjects connected with the cultivation of plants. We were led to this remark by two facts recently brought to our notice in letters from correspondents. One of these {J. E. B.) says, tliat having Peas " sown in drills about three inches deep, over them I have thi^own in a small quantity of soot to protect them from vermin, and then filled up the drills with the earth." Now, the result is, that though some of the rows " have come up pretty regularly," yet others " have got hardly one Pea out of the ground." Nor will they ever appear ; for the young roots were killed by the ammonia in the soot so soon as they came forth from the germinating seed. If some earth had been put over the Peas in the drills, and then the soot over the earth, it would have thwarted the mice as etYeetually, and would have acted as a manure to the crop ; for, reduced in strength by being spread through the earth, the ammonia would not have been too powerful for the tender roots to endure. Tliat some of the peas came up, occurred only because there happened to be less soot in contact with them, or that the soot in tliose instances was not so strongly impregnated with ammonia. In the second letter to which we have alluded, the writer [Ludloiv) says, that he has never observed any benefit ai'ising from applying manures to old, weak, orchard fruit-trees, "though I heaped up a barrow-load round the stem of each, and dug it in close aboiit them No. CXXXVI., Vol. VI. 80 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [May 8, in tlie spring following." The result, we venture to predict, would have been very difierent if tlio manure had been inserted in a trench dug a foot deep in a circle at foxir or iive feet distant from the trunk of each tree. There are no fibrous roots close to the stem of a tree, but they branch forth, and then- points, or mouths, extend in a circle around not far beyond the distance to which the outer branches reach ; and it is there that manure for fruit-trees should be placed. Crops which feed by roots spreading near the svu-faoe, and such are all the Cabbage-worts, Beans, Peas, Straw- ben-ies, &c., require the manure to be placed within sis inches of the surface ; for roots always travel to the soil where tlie most fertile matter is to be found. For the same reason, as we have often observed, for Carrots, Parsnips, and Beet-root, the ground should be trenched, and the manure turned in with the bottom spit, because this induces the top-root to strike down to it straight, and unlbrked. As a general rule, it may be accepted as certain that the worst of all modes of applying a manure is in the drills with the seed. It is, usually, either so powerfully stimulating as to destroy the awakening vegetation of the seed, or remains in so confined a position as to be unavailable to the roots when they begin to extend. In conclusion, we wish vei-y emphatically to observe, that to arrive at a correct knowledge of the value of a manure by means of experiment, far more forethought and care are requisite than are usually bestowed upon them. 1. A space should be left without any manure being applied, otherwise there will be no satisfactory basis of comparison. 2. The lai'ger the space subjected to experiment for each manure, the more entitled to confidence will be the result. The reason for this is, obviously, that no two seeds will produce plants of precisely equal prolificacy. Imperfect ripening of the parent seed, variance in the depth at which the seed is buried, and many other cir- cumstances, will be more liable to have a controlling elfect over the weight of the pi'oduce from a small plot of crop than from a larger. A dozen super-prolific, or defective plants, on a square rod of gi'ound, will have au influence on the result when calculated per acre, that would be scarcely appreciated, if the experiment were made on an eighth of an acre. 3. If manures in solution are employed for soakuig the seed, a similar quantity of seed of the same sample should be soaked for a similar length of time in simple water. If liquid manures are given experimentally to plants during their growth, other plants of like number and growth, and in eveiy respect treated similarly, should at precisely the same time have simple water applied to them. 4. There should be a certainty that the manure em- ployed be pure. No wonder that experiments are dis- crepant, when Mr. E. So% has detected adulterations in fertilisers to the amount ol' 07 per cent. ! Even when tlie dung of animals is employed, it varies most essen- tially, and according to the food on which they are kept. The richer their nourishment the more abounding are their excrements in the salts of ammonia and other fertilising matters. We regi'et to find, from a letter we have received this day from Mr. Brocas, that we misunderstood him ^shen in conversation, and that he piu'poses to supply the. British Mosses, and not the British Ferns, as stated by us at page 45. He offers 300 specimens for thirty shUliugs, supplying 50 at a time in a five shilling part. GARDENING GOSSIP. One of the most remai-kable new featmes in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, is the Plantation of Roses. Messrs. Rivers, Paul, and liaue have oonti'ibuted collections to be bloomed there after the manner of the American plants, each having the management of their own ; and, if it be found desirable, thej' are to be all shaded during the height of their bloom. Mr. Jenkins, in his time of occupation, could never grow Roses well, and the place was much more open than it is now ; so that if these gentlemen can make any thing of a show, it will agreeably surjjrise us, although we know that di'ainage and amelioration of soil will do wonders. Our own opinion is, that it will be showing Roses under great disadvantage ; that the blooms will be very diminutive, and many of them out of character. The design, how- ever, is pretty, and we shall rejoice to see the disadvau tages of locality conquered. Another strildug feature here is the Winter Garden, A very considerable space is covered with glass, and planted \Yith specimens, and a promenade on gravel-walks, dry and warm, when the snow is on the ground out of door.s, is no inconsiderable luxury to those fond of plants and flowers. Those who visit this beautiful spot — for such it is, in spite of a good deal of bad taste — mil at once pronounce for the permanence of the Crystal Palace. It will be impossible to let that structure come down again ; sucli a winter garden never entered into the mind of man, anil its capacity is bouudless. It cnnld be converted into n perpetual smnmer garden, though the frost and snow proclaimed it winter out- side ; and be it remembered that tlie humblest conUibutor to the state could enjoy it. People of all clases mil call for a winter promenade. Tlie poorest of the peojile should be admitted on one sole condition — cleanliness. Let everybody go to the Eoyal Botanic Gardens to appreciate the value of a garden under glass. The Rockwork in these gardens is pretty, but too toy-hke ; altogether on too small a scale. The Amerienii cjronnd is a good feature, and the convenience for showing is greatly increased ever since last season. Tlie ornamental water here gave a freshness to the scene ; and so near London, there is nothing in the gai'den way half so attractive. At a recent meeting of Floi-ists, the subject of Dressing Flowers was rather warmly discussed ; and it was gene- rally admitted, even by its defenders, that it had been carried to so great an extent, that gentlemen, who only see the flower from the raiser's hand, scarcely recognised the flower when he had bought it, and grown it. No- body inclined to dispute that the Dianthus tribe requii'ed it; but the idea of dressing the Dalilia was reprobated by the majority, on the ground that it was a flower that growed symmetrically, and that if the petals did not ojien naturally, no man had a right to disguise it by forcing them open ; and it was contended, that those May 9.] THE COTTAGE GABDENER. 81 whose lime was of so little consequence as to be wasted on tins nunatural process, would always be able to beat tbose who cultivated them, but who would uot con- descend to change their character by artilicial means. As the only means of putting a stop to the practice, it was strongly i-ecommended that all judges should examine the flowers very closely, and that they should disquahfy every stand in which tliere should he bruised, strained, or split petals, which could always be detected in dressed flowers. For this pm'pose, they should use a glass, if necessary ; and glasses to examine the beauties of small, and the blemishes of lai'ge, flowers, were, it was said, already provided niid sold at Lockhai-t's seed-shop, in Fleet-street. How was it, except by means of straining open petals, which iucUned to quill, thatgentlemen who boughtwhat appeared good free bloomers, found, when they had given a large price, that they had only pm'chased worse flowers than they already possessed, and even worse than they had actually thrown away? It gave dealers an opportmiity of deceiving the public upon the chief merits and faults of a variety, and liad aU'eady led to the abandonment of Dahlias by many private gentlemen. The SoiitJi. London Florists opened their season by a show at the Horns Tavern, Kcnuington, on the 20rd of April ; and, through some misunderstanding, as to whether the winner of a cup last year should be allowed to win it again this year, tlie tables were very poorly furnished. We never saw so many Atiricukis without even a single creditable specimen ; and the prizes were awarded to plants that should have been disqualified altogether. The prettiest flower in the room was a variety from the north, called " Imperalor" A fine, green-edged, well-proportioned, round and flat pip, and though ill-grown, capable of being shown in splendid order. Perhaps there were a hundred plants staged; but we in vain looked for another good one, scarcely any were in character. Tlie Polyanthuses were very discreditable to the growers. A move should really be made with this beautiful spring flower; for the April show has always been a sad mockery. There were many seedling Cinerarias : two called Alba Magna and Queen of Beauiics, both pure white, and yet perfectly imlike each other, were the most remarkable. It is difficult to say which was the best; but either will j'ut aside all the whites we have at present. Three other pretty ones, Ivory's Beauty, Forget-me-not, and A uricula flora, were above the average ; but had not lost the notch at the ends of the petals. Mr. Cole, gardener to Mr. Collyer, of Dartford, was the only exhibitor of plants worthy of notice ; but gay as was his speci- mens, they were awfully cUstorted. At flrst sight they appear fine bushes, close, shrubby, and well-bloomed ; but supported, and otherwise constrained, with fifty props, long branches bent down, and their ends turned up near the bottom, others fixed across, and the ends alone protruded; in fact, the surface made of the ends of brandies bent in all manner of ways. If this kind of distortion is to be allowed with Ixoras, Hoveas, Azaleas, and other plants, which are perfectly able to support themselves, farewell to plant grow- ing. The best two Azaleas in the room were Optima and the Duke of Devonshire ; we do not meau tlie best grown, but the best varieties. Pansies were abundant ; and in the awards of the two classes of prizes, the want of some system of judging was very apparent. In the amateur class, the first prize was given to small flowers, one half of which were out of character, the best stand in the whole room being put second. In the nurserymen's class, the first prize was given to large flowers, and tlie second to small ones, under the very same circumstances. Mr. AVilmer, of Sunbmy, pro- tested against the judgment, and caused some commotion. in the midst of which Mr. James Dickson protested against an awiud that was unjust to him. In fact, tliere was yery Uttle harmony until a respectable band drowned all dis- cordant sounds. The National FloricuUural Society held its second meeting at 21, Regent-street, on Thursday, April 2-1, R. Staines, Esq., in the chair. Certificates, First Glass, were awarded to iNIr. E. G. Henderson, for a seedling Cineraria, named Marguerite d'Anjon ; habit good, form excellent, colour rich crimson, with a medium sized dark disk. To Mr. Griffin, for a seedling Auricula, named Beauty of Bath ; form good, colour grey-edged, well defined, substance good. Certificates, not first class, were awarded to j\Ir. Hoyle, of Reading, for a seedling Pelargonium, named Chieftain; upper petals dark crim- son, blotched, edged with scarlet, lower petals vermi- lion ; a sUiking, handsome variety, of good habit and goodly shaped flowers. Also to Mr. Smith, of Hornsey, for a seedling Cineraria, named Alba Magna ; a well- shaped, pure white flower, with a full dark disk, good shape and habit. Also to Mr. E. G. Henderson, for a seedling Cineraria, named Marianne ; of excellent form and habit ; white, with a lilac edge very distinct. The following were commended by the Censors : — Mr. Turner's, of Slough, Pelargonium named The First of May, good form and habit; Mr. Ayros, nm-seryman, Blackheath, Cineraria named MoiJcl of Perfection, fine form, novel ill colour, which is fine shaded piu-ple. Cut Pausies were exhihited in good order by Messrs. Brag, Turner, and Edwai'ds. There were good collections of Cinerarias from the Messrs. Henderson to ornament the rooms ; also, from Mr. Ayres and others. A Rhododendron, named Jacksonii, was remarkable for its colour — deep blush, with rosy-pink stripes on the outside of the petals. Mr. Turner had six good Am-icuhis. Fifty more members were elected. The Society is now faMy established, the number of members amounting to 17.!), besides 28 others propossd for election next month. Censors, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Kingliorn, Mr. Hanip, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Lidyard, Mr. Frazer, and Jlr. Neville. K. Y. NEW PLANTS. THEIR PORTR-\ITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. Broad-ft.owered PoETLANniA [Porthindia. platanlha). — Botanical Magazine, t. 4.33 1. — The genus Porllandia was named by Patrick Browne, an Irish botanist of the last century, in honour of the then Duchess of Portland, fi2 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [May 8. a distiuguisiied patron ot botany and gardening. It belongs to the Natural Order of Ginckonads (Cincbo- naoeae), wbioh, until recently, held but an inferior degree as a section of Madderworts (Rubiaceae), although it is the most extensive, and one of the most imfjortant, of all the Natiual Orders of plants of which we have knowledge. It includes a large number of plants of the greatest benefit to man, not only in the countries they inhabit, but to the world at large, as medicinal agents, acting as tonics, febrifuges, emetics, and purgatives. The bai'k of Pm-tlandia lii'xandra, a tree in French Giiiana, is nearly as potent against fevers as that of Cinchona, the Peruvian Bark of Commerce ; and that of Portlandia cjrandi- flora possesses the same pi'operties, but in a less powerful degree. Tlie Coffen-tree is also a Cinchonad ; nor are plants of surpassing beauty deficient in tlie order, for it includes Porlhindias, Ixoras, Gardenias, Boiirardias, Honddetias, Ma- iiettias, Luculias, and many others ; and all of them may be kno\vn at first sight by their stipules and opposite entii-e leaves. The usual place for stipules is immediately under the leaf, as in the Pelargonium ; but in all Cinchonads the stipule is above tlie leaf, or is interpetiolar, as botanists say. Portlandia has live stamens, and one stigma iu each flower, by which it is referred to the first order of the fifth class in the system of Liunteus, Pcnlandria Jlonor/i/nia. As they inhabit the hottest parts of the tropics, like the majority of then- race, Portlandias requhe the stimulus of a moist hot stove until then- season's growth is finished, but a long repose in a cooler and more dry atmosphere in winter is essential to cause them to flower with freedom. Portlandia ptatantha was received iu 1850, from the West Indies, by Messrs. Lueombe aud Co., of Exeter. It is an evergreen stove shrub, about twenty inches high, and which continues to produce its bold white blossoms all the summer. Leaves opposite, almost stalkless, pointed oval, leathery, deep glossy green. Stipules broadly triangular. Flowers funnel- shaped, five-ribbed, with short stalks, and limb of corolla in four spreading spear-head divisions. It is easily propagated by cuttings, and thrives iu a soil of equal pai'ts sandy loam and leaf-mould. 7^ j>j*ij: SroTTKij - Fi.owiiHEii Ladies' Slippeii (C'l/pripi'ilium guttatum). — Oardeners Magazine of Botany, ii. 08, — This is a welcome addition to our hardy terrestrial orcliids, requiring the same kind of treatment as the Noi-th American species, such as C. pvhesccns and spcc- lahilis, and though neither new to science nor to the gardoiing world, it is a fit subject for record among our biographies of new or rare plants ; for rare we hold it to be, notwithstanding that it was introduced into this country in 18:i8, ant»/yrtH//i«scs, besides snowdrops, and crocuses of all colours, which came up later, now deck the borders, and most of them have done so for three weeks past, if not more. Nectarine blossom, is here and there open. Pear blossom beginning to develope itself into its single component buds. Hoses in sucli a state, that if we have sharp cutting weather, our chance of bloom will be vei7 bad, except with tlie autumnal ones. Jacques Lapite, and La Reine, and Barroue Prevust, in the state they would usually be found in the early part of May ; and, which I forgot to mention before. Erysimum PeroJ'skianum, in flower; this latter it is a great mistake to call an annual, as many do. PheasanVs eye, dud j^otentilla, have also Ifeen gathered in the garden, and the connuon shrubby white candytujj\ 1 think it is (the folks here call it " Many-me- quick" j, is in flower in lai-ge bimches. — T, H. K., March 31s^ Greenhouse AND Vinery R. 0.).— This is l6 ft. by 12 ft. against a south wall. Ifyoiimean to plant your vines outride, then the position ()f your doorway, two feet from the front wall, wilt answer well. If you design to plant them inside of the house, and close to the front wall, so that the roota may find their way out through arches, then we would borrow half a foot more ; and then, supposing you have a nine-inch or a foot flue, you can have a little border between it and the front wall in which to plant your vines. We say this, because your flue will be most effectual if it passes along the front of your house ; eighteen inches from the front wall, if you plant vines inside ; and a few inches, if the vines are to be planted outside. We like the first best, but then your border inside must be higher than that outside. The fire-place may either be at the front or back ; it is generally more out of the way in the latter. If you sink your stoke-hole deep enough, you need not have your flue above ground until you pass the end and get to the front of the house, and this will prevent the necessity of sinking it at the pathway. Ifyoumeanto have a pathway right through your house, with a door at each end, then the flue must sink at the pathway ; but if you have only one door, then continue the flue round the end, and let it either rise there into a chim- nev, or be returned along the back wall and let it ascend above the fur- nace, through, across the ends, and along the front is quite sufficient for such a house. The making of flues, &c., has several times been refer- red to. PoRTULLACA (SaraA). — You may transplant this to a aunny knoll in the beginning of June. Verbenas and Petunias {Ibid). — We should not like to risk these in the beginning of May, unless we could screen them at first. We prefer letting the first dozen of days go past, preferring security to haste. Camellia done Flowering {Ibid). — As you have no greenhouse, keep it in the window, and give little air until it has made fresh shoots ; then give more air by degrees, and when the shoots are a little firm, set the plant out of doors in a shady place, and house it again before winter. Oleander and Crassula {Ibid). — These will flower in your window, but you must recollect that it is only the shoots that are made in one year that bloom the next. After June, set the Oleander in a position out of doors slightly screened from the sun; give the Crassula, after the same period, all the sun you can. Azaleas not Flowering {A Weekbi Reader), — These will flourish in heath soil only, a little gravel along with it will do them no harm. Very likely they are over-potted, at any rate they had better be reshifted in sandy peat, kept close and warm afterwards, and syringed and well watered' to encourage growth ; then, in about six weeks, give air, first rather sparingly and tfien abundantly, and ultimately set them to rusti- cate in a rather open but shaded place out of doors, and get them housed in October. DiELYTttA SPECTABILIS (Ibid). — This is supposed to be quite hardy. When grown as a greenhouse plant, it should be kept rather dry all the winter, and when it begins to push, it may be either top-dressed or re- shifted. If shifting is delayed, the flower racemes will be injured. Hence it is as well to shift before growth commences, and then the roots get into the fresh soil at once. Propagate by division of the root; by young shoots in sandy soil, taken off" as mentioned to-day for Erythri)ia ; by cuttings of the stems after flowering, and very likely by seeds. The cut- tings are very apt to damp if not looked after. Sandy loam is better than sand alone, and no higher temperatui'e than the plants were growing in ; cover with a glass, but not close. Nemophila (H. W., a Subscriber from the Beginning), — Your Ncraophila with maroon-coloured flowers, and small white blotches, is unknown to us ; but it is almost impossible to tell what a plant is by mere description. We should say, from experience in other plants, that yours is a new hybrid. Will you oblige us by sending us a flower when j you have one in bloom ? Nemophila aurita is blue. IPOMEA BURRIDGII AND UlCKSONII (J. W, F.^ TavistOCk) .—'VXitSQ are mere varieties, though very beautiful ones, of /. major. They require to be struck from cuttings to be quite certain of the varieties. They are hardy enough to grow in the open air during the summer months, but, like their parent, do better if sown in a gentle hotbed in I\Iarch, and transplanted in tlie open border in May. They will bloom very well if potted into 8-inch pots, trained to a trellis, and kept in the greenhouse to bloom and produce seed. Pit Heated by Uung {A, G.). — The best way to make you under- stand Mr. Appleby's meaning in the article you refer to, which appeared in No. 126, page 335, will be to give you the dimensions of the pits he describes.— The space they stand upon is 32 feet long and 15 feet wide ; the pits, or raised frames, are each 1 1 feet long and Sj feet wide. The spaces belween each pit or frame are filled with dung in a fermenting state. There are no back or front walls ; the slates rest upon the end and central cross walls. The hollow spaces between the cross walls are filled with hot dung, which is renewed as the heat declines. Care must be taken that the dung lining outside reaches and is kept above the lower i edge of the frame. This is to keep the heat from escaping from the under side of the slate. Bees (-4 Constant Reader, S«(fA«r^).— The material of which the vessel is made in which honey is storerl makes no difference whatever in its quality ; but if intended for sale, that in glass fetches the best price by 2d. or 3d. per pound. If the /iive having comb at the top be of straw, put no bees into it ; if of wood, see there are no moths in it, and if perfectly free from them, hive your swarm into it— the combs will be very acceptable to your bees, and a great help to them. Transplanting Hardy Annuals ( \V. A'.).— AH the hardy and half- hardy annuals will transplant, as we have often said ; their height and their colour you can easily sec by referring to the index, or to The Dic- tionary, as you take it in. If we were to occupy space with repeating the same things over and over again, we should be of little use to you ; nevertheless, if you make out a list of what you wish to grow, and number the names, we will give you the heights and the colours. OxALis (Rot/alist).—0.ralis purpurea, if you have it true, is quite hardy, and ia a most beautiful thing for a patch on a narrow border, or in May 8.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 91 the front row of a wide one. It flowers from the middle or end of May, for a month or so ; the flowers are reddish purple, and do not rise above three inches ahove a dense mass of shamrock-like leaves. O.rnHa Botviana makes an exceedingly gay bed by the following management: — Pot the bulbs in .Tanuary, and encourage them to grow in heat before the spring is out, so as to be ready to plant out in May ; but they are hardy enough to stand out in a warm border, if planted sis inches deep ; in this case, however, they will only bloom late in the autumn — besides, they bury themselves deeper and deeper every year, which keeps theai still later from flowering. Colour, deep rich rose ; height, about ten inches. Hyacinths (J. S. L.). — Yes — the nemophilas may be sown now over the hyacinth beds ; or young plants of them from a former sowing may be transplanted there when they have made five or six leaves. All the geraniums and calceolarias, many of the verbenas and petunias, double American groundsel, two sorts, and Lantana Sellowii, will do to grow in baskets on a lawn ; but what are more strictly called greenhouse plants do not flower long enough to entitle them to tbat style of gardening. Begonia Evansiana [W. S. P.). —You did right in setting the Begonia in the cupboard after it died down, and in placing it on the mantel-shelf now. If the soil is moderately moist, do not water until you see the young shoots peeping; but if very dry, you may either walcr, or shift into fresh soil and water afterwards. We trust that after all the care you have given the roots are not dead. By taking it to the mantel- piece at night, until the middle of June, it will grow faster being placed in the window during the day. The very fine specimens that Mr. Fish mentioned could not be grown so fine in a window ; but you may have nice plants, though smaller. Flues [A Constant Subscriber). — Mr. Fish can say little more about these in addition to what was stated at page 385 of last volume, except that he has seen the gardener referred to since, and that he speaks very highly of them. The depth of the flue is two bricks set on edge ; width from five to six inches, instead of from four to five. The bricks set on edge are bedded on thin slates ; these slates cover the top of the flue, and then across the joints of the slate the paving tiles are placed on a level with the floor of the house, all the floor being covered witli paving tile from nine inches to a foot square. The top of the flue, therefore, when covered with the slate and tile, just forms part of the floor, and is never noticed. Mr. Fish mentioned the importance of leaving a few inches hollow by the side of the flue, but Mr. S. says that there is no occasion for it, as there is always heat enough without it. The furnace is in a stoke hole, covered with a trap door, at the back of the house ; the flue passes along the end, along the front, two or three feet from the front wall, crosses the fartlier end, and rises there into a chimney. In such winters as the last, there will be no necessity for cleaning the flues, though in general it is best to give them a scrape every year. Be sure that the top of your furnace is eighteen inches or two feet below the top of your flue, and the draught will be always good. For small houses we really think such flues the cheapest mode of heating at present to be had, unless you can do the work yourself. As bearing on the subject, it may be stated that a house larger considerably than the one referred to by Mr. Fish, twenty feet by eight feet, was heated for less than five pounds, by hot water, but then the gardener had a boiler made at a country foundry, bought the pipes, &c. Until boilers and pipes can be got suitable, and at a fair price, amateurs must do likewise, or content themselves with such a flue. The price may be easily obtained, liy knowing the price of bricks, tiles, Sec. It will at once be seen that draining tile slips, house tiles, &c., may be substituted for slates, and even bricks for flooring tiles, &c. We believe that, as respects attention and consumption of fuel, such narrow flues are far more economical than any hot-water apparatus, without a flue, as in such circumstances, however well set the boiler may be, a great portion of heat will get out at the chimney. Camellias to be Planted out (A Lady Subscriber).— Wc should have known better how to answer your inquiries, if you had given us as much insight into your locality, as even the name of your county. You propose putting your camellias in a round clump in the garden, mulching their roots, and covering with a frame-work of mats in winter. In some places they would keep alive and grow, though the flowers are always apt to be injured by spring frosts. Choose a rather slieltered, but shady, situation; exposure, north-east, or north-west. Mulch with dry fern, and shelter with glazed calico, or tarpaulin, instead of mats, or have such outside of mats in very severe weather, and the plants will thus be kept dry. They do well in many places trained against a north, north- west, and north-east wall; but the mischief is, a frosty night in spring, though it does little harm to the plants, spoils the looks of the flowers. See list of winter-flowering plants for small greenhouses, in our last volume. Vinery (A. Foster). — We cannot give plans, but we can offer an opinion. Twenty feetlongby fourteen wide, is a fair proportion. Some prefer metallic frame-work ; we prefer wood, for metallic roofs are, indeed, rapid conduct-irs, soon too hot, and soon too cold. You must have a heating surface equal to the surface of four parallel rows of four- inch piping, to be a good early house. Also, a good pitch to the roof, and glass that will not burn your plants. You will do well to cunsult back numbers ; there has been no particular advance since the com- mencement of this work. Can you not obtain the assistance of a pro- fessional person, or of a really good gardener '! Apple Cuttings (J. M. W.). — Put out your apple cuttings directly ; they should have been planted in February. They will strike in any shady place out of the sun and wind. Take last year's wood a foot long, and bury eight inches in the soil, keeping them always moist. Double ifuHfiowers in a similar way, now, or when the young growth gets firm about Midsummer. You are quite right in saying that our reference at page 17, should have been to Job, but many believe that Solomon wrote that book. CocniN-CuiNA Fowls. — jMr. Bowman says that those alluded to in his former communication attain a large size, the cocks, when full- grown, weighing 12 lbs., and the hens 8 lbs. The body is short and compact, tail and wing very small, thigh remarkably thick, and the stilt short. The colour of the cock is a rich black red, his crow very loud, and much resembling a roar. If M. H. [Chester), or any other reader of The Cottage Gardener wishes for further information, Mr. B. will be glad to answer their inquiries, if accompanied by a directed envelope. His direction is, R. H. Bowman, Rose Vale, Penzance, Pansies (ir. /. il/.).— The flowers of your pansies were so dried in coming to us, that we found it impossible to name them. They appeal' well formed flowers ; the edging of one was bad. The seed from them may produce good flowers. All correspondents desirous of having their flowers named, should pack them separately in damp, not wet, moss, in a small tin box. This would keep them fresh, and prevent them being crushed by stamping in the post-office. Nurserymens' Apfeentices [Constant Reader). — The only way to get into a nursery near London, is tor some friend of the young man who is acquainted with any of the following nurserymen, Messrs. Low, of Clapton ; IMessrs. Henderson, of Pine Apple Place ; Messrs. Knight and Perry, Chelsea; and ftlcssrs. RoUison, Tooting; to write to any of these nurserymen, get the young man's name entered on their books, and he will obtain employment in the nursery about next March. Rlost of the nurseries at this time are quite full of hands. No premiums are required. The wages average lOs. per week. Names OF Plants (.-I Constant Reader). — Your mosses not being in fruit, we can only name the following, and on these we are somewhat doubtful:— 2. Dicranum heteromallam[?). 3. A Junffermajinia. 4. Dirraniim bryoides {?). 7. Dicranum taa:ifoliuin. 8. Hypnum rutabu- funt. 9. Fumaria hygrometricu. 10. A Jnngermannia. Gaedex Plan [E. S. P.) — Fifty have made similar applications: what could we say to them if we acceded to your request '/ Broad Beans (E. Stevens). — The holes down to the seed beans in the drills, and the destruction of the beans, are the work of mice. Cover over each row two inches deep, and six inches wide, with very fine coal ashes. Seedling Orange-tree {A Young Rearer). — Having no stove, it will weary you out by its slow growth. Years, under the best circum- stances, would elapse before it became fruitful. If, by " what is the best thing for a s^yfr^/a^ S0(7 .? " you intend to ineiuire for what would best improve its staple, we reply — draining, and mixing with it per acre some hundreds of loads of drift sand, fine lime rubbish, and coal ashes. Burning about forty tons of the clay taken from the banks, ditches, &c., and mixing this with the soil is also good treatment. Browston Hybrid Cucumber (A Subscriber). — Here is another ap- plication for information where he can obtain seed of this variety. Some seedsman who will send the information required, will find it answer his purpose. Stopping Calceolarias (Lazarus). — Two months should be allowed between the last stopping of calceolarias, and the time you wish them to be in flower. You ask "what is the best to succeed anemones that were planted last autumn?" There are so many fitting things, that the choice is embarassing— spwr/e^ geraniums will answer, so will heliotropes, rerbenas, or petunias, or you may sow some showy hardy annual. Dr. Lindley's School Botany will suit you ; any bookseller will tell the price. The Cottage Gardeners* Dictionary does not interpret botanical terms further than those applicable to gardening. Cucumbers and Melons in September fCymra g-/a»). — You may obtain these by sowing immediately. For these crops you had better grow the Syon House cucumber, and the Bcerhwood melon. Primrose [A. P.). — The primrose changing, or, as gardeners term it, sporting into the polyanthus, is not at all an uncommon occurrence. There is evidence that the primrose, polyanthus, cowslip, and oxlip, are only varieties of the same species. There is no doubt that the soil has great influence over the change. Black-eyed Susan Pea (/. iJ.).- Our correspondent has sent us a sample of this which he says is a very common field pea, near Thorne, in Yorkshire, and is considered by the farmers a very good and prolific pea. It is darkish skinned for a white pea, oval-shaped, black-eyed, and rather above an average size. Garden Border Edging (T. M. W.).— We like the earthenware edging of which you sent us a specimen very much. It is exceedingly neat and useful, acting at the same time, if properly set, as side drains to the walks. It would look best painted stone colour. If the maker will have a woodcut of it made, and have this inserted with an adver- tisement in our paper, and in other gardening papers, we think a very large sale would be obtained. The white sample of sand in its washed and dried state, would do well for cuttings and seedlings; the yelloio washed sample would probably do for potting composts. Hamilton on the Pine-apple (B. il/.).— The price of this little volume is, we think, ten shillings. Dissolving Bones {A Constant Reader). — On a small scale, 6 lbs. bone-dust, 3 lbs. oil of vitriol, 1^ lb. water. Sprinkle the water on the bones first, and then add the vitriol. Be careful, for it is very corrosive. Use a cask large enough to hold twice the quantity. As much ashes or water may be mixed with the dissolved bones as will enable you to sprinkle it over the plot of ground regularly. The above quantity of hones and vitriol would be enough for 100 square yards. If you purchase the sulphuric acid in large quantities, you may obtain it for three-half- pence per pound. Liquid Manure to Strawberries (IT. R. S.).—Your house sewage well diluted (probably four buckets of water to one of sewage), will greatly benefit your strawberries, applied to the soil twice a week. The liquid must not" be applied until the plants are fully in blossom. House sewage, somewhat less diluted, is an admirable manure for asparagus, rhubarb, lettuces, and all the cabbage-worts. Guano for Roses (J. Short).— G\i3.no may be made into liquid manure, and applied advantageously to roses in the borders. Two ounces to the gallon of water may be used in that situation. Apply it once a week, or twice in wet weather. Pyrus Japonica (Dorothea).— This (now Cydonia japomca) is grow- ing as a standard in our own garden, but it only grows bushy. The Summer Duck is the most ornamental species we know, and would keep your stream as clean as any other duck. London: Printed by Harry Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William Somerville Ore, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.— May 8th, 1851. THE COTTAGE GARDENER— ADVERTISEMENTS. Foster's, Esq., Choice Pelargoniums ; Picotees, "1\TEW DAHLIAS; E. Carnations, Holkhocks, Pansies, Sic. WILLIAM BUAGG, Star Nurserj', Slough, begs to say his Catalogue of the above Flowers is now ready, and can be had on application. His choice SEEDLING DAHLIAS will be sent out the first week in May, at 10s 6d each, viz. — Admiral, rich lilac, very constant, gained first Seedling prize, 25s, at the Royal South London Exhibition ; 2 1 s Shacklewell Open Shows, &c., fourteen first-class certificates ; the most successful flower of the year. Carmina, rich carmine, constant show flower, gained six first-class certificates, &c., shown in several winning stands. The Hon. Mrs. Ashley, waxy white, tipped with rose, splendid show flower, &c. "W. B. thinks it the best Dahlia of the season; was awarded by Dr. Lindley a certificate of merit at the Horticultural Society, &c. Gained five first-class certificates. Queen of Fairies, Doraeyer. W. Bragg has purchased the stock of this fine and con- stant fancy Dahlia, from the above amateur, who will give .^'5 in prizes the next season for this flower. It gained a Seedling prize and first-class certificate, with Edwards's I\Irs. Han- sard ; at the Royal South I-ondon Open Show Exhibition five first-class certificates. W. B.'s stock of Picotces, Carnations, and Pinks are strong and good. The best Holly- hock Seed ever sent out can be had in 2s 6d and 5s packets, post paid, for prepayment. EW DAHLIA. — YELLOW GEM. The most useful (in the present dearth of good yellows) that has been shown, having received a certificate at the great trial show of the Metropolitan Dahlia Society, and also at the Stoke Newington Exhibition, will be sent out in May, at 10s 6d per plant. Usual allowance to the trade. W. GUUNEY, 36, Wilmot Street, Bethnal Green. pHOICE AND SELECT BEDDING PLANTS.— H. WALTON, Florist, \J &c., Edge End, Marsden, near Burnley, Lancashire, begs to offer the following at the extremely low prices attached : — 100 fine named Dahlias, including several of 1850, SOs* 50 for 303 ; 25 for Qs to 18s ; 12 for 4s 6d to 9s. Pansies, 25 fine named varieties, 10s ; 12 ditto, 4s fid to 6s. 12 fine named Pinks, 4s. 12 Verbenas, 3s 6d. 12 fine named Petunias, 43. 12 Cupheas, 3s fid. 12 Hcliotropium, of sorts, 4s. 12 Mimulus, of sorts, 4s, 12 Lobelia erinus, of sorts, 6s. 12 crmmon Geraniums, fine strong plants, 4s fid to 6s ; 12 Uy-leaved ditto, 4s; 12 fine named Scarlet ditto, 4s Gd to 6s. Or 12 of each of the above lots for ^2. Choice new Scarlet Geraniums — Queen of Summer, Conimandcr-in- Chicf, Cerise unique, Tom Thumb's Bride, Princess Alice, Fire Queen, Hydrangeflora, Magnum Bonum, Pink Pet, Rosy Morn, Tom Thumb, General, and Royalist, the above 12 for 123. The above may be had by the second week in May, in fine strong healthy plants, securely packed so as to insure safe delivery of all orders at the least possible expense. Achimenes TugwelHana, Longi- flora alba, Fimbriata, Ghiesbrichtii, Bodmeri, Escherii, Rosea Superb. Eximea rosea, Cordata, Knightii, Skinnerii grandiflora. Patens major, the above 12 for 10s, or 6 for "s 6d, free by post. Gloxinias, 12 fine named varieties, tor from Qs to l6s, or 6 from 5s to 10s. Catalogues may be had by enclosing one stamp. Fine, strong, well-rooted plants may be de- pended upon. It is respectfully requested all orders be accompanied with a Post-office Order, made payable at Marsden, near Burnley, Lancashire. INDUSTRY antrHUMANITY, versus PLUNDER and MURDER.— X MARRIOTT'S NEW BEE-HIVE for the humane management of honey bees is the best for real practical utility, each hoop finely worked upon straw, the hoop of the top, or cover hive, fits over the hoop of the nether, or stock hive, which has three glass windows, ventilator, and thermo- meter for regulating the temperature, and either three or four bell-glasses, for taking the finest quality of the fruit of industry at the height of honey gathering without the least injury to the bees. Taylor's new Shallow Box Hives, with or without bais, two adapting boards, &c. Taylor's Amateur Bar Hive, Nutt's Collateral and other Hives. A Descrijttive Engraving, with Priced Catalogue, posted for two penny stamps. MARRIOTT'S Humane Bee-Hive Factory, 74, Grace- church Street. N TVEANE'S WARRANTED GARDEN TOOLS. Horticulturists, and all -L/ interested in Gardening pursuits, are invited to examine G. and J. DEANE'S extensive Stock of GARDENING and PRUNING IMPLEMENTS, best London made Garden Engines and Sy- ringes, Coalbrookdale Garden Seats and Chairs. Brown's Patent Fumigator, price 10s and upwards. E rpHE LONDON MANURE COM- X PANY beg to offer ns under : — I Corn Manure, most valualjle for spring dress- j ing. Concentrated Urate, Super Phosphate of ' Lime, Nitrate of Soda, Sulphate of Ammonia, Fishery and Agricultural Salt, Gypsum, Fossil | Bones, Sulphuric Acid, and every other artificial ; manure ; also, a constant supply of English and i Foreign Linseed Cake. i Peruvian Guano, guaranteed the genuine im- ! portationof IMessrs. A. Gibbs and Sons, ^'9 lOs per ton, or ^Q 5s in quantities of five tons or j upwards. EDWARD PURSER, Secretary, ' 40, Bridge Street, Blackfriars. Complete in 4 rmls., %vo., price £b is plain, or with the plates coloured ^'9 Ss 6rf, com- prising Illustrations of Sixteen Hundred aiid I Twenty -five Species of British Flowering Plants and Ferns, LORIGRAPHIA BRTTANNICA i —By RICHARD DEAKIN. M.D. A re- issue of this important work on British Botany was commenced early in the present month. The Second Part is now ready, and a division will be published monthly until completion, price 5s plain, and lOs coloured. London : Groombridge and Sons, 5, Pa- I ternoster-row, and Hamilton, Adams, & Co. ; fJEW WORK ON BEKS, In X\ small 8vo., price 4s 6d, THE ENGLISH '• BEE-KEEPERj or, .Suggestions for the Prac- tical Management of AMATEUR and COT- TAGE APIARIK.S, on Scientific Principles. With Illustrative Notes. By a COUNTRY CURATE, Author of a Scries of Papers on Bees in The Cottage Gardener. RiviNGTONS, St. Paul's Church Yard, and Waterloo Place. EW works" on botany AND GARDENING. Imperial 8uo., cloth, gilt, price 8s 6d, THK FLORISTS' GUIDE, AND GARDENERS' AND NATURALISTS' CA- LENDAR. Conducted by Messrs. Ayres and | Moore ; with contriljutions by Glenny, j Barnes, Sic. Numerous Coloured Plates and Wood Engravings. In the Press, EVERY LADYS GUIDE TO TIER GREENHOUSE. Small 8vo., price 2s, cloth, gilt. London: Wm. S. Ore & Co., Amen-Corncr. Grape and Fumigatora | Galvanic Borders and ! Plant Protectors | Garden Chairs and Seats i ,, Loops Rollers | Scrapers Gatherers Scissors Gravel Rakes Sieves I Greenhouse Doors and Frames , Hammers Hand-glass Frames Hay Knives ! Hoes of every pattern i Horticultural Ham- I mcrs and Hatchets and ; , I and I Hotbed Handles Ladies' Set of Tools Labels, various pat- terns, in Zinc, Por- celain, &c. Lines and Reels Marking Ink Mattocks Menographs flietallic Wire Milton Hatchets Mole Traps Blowing Machine Pick Axes Potato Forks Pruning Bills ,, Knives, various ,, Saws ,, Scissors ,, Shears Rakes in great variety Reaping Hooks Scythes Scythe Stones Shears, various Sickles Sickle Saws Spades and Shovels Spuds Switch Hooks Thistle Hooks Transplanting Tools Trowels Turfing Irons Wall Nails Watering Pots Weed Extractors and Hooks Wheelbarrows Youths' Set of Tools Averuncators Axes Bagging Hooks Bills Borders, various pat- terns Botanical Boxes Cases of Pruning In- struments Chaff Engines ,, Knives Daisy Rakes Dibbles Dock Spuds Draining Tools Edging Irons Shears i Flower Scissors | ,, Standsin Wires j and Iron I G, and J. DEANE are Sole A-ents for LINGHAM'S PERMANENT LABELS, Samples of which, with the Illustrated List of Hortirultural Tools, can be sent, post ]iaid, to anv part of the United Kingdom. Also. Wholesale and Retail Agents for SAYNOR'S celebrated" PRUNING KNIVES, used exclusively by the first Gardeners in the United Kingdom. GEORGE and JOHN DEANE (opening to the Monument), London Bridge. IMPORTANT WORKS ON AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, &c., J- Published by JAMES RIDGWAY, 169, Piccadilly; and to be had of all the Agents for the Farmers' Almanac, and of all Booksellers. By CUTHBERT W. JOHNSON. Esq., F.R.S. THE READER; intended to convey Useful Facts in Early Themes for Children. Is Gd, bound in cloth. " The same objects which the author of this little work endeavoured to promote in the ' Rural Spelling Book.' he has steadily aimed to pursue in the following pages, viz., to inculcate useful every-day principles and facts, when teaching even very small words and sentences, keeping con- stantly in view the works of God in the phenomena of daily life, and of the animal and vegetable creation." — Atithor's Preface. AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY FOR YOUNG FARMERS. Umo., Is. 4th Edition. THE COTTAGE FARMERS' ASSISTANT in the CULTIVATION of hi.s LAND, and Book of the Household. 12mo., Is. 4th Edition, CALENDAR FOR YOUNG FARMERS. I'-^rao., Is. This contains Direc- tions, with copious Notes, for the Business of the Farm during each Month of the Year. THE FARMERS' MEDICAL DICTIONARY for the DISEASES of ANIMALS. 12mo., Ss. THE MODERN DAIRY and COWKEErER. 12mo., 3s Cd, plates. Contents.— The Cow, her Breed and Points— The Treatment of a Cow— Cleanliness — Food- Land required for — Diseases of Milking — The Suckling Calf — The Dairy — The Cowhouse — Milk and Butter— Cheese Making: in Cheshire, Stilton Cheese, &c., &c. ON THE COTTAGES OF AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS, with Econo- mical Working Plans, and Estimates for their Improved Construction. By C. W. Johnson and E. Cresy. 12mo., Is. Dedicated to the Patrons and Patronesses of Village Schools, A CATECHISM OF GARDENING. Intended for the Use of Village Schools and Cottages, containing Plain and Brief Directions for Cultivating every kind of Vege- table in common use. By an Old Practitioner. Second edition, enlarged, Is 6d. THE NATURE liiul PROPERTY of SOILS, my\ tlie Best Menus of Per- manently Increasing their Productiveness ; and on the Rent and Profits of Agriculture, with a full Account and Plan of the Proceedings at Whitfield Example Farm, ^e. By John Morton, lOs. Fourth edition, enlarged. May 15.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 93 M, W 15 Th ■ MAY 15—21, 1851. Wrathee near London N 1850. Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon R.&S. Moon's Age. Clock bef.Sun. Day of Year. Barometer. Thermo. Wind Rain in In* 29.9)6 — 29.902 52—23 N.E. U a. 4 42 a. 7 rises. © 3 54 135 16 F Maple flowers. 29.947 — 29.930 55—37 N. 0.01 9 43 9a 6 15 3 54 136 17S Wood Argus Butterfly seen. [seen. 29.927-29.8771 66—43 N.W. 0.02 8 4I 10 12 > la 3 53 137 18 SDK "I Sunday AFTER Easter. BurnetMoth 29.782 — 29.76; 68—40 0.01 6 11 9 17 3 51 133 19 M Saintfoin flowers. 29.797—29.766 72—44 E. — 5 47 11 56 IS 3 49 139 20 To Peony flowers. 29. 74.'j — 29.692 69—46 0.02 ■1 49 morn. 19 8 47 140 21 W Sun's decl., 20° 10' N. 29.749 — 29.634 68-49 N.E. 0.11 2 50 0 34 20 3 44 141 When Stephen Switzee first became "a practitioner in gardening," about tbe year 1702, even kitchen-gardening was in a state little improved above that in which it existed among ttie Romans ; and when a book upon gardening was published, the author contented himself with trans- lating all that was applicable to his subject from Cato, Columella, Varro, and Pliny, neither did the translator trouble himself to separate that which was absurd from the little that was correct, though correct only in the climate of Italy. Thus, Gervase Dlarkham, as late as l6u, published a translation of Heresbachius, who gravely says, " If you break to powder the horn of a ram, and sow it, watering it well, it is thought it will come to good sperage (asparagus)." To encourage larceny among gardeners, he adds, " Rue being stolen prospereth better." Now, if we except the writings of the Rev. Mr. Lawrence, there were none much better than that we have quoted until Switzer added to our gardening literature. We say this without forgetting what Eveljn, London, and Piatt had published, for their works on horticulture were almost entirely translations. Gardening, until Switzer's time, was, indeed, at a low ebb. Cucumbers, he tells us, were seldom seen before the end of May, but that " the in- dustrious were striving to outvie one another, and would probably produce them in February, or earlier." Melons had rarely been cut by the middle of June ; but, he adds, " now the latter end of April is the season for the first crop." He traces the former absence of improvement in gardening to the ignorance of its practitioners, and that ignorance to the want of encouragement under which they were labouring. Instead of being treated as a superior member of the establi^hment, he says, " too many masters have no more regard for a good gardener than tliey have for a dog-boy ; at best, he must be subject to the ill-treatment of any reigning parasite, or those that get their living by tale-bearing, and often by something worse." A situation which rendered its holder liable to such degradation, would only be held by those worthy of no better treat- ment. " We see some of them in good places, too," says Switzer, " wlio never open a book, nor can they either read, spell, or pronounce rightly (the names of) the very plants and herbs they every moment have in view. The Spireeafitttex is by some (called) the Finry frost iue ' and the Chcerophyllum, Carffot/le!.'" Amid this state of gardening affairs Switzer came forward as a reformer, and he met, as we shall see presently, with the usual fate of reformers, contumely, misrepresentation, and per- secution. Truth, as usual, has triumphed in gardening; and we need not now occupy any space — though Evelyn and Switzer found it needful — to prove the fallacy of their contemporary proverb, " A fool is as good a gatherer of a sallad as a wiser man." Stephen Svvitzer, whose works have led to these remarks, was a general gardener and seedsman of the reigns of Anne and George the I. He was a native of Hampshire, and his family descendants still linger in the county. We know of some in humble life, and the memorials of others may be seen in the church-yard of Hyde parish, in Winchester. He acquired his knowledge of the art under the great masters of the day, London and Wise, having been, as he states in the title page of his IcnograpJda Rustica, for several years their servant. He completed his apprenticeship at the close of the 17th century. In 17i>6, he was em- ployed under London in laying out the grounds of Blenheim. When flir. Lowder was superintendant of the Royal Gardens at St. James's, Switzer was employed in them in the capacity of kitchen gardener. In 1724, he was gardener to the Earl of Orrery, as appears from the dedication of his Practical Fniit Oardener. The same dedication is retained in the edition of 1731. He appears at one time to have been in the same capacity servant to Lord Brooke, to Lord Bathnrst, and also to Lord W. Russell, who suffered in l683. Of this true nobleman, he thus speaks : — '* I must not pass over the character of one of the best of masters as well as gar- deners, I mean the Right Honourable the Lord William Russell, son to the then Earl of Bedford. I shall not pretend to touch upon the matter of his unhappy fall, that being set in a true light by other hands ; it shall suffice me to say, as I had it from a near and dear relation, that by the loss of that zealous asscrtor of the liberties of his country, besides those, and the more natural properties of a tender husiiand and father, the world was deprived of one of the best of masters and encouragers of arts and sciences (particularly gardening), which that age produced. As for his works in gardening, they were none of the smallest ; for being possessed of a plentiful fortune, by the marriage of his virtuous lady, who is still living, he made Stratton, about seven miles from Winchester, his seat ; and his gardens there some of the best that were made at that time, such, indeed, as have mocked some that have been since done. But the untimely fall of that true lover of his country, prevented his farther pursuit of that matter, in which, I am well informed, he designed more. The gardens at Southampton House, in Bloomsbury Square, were also of his making, and are as well as any of that model. I have been more particular in this, on occasion of the loss I may have sustained in so great a friend (being brought up in that place where he used to spend his happy days), whose memory I beg leave to admire, and whose death I, with all true lovers of their country's liberty, do heartily bewail." Gardeners in his time were accustomed to ply about Westminster Hall, and the Royal Exchange, offering trees, seeds, &c., for sale. In the first named place, having commenced business as a nurseryman and seedsman, he kept a stand for the sale of his productions, bearing the sign of the Flower Pot, close by the entrance to the Court of Common Pleas, and we have in our possession probably the only specimens of his hand-writing remaining, and these are in bills for seeds sold to Lord Fairfax. See a copy of one at page 183, of volume iii. His garden wa« at Milbank. 'W'here he resided we have been unable to determine, but he dates his Disertation on the true Cytisus of the Ancients in 1731, from New Palace Yard, West- minster. Mr. Loudon says he died in 1745, at which time he must have been eighty years of age. For the foregoing very imperfect sketch of his life, we are indebted solely to accidental notices contained in his own works. It is an instance of the partiality of fame, that of this horticulturist no contemporary authors make mention, whilst of Bradley and others, infinitely his inferiors in every point, we have full particulars. This neglect, and even persecution attended him through life. It appears, from his own account in 1731, that some " great man some years deceased, charged him with not finishing his work, and embezzling several hundred pounds, the falsity of which is visible and speaks for itself." His brother seedsmen also opposed him with considerable acrimony because he was not bred to that trade, but as a gardener. Neglect has pursued him beyond the grave, for his works are seldom mentioned or quoted as authorities of the age he lived in. To us he appears to be the best author of his time, and if called upon to point out the Classic Authors of Gardening, Switzer should be one of the first on whom we would lay our finger. His works are evi- dence that he was a sound practical horticulturist, a man well versed in the Botanical Science of the day, in its most enlarged sense ; of consider- able classical and literary attainments, above all that he was a religious character; and they completely warr.int us in receiving as correct the modest notice he takes ol himself in the preface to the first volume of his Icnographia Rustica. " I hope I shall not be altogether unlit for this work, by the happiness I have had in an education none of the meanest for one of my profession, and of having a considerable share in alt parts of the greatest ^orks of this kingdom, and under the greatest masters; and even that which some may probably reckon otherwise, I mean some small revolutions and meanness of fortune, as it has some- times thrown me upon the greatest slavery, so it has at other times amongst the best men and books ; by which means, and I hope an allow- able industry and ambition and an eager desire of being acquainted with all parts of this nation, as well as the useful parts of gardening, I have tasted both rough and smooth, as we plainly call it, from the best business and books, to the meanest labours of the scythe, spade, and wheelbarrow." That by misfortunes he had been reduced to a humble station in gardening, he often glances at. From the above preface, we also learn, that he had travelled on the con incnt, especially in France, paying particular attention to the style jf design in ornamental gar- dening. This preface is throughout well \\orthy of perusal; independent of an eloquent, though in places far tof florid style, it breathes an ap- propriate feeling of love for his art, a sp rit of candour in warning gentle- men of those errors both of cxpence and penury which were alike sure to defeat their object, in the ornamental disposition of their parks, or " ex- tensive gardening" as be appropriately terms it, " a kind, he observes, not yet much used with us." It is curious, among other warnings, to find him telling the landed proprietor to beware of the Scotch gardeners, who even in his day appear to have been objects of jealousy, and caused him to forget his accustomed suavity. "These Northern Lads, which whether they have served any time in this art or not, very few of us know any- thing of, yet by the help of a little learning, and a great deal of impu- dence, they invade these southern provinces, and the natural benignity of this warmer climate has such a wonderful influence on them, that one of them knows, or at least pretends to know, more in one twelvemonth than a laborious, honest south countryman does in seven years." Meteorology of the Week. — At Chismck, from observations during the last 24 years, the average highest and lowest temperature of these days is 65.3° and 43.9°, respectively. The greatest heat, 83°, was on the 17th, in 1833 ; and the lowest cold, 26°, was on the 15th, in 1838. During the period 104 of the days were fine, and on 64 rain fell. Pursuing oui* indications of the gai'dens in the neigh- bourhood of London -worthy of being visited, we will now proceed to note a few of the private grounds which merit such attention. The Royal Gardens, Frogmore, near Windsor. — Gardeners, and amateurs, who love to see a fine range of hothouses devoted chiefly to the culture of all kinds of fruit, in the most scientific mode, will not fail to pay a visit to these regal gar- dens. There are pineries, vineries, j)eacli-houses, cherry - houses, a plum-house, with abundance of conveniences for forcing vegetables — such as asparagus beds, heated by hot i water ; well-managed mushroom-houses, fruit-rooms, &c. In No. CXXXVII., Vol. VI. 94 THE COTTAGE GARDENEE. [May 15. addition, there is, perhaijs, the largest extent of walls for fruit-trees in the three kingdoms. Then, again, there is close by, the truly royal residence of Windsor Castle, and the fine views from the ten-ace, and the noble park. The risitor, whilst here, must not forget the Long Walk, the Virginia Water, and the large vine at Ciimherland Lodge. All these sights are within the compass of a day's excursion. Close to Frogmore is the beautiful seat of Sir John Cath- cart, at the far-famed Cooper's Hill — a site that for fine views is not excelled in the kingdom. There is, also, a good gar- den, a nice range of hothouses, greenhouses, and conserva- tories, in which is a good collection of well grown plants. There are two railways to Windsor ; the Great Western, from the Paddington Station, and the South Western, from the Waterloo Bridge Station. Distance about twenty mOes. The Duke of Devonshire's Villa at Chiswick. — This is a beautiful villa residence, with a fine range of plant-houses, and a large flower-garden, cultivated in the bedding-out style, now so much the fashion. In the pleasure-ground there is an avenue of noble Cedars of Lebanon. Six miles from London. Omnibuses, and railway from the Waterloo Station. Duke of Northumberland's, Sion House, Isleworth. — In the gardens at this place is a lai-ge and lofty half-ch'cidar house, filled with rare exotic fruit-trees. There may be seen the Nutmeg-tree, the VaniUa, the Banana, the Lee-Chi from China, and various other ti'opical fi-uits, either in fruit or blossom. In the pleasm'e-ground is a fine collection of rare hardy trees and shrubs of immense size. Omnibuses from the Bank every hour to Brentford. Eight miles. Mrs. Lawrence's, Ealing Park. — This far-famed place must not be omitted. Famous for, as is well known, a splendid collection of Orchids, and stove and greenhouse plants, growu to the highest state of excellence. Eight miles from London. By the Brentford omnibuses, or Great Western Railway to Ealing Station. H. Collyer, Esq., Darlford. — This gentleman's collection of Stove and Greenhouse iilants is most excellent, vjing with, and sometimes even surpassing, the last-mentioned collec- tion. By the North Kent Railway to Hartford. iS'. Rucker, Esq., Waiidsivorth. — The most remarkable feature in these beautiful gardens is the unrivalled collection of that singular tribe of plants, the Orchids. Cieneral lovers of plants wiU not be disappointed, however, as here are well- grown specimens of Stove and Greenhouse plants in almost endless variety. Six miles from London. By railway from the Waterloo-bridge Station. H. Schrieder, Esq., Stratford Green. — This gentleman also has a good well-grown collection of Orchidacea?. By Eastern Counties EaUway from the Shoreditch Station. Fom' miles. R. Hanbury, Esq., The Poles, near Ware. — In the short space of three years this place lias come into repute as a place worth seeing. There is a large Orchid-house well filled with fine plants; a large Stove, also well-inhabited; and a Greenhouse, of the same dimensions, well-fm'nished with young rising specimens. By Eastern Counties Railway to Ware. Eighteen miles. W. H. Farmer, Esq., and Sir E. Antrolnis, both near Cheara, and both famous for good collections of plants. Epsom Rail- way to Cheam from London-bridge. Sixteen miles. We have great pleasure in bringing the following pro- minently before our readers : — Prospectus —Mr. F. Y. Brocas (at R. S. Hill's, Esq., Basingstoke) has some sets of specimens of British Mosses, (containing fifty species), mounted on small note-paper, which he is desirous of disposing of to subscribers. Sub- scription .'(s., or free by post, Os. (id. Mr. B. hopes to be able to continue the collection of British Mosses, and to publish them in sets of fifty species, at the same price, from time to time, as opportunity may ofier. In order to accom- plish this ob.ject, Mr. B. will lie happy to receive Mosses in exchange for Flowering Plants or Ferns. GARDENING GOSSIP. At the Horticultural Society's Show, on May tlio ;!ril, wliicli, with tlieir usual bad luck, happened on a cold, rainy clay, the show of plants was as fine as we ever saw them. We are not fond of grumbling at the judges, for we know their difficulties and trials ; but we cannot help finding fault with those who placed Mr. ]May, gardener to Mr. Lawrence, before Mr. Cole, gardener to Mr. Collyer. The monster Epaeris ijrandifloru, which has not a single good quality in the culture, but is a mass ol confusion, was one plant, and the great Pimelea specta- bills, miserably drawn in the forcing, and yet not half bloomed, was another which should have put the col- lection aside. Mr. Coles's plants were not so large, but better grown, better flowered, and in better, that is to say more healthy, colour. These two collections were first and second; Mr. Frazer third, and Mr. Pamplin fourth. In the next class of stove and greenhouse plants. Sir E. Antrobus was first, and Mr. Coster second. The orchidaceous plants excelled former shows. Lord Killmorey was first ; Sir E. Antrobus second ; Mr. WooHey third; and the Duchess of Northumberland, fovu'tb. Among this tribe, the two most extraordinary plants were Phalanopsis grandljlora, shown by Mr. Kingborne, in the highest state of perfection ; a spike of its lovely white flowers a yard long, and the lowest bloom not showing the least syraiitom of age. The other, Vanila siiavis, exhibited by IMr. Veitoh, a mag- nificent specimen. Mr. Yeitch also exhibited two plants of Madenilla magnijica, from Manilla, a plant worth a journey to its native place to see, had it not been brought nearer. The bracts are rich pink, and the blooms, before they open, are like splendid bunches of grapes of a deejier colour than the bracts. As the bloom advances, the bunch becomes more open, and each of the grape-like buds open. It is not so truly gi'and when open as it is while advancing. A noble collection of Bhododendrons, from Sion House, occupied a fine position, and formed a very grand feature. Azaleas (Indian) were numerous and beautiful, and the show was beyond measure grand and imposing. Among Florists' flowers, there was an improvement. Pansies were shown in pots, and looked remarkably effective. An- rieulas were coarse. Seedlings of all kinds were scarce. Hoyle's Magnet, a new Geranium, is a now colour, a rich crimson scarlet, and will be effective in collection, though a little crumpled. Hoyle's Celia is a rich orange scarlet, and pretty. Chieftain is a crimson, mth one of the worst faults a geranium can have — the lower petal sticks up away from the other fom- ; and this is rather early evidence of bad censorship at the National Society, where this said Chieftain has actually received a certificate. If certificates are already given by that Society to flowers with radical defects, it is evi- dence that the opinion entertained by Florists', that there must be an election of censors by the whole of the members, is just. Turner's new geranium. The First of Ma;;, is too like many we already possess to be good for anything as a new one ; but even that is said to have been favourably cer- tified by the National. Of Cinnerarins, there were many : the only two which we think distinct, and an advance on what we have, were Marianne, a pink-tipped variety of very fine form, and Lndg of the Lake, n lilac tipped, scarcely inl'ei'ior. Several of last year's were shown ; the best of which is Lady Hume Campbell ; but the two we have men- tioned are better, neither of them having the notch which is too conspicuous in many of the present favourites.* The Beauty of Bath Auricula is not first-rate, though an acquisition. Its principal fault is the shortness of its footstalks, which will always prevent it from being a good show flower; the truss can never be large and fine. ♦ We shall give a fuller list of the plants exhibited.— Kd. C. C. May 15.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 9.') At the show at Oxford, Mr. Bates exhibited Ocranimns idtJiout sticks, short, sti-ong, wide, well-gi'own plants, which of course took the prize against drawn plants unable to sustain themselves, and, therefore, propped all over. We are happy to record litis, and hope the ex- ample may be followed. A Society has just started under the liigliest auspices &t Hereford, the rules of which are good. The judges are to be selected from among the most experienced cen- sors, and all subjects to be judged by the standards laid down in " Gleuny's Properties of Flowers and Plants." The Priiieipicl Tent in the Horticultural Gardens is now between four and five hundred feet in length, nearly two hundred feet having been added since last year. Several uuvsei-ynieu have engaged to su))ply Plants to the Chrystal Palace. Messrs. Rendle, of Plymouth ; Bragg, of Slough ; Loddiges, of Hackney ; Lane, of Berkhampstead ; and others, occupy prominent stations. These gentlemen have undertaken a task of the extent of which they are hardly aware. The continued supply of fresh plants, as others fade, will lie more troixble than they ealcu- late on; hut the efl'ect of plants upon the scene is very beautiful. At Chiswick, Carnations and Picotees are to he shoan in their Pots. Of course, witli all the advantages of carding and retaining all the blooms, wliether split or not, and without any reference to the rules by which cut flowers are judged. Instead of four-and-tweuty blooms being stuck in a two- foot square box, there will be as many plants side by side, and a great benefit of this will he found in the additional comfort of the exhibitors, who, if they wish to look at one flower, do not prevent others from inspecting the remainder, which is always the case when the whole tw'enty-four are crammed into one little box. The Chiswick Gardens have a very pretty addition made to tliem by Mr. Waterer, who has planted a splen- did collection of choice American 2)lants very tastefully, and, in fact, seems almost to have transferred the picked specimens of his whole nursery. Tliis cannot fail to he attractive. We are glad to see that the fashion of Ladies carri/imj Bouquets at evening parties, the theatres, and in their carriages while out only for a drive, is on the increase. A young lady at a ball, without a nosegay, is set down for a deserted one ; but ladies begin to understand that a bou- quet from a nm'sery, and one fi'om Covent Garden, are very difi'erent things. In Covent Garden, almost all kinds of flowers are jiicdced to pieces, and mre put to each bit for a stalk ; it is, therefore, no use to put them in water : a Covent Garden nosegay is the most artificial thing imagi- nable. The only way to make a good one is to buy the indi- \idual sprigs required, and tie them together ; one of this kind will live for days, and is worth a do2;en stilted on wires. E. Y. NEW PLANTS. THEIR PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. Water -Soldier -LIKE Pistia, or Water Lettuce {Pistia Stratiotcs). — Botanical Magazine, t, 4565. — This genus was named by Linuieus from pistilhim, the pistil, or female organ of a flower, in allusion to the shape of the spathe, or Iiollow leaf-like membrane which incloses the flowers, as in Arum; and the specific name is derived from that of another water plant, Stratiotes, or Water- Soldier, from straios, an army ; the leaves of Stratiotes being shaped like a sword. In the classification of Lin- uEus, Pislia is placed in the twenty-second class Z'io'cia, having the male organs in one flower, and the female in another flower, as in the Melon. Richards founded a natural order, Pistiaeete, or Duckweeds, on this genus in 1815, which is acknowledged by Enlicher, Liudley, and others. Deeandolle, however, turns this order into Lemnaceie. Pistia Stratiotes is a tropical, fresh-water, floating plant, frequenting tlie surface of ponds, tanks, and other still waters ; as Lemna, or Duckweed, does with us ; aud now that the flowering of the Victoria AYater lily has given a great stimulus to the cultivation of water plants in this country, this addition to the num- bers tliat will soon be subjected to the arts of the British gardener, though amongst the smallest, is certainly not the least interesting either as an object of botanical science, or as covering the surface of a corner of the water-tank in which the more conspicuous water-plants are cultivated. In Jamaica, this Tistia grows in water-tanks to such an extent as to impregnate the water with its acrid principle so mucli, that it is very dangerous to use the water in hot, dry weather, as has been stated by Patrick Brown, the Irish botanist, who wrote the natural history of the island. Sir W. Hooker very justly observes, that although this plant has no floral beauty to recommend it, yet a more graceful object floating on the water, clothed in the tenderest green imaginable, cannot well be seen. It is in beauty through- out summer and autumn ; and, with a little care, plenty of young plants may be preserved until the following spnng, when they revive, and produce ofi-sets. Boots, if they are entitled to the name, long and feathery. Zeavcs from two to five inches long, slightly concave in the middle, but bent back at the edge, wedge-shaped, most deUcate pea-green, velvety to the touch, and mealy beneath. The flowers are a mere green scale at the base of the inner leaves, containing a club or spadix, as in the Arum, crowned with a circle of five autbers. IJeueath this scale is another, round and two-cleft, containing the seed-vessel, crowned with one piistil. Spotted Hvdromestus (Hi/dromestus maculalus). — 96 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [Mat 15. Botanical Magazine, t. 4566. — This is one of a group of genera of Aoanthads, wliich have been named by dif- ferent botanists, but on whoso vahdity some doubts have been raised by late systematists — as Eulicher and Lindley. Tlie present genus, Hydromestus, originated with a German botanist, named ScheidweUer, and is from hydor, water, and mestos, full, in allusion to the power which the imbricated bracts have of holding water. Here and there we iind Aoanthads furnishing objects of great beauty and interest to gardeners — as in Thunbergias, Justicias, Aphelandras, Eranthemums, and others — but the great mass of the order, comprehended in a few more than a hundred genera, and above seven hundred species, are little better than tropical weeds, where they are most abundant, and, perhaps, constitute three-fourths of the coarse herbage. Acanthus mollis itself, on which the order was founded by Jussieu, is the most northern plant of the order, a native of Greece, whose beautiful leaves furnished the tj^ie of the noble arcliitectural ornament of the Corintliian caiiital. This, the classical Acanthus of arcliitecture, is almost the only plant of the order to which any medicinal uses have been ascribed. They are all of them of but trivial uso to mankind. The Inchau species of Acautliads, in Ur. WalUcli's herbarium, were submitted to Professor Nees Von Eseubeck for arrangement, at thu time the labours of Dr. W. were dis- tributed among European botanists, by the East India Com- pany, for Dr. WalUch's great work on the rare plants of India. It was in that work that the first great revision of the order was made, and the hmits of sections and genera were iuvestigateil, and a natni'al arrangement of the whole proposed. Since tiieo, Professor Meisner proposed some fiu-thor improvements in tlic order; and lie truly asserts, that there ai-e few natiu'al orders which still require a very searcldng investigation more tlian Acniillmils. I/ijdrumcsliis mnruliitiis is a native of Mexico, and was not spotted on the leaves when grown at Kew, so that the cause of its being called mneii/ntiis seems to depart in our stoves. It is an evergreen underslirub, with cylindrical, purplish hraiiches, liaving long-stalked Icnues in pairs, broadly spear- head-sliaped, dark green, and very glossy above, lint paler beneath. Flowers, in spikes at the end of each liranch ; bractes, lapping over each other hke the cone of a Fir, but in four rows, and bright yellowish green ; corolla, funnel- sbaped, yellow ; caly.\, in five sepals, four of equal size, but the fifth broader and more blunt ; stamens, four, with hau-y filaments; style, one. It belongs to the \i-Didynamia •2-Angiospermia, class and order of the Linnsean system. THE PRUIT-GARDEN. The Raspberry. — Towards the middle of this month the raspbeny requires some little attention, or much of the energies of the plant will be wasted ; and the fruit consequently will be inferior both in quantity and quality. It is truly astonishing to witness the perfection to vvhich this fruit may be grown by selecting a proper soil, and by a high course of culture ; a fruit, too, which at first sight, from its natural habit and general appear- ance, might convey the idea of one just emerging from the wild state. But compare a dish of highly cultivated Fastolffes, with one of the wild ones gathered from the woods, and observe the difference. It has, indeed, be- come a noble looking, as well as useful fruit, by the immense improvement effected in kinds as well as culture. One of the first handlings requisite, as far as the branch is concerned, is to tliin out superfluous young shoots on the canes, presuming the bushes to be in higli culture ; for, without this, they will scarcely pay for the attention wc claim. This proceeding consists in di.s- budding inferior shoots where much crowded, which is sure to occur with robust plants ; and these may, whei'c dense branches of shoots exist, have about a third stripped away. Persons, however, must judge for them- selves ; let no nne thin out shoots from plants in a lank condition, as thinning is a most scientific proceed- ing. AVe liave this week appHed a top dressing to om' bushes more than two inches thick, comjiosed of half- rotten leaves from the woods ; this was done immediately on the heels of a soaking rain, a favourite practice of ours. The suckers springing from the root must also have attention ; aU that are not wanted for future use should be drawn away, not cut ofl'. This done, little else will be requisite until gathering time. DouBLE-BEAraNG RASPBERRIES. — Sucli having been cut down to the ground in the spring, will now have produced a multitude of suckers, and these must he well thinned, for this kind, if crowded, will not succeed It is a very good plan to train them on lines of string, or, what would be far- preferable, on wires stretched on posts. These wires being fastened with nuts and screws might be a portable afiair ; and when the row becomes exhausted, could be readily removed to another site. The stools being about eighteen inches apart in the row, about three fine suckers will be enough for a stool. However, as they do not all show fruit, it is well to reserve foiu' or five at the first thinning ; and, in the course of a month or six weeks, it will be seen which are fruitful. Then they may be so thinned finally, as that the shoots may be trained about eight inches apart on the string or wire. In order to sustain the canes well, two horizontal and parallel lines of string or wire will be necessary — the one at about fifteen inches from the soil, and the other at about thirty inches ; on these the canes arc, of cotn-se, tied as they advance in height. Let us strongly advise a good mulching to tlu^se, also, as soon as the final thinning of the suckers has been accom- plished ; for it is impossible to get thein too robust after this ; and those who can get a little Peruvian guano, will do well to infuse three ounces in each gallon of tepid water, and apply this liberally once or twice during droughts, when the blossoms are unfolding and the fruit swelling. Gooseberries. — This seems likely to be an unusual season for heavy crops of this very useful i'niit ; and it will bo well for those who arc thus situated, to thin even the dessert kinds for tarts or dumplings. We have be- fore observed, that over-cropping is a most fertile cause &Eat 13.] THE COTTAGE GARDENEE. 97 of inferior flavour in ft'uits ; and, indeed, it is one of those points, tliat in spite of the extraordinary advances made in later years in general gardening (perhaps more than in any other art or science), one of those points, we repeat, whicli is still but half appreciated. The great drawback to the carrying out to the full the minutise of modern horticulture, is, doubtless, the amount of laboiu- and incessant application needed. And, in- deed, this is not trifling, for gardeners are anything but an idle race. Still, we must in duty point to every tldng whicli has a tendency to the highest cultural points attainable, andleave it to our readers to work out as many as possible. We shall, doubtless, soon receive a visit fi-om om old foe, the caterpillar, and although many applications have been suggested, yet from tlieir being not only somewhat tedious, but what is much worse, inefficient, as far as ^ve can learn, it would appear that there is nothing better than shaking and handpioking. Two persons, one on each side of the bush, each having a piece of ordinary coarse cloth, equal in size to at least half the diameter of the bush, and each provided with a hooked stick, will soon make a clever job of some scores of trees. Each person, of course, spreads his cloth, and sliakes his side, and the contents are collected by each, and deposited in some vessel. This should, like the Aphides case, receive attention the moment the rogues appear, and will need re- peating at intervals. Gooseberries on trellisses, for late purposes, will require some little disbudding like other trained trees; but as they will occasionally produce very nice fruit on spurs, it will be well to pinch back many shoots instead of disbudding; this, of course, depends on the amount of shade they ci'eate. The gooseberry, like all other fruits in a state of training, requires an equalised amount of liglit; and just in proportion as this is afforded, and a healthy surface of foliage main- tained, so will be the quality and fineness of the fruit. The White and Red Currant. — We must again advert to the watery or succulent " breast-wood," which in healthy bushes will be apt to become unwieldy by the end of the month. There is as much need to pinch or stop this as vine spray. Some persons will say, why did Nature furnish this, if to be pnmed away ? But the same question may be put concerning all other artistic proceedings. The fact is, that Nature, aiming at little more than the perpetuation of the species, aftords, under ordinary conditions, no more sap than is just necessary to develop a small annual growth ; enough to fulfil, through increased elaboratory powers, the immediate, as well as the perspective powers of the bush or tree. But man requires something more. He has ascertained, that although ho cannot, perhaps, increase the number of seeds in any given fruit, he can, by high culture, much enhance both the quantity and the quality of the pulp ; to cil'ect which, he is obliged to have recourse to stimuli unknown to trees or In'anches in a state of nature. For, however much such may be annually refreshed in the forest by an annual deposit of vegetable remains, their conquerors of the garden have the immense advantage of a well-stirred soil, and such, moreover, generally of greater depth, with the addition of animal manure. Such, then, e.'chibits a reason why so much handling is requisite in a garden, where the highest cultural point is sought to be earned. Indeed, look at our exhibition tables in these days. Can any one doubt the vast range afforded to the intelligent mind of man, by our gracious Creator, in the vegetable kingdom, both as regards cultural matters, and the advance by hybridisation ; to both of which no living man can assign fixed limits ? To go back to the currants. Let all side spray of a free growing character be pinched, or dubbed back, as soon as some four or five inches in length, taldug care to have plenty of leaves at their bases to screen the fruit ; for, however much the latter may be improved in flavour by a total removal of shade at the eleventh hour, \ there is not a shadow of doubt that the tender fruit of the currant, like the grape vine, shrinks from the bm'n- ing glare of a Midsummer's sun. The points of the ' shoots, too, may be shortened by some means ; but as Nature abhors too much of man's meddling at one stroke, we must be content to " catch her with guile." Therefore we say, dub in the breast shoots betimes, and top the leaders about a fortnight after ; by which period there will have taken place a re-adjustment of matters, and a fresh economy in the flow of the sap. The Bl.\ck Cdrrant. — Whilst on the siibject of currants, we may as well turn our attention, for a mo- ment, to the black currant, which, although not precisely fit to rank amongst the aristocrats of Pomona, is yet exceedingly useful to thousands, and as wholesome as it is useful. Two points connected with high culture must by no means belost sight of at this very period; viz. the extirpation of the Aphides, and the liberal application of moisture at the root whilst the berries are swelling. To favour the retention of the latter some mulching should by all means be applied. We are using tree leaves principally, for dung is a scarce article ; however, three inches in thickness of half rotten leaves are pretty effi- cient; and these, by the autumn, become a complete net-work of fibres. If a dry period should supervene any time during the swelling of the fruit, they should by all means be watered ; not in a dribbling way, but a thorough drenching ; and the soapsuds of the lamidry may be added. Especially let them be kept moist wheu just out of blossom; it is at that p-eriod that the fly commences his attack, and drought favours much his advances; doubtless by rendering the secretions of the plant of higher quality through a less vigorous absorp- tion. The mixture advised for the peach wall will serve to repel or exterminate the invader. R. Ebrington. THE FLOWER-GARDEN. I have been very much interested by the letter of L. M. N. at page 5-5, and I perfectly agree with him on the effects of a damp mild winter on half-hardy plants. Damp is certainly more destructive among such things than frost under 1U°, with a dry atmosphere. The efiects of a comparatively mild March on growth, in the absence of sunlight, we have just witnessed A dry, veri/ cold March, with the sun out every day, would have the" same efl'ect in retarding vegetation. But from a long course of experiments carried on annually for the last twenty years, I am led to believe that fruit blossoms, and all blossoms, will set better and more regularly in the absence of strong sunlight, (/' the ((tmospheie is dry, than they do in such weather as we have seen tliis last March, and the first part of April, if accompanied by sunlight. If we had strong sunlight, and warm nights, with the amount of rain which fell this March, I believe the blossoms would have fared worse than they have done, and L. M. N. has not overrated the extent of the mischief or misfortune done to the blossom of our fruit trees. The reasons lor such a state of things are not at all obscure, or difficrdt of comprehension. Indeed, I in- tended, this month, to explain the efiects of the principle on which these observations are foujided, before I read L M. N.'s letter. A check on vegetation at the flowering jjeriod is not inimical to tlie fertilization, or setting, of blossoms, but exactly the reverse. Physiologists have never yet discussed tliis simple question so much as it deserves; but, on whatever principle it may be ac- counted for, of the fact itself I am as confident as I am of my own existence, for I have, over and over again, taken advantage of the principle at the moment a plant was ux bloom to obtain seeds from it, after having failed 98 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [May 15. to do so by any other means ; and I have thus seeded a few plants which are counted as absohitely baiTon in our books, and by the best breeders. How is it that an over hixuriaut tree, not a bad setter, after producing a full compliment of blossoms, sets badly? The true answer to this question would explain how I, by giving a sudden check at this time to a supposed barren plant, obtained seeds from it. Our March blossoms had such a check at the proper time this spring, and failed so far — therefore, a sudden check at the right time will not alone effect a setting of the blossoms, it must be accom- panied by a dry state of the atmosphere. It was the continued wet and mugginess of the atmosphere which deranged the setting of tlie blossoms. The pollen dust which causes this setting is as dry as tinder, and as small as anything can be; rain or damp makes it no better than a paste, and a strong wind playing among the trees in blossom cannot disperse it. Bees were busy among the blossoms as often as they could be this spring, but they too failed in scattering all the blossoms; and it would be interesting to know if they were enabled to make use of tlie damp flour or pollen, this season, for their side panniers, which they carry home on their thighs. Now, what I wish to effect in reference to this pecu- liarity in a large division of the vegetable kingdom, and to take advantage of it for the flower-garden, is to induce, if possible, an increased interest in the production of superior varieties of flowers from plants now supposed to be altogether barren. I have done so myself repeatedly; and as far back as fourteen years ago, I hinted the same doctrine in Loudon's OarcUners Magazine, in an article on crossbreeding, suggested by Dr. Herbert's large work on bulbs. Before that time the principal field for my experiments in crossing, or in setting flowers without crossing them, was among bulbs, and with them and their kindred vegetation (Endogens), the more vigorous they are at the time of flowering, the more sure they are to seed, and tl.e easier to force them to make seeds if they are lazy to do so under cultivation. But in getting to the next field (Exogens), and applying the same rules as with bulbs, I was baffled at every step ; that is, in every step where some difficulty existed about getting a plant to seed at all. The doctrine I then broached in the Gardeners Magazine was in these words : " What- ever process may be found applicable for the production of seeds (in diflerent cases) in Endogens, 1 apprehend the converse will be a sure guide for Exogens. The former may, probably, requure an excess of development so to speak ; the latter an over exertion of their veijctative poicers." An obscm'e phrase, certainly, but it means this : to make them fruitful, stimulate Endogens, to which bulbs belong, but stint Exogens at the time of flowering. Now from that day to this, I have tried experiments both ways every year, without meeting with a single instance to controvert this doctrine. Then let us suppose that we have two plants from which we desire to obtain a cross seedling; both of them being very shy to seed even by their own pollen, and more so by the pollen of each other, if they are bulbs, or belong to that division of plants now called Endogens, but formerly Monocotyledons ; if there is any way of over- coming their unwillingness to seed, it is by a strong stimulus, such as better soil, more of strong water, and increased moist heat. On the other hand, if they are Exogens, as Geraniums, Fuschias, Honeysuckles, Clematis, or any of our hardy fruit trees, a sudden check as they are coming into flower is the surest way to catch tliem in the humour of uniting " for better, for worse." All our best bedding Geraniums are unfortuiitcly very shy to seed ; Lady Mary Fox, Diadematnm (/nique, QucrcifoUuni, Sidoiiut, T'inic iry-leaf. Mangle's variegated, and many others, under ordinary good culture, never ' produce a seed, but some of thciu are not quite barren. nevertheless ; and as each of them belongs to a different section of the family, and, perhaps, the best in those sections, it would be quite a triumph to get them to produce seeds. I have obtained a seedling from Diade- matnm, and only one, but it is the very best of all the reddish ones, and I call it Diadeniatum rcgiuin, making the fourth Diculematum, — riihescens and bicolor, with the old Diadeniatum, being the other three. Of all the variegated Geraniums, taking in the Golden Chair and Flower of the Day, Mangles variegated is by far the best for general use. I have been striving these ten yeai's to get it to seed under all kinds of experiments, and I have just succeeded. Last year I seeded two plants of it, but a great loggerheaded fellow, who was trimming the border, cut off one of the seed stalks, the only one on that plant, long before the seeds were half ripe. From the second plant I got three seeds, two of which are up, and one of them is variegated. If this one turns out a breeder, I shall forget all the time and trouble, and forgive the big man who deprived me of a double chance. Now as to the ways of stinting such plants to cause them to seed. If they are in pots, let them get pot- bound, so much so, that there will hardly be anything in the pot but roots. A pot four or five inches in diameter will sustain a plant of any of these Geranimns seven or eight years — perhaps double the time ; that is one way. When the flower-buds are ready to open, witbold water till the leaves flag down, then water, and let the leaves droop a second, and a third time, and as long afterwar-ds as the plant keeps in bloom. A north window in a dwelling-house is the best place for this, the second best experiment; and the tbu-d, is to jilant out your shy breeder full in the sun, in the open ground, some cold day about the end of this month ; let the ball be kept entu-e, and be rather dry at the time, and if the border is moist, the plant will take no harm for three weeks, and in that time, and all through June, keep dusting it with its own, or with the poUen of another sort. I am of opinion that the kind of ti-eatment given for the three previous years has some influence on these experiments ; but of tliis I am not quite sure. Of the starving system I am quite certain. The only cross- breed plant from the Scarlet Currant that has yet ap- peared, was obtained by the writer fifteen years since. A great many experhuents on that plant during the previous five years failed, and the way I succeeded at last, was by transplanting at the moment the first few flowers opened, the roots being so severely handled, that I had to screen the plant from the sun for three weeks, and water it regularly all the time. It was from that experiment, and two others like it, that I then com- bated a general opinion, which was even entertained by Dr. Herbert, the best and most scientific cross-breeder that ever lived, that well-feeding a plant all the time the seeds were ripening, would have influence on the seed- lings themselves ; a very plausible, but a most erro- neous theory which has no ibundatiou in fact. I never crossed a Eibcs since; but it is very strange that no one has taken up the Iiihes family to cross from. If I was a young man beginning the world, I could make a fortune out of that one single genus, and so I could from apples, pears, cherries, plums, and, indeed, all our hardy fruits, for I am quite convinced that all that philosophy has advanced on the subject of improving our fruits is entirely wrong. I am equally certain that no one has yet explauied how to cross Wheat, Barley, and Oats, or, indeed, any of the grasses ; all of them are Endogens, and, although I never attempted to cross any of them, 1 am almost sure, to make the best of them, they must be over-fed previously to their time of flowering, if, in- deed, we allow them to have flowei's at all. Farmers, and writers on agriculture, talk and write about their wheat being in flower at such and such times, but I very much Max 15.J THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 99 question if there is a farmer living who ever saw a wheat plant in flower. By a merciful Providence the wheat is made to flower in the sheath, so as to be independent of the influence of the season. No matter what kind of weather it is, it cannot hurt or hinder the setting of the wheat seed in the least degree. The male and female organs of the wheat plant are as pretty as those of any plant I know, under the microscope. The female being much after the likeness of a plume of ostrich's feathers at the time of the impregnation. The anthers, or pollen bags, might be said to be sessile at that period, that is, having no stamens to support them. The wonderfid process of fertilization having been efiected in complete darkness in the middle of the sheath, and the husks being closely jammed together, if the pollen bags or anthers were to remain after discharging their contents they would rot or damp, and injure the ])lume-like style, and we should have no wheat. But here the wonderful contrivance of the Deity becomes still more manifest, j for it is not enough to guard the setting of the seed against the influence of the seasons, that man may have food for the body ; but a process, contrary to the usual 1 law of vegetable development, now takes place to insure ' the safety of the newly fertilized oi'gan. The stamens now begin to lengthen, carrying up the empty anthers, indeed pushing tliem up between the husks, till at last tliey reach the outside of the ear, and hang down in little white specks from the slender threads, or sta- mens, now two or two and and a half inches long, and if the weatlier is dry at the time, the farmer con- gratulates himself on a favourable time whilst his wheat is in blossom! just about fourteen days after the fer- tilizing process is over ! ! D. Beaton. THE EOSAR^. Watering. — " Driving coals to Newcastle" is generally looked upon as labour ill-directed, something similar to the attempt to increase the size of the ocean by carrying water to it in pails. There has been more than enough of watering from the heavens in various parts of the country ; and those who had rich mulchings on their rose beds may oongi-atulate themselves that the roots will have received such a supply of fluids, that the flower-buds will sweU, and the flowers open full-sized and vigorous. As soon as the weather becomes drier and warmer, even in their case, a watering with liquid manure, a fortnight or eight days' hence, would be attended with the best eifects. Where no rich mulching has been imparted, these liquid manure waterings are invaluable, and absolutely essential, to produce vigour of plant, and fulness and perfection of bloom. AVhere the strong drainings from a farmyard can be obtained, I mean a yard supplied with spoutings to the building, and where the liquid manure consists merely of the water that oozes through the dung in the centre of the yard, the result of the rain tliat falls upon it — that would be the thing. If the liquid tank consists almost entirely of the urine of animals, then two parts of water should be added to one of liquid manure. When none of these means exist, the liquid manure may easily be manu- factured in any old barrels. A barrowfull of cow or other dung, two or three spadesfuU of soot, and half a spadefull of quick lime, will make a hogshead of liquid manure; and so applied will have far more influence ui imparting vigour to the plants, than digging six times the quantity of manure about their roots. I have said " any other dung,'' but I find manures of a cooling nature suit the rose best in most situations. The greatest demand upon the plants takes place from the breaking of the buds in spring, to the full expansion of the flower-buds iu summer, and liquid manure nourishes the plants at once, at the very time when nourishment is most required. 11. I'jsh. GEEENHOUSE AND WINDOW GAEDENING. Hardier Greenhouse Plants.— I have several times alluded to the diflerent treatment required between a conservatory and a greenhouse, and the greater amount of pleasure to be derived from an amateur treating his small planthouse as a greenhouse, and not as a con- servatory. That additional pleasure is derived chiefly from the ease with which the usual inhabitants may be grouped in ft-esh combinations, so as to present indi- vidual plants in difl'erent aspects ; as well as the means which are readily aftbrded for introducing into promi- nent notice new plants in bloom,— giving more room, better attention, and a superior position with regard to light and shade,— plenty or little air to plants grow- ing freely, and designed for future ornament, and re- moving altogether h-om the house those plants w-hich have finished flowering, which is indispensable, if the greenhouse is to be beautiful hi summer, and not over- crowded. Taking this into consideration, the usefulness of some secondary structure in the shape of a pit or frame, or even of a sheltered corner covered in with mats, or, better still, with glazed waterproof calico, is hidispensable when it is desired to have the greenhouse at all times a scene of luxvuiance and beauty. Where there is only one structure, many things must be kept there when they are past their best ; and many, too, nuist be regularly attended to that possess little interest, unless when they are showiug/or, and in, bloom. Hence, not only among amateurs, but among profes- sional men, there is often a great difliculty experienced in keeping a greenhouse gay at all times, and yet attending to the interests of those plants which have yielded good service, and which will be required to perform a similar duty the following season. The straggling heads and the whip-handle-drawn-up-hke stems of many good, old useful plants are entirely owing to this and the want of acting on the principle, that with most of our useful winter and spring flowering plants a period of growth, and of ripening the wood, must follow the last flowering, and precede the next. Unless by these means strong flower-buds are formed, it is vain to expect fine or abun- dant blossoms. A person who thought much of some Azaleas, with a stray flower peeping here and there, candidly expressed his opinion, that the fewness of the blossoms must be owing to the peculiar nature of the season ; for he had done everything that could be done to them; had forced them in the most approved manner, and still the flowers would not come. He seemed quite sceptical that large plants of Azaleas had been carpeted witb bloom since Christmas, and had received no forcing at all for a number of years. The fact was that our friend's Azaleas had no flower-buds on them to open, and the result would have been precisely the same, forcing or no forcing. If a little attention has been given to what has been stated by all the writers of this work, respecting the difl'erenoe between the growing and flowering principle — if many of the articles in the hai'dy fruit department have been carefully studied, our readers will at once perceive, that though luxuriance and free flowering, in general, are opposed to each other, yet, in a flowering plant, there must be a combination of both to present the most pleasing eflect. By root-prunmg, Mr. Errington would be able to present you with a minute Pear-tree in the shape of a fair-sized bush, and covered with blossom ; but if that specimen produced nothing better than halfsized gritty pears, he would consider that liis experiment had failed ; and, therefore, while he curbs luxuriance so as to promote fertility, he still encourages it so far as that the specimens pro- duced may be full sized, and fully up to the mark in consistence and flavour. Just so with a flowering plant ; you may cause it to grow in a position and an atnios- 100 THE COTTAGE GAKDENER. [May 19. phere from which, the consoLidating influeiioes of suu and air are exchided, comparatively speaking, and the phint in the ibllowiug season will just he in as good a situation for growing (not flowering) as before. On the other hand, the plant may be so curbed in the pot, so deprived of water, so placed in an 02ien situation in the house, and then so placed in the sun out of doors, that scarcely any growth at all will take place ; or the little that does will be immediately stored up as flower-buds, upon the principle applicable to all organised existence, that in the period of weakness and extremity Nature puts forth an extra last effort to preserve tlie race. In such a case we may have plenty of flowers, but they will be small, and destitute of the backgroimd of a luxuriant green foliage. In general cases, therefore, we do not wish to do away with luxuriance altogether ; what is more wished is, the directing of it into numerous chan- nels, and in each of these having the juices highly orga- nised ; or in other words, having the wood well ripened. The finer and larger the specimen, if the flowers are large and well set in proportion, the more beautiful will be the object, and the higher the merit in producing it. The stopping of a too strong shoot, therefore, as soon as it presents itself, will not only equalise the luxuriance by obtaining several shoots instead of one, hut you obtain a closer headed plant, and a denser mass of bloom, provided you do not stop these strong shoots so late as to prevent the side shoots thrown out being well ripened. Tlius, iu the case of Azaleas and Camellias, any pruning requhed should be given immediately after flowering, and any stopping of shoots as soon as these are I'rom one to two inches in length. Now, m the case of having only one house, and with little of the make-shift conveniences alluded to, united with the prevalent desii'e to see the house gay at all times, many of the winter and spi'ing flowering things must be removed, as soon as their beauty is over, to give space for Calceolarias, Geraniums, Fuchsias, and later Cinerarias. But though some of these plants to be removed would stand in a sheltered corner in the garden, such as Genista and Cytisus, and those Acacia which ai-e fitted for greenhouse culture, (the most of which, however, with the exception of such as are indicated in the Cottacje Oardenefs Victionary, including the Golden- flowered Ai-mosa, being better fitted for conservatory, and conservative wall culture, than for greenhouses), still even they would do much better, if kept for a time under glass, pruned when done flowering, and encouraged before turning out ; while such treatment is indispensable in all eases where early luxuriant flowering can only take place after healthy growth, as in tlie case of Azaleas and Camellias, Daphnes and the splendid family of Mpacris, &c. If a Gytisiis, or an Acacia should be placed iu a shady, sheltered corner, protected alike from a scorching and withering east wind, and gradually, but ultimately, fully exposed, there will be a suthcient tune for them to make their growth, and to perlect that growth, before housing them in the end of autumn. In many of our cottage urnces there are nice open verandas, with the fruit supported by pilasters, graced witli creepers. I have no desire of seeing verandas, as they often are, lumbered u]) witli a miscellaneous, higgledy-piggledy collection of plants in pots of all sizes and dimensions ; but failing a better place, the back of such verandas constitutes a good intermediate position for plants that are to be brought from the house into the opvn air. Everything like a sudden change ought to be avoided; no galloping at once from heat to cold, from shade to imobstructcd sunsliine. Hence, when such plants are placed in the shade at first, as at the back of tlie veranda, they must Lie gradually brought forward, until tlicy are able to bear the light with impunity. Winter-lloweriug heaths, lipacris. Camellias, and Azaleas, may be treated iu the same manner; but the flowers must not he exjiected so early J and even then they will not be nearly so fine, as if the plants, after being pruned, had been kept rather close and warm until free growtli was advancing; and air then admitted gradually, until by the end of summer the lights were totally withdrawn, and the autumn sun allowed to perfect the flower buds, putting the sashes on again as the nights got cold, and as a protection from heavy rains. After this period of gi'owth, such plants might stand in the front of such a veranda, as they would have the full benefit of light, and escape the injury of being soddened with wet. Mind we recom- mend such a place as a matter of economy and emergency, not as a matter of taste ; for if plants are to be kept in such places at all, even in the way of ornament, we would, if we had our way, have them grouped in vases and baskets. True, many turn all such plants, at this season of the year, to the back of a north wall at once, and unless, in extreme cases, they are allowed to remain there until they are taken in in the autumn — a rusted weather-beaten sample, with an appearance of gi'owth, speaking as much of downward as upward progression. True, again, such plants will bloom ; for we have had such plants in flower in spring, that had merely the protection of the branches of a deciduous tree in a moderate winter. But the flowers of the Azaleas will be small, and accompanied merely by the semblance of foliage, the plant being more like a deciduous than an evergreen shmb; though, under the best treatment, it is apt to lose some foliage iu winter ; and the flowers of the Epacris will stand solitarily on the points of stunted half-inch shoots, instead of those brilliant racemes of bloom that fit them so well for the centre of nosega3's and decorative wi'eaths of flowers. In all cases, therefore, where superior appearance, as respects luxuriance and abundant flowering next season, are concerned, our greenhouse plants must not be unceremoniously tm'ned out in the open air in May and June ; but treated in such a manner as not to give them a sudden check, but to secure, first a period of growth, and then of ripening the wood, before finally housing them again in the autumn. B. Fish. HOTHOUSE DEPAETMENT. EXOTIC OECHIDACE^. EXOTIC OKCHIDS. THAI. THKrVE WELL IN POTS. (Continued from page 74.) MiLTONiA CANDIDA (White-lipped M.) ; Brazil. — Sepals and petals yellow, spotted and lined with chocolate colour; lip "pure white, curled at the edges. In the centre it has a beautil'ul patch of violet. This is truly a splendid plant. 31s. (id. M. CANDIDA i;((r GRANDiFLORA ( Large-flowcrcd variety). — Sepals and petals rich dark brown, with a large blotch of yellow at the ends ; lip a brifliant white. This is a beautiful variety of a fine species ; the flowers are much larger. Very fine, but scarce. (iOs. M. Clowesii (Mr. Clowes's M.) ; Brazil.— Sepals and petals pale yellow, with broad blotches of chocolate colour; lip light purple, with a blotch of white at the end. There is a variety with all the coloru-s much darker. Mr. Wauklyn, of Camjasall House, near Manchester, first imported this species of Miltonia ; amongst them was a variety with a lip of rich puqile. We remember seeing it in bloom, but we fear it is lost to the country. The species is a fine plant of easy cultiue, and a free bloomer. 3 Is. Ud. M. cuNEATA ( Wedge-lip])ed M.) ; South America. — The upper part of sepals and petals pale yellow, the lower part brownish purple; lip white, with a shade of rose colour at the base. Ono of the finest of the genus; a strong-grower and free-bloomer, -kis. May 15.] THE COTTAGE GAKDENER. 101 M. FLAVESCENS (Straw Coloured M.) ; Brazil. — Sepals and petals ]iale yellow ; lip the same, colour spotted with pale red. The tiower-stems rise to the height of 1+ foot ; the flowers are produced on it in a regidar style, forming a handsome spike. A pretty species, requiring to be a considerable size before it flowers. ;31s. Ud. M. Karwinskii (Baron Kai-winsk's M.) ; Brazil. — Sepals and petals pale yellow ground, broadly barred with rich brown ; lip white, spotted and blotched witli chocolate. The flowers are large, three inches across, produced on long upright stems much branched. The pseudo-bulbs ai-e shorter than any other species; they are, also, more deeply furrowed. The rest of the genus being remarkable for the perfect smoothness of their pseudo-bulbs. Tliis species first flowered in the orchid house at the Horticultural Society's gardens at Chiswick. It is the most splendid of the whole genus. 84s. M. spECTABiLis (Showy M.) ; Brazd. — Sepals and petals dull white, short and inconspicuous ; the lip, on the contrary, is large and showy, of a violet hue towards the base, becoming paler towards the margin, till it be- comes almost white at the extreme edge. A beautiful species. 21s. M. sPECTABiLTs var BicoLOR (Two-ooloured variety) ; Brazil. — This is a pretty variety, with the colours on the lip more distinctly defined ; the spot is a deeper colour, and the margin a clearer white. The lip is, also, a de- gree smaller. As equally ornamental as the species. 31s. M. SPECTABILIS car atroporpubea (Dark purple va- riety) ; llio Janiero.— Sepals and petals purple, and larger than in the species ; lip very dark purple shaded with a lighter purple, very large and broad. Lately introduced, and a very fine variety. It is sometimes named 31. MoreUiana. Peculiarly richly coloured and very beautiful, but rather scarce. 6:3s. Culture. — There is no other genus amongst the whole tribe of orchids that is more worthy of culture than Miltonia. Unlike many of the tribe, the species form ornamentid plants even when out of bloom, and when in flower tolerable good specimens are really splendid. Compost. — Hough pieces of peat mixed with chopped sphagnum, broken potsherds, and pieces of charcoal. In this mixture they will thrive well. The pots must be well drained by being, at least, half full of broken potsherds. In potting keep the plants only just raised above the rim of the pots. Miltonia spectcMlis and its varieties are, if badly drained or subjected to too much light, apt to turn yellow. This is partly owing to im- perfect drainage, too much light, and too little fresh air. The colour of the pseudo-bulbs and leaves, not only of this particular species, but of all the inhabitants of the orchid house, may be greatly improved, if the vajjour arising from carbonate of ammonia be thrown into the house once a week. This may be accomplished in two ways. First, rub the ammonia on the hot pipes ; if the house be large it wOl take two ounces, and a lesser quantity in proportion. Secondly, dissolve the same quantity suitable for the size of the house in warm water, and sprinkle the pipes with it, using the wliole quantity at once, and as quickly as possible. The olfactory organs will immediately detect a strong odour, similar to that felt when near to a heap of dung in a state of lively fermentation. This has been repeatedly proved to be higldy beneficial to this tribe of plants. Heat. — Miltonias being natives of the woods of Brazil, in the lower regions of that countiy, require more heat than those we have distiugiushed as being proper to grow in a separate house from the natives of India. The cooler end of that house will be a situation similar to tliat of their native locality in respect to heat. Day temperature in summer 75'^ to 80°, night 05°. In winter, or the resting season, by day 00°, by night 55°. Moisture at the Root. — When the plants are growing they should be watered at the root freely, giving it when- ever the surface appears dry. The greatest quantity must be applied when the pseudo-bulbs are about half- grown. After they are fully grown it must be gi-a- dually lessened, both in quantity and frequency of ap- plication, till the resting season commences, which should be so ordered as to take place during the shortest days. No more water should then be given at the root, unless the pseudo-bulbs appear to shrink very much, when a little may be given to keep them plump and fi-esh. This must, however, be very carefully applied, or it will not only rot the roots, but have a tendency to start the plants into a too early growth, and so prevent them flowering. Moisture in the Air. — These plants, like all the rest of the tribe, require, when growing, a very damp atmo- sphere. This may be given by keephig the walk almost constantly flooded during the day, by wetting the pipes frequently, and by syringing the walls, blocks, and plants once a day in the spring, and twice a-day in the hot days of summer. Air will he necessary to give during hot weather, to lower the temperature of the house. The aperture to admit it should be so placed as not to allow the di-augbt of cold air to pass over the plants. Shade. — It was hinted above, that these plants will not bear so much light or sunshine as some others of the tribe. Mr. Bateman's rule is an excellent one — "The plants can hardly have too much light or too little sun." This rule applies to the thick-leaved Aerides. and the like, and, therefore, applies witli still greater force to the thinner-leaved ones, like those of our present subject. Shade them, then, whenever the sun shines; but have the shade so contrived that it can be easily drawn up when the sun is overclouded. In whiter, of course, no shade will be needed. Period of Orowth. — Tins should continue from Mta-ch to September. The period of rest will be the remainder of the year. MoRMODEs ATKOPURPUREA (Dark Purplc-flowered M.) ; Spanish Main. The flowers are of a rich deep pui-ple groimd, barred and spotted with red. A pretty, curious species, :31s. 6d. M. BUCCINATOR (Trumpet M.) ; S. America. Sepals and petals yellowish green ; lip white, like ivory, and rolled up so as to form the shape of a trumpet, hence its speoiflo name. A very handsome species, with large pseudo bulbs. -i:2s. M. LiNiATUM (Striped) ; Guatemala. Sepals and petals yellow ground, thickly striped with chocolate crimson ; lip white, spotted and streaked with pink. A very curi- ous species, emitting a delicious perfume; easy to grow, and requiring only the temperature of a common stove. 2 Is. M. LUXATUM (Dislocated M.) ; Mexico. Sepals and petals pale yellow or straw colour, very clear and bright; the lip is the same colour, with a deep brown stripe down the centre. The flowers are large, nearly three ! inches across, and emit a most delicious fragrance. A I stately species, the leaves often reaching two and a half feet higli, and are of a beautiful hoary green. 42s. M. PAUDiNA (Panther-like M.); Mexico. The whole of the flower is of a rich yellow ground, thickly blotched, and lined with deep chocolate red. The flower-stems spring from near the top of the large pseudo bulbs. The flowers are thickly set upon them, and are of a curi- ous twisted appearance, :31s. Od. Culture.— This curious yet handsome genus is not diflicidt to cultivate. The compost it thrives in is of a very open texture, formed with rough peiccs of turfy peat, mixed with pieces of oliarcoal as large as a walnut, with a small portion of half-rotted leaf-mould added. The plants should be rather elevated in the centre of the pots, as the young shoots are very impatient of moisture. Excepting ll. Uniatum, they require, wlicu growing, a high temporatiu-c, 70'-' to 80° by day and 102 THE COTTAGE GAKDENER. [May 15. 65° by night. Wheu at rest, 60° by day and 5.5° by night. Time of Potting. — This should be done whenever the young shoots are observed beginning to appear at the base of the old pseudo bulbs. This generally happens when the length and heat of the day increase in spring. Whenever tlris is observed, let them be potted imme- diately. As we remarked above, these plants are soon injured by excess of water lodging about the young shoots ; to prevent this, in a great measure, let them be extra well dramed. With the few additional points added, treat the Mormodes exactly in the manner de- scribed for Miltonias. T. Appleby. FLORISTS' FLOWERS. C.\LCE0LARns. — These charming flowers will now be progressing rapidly. They require considerable attention to keep tliem healthy. In the morning give air if the weather is mUd, and with a syringe wet the outside of the pots and the stages on which they stand: this prevents a too dry atmosphere, a state very injurious to these delicate plants. Such as are intended for exhibition in the latter part of June, should have sticks put to them to tie the rising flower stems to. They require a pretty liberal supply of water at the root. Allow tliem to become moderately dry, and then give a thorough good watering, so as to completely wet the whole of the soil in the pot. Look after the green fly, and as soon as three are observed alive, smoke the house, filling it so full of smoke as completely to hide the plants from the eye. Do this two nights in succession, which will quite extirpate this pest. Calceolarias to be exhibited towards the middle of July should not be permitted to send up their flower-stems till the third weeli in May. The plants must, however, be encouraged to keep growing by repotting them, and occasionally giving them a weak liquid manure. CixEEAniAs should now be in their greatest beauty, except such as are intended to be kept back to flower late. Seedlings should be marked and described iij the garden book, so as to know which to keep and increase. Tulips should still be protected from cold winds by awnings. If the collection is large, a tent, the size of two beds, with a walk down the centre, forms a beautiful promenade, and shelters the flowers from cold, wot, and the colour-dispeUing rays of the sun. T. Appleby. THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. Routine Work. — Encourage the growth of the Glohe Aniehokes by liberal applications of liquid manure. Fork over the ridged ground between the Jerusalem Artirhokes, and observe, when they are up in full row, that there are not too many shoots left to each plant; pull oS" the weak ones, and eradicate the self-planted or those that have been left in the ground. Encourage the gi'owtb of Asjmragiis in eveiy stage at this season, and maintain a loose open siu'face ; the general recom- mendation is to keep it clear from weeds, but 'our maxim and practice is — never at any season to give the weeds a chance of making their appearance among plants or crops of any kind. Those who are partial to weeds, or our native plants, had better devote a corner to their culture separately, and do justice to them by thinning out and preventing their encroachment on their neigh- bours, for there can be no doubt that everything is sent to be good for some purpose or the other; so we say by the rats, they may be pretty useful as scavengers, &c., Ijut where allowed to go at lai-ge to any extent they take too many liberties with things wherein tlieir interference could be very well dispensed with ; those who are pai'tial to such animals should, therefore, keep tliem within bounds, or under some kind of control. We find, in a large establishment, but little difficulty in these matters, and get quit of such company very readily. Hand hoe Onions, Carrots, Parsiiij)s, Parsley, Beet, and every kind of drilled crop. The first thinning should be performed with a two or three-inch hoe, on the goose or crane-necked principle, one in each hand, cutting the sm-face of the soil shallow, and leaving the jilants singly, cutting right and left, and leaving no doubles, clearing a good width quickly, and stepping out wide and lightly, so as not to trample every inch of the surface over ; our system is to leave all the surface loose, without a footmark to be seen. Take cai-e in filling up all vacancies to lift the plants carefully with all their roots. Fb.wiing. — This being a season with amateurs, &c., for putting out Melons to some extent, those who have lights to spare from cauliflowers, carrots, potatoes, radishes, &c., will find nothing more required than a slight hotbed of well-worked materials, and the frame wrapped up round the outside with rubbish of some kind. A good ridge of sweet, kindly-holding soil of some kind, without ani/ manure, must also be added. We never add manure to the melon soil until the fruit is set, and we have always found the plan answer remarkably well ; in the first place they do not get into a rank, luxuriant, unfiiiitful condition, but almost eveiy variety that we have ever grown on this principle is of a short-jointed, fruitful habit. We are particular, whilst the fruit is setting, to keep the structure pretty dry, shutting up early, and giving some air early in the morning. As soon as the fruit is fairly set, we com- mence by applying weak tepid manure water, and in- crease its strength as the fruit swells larger, withholchng it altogether as soon as the fruiit is full grown, and airing very liberally both early and late. Upon this principle we always have immense crops of fine, well-swelled handsome, and tine flavoured fruit. James Bakkes, MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. OUR VILLAGERS. Bi/ the Authoress of ^^ My Flowers" dr. It is veiy sad tliongh salutary to observe the rapid proj^-ress to rniu which takes place wlieu men forsake their dut.v to (iod, and go on iu tlieir own wicl;edness. We see, constantly, people wliora we know are not really religious wljo yet ki-ep up religious appearances; they observe the Siilibath and attend the public worship of God, and may go so far as to do " many things," like Herod. These ontwiird appearances do not deceive the Searclier of hearts; He knows wiiat is in man, and He can see, though we cannot, the spring from which all actions flow. But there is a "reward" even to outward decency, although it extends not beyond the grave; there is a respectability in tlie eyes of man, and a measure of worldly prosperity, that is gratifying to the heart of the natural man, and is not always the portion of the real people of God, who, in many cases, suH'er want, and make but little show in outwai-d things. It is stril;ing to notice liow immediately outward prosperity seems to wither, wlien iiven tliis " eye service " is set aside. Tlie reward for which they have ser\ed is taken from them, and when tliey ai-e stripped of their worldly treasure, there are no "bags wliich wax not old" laid up for them in heaven. May is; THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 103 James Wiltshire lived for nearly twenty years in a gentleman's family, as butler, with great credit and respect- ability. On his master's death, he entered service again with a very high character, and for some years retained his situation quietly and comfortably, and was much regarded, because his attention to his religious duties was unifonn, and spoke well for the principle upon wliich he acted. At length, Wiltshu-e, who had always a great fondness for outdoor pursuits, for poultry, gai'dening, find out if they are rooted, and as soon as that is so, pot them off singly, immediately, into what are called small 60's, which are pots nearly two inches across. Replace them under hand lights tor two weeks, keeping them close and warm. In this place they will soon form fresh roots, and should then be gradually inured to stand the full light of the sun, and then be placed on a shelf near the glass in the stove, duly attended to with the necessary quantity of water, heat, and air, till they re- quire re-pottiug. By Seed. — All the tuberous rooted kinds of Begonia may be increased most successfully by seeds. When they are so raised they form the best plants. This is more particularly the case with the new Begonia cinna- harina. Though they will all propogate by cuttings, the plants so raised are more liable to perish in winter than if raised from seed. Gather the seed as soon as it is rijie, sow part immediately in pots filled with the compost, sifting a little very fine to cover the surface, press it gently down with a circular piece of smooth wood, scatter the seed upon it, and over the seed put the thinnest possible covering of the finely sifted soil, give a watering through a fine-nosed watering-pot, and place the pots in a heat of 7-5°. The seeds will quickly germinate, and should then be placed near the glass shading from briglit sun. Water must be given, but very carefully, or the yoimg plants will fog off. Keep them growing as long as possible, till the short days an-ive, then they will begin to show symptoms of ripen- ing off. Allow the leaves to turn yellow, and pick them carefully off as they decay. When they are all gone, give no more water, and keep the seedlings through the winter in a dormant dry state till spring, in a moderate temperature, say 05° to 00°. In March, give a little water, and increase the heat to 70°. If all has gone on right, the young tubers will then begin to grow again, and as soon as they have attained two or three leaves, pot them off singly into the smallest pots, in fresh com- post well drained. Continue to repot as the roots reach the sides of the pots, and it is very likely some of the strongest will flower the same year. The remainder of the seed should be sown in March, if any accident or other cause prevents those sown the preceding year from growing. Treat the seedlings from the spring-sowing exactly in the same manner, excepting a few of tlie strongest, which may be potted as soon as they are fit, and then will make strong bulbs that are sure to flower the year following. Bij Dicisioii. — Some of the dwarf kinds, and some of the tuberous-rooted ones, may be increased by division, particularly B. hijdrocoli/li/oUa, B. ramcntaeea, B. Marti- cma, and B. EvansUinii. Tlioso that are not tuljerous-rooted should have a portion of roots to the divisions. When they are divided, jilace them, after they are potted, under a hand-light in heat, shading and keeping them close for a week or two till ni;w roots are formed ; then inure them to bear the full light and air by degrees, and after- wards treat them as reconnneiided for the cutting at the same ago. Summer Cullitrc : /"r)///)?^— Tlio right timo for potting is about the end of February. Previously to eomraoncing this necessary operation, have the compost placed in a warm shed to air and become just dry enough. Pro- pai'e the pots, if new, by steeping for an hour in tepid water, and then set them in a proper place to dry ; if old, let tliem be clean washed in tepid water, and set to dry likewise. Have the drainage material clean, dry, and warm also. When these are fit to use, commence potting. As this is a season when the greater part of the stove-plants require the same operation, the proper quantity of these potting materials should be in a state of readiness. Then bring the plants, a few at a time, to the potting bench, and give them a liberal shift, draining the pots, as described above, for those for cuttings. The shrubby varieties should now be pruned and tied out, so as to form neat bushy plants. Every stem and leaf- mould be clean washed with a sponge or soft brush. This will clear oft' the insects, if any, with the dirt and dust ; then give a gentle watering, and return them to tlieir place in the stove. The tuberous-rooted species shouhl be brought out from their resting place, exa- mined, dead ones thrown away, and living ones jjotted into pots of a proportionate size to the tubers, covering them about half an inch deep. Give these no water for a week after potting, and then a very gentle one. When the shoots begin to make their appearance, a little more water may be given, and gradually increase the supply as the plants advance in growth. The heat proper for them in this stage is, by day, 00° to Oj° ; by night, 5.5° will be sufficient, the thing to aim at in this early season being to gi'ow them slowly, so that they may make roots previously to being stimulated by a high tempera- ture to grow rapidly. If a great heat is applied at the first, the shoots will have nothing to exist upon but the juices contained in the wood or tuber in existence at the time, the shoots will, in consequence, be weak, the leaves pale, and the life even of the plants endangered. Nature herself points out to us that a low temperature, at the first, is the best for the vegetable kingdom. We have a winter for rest, a spi-ing to commence to grow slowly, and the summer to advance with vigour in the work of annual growth, and then the autumn to gradually bring on the period of rest. Even in the hottest parts of the world there is a variation of seasons approximating, in a degree, to these seasons of growth and repose ; and the cultivator, if he wishes to succeed, must not deviate from Nature's laws. Bat to return to potting. As soon as the pots are filled with fresh roots, give the plants a second shift. This will generally be sufficient for one season. If fine specimens for exhibition or ornamental purposes are required, a third shift will be advisable. Six weeks' time, or thereabouts, according to the state of the plants, may be allowed between each shift. The proper treatment, with regard to watering, giving mois- ture to the air, &c., must be daily attended to ; the par- ticulars we need not repeat, as we have repeatedly given them in treating of other stove plants. The heat in summer should be from 05° to 75° by day, and may, with advantage, be allowed to fall to 00" by niglit. Winter Culture. — When the days begin to shorten, the plants must have less stimulants iu tlie shape of water and heat. The tuberous species must be allowed to go to rest completely, and should have water given to them only just sufficient to prevent the bulbs from be- coming too soft or mealy. A shelf in a dry, cool part of the stove is a good wintering place for them. The shrubby ones should have no more water given them than will keep them from flagging. An excejjtion to this rule, in a degree, must be followed with such species of Begonia as flower in winter or early spring. This exception applies more especially to Begonia manicata, B. parrifolia, and some others, which may be easily known by their not flowering through the summer. T. Ari'LEBY. May 221 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 117 FLORISTS' PLOWEES. MR. GLENNY'S OPINIONS FLOWERS. ON FLORISTS' fW. B., of Manchester.) Cinerai!i.4s. — Psyche, Pj'tlieiis, Gladiator, and New Rainbow. The first a good blue for bedding out, the colour and habit alone recommending it. The others worthless. (D. M., Dorset.) P.insy. — Phenomenon. Too thin, eye breaks into margin. No use. (P. P. James. J Gloxinias. — Not one of them new. fHJ Cineraria. — Marianne. A good advance; quite an acquisition. fM^.J MnruLus. — A monster in size, and very gay, but no advance in Ibi-m. It should be sent out at the price of au approved flower. AuRicrLAS, done blooming, place in their summer position behind a low north wall, giving but little water, and that only in dry weather. Polyanthuses will be greatly benefitted by being placed in the same position, and saucers put under the pots. We have repeatedly proved the advantage of this point of culture. It keeps the roots cool, and prevents the attacks of that deadly enemy the red spider. Hollyhocks.— These stately autumn flowers require every attention during this, to tliem, early part of the year. If not already done (as advised before), place some short dung round each plant, and give copious waterings in dry weather. Stake and tie early, or a fine flower shoot might be brolcen off une.Kpectedly. Where the shoots are numerous a few may be taken off from the named varieties, put in as cuttings in a gentle hot- bed, struck and planted out immediately. These make fine strong plants for the next season. Seedlings should now be planted out in rows, six inches apart, as soon as they are strong enough, and will then be strong to stand the rigour of the winter. Pansies in bloom shade from bright sunshine ; jnit in cuttings early, to ensure good plants to bloom in autumn. Transplant seedlings as soon as they are large enough for that purpose. Pinks place sticks to, and tie loosely. If not yet done, lose no time in giving them a top dressing. Verbenas for exhibition in July or August give the last potting to. Place sticks to and tie out those in a forward state for exhibition next month. TuLTPS continue to shade, to prolong the season of bloom as long as possible. Water freely all florists' flowers yet to bloom. The dry weather appears to be set in, rendering a liberal supply necessary. T. Appleby. THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. Routine Work. — Basil and Sweet Marjornm plant out on rich, warm borders, and make an out-door sow- ing. Thin out Beet, and sow Borage. Prick oft' Borecole and Brussels Sprouts, as well as all kinds of Kales and early sown Brocolis. Plant out in succession a few and often of the spring-sown Cauliflowers, and duly en- courage the growth of previous plantings, by applica- tions of liquid manure. Leave a portion of the early cabbage stumps for producing a summer's crop of sprouting cabbage, and plant in succession, and make another sowing. Plant out Capsicums also, and make another sowing of Carrots. Continue to prick in suc- cession tlie principal crop of Celery, and encourage the growth of the early by frequent applications of liquid manure. Celery under glass for early culinary pur- poses, will require very liberal applications of water ; the bleaching earth should be applied early, and a watchful eye kept over the green fly, and the various aphides, which are apt to be very prevalent among early crops — washing with soap-suds, and fumigating with tobacco, are the ready means of eradicating such pests. Sea-kale should, at this season, have some care be- stowed on it ; the crowns, if they have not already had their final thinning, should be attended to at once, it should be kept well surface-stirred and loose, and its growth and all bloom-stalks, with the exception of one or two intended for seed, carefully cut oft', the earth about it should be kept freely encouraged by frequent applications of good liquid maniu-e, with salt dissolved in it. Such treatment will produce fine, luxuriant plants, and strong crowns for the next season's forcing. Single out the seedlings now up in drills in due season. Rhubarb being a gross feeding plant, great luxiiriance may be obtained by the liberal assistance of strong liquid manure. Plant out in succession French Beans and Scarlet Runners, and the late varieties of Peas, and sow early Turnips. Dredge the growing crop with charred dust, to prevent the ravages of the fly and encourage a free growth. Single out in due season. Encourage the growth of Onions, and all spring-sown crops, by frequent surface-stirriugs ; do not allow a weed to make its ap- pearance in any part, or the earth's surface to get bound or caked. Lettuce, mark for seed. Sowings should, for the summer months, be made thinly in shallow drills, and be duly thinned out, which often answers the desired purpose much better than transplanting in the heat of summer. The same plan also answers for Cape brocoli and late Cauliflowers. If any fear is entertained of the root-grub, apply soakings of soap-suds and strong soot- water, which, intermixed, is a preventive against the ravages of the grub, and an excellent stimulant to the plants. Fr.\ming. — Continue to top up the linings syste- matically ; apply air previously to the rays of the sun falling on the glass ; shut up early of an afternoon ; keep the vine tolerably thin, and regulate the crop of fruit to the strength of the plants. il/(;?o«6' fuU-gi-own, and about changing colour, should be freely aired, and a small portion left on at night, as without air apphed after a long duU, sunless, time, the fruit very frequently cracks open, after which they are spoiled and worthless. Mushroom structures should now be kept cold and shaded ; the interior damped with cold water, and the surface of the beds, if dry, should be sprinkled with tepid water. Jajies Barnes. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS SUITABLE FOR SPRING DECORATION. (Continued from page 101.) Having mentioned the plants I have successfully used for white, scarlet, and yellow beds, I now come to one of a mixed character, and shall introduce a well-known florists' flower for that purpose — the Punsi/, than which I have found nothing more suitable. I do not mean the fancy varieties with high-sounding names and delicate habit — these I would allow the enthusiastic florist to retain, nurse, and keep away the mildew in August if he can. For my purpose I so-w seed from the best flowers I can obtain, about the end of June or beginning of July ; if sown thin, the seedlings stand in the seed-bed until November ; but if too thiol;, they are pricked out to some suitable place three 118 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [Mat 22. or four inohert apart. Their more healthy appearance and sturdy Iiabit easily distinguislies them from cuttings of the more iiuny varieties, containing a greater niunber of good points essential for an exhilntion stand. In ray case, an easy growth, and luxuriant liabit, with a toleralile handful of flowers of medium quality on each plant, is of more conse- quence than two or three blooms of first-rate excellence. Healtby-looldng seedlings planted in the autumn, when the summer llowers are cleared away, make tlie beds look partly furnished all the winter, the foliage being quite as showy as that of most plants of more aspiring claims ; and in Blay they will look as if it were a pity to disturb them for the season ; but cruel as it may seem, it must be done. Other things must then he planted amongst them, and unless some one seems more thau usually good, the whole had better be sacrificed in June, when the permanent summer crop has taken hold of the ground ; but by that time pods of the first flower will have ripened their seeds, which save and sow, rejecting of course all that is bad. Seedling pansies are also well adapted for planting amongst other tilings requiring siune temporary ornament for the early summer months, as the tea and china roses, &c,; besides they make a very good edging around any permanent bed. I have several beds temporarily planted with pansies, which promise in a few days to look tolerably well. Various causes prevented my planting them until the spring, other- wise they would by this time (the 1st of May) have been more gay ; hut I intend planting verbenas, itc. in amongst them, and at the proper time will sacrifice the pansies as I have done on other seasons. The next useful flower in mixed colours is the Polyniilliiis, but the treatment of these is different. They do not propagate so quickly as pansies, so the old plants must be presei-ved ; this is attended with but little trouble, as they liave done flowering by the time the ordinary bedding-out stock is required to be put out, hut they must not be crowded together under trees, or in any exposed spot where they may be trampled to death at a time when tliey are not conspicuous as ornaments ; but let them be care- fully separated and planted in the reserve garden, a place I sliall speak of hereafter, and there they can form those embryo buds from which the next season's bloom proceeds. The same treatment will seiTe the whole of the Primrose tribe, the single as well as the double varieties of which are eminently qualified for the duty of furnishing a spring display. In fact, the double lilac often blooms in autumn and all through the wiuter, but I have never got it to bloom in autumn when it is often removed, as is the case with those reUeving the parterre. There is a single one distinct in colour, which I think will become very useful that way; it is called Eluiior, and is a very good blue ; but I have not been able to increase it to be available for this purpose yet. While speaking of this class of plants, I may mention that the most brilliant, , inexpensive, and showy bed for early spring, is Ike common Primrose. I guess some of my readers think I am descending very low now, even to meanness. AVell, he it so; but I shall not be easily convinced of my error, and few that have seen a bed so formed but have been converts to my opinion. Plants taken out of the coppice, hedge baidi, or wood, as soon as they can be distinguished, which is not before the end of January (or Februai'y in ordinary seasons), planted tolerably thickly in a bed, present a mass of bloom which no other spring plant that I am acquainted with can equal — and that bloom, too, of a most showy colour. So partial am I to my primroses, that for several years I have had a good many beds embla- zoned with this, the most lovely of all spring (lowers. I am trying to obtain sufficient of the douljlo of the same colour, but it does not equal tlie common for abuuLhince of blossom. I believe some people use the various kinds of Jloleh fur spring beds, but the flowers, sweet and attractive though they be, are not conspicuous, and there can be no question but that they are much lessened in numbers by taking up and replanting in autumn, so that I would not advise their use, unless in special cases, where the jjarticular favom' in which they are held is deemed such as to overcome all other disadvantages they labour under. When a bed or two of Fiischiai forms part of the design of floral aiTangement, which they often do, some means must be taken to render them somewhat attractive in the spring months. Some that I have are planted in the interstices, between the fuscTiias, with bulbs, as Hyiicinik and Narcissus, the latter of which does veiy well, but the former not so well; and the best of all for fuschia Ijeds is the Winter Aconite, which, blooming long before anjlhing else, makes it particulai-ly cheerful and welcome; and so exceed- ingly hardy is this plant, that it is not only able to cope with the sturdy fuschia, but one bed that I have of the Fuschia Glohosa is threatened to be overcome by it. It seeds freely, and when in flower the foliage is graceful. Before I proceed farther, I may mention not baring been successful with the Hepatica: although I have increased and grown it with avidity, I cannot get it to flower abundantly enough to satisfy me; and what flowers it produces do not throw themselves sufficiently above the leaves ; I can only attribute it to a dislike it has to be removed so often. The best flowering plants tliat we see are such as have not been moved for years. Perhaps some of your readers may have been more fortunate with it, and if so, I should feel glad to have their method of managing it. S. N. V. (To he continued.) A FEW WORDS ON H.ITCHING AND REARING POULTRY. In submitting the following brief hints on hatching and rearing poultry, the writer has endeavom-ed, by adopting plain and simple terms, divested of all technicalities, to render himself perfectly intelligible to the merest novice in poultrij culture. Having had many years experience in the above the information may be relied upon, and in the first place, I would recommend all parties desirous of procuring a superior breed of birds, at the least possible expense, to obtain two or three barn-door hens about to sit, then buy from some neighbour, having the desired breed, fresh laid eggs, allowing from eleven to thh'teen to each hen, according to size ; should more than thirteen eggs be placed under a lien, and the weather prove cold, the chances are that one-third of the clutch, at least, are spoiled. If an out-house, or cellar, can be used for the nest-house, so much the better, provided the floor is slightly moist. In the daikest corner place a good liandful of broken oat straw, aud to better form a nest, and prevent the eggs rolling out when the hen moves, place a row of bricks all round. In such a place the chickens will sliell-out strong and healthy. Many persons may wonder at my recom- mending a moist place, but let it he remembered if ycm leave a hen to herself, the will choose for the brooding place a spot uuder a bed of nettles, a gap in a hedge, inside a stack of faggots, or similar damp places ; all being places nature has pointed out as the most suitable, and apparently for this reason. The germ of the egg floats uppermost within and against the shell, in order that it may meet the genial warmth of the breast of the fowl, we must, therefore, in hatching, apply most warmth to that part only; the egg being supplied with only a limited quantity of moisture, is thus arranged to prevent evaporation from a large surface, as the egg is only very warm at the part in contact with the fowd, until the blood-vessels searching nourishment for the embryo have surrounded the inner surface of the shell, when the whole egg becomes gradually warm, and eventually of an eiiual temperature. I will reserve the remainder for another early paper. W. J. M. GLASS LABELS. I WOULD propose tallies cut out of 10 or '21-ounce glass, the names put on with a writing diamond; they would be imperishable, and would cost little of time or money. Every gardener has, or ought to have, a proper diamond for cutting glass, for repairs ; and a splinter writing diamond may be had for a trifle. — A. Wilson, Norton, Kent. Mat 22.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 119 TO CORRESPONDENTS. *t* We request that no one will write to the depnrtmental writers of The Cottage Gardener. It gives them utijustifiahle trouble and expense. All communications should be addressed " 'i'n the Editor of The Cottage Gardener, 2, Amen Corner, P,itenioster Row, London." Bbugmansia BANGUI nea Suedding ITS BuDS {Amriteur). — The young Brugniansias will not cast their buds under your present treatment of moderate moisture in a cool greenhouse, after they get another shift, which they must have shortly. Those that dropped were formed, though not visible, when the cuttintis were made, and could not be expected to come to full maturity. Indulge the plants with a dose of weak liquid manure once a week through the summer, and you will see them in fine bloom soon. Laekspur Seeds (C. Z,.)-— Very many thanks for your kind attention. If they are really the true blue we shall valut? them much. Colombia (T. H.).— Colombia and Columbia are two very different countries, thousands of miles apart. We had anticipated the error, and explained the whereabouts of the former. We v.'ould not at all advise the project. Even if you were " located " in South Carolina you would still be some thous.inda of miles from Columl>ia. It would be a good chance, however, to get to your friend in South Carolina; but, first of all, ascertain from him if he is able to engage you on your arrival. Then the cheapest way is to go in a sailing vessel to New York, and t.ake land conveyance down to the Carolinas. No one need hesitate to write to us confidentially. IsoTOMA AXILLARIS (A.L). — TWs 13 a half-hardy annual, or, at all events, is best when treated as such. It is only six inches high, and the flowers are a greyish blue, The beginning of Mareh is the best time to sow it — then it flowers from July till atoppiid by the froit ; but if you sow it immediately, and push it on in heat till it is two or three inches high, and plant it out at the beginning of July, you will probably sec what it is lati; in Septemljcr. Geranidms ilhid). — Yes. every one of them — fancy ones and all — will root in the open air if put in before Midsummer ; Queen Victoria, Prince of Orange, and Unique cannot be struck otherwise during the summer, but not one out of a score of them will fall if put in immediately, either in the sun or in the shade ; a west aspect, however, is the best for them thus early. Calceolarias struck under a frame in the autumn may be potted in October, or even in November; they will remove all the better in dull foggy weather. Cinerarias Blind (Devon). — Allowing them to flag, would, no doubt, injure the bloom of your Cineraria, but not to that extent as to prevent them blooming. It is more likely to be caused by the bites of the green fly. Cut your Pimelca back to the height you wi-sh, but give it no water till it shoots again. Keep it a few degrees warmer till that takes place; then pot, and water, and give air as usual. Put in tlie cuttings for fear it may not grow again, which is just possible. The reason why DO water should be given, is because the plant will have lost all its foliage, and therefore requires to be kept quite dry. Robber Bees (A. D., Enst Lothian). — Tiisse differ not from other bees; they come indiscriminately from any hive, and attack only weak stocks; the best protection you can give is to narrow the entranco of the hive attacked, so that but one bee, or two at most, can pass at a time. Dielytra spectarilis (J. \V.J.).—lt will strike from cuttings of the young tops ; and the roots may be divided in the spring like those of a dahlia ; if you seed it, sow the seeds as soon as they are ripe in any light earth, and in a close frame till they are up, then cooler: it is indeed a charming plant. CuinelUas and Azaleas ought to set their buds per- fectly in the conservatory you describe ; but Crassulns will not do in it at all, but you have completely spoilt your Ci'assnlas for this season. Where did you learn to keep them so hot ? A cold frame, with tlie lights olT from ten to four, would have been a far better place for them. Anything above the freezing point would be better than your plan ; they ought to be in bloom just after Midsummer. Your taking oif side-growths will do them neither good nor harm now ; we would rub them off, and make cuttings in August of all the tops which did not Ijloom. Making Barley Sugar ( W. T.). — Try again, and put a teaspoonful of vinegar to a pound of sugar. We have always succeeded well in fol- lowing the directions given in The Cottage Gardener. Perhaps there is something in the sugar you use; patent sugar will very readily crys- talize, which many a good housewife finds to her cost when making her preserves. AzALEA-BGD {."I Sufjscriber). — The best low annuals to enliven abed of common Azaleas, are the blue Nemophila, Viscuria ocrulata, Sphe- 7io^;/Jte speciosa. Calendula hybridu, Eucaridiiuu f^randiftoram, Sa~ ponaria calabrica, and all the little blue and white Lobelias, together with Lobelia rucemosa, all of which will bloom in a peat bed, as well as in any other, perhaps better, and all of whicli may be sown now, and will be in bloom before the end of July. The Viscuria, Saponaria, and Lobelia ramosa, keep longest in bloom. Bees (Juuenis). — The old-fashioned steelyards for weighing hives are as convenient as anything, and may always be obtained for a trifle. An answer about aged queens will be in the next Apiarian's Calendar. Do not attempt to kill the t[ueen ; leave that to the bees, they will manage that matter better than you can. Bark-bed [J. N., Oina^h^. — Your bark-bed, three feet square, is too small to heat well. You might try a foot or more of fresh made stable-dung at the bottom, to sst it into a state of fermentation, and then it would remain in heat for some time. Water from the plants plunged in it would he more likely to cause heat than to cool the bed. Your bark may be too old, perhaps, to heat. Obtain it fresh from the tanner, and make it firm, by gently beating it with a three-pronged fork as it is put in. Wardian Case (Q. P.).~Can any of our renders say where, in London, he can purchase an ornamental Wardian case for ferns ? Rho- dodendrons are best planted in the autumn. Room Plants (Ibid). — Fancy Geraniums are very suitable for flower- ing in a room in summer ; so are young Oleanders, if kept in saucers of water, or plunged in damp moss ; also the dwarf Gardenia, called Cape Jasmine, one of the best summer room plants we have, and the sweetest. All the G/orinins and all the dwarf Arhimenrs we use in the rooms the whole summer. Crnssula or Rochen falrata lasts a long time that way; and the RIadagascar Periwinkles {Vinea rosea and aiba) arc well suited for rooms in the autumn. Ammonia Water (Blei/lhin). — We have repeatedly said that there is no rule whatever for testing the strength of any kind of ammonia water. Take Mr. Beaton's practical test, which is the safest of all. Honard.y amplexicaule (A Constant Reader). — We have made considerable inquiries about this, and cannot hear of any party that knows of its whereabouts. You may obtain a list of Herbaceous plants by applying to Mr. Appleby, by post-paid letter, with a post-oflice stamp inserted, directed to him at Pine Apple Place, Edgeware-road. FaoGMORK Gardens (G. A. G.). — We believe that any respectable person is admitted to see these on presenting his card. It there are any rules to be conformed to before such admission can be obtained we shall be obliged to any one who will mfonn us. Unglazed porcelain labels (Sabrina). — If you wish to write on these indelibly, do so with a pencil m.ide of common plumber's lead; but W.J prefer the German cedar pencil, marked R, the writing from which lasts for a long time, and can be renewed or washed off whenever we wish to inscribe another name. Answers to other queries next week. Haytiiorn's Hexagon Garden Net (Satnuel). — Since you wrote to us we liave had an opportunity of seeing this, and can recommend it for all garden purposes where the protection of a light net is required. If you write to Mr. Haythorn, Clinton-street, Nottingham, we have no doubt he will send you a sample, and liis list of prices. Green Fly on Roses (M. L. il/.).— The most effectual plan of killing this pest is to cover the rose-tree with a sheet, and to fill the tent thus formed with a volume of tobacco-smoke by the aid of Brown's Fumigator. Let the tree remain enveloped in the smoke fur an hour or two, and then syringe it; repeat this two or three times, if you see the green fly appear. Liquid-manure (Northampton) .— Yow may apply the drainage from your stable and piggery either to your roses, or to your grass, or to the green crops in your garden ; but liovv can we advise a preference for cither, without knowing which most needs manuring? In any case a liquid so rich in ammonia should have four times its bulk of water added to it before using. Lice on pigs may be destroyed by rubbing them over plentifully and thoroughly with sweet oil, Pansy (Cantiensis). — Your pansy — colour, purplish crimson, with yellow eye, and lower petals lightly edj:ed with yellow — has a good form, but rather crumpled. We consider it a second-rate flower. Watering Strawberries (A. V. Z.) — You will benefit them by so doing provided you keep th^m well supplied in dry weather until they begin to ripen. Liquid manure, as we advised another correspondent, is good for them. The rain-water will do well for your purpose. Gutta Percua Wardian Cases. — A correspondent (A Reader) writes to us tlius : — " I know not whether any of your correspondents have used gutta percha for these cases. I have made some small boxes in which I have planted some Mosses. The boxes are very easily made with a flat piece of gutta percha and piece of band. I use a common heating, or 'fiat-iron,' which is moderately heated, so that the gutta percha may be made sticky, I then put the two softened parts together, and they immediately adhere. Should there he a small hole it may easily be stopped by putting a thin shaving of gutta pevcha on it, ami placing the warm iron upon it. To give a little finish to tiie cases, and to make them more pleasing to the eye, I use a little varnish made by dissolving some sealing-wax in spirits of wine. No zinc is required for the boxes above described." — Tiii're are no Palms small enough for such cases ; Fuchsias and Geraniums do not do well in them. Cottage Gardener's Dictionary {E. Hall).— The very title ex- plains that it is intended only to give such species as are desirable for cultivation by gardeners. If you wish for a good work on British plants buy Smith's English Flora. Apples ^\d Pears not Blooming (G. B.). — How can we possibly know itiatinctively the cause of this without knowing their state of liealth, or whether they bore a large crop last year ? Common Salt {J. C. L.). — This may be sown over the flower beds iu winter, or very early spring, at the rate of about ten bushels to the acre. Generally speaking, it is not good for flowers. Remember, every leaf it rests upon it kills. Auriculas (C. S.).— Pressed flat as these were, no one can give an opinion on their merits. See what we say to-day about sending flowers to be criticized. Guano (ji Yuaag Rearer}. — Tiiis will do for general gardening pur- poses, but is 30 strongly impregnated with ammonia, that it requires to be used with great caution, and in small quantities. It is useless to attempt to rear your orange-tree without a hothouse. Charcoal Burning {W. Lpsrtum).— This cannot be conducted ad- vantageously except on a large scale. A heap of wood is covered over with turves and sand so as to admit air sulficiently to carry on a slow im- perfect combustion, or burnin'.r. The heap is fired at several holes left near the b'Utom, and a draught at first is obtained by leaving a hole at the top ; when the heap is well ignited, all the holes arc stopped up. Names op PLANTa (X. Y. Z.). — Vourmoss is Lt/copodium helveticum, or Swiss Club-moss. It will live out of doors, hut better in a cool situa- tion under glass. (.4 Subscriber from the commencement). — Ytmr yellow flower is TroUius Europaiis, or European Globe flower ; and the pale l^uvple tiowev is Anemone Pulsatilla, or PsAqae flower. Both are desir- aljle hardy flowers. London: Printed by Harry Wooldridge, Winchester High-street in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William .Somkrville Orr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.— May 22nd,1851. THE COTTAGE GAEDENEB— ADVERTISEMENTS. BOTANICAL AND GARDEN- ING PERIODICALS. THE COTTAGE GARDENERS' DICTIONARY. Edited by G. \V. Johnson, Esq., Editor of Tue Cottage Gardener, &c. ; aided by Messrs. Beaton, Errington, Fish, Appleby, Barnes, and Weaver. In Weekly Numbers, price l^d, and in Monthly Parts, price /d. THE MAGAZINE of BOTANY, HORTICULTURE, FLORICULTURE, and NATURAL SCIENCE. Conducted by T. Moore, F.L.S., and W. P. Avres, C.M.H.S. Botany — A. Henfrey, Esq., F.L.S., &c. The Literary Department contributed by the best Practical Gardeners in the Country. Illustrated with highly finished Plates and Woodcuts. In Monthly Parts, price 2s 6d. London: Wm. S. ORtt & Co., Amen-Corner. N EW WORKS ON BOTANY AND GARDENING. Imperial 8t'0., cloth, gilt, price 8s Gd, THE FLORISTS' GUIDE, AND GARDENERS' AND NATURALISTS* CA- LENDAR. Conducted by Blessrs. Ayres and MooBE ; with contributions by Glenm', Babnes, &c. Numerous Coloured Plates and Wood Engravings. In 8('0., price 12.9, cloth, THE VILLA GARDENER. Com- prising the Choice of a Suburban Villa Resi- dence, the Laying-out, Planting, and Culture of the Grounds, &c. By .L C. Loudon, F.L.S., H.S., &c. Second Edition, edited by Mrs. Loudon. In 8uo., price 15s, clothe THE HORTICULTURIST. The Culture and Management of the Kitchen, Fruit, and Forcing Garden explained to those having no previous knowledge in those departments. By J. C. Loudon, F.L.S., H.S., &c. In small 8i*o., price 2$, cloth, gilt, EVERY LADY HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER; a Manual for Ladies Managing their own Gardens. By Louisa Johnson. Tenth Edition. Beautifully coloured Vignette and Frontispiece. In the Press, EVERY LADY'S GUIDE TO HER GREENHOUSE. Small 8vo., price 29, cloth, gilt. London: Wm. S. Orr & Co., Amen-Corner. N EW EDITIONS OF POPULAR WORKS. In post Sro., cloth, gilt, price 6s Gd, WALKER'S MANLY EXERCISES. Instructions in Riding, Hunting;, Shooting, Walking, Runninf;, Leaping, Vaulting, Swim- ming, Rowing, Sailing, and Driving. Edited and enlarged by Craven. With numerous Illustrations. In post 800., cloth, gilt, price 5s, BECHSTEINS CHAMBER BIRDS ; their Natural History nnd Management. With Tery numerous Woodcuts of Birds, Xagea, &c. In post 8vo., cloth, gilt, price 5s, WHITE'S NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. M'ith copious Notes by Mr. Blytii, a Map of the Locality, and numerous Illustrations of the Animals and Scenery described. New Edition. In small ito., cloth, gilt, price 6s Gd, CLARK'S DRAWING AND PAINT- ING IN WATER COLOURS; containing examplen of Drawing in Landscape, Flower Paintmg, Miniature aud Historical Painting, in various stages of tini^ih, with directions for imitating them. London : Wm. S. Orh St Co., Amcn-Corner. TLLUSTRATED MAGAZINE for Christian Families, District ±. Visitors, Sunday-School Teachers, and Parochial Libraries. Now publishing, in Weekly Numbers, \5 pp. 8vo., ijd; Monthly Parts, yd (or, tvhen there are five Saturdays in a month, 8\d), THE WEEKLY VISITOR, AND CHRISTIAN FAMILY READER. Con- ducted by the Rev. R. BICKERSTETH, M.A., Incumbent of St. John's Church, Clapham Rise. Vol. I. of the above work, comprising the Parts from January to June. Illustrated with Six handsome Wood Engravings, and appropriately bound in cloth, price 43 6d, will be ready early in June. The contents of the Magazine having, under the Divine blessing, secured for the work a large share of support, the publishers feel confidence in calling attention to the volume as a most instructive, useful, and amusing " Visitor" for Christian Families of all classes. As an addition to the Family or the Parochial Library it will be invaluable from the great variety of its contents. The commencement of a new Volume is a good opportunity for those who have not already taken in the work to begin doing so. Any bookseller will be glad to receive an order to procure the first volume, and to supply the future parts or numbers as they are published. To secure uniformity, Covers, corresponding with the binding of Vol. I., will be issued at the completion of every succeeding volume, and may be had of any bookseller. ** A charming variety pervades the columns of the work now before us, exhibiting a faithful yet pleasing portrait of genuine Scriptural piety. We cordially recommend our readers to receive the ireeA^i/ r/.s(7or into their families. Wherever it goes, it must convey an influence for good ; and the best wish we can express for our country's welfare and safety, in these trj'ing times, is that every family in England may be moulded upon the religious principles which this work so attrac- tively sets before them "—Chester Courunt. London: Wertueim and Macintosh, Patcmoster-row, Winchester: H. Wooldridge. And may be had of all Booksellers in Great Britain and Ireland. TiEANE'S WARRANTED GARDEN TOOLS. Horticulturists, and all -1' interested in Gardening pursuits, arc invited to examine G. and J. DEANE'S extensive Stock of GARDENING and PRUNING IMPLEMENTS, best London made Garden Engines and Sy- ringes, Coalbrookdale Garden Seats and Chairs. Brown's Patent Fumigator, price lOs and upwards. Hotbed Handles Ladies' Set of Tools Averuncators Axes Bagging Hooks Bills Borders, various pat terns Botanical Boxes Cases of Pruning In^ atruments Chaff Engines ,, Knives Daisv Rakes Dibbles Dock Spuds Draining Tools Edging Irons Shears Flower Scissors „ StandsinWires and Iron and Fumigators Galvanic Borders and Plant Protectors Garden Chairs and Seats ,, Loops ,, Rollers ,, Scrapers Grape G atherers and Scissors Gravel Rakes and Sieves Greenhouse Doors and Frames Hammers Hand-glass Frames Hay Knives Hoes of every pattern Horticultural Ham- mers and Hatchets Labels, various pat- terns, in Zinc, Por- celain, &c. Lines and Reels Marking Ink Mattocks Menographs Metallic Wire Milton Hatchets Stole Traps Blowing Machine Pick Axes Potato Forks Pruning Bills ,, Knives, various „ Saws ,, Scissors ,, Shears Rakes in great variety Reaping Hooks Scythes Scythe Stones Shears, various Sickles Sickle Saws Spades and Shovels Spuds Switch Hooks Thistle Hooks Transplanting Tools Trowels Turfing Irons Wall Nails Watering Pots Weed Extractors and Hooks Wheelbarrows Youths' Set of Tools G. and J. DEANE are Sole Agents for LINGHAM'S PERMANENT LABELS, Samples of which, with the Illustrated List of Horticultural Tools, can be sent, post paid, to any part of the United Kingdom. Also, Wholesale and Retail Agents for SAYNOR'S celebrated PRUNING KNIVES, used exclusively by the first Gardeners in the United Kingdom. GEORGE and JOHN DEANE {opening to the' Monument), London Bridge. -pEE HIVES, as shown at the GREAT EXHIBITION of 1851, by ■D GEO. NEIGHBOUH & SON, 127, High Holborn, London. No. 1. Null's Collateral Hive. 2. Improved Single Box-Hive. 3. Tavlor's Amateur's Bar-Hive. 6. Neighhour's Improved Cottage Hive, working Three or Five Glasses.' 7. The Ladies' Observatory Hive, &c., &c. A Priced Cata- logue, with drawings and partieulars, forwarded on receipt of Two Stamps. Agents.— Liverpool : Wm. Drury, Castle-strcet. Manchester: Hall and Wilson, 60, King-street. Glasgow : Austin and McAslin, 168, Trongate. PORTABLE ECONOMICAL VAPOUR BATH, for Families, Travellers, r &c. At all seasons of the year, hut more particularly in the winter, when the prevalence of cold, attended with influenza, rheumatics, and fever, to which most persons arc subject, it must be a pleasing desideratum— under all circumstances, on land, at sea, in towns, and in the rcniotest villages— to lie enabled to command an alleviation, and in most cises a certain cure, by this simple but efTieaeious Vapour Hath. Complete, with large Cloak, .ii?l 1 Is 6d. , .„„ . PORTABLE ICK BOXES, REFRIGEKATORS, &c., and FOREIGN BLOCK ICE, 6a per 100 pounds. Packed for the rountrv without extra charge. .„„„ ., SVPHON AIR VKNT IlEER aud WINE TAPS, 3s and 38 6d. ELECTRO-PLATED, 55 6d. BATHS of every description. SWAN NASH, Furnishing Ironmonger, &c., 253, Oxford Street; City DepAt, 119, Newgate Street. May 29.1 THE COTTAGE GARDENEB. 131 WEEKLY CALENDAR. M D 39 30 31 3 _4 W D Th F S Son M Td \V MAY 29— JUNE 4,1851. Wkatueu neae London in 1850. Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon E. &S. Moon's Age. Clock bef.Sun. Day of Year Barometer. Thermo. Wind. Rain in In. Asc.Hoi,yTh.K.Cha.11.kest.i660. Raspberry flowers. Figwort flowers. Sunday aftee Ascension. Rose-Chafl'er seen. Argus Butterfly seen. Bee Orchis flowers. 30.208—30.165 30.183 — 30.076 29.999—29.9/0 30.088 — 30.040 30.163 — 30.076 30.222 — 30.117 30.101 —29.939 7.5—46 77-53 79—45 78—48 75—47 75—51 81-57 W s.w. s.w. s.w. w. E. W, 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 53 a. 3 53 53 51 50 49 49 I a. 8 2 3 4 5 6 r 3 37 sets. 8a4I 9al5 10 41 11 30 morn. 28 @ I 2 3 4 5 3 59 3 51 3 43 2 S4 2 25 2 16 3 6 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 That the Publisher's Catalogue is a faithful guide to direct us to the prevailing taste for literature, is easily demonstrable by a few facts. Who ever sees a Poem now-a-days in that Catalogue? and is not the reason palpable — that people have become less fond of the pleasures of the imagination ? There is no doubt about it. We have become more practical — more anxious to ask the " why and the wherefore," and to find the ''because " of all that is going on around us, and within ua, in every day life. Hence, Travels, Biographies, Science made popular, the arts of life, and the lore which maketh wise for eternity, fill the volumes which now crowd from the press. This demonstrates the prevailing taste, and if we look back into the earliest age of our printed literature, and find even there a book occasionally dropping forth in the panoply of its black-lettered type, and rudely illuminated initial letters, we may accept it as a sure proof that there were readers for such a work, for the Pyn- sents, and Berthelets, and Wynkjm de Wodes of those times, were as shrewd as the Murrays, Longmans, Knights, and Orrs of modern days, in detecting " whither blows the favouring gale." Now, the very first work on the cultivation of the soil, published in English, that we ever saw, is entitled "The Book of Husbandry, very profitable and necessary for all persons," and the date was 1332, or 1534, we do not remember which. We have not that volume now to refer to, but we have open before ua another edition, with this title page: CIjc dFaur aSaofe^ of '^n^hmtix^ of ^it^txhtxi. By John Roberts. London. l.sgS. "Better is he that laboureth and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself and wanteth \im\.A.^'—Ecclesiasticiis x. 27. Now, if any pilgrim loves, as we do, to visit the quiet nooks of our land, where rest the ashes of those who have done good service in those fields unstained except by ink, let him take up his staff, and journey down to Norbury, in Derbyshire. In the nave of its church rests the writer of that book; a book, as Fuller prophecied, that would endure when the author's blue gravestone ceased to recall his memory. On that marble slab, engraved on brass plates, are the full-length efligies of Sia Anthony Fitzheebhut, and his lady. The robe around him, and the paper roll he grasps, tell of his judicial station and literary toils, but the inscription is nearly effaced, and only now lives entire in this record of the Heralds. " Of your charitie praye for the souls of Sir Anthony Fitzherhert, knyght, one of the King's Justices of his Common Bench, and some- tyme Lord and Patron of this towne, and Dorathy, his wife, daughter of Sir Henry Willoughby, knyght, &c. Which Anihonv deceased '17 May, 1.538." Sir Anthony is believed to have descended from that family of Her- berts, which, ennobled in many of its branches, included among its coronets those of Pembroke and Huntingdon ; but if the blood of the Herberts did not flow in his veins, still he was of gentle lineage, and the Fitzherberts had been Lords of Norbury ever since the year 112.^, and he was born there, in the family mansion, during the reign of Henry the 7th. Like other younger sons in those days of entailed broad acres, and small incomes in broad gold pieces, he was designed to be the maker of his own fortunes by biain labour. The law was assigned to him as his profession, and lie grappled with it as one resolved to subdue it to his Eurpose. In 1511, he was admitted to the dignity of a Serjeant ; in 15l6 e was knighted ; in the year following he became the King's Serjeant ; and in 1519, he published his Grand Ahridgenifnt of the law, which needs no other praise than that it is highly commended by the greatest of legal authorities, Sir Edward Coke. Nor was this his only professional pub- lication, for long after he had become a Judge of the Common Pleas, in 1523, and long after he had become possessor of the Norbury estates, on the death of his elder brother, he continued to prepare those legal col- lections of authorities, such as the Natura Breviinn, &c., works which have had for their commentators, Sir Matthew Hale, and other more modern legal luminaries. He became a judge whilst Wolsey presided over the Chancery, and endeavoured to elevate his own court by the de- pression of those of the Common law. Shelton, bis contemporary satirist, says — Judges of the king's laws. He counts them fools and daws — That all our learned men Dare not set their pen To plead a true trial Within Westminster Hall. But it is told to the honour of Sir Anthony, that superior to the Cardinal Chancellor in every mental gift, and sustained by his wealth and high connections, he unflinchingly opposed the attempted encroachments, and he lived to see the presumptuous priest hurled from his pride of place, surviving his overthrow eight years. Yet, Sir Anthony had a deep con- viction of the rights of the national church, and, however he might con- demn its errors, would in no way consent to the spoliation which had begun as he lingered on his death bed. At that solemn time he called his children around him, and exacted from each a promise that they would in no way participate in that spoliation, — a promise which they rigidly fulfilled. Hii Book of Husbandry, we have seen, was published about six years before his death, and of it he says : — " I will not absolutely say it is the best way, and will serve best in all places, but I say it is the best way that ever I could prove by experience, the which have been an house- holder this forty years and more." And during that householding time, he addressed himself to the fulfilment of its duties with the same energy, and the same systematic effort to master its details, as had characterized him in the pursuit of the less alluring study of the law. He was no pro- crastinator — do truster to uncertain memory — but what he did he did sedulously, and what he resolved to have done, at the very moment of the resolve was jotted down in his tablets, " I will desire the thrift-expecting man to rise early in the morning, according to the old saying — To rise early maketh a man holy, healthy, and wealthy," to go over his farm "and principally about the hedges," and to have a pair of tablets on which to note what requires attention. "This I used to do ten or twelve years and more, and this let him that is enamoured of thrift, use daily to woo her withal. And if the thrift-coveting person cannot write, then let him nick the defaults upon a stick, and shew them (tell them) to his Bailiff! " So anxious was he that forgetfuiness should have no excuse, that he gives what he terms — " An excelleut rude lesson in rude rhyme for a under- serving man to say every time when he taketh horse, for his remem- brance, not to forget any implement behind him. " Purse, dagger, cloak, nightcap, kercheffe, shoeing horn, budget, and shoone (shoes). Spear, mail, hood, halter, saddle-cloth, spurs, hat, and thy horae-comb : Bow, arrows, sword, buckler, horn, leash, gloves, string, and thy braser : Pen, paper, ink, parchment, red was, punisse and books do thou remember. Pen-knife, comb, thimble, needle, thread and point, least that perchance thy girth break ; Bodkin, knife, rubber, give thy horse meat. See he be shod well, make merry, sing if thou can, And take heed to thy needments, that thou lose none." Tlie spirit of his excellent little volume may be correctly estimated from this portion of its preface : — " Unto the scason-observing hus- bandmen, the great eternal Maker of all what ere was made, both or- dained and allotted two wives, the one of them for the comfort of his in- tellectual and divine part, the other for the nourishment and preserving of his mortal duat-metamorphosed body — To wit, woman the soul's joy, and car/A the body's nurse." "Since then thou art in such large chdins bound unto the earth's bridal, close not the closets of thine eyes with sloth, keep measure, not extending to riot, and thy riches will in- crease, as numbers flow in the fire-inflamed brain of the divincst poet. The true handmaid of virtue is labour, and the only foe to them idle- ness." " There is a seed that is called discretion, if a husbandman have of that seed, and mingle it amongst his other corn, they will grow doubtless much the better, for that seed will tell him liow many casts of corn every land ought to have." In the practical portion amid much that is good, there is also not a little that is error; thus, speaking of bees, he says : — " There is a bee called a drone, and she is greater than another bee, and will eat the honey, and gather nothing, and therefore they would be killed ; and it is a saying that she hath lost her sting, and thei-efore she will not labour as the others do." In the practices of gardening, he chiefly touches upon crown and whip grafting and budding, which he calls •' grafting by leaf," but he says he could write much more on gar- dening, its profits and pleasures, solely referring, however, to kitchen- gardffning, " But," he adds, " I refer the reader to any of the many books of gardening which will shew him enough for that purpose." Now, if any such existed, they have been devoured by time, lor no such works are known to us, except the comparatively useless ones that have descended to us from the Romans. In Poultry-keeping, in the assignment of their respective duties to the various servants of the household, and in his particulars of the " Wive's Housewifery," he is very comprehensive, and at this distance, as amusing as comprehensive, because unfolding to us the domestic economy of the olden time. Nor can we fail to observe that Tuaser, who had reached manhood when the Book of Uushnndry was published, is indebted to it for many of his " Five hundred points." We have before us another of Sir Anthony's books, entitled Surveyinge. Anno Domini 1 567. But it relates chiefly to the riglits of tenancy, and forms of delivering poasesaion, alUiougb there are some chapters shewing " How a man should butteandbounde the land," and " How to amende medowes, &c." METEonoLOGY OF THE WEEK.— At Cliiswick from observations during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- perature of these days are 69.8^, and 46.6'^, respectively. The greatest heat observed during the time was 90°, and the lowest cold 35^; 107 days were fine, and on 6I rain fell. No. CXXXIX., Vol. VI. 122 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [May 29. It is very remarkable, that although honey and the honey-comb are so frequently mentioned in the Scrip- tures, but very few allusions are made to the bees. It might be reasonably expected that they would have fur- nished frequently simiiies to the figurative pen of the prophets, and that as knowledge is likened unto their produce for its sweetness (Prov. xxiv. 14), and as Solo- mon holds up the ant as an example of industry, so we are justified in expecting that the bee should have been quoted as a model of providence, family concord and loyalty. But it is not so, and we have no allusion hut to their irritability {Dent. i. 4-i), and to their habit, when wild, of inhabiting the rocks and the trees. (Dent. xxxii. 13. Sam. xiv. 26.) Yet it was not because their produce was small or undervalued, for it is always in- cluded among the best produce of Judah {Oen. xliii. 11. &c.) ; a fertile land is described as one flowing with honey {Dent. viii. 8. &c.) ; and it formed an article of commerce with neighbouring nations (Ezek. xxvii. 17). The conclusion seems to be that domesticated bees and their habits were not known to the Israelites, and it would he difficult now to point out the nation to whom we are indebted, for adding this most profitable and most interesting insect to our catalogue of gardening and agricultural stock. That it does rank so highly, and deserves to be so estimated more frequently, admits of no doubt, for we know of many cottagers and allot- ment tenants who on an average of years pay their entire rent from the produce of their hives. That from the earliest times, bees have been esteemed in England for the value, as well as excellence of their produce, is quite certain, for in our earliest records we have them mentioned as property ; and among om' first printed books, is Thomas Hill's, " A profitable instruction of the pei'fite ordering of Bees." This ap- peared in 1579, and from that time imtil the publishing, in the present year, of The English Bee-Keeper, the volumes which have appeai'ed in succession from the pens of Swammerdam, Reaumur, Bonnet, Sohirach, Thorley, Hunter, Huber, Bevan, Hiiish, Payne, Jliner, Taylor, and others, have been marked by the gradual increase of sound information — sound, because confined, for the most part, to the results of the writers own ex- perience. The latest work in the above list, and one of the best, is The English BEE-IVEErER, or. Suggestions for the Practical Management of A mateur and Cottage Apiaries. Its author is " A Country Curate," so favourably known to our readers as the writer of " The History of an Apiary," and other practical, instructive, and amusing papers in our columns. The object of this little volume is thus told — " I wish to induce all residents in the country, wlio have lei- .sure and opportunity, to encourage bee-keeping among their poorer neighbours ; and not with a view to their pecunitirij ad- vantage oiili/, for the study of bees is capable of ministering to a much liigher end. There is scarcely a more interesting branch of natural history to be mentioned, nnd none cer- t.dnly more instructive. To quote tlie words of Dr. Bevan — "In common with the otiier branches of natural history, it leads to a salutary exercise of the menial faculties ; it induces a habit of observation and reHeolion ; no pleasure is more easily attainable, nor less alloyed by any debasing mixtm-e ; it tends to enlarge and harmonize tlie mind, and to elevate it to worthy conceptions of nature and its Author." Evei-y word of this is true. The rustic bee-keeper, if he have only a soul to appreciate the works of God, and an intelligence of an inquisitive order — and intelligence is sure to expand with the attentive study of any branch of natm'al history — cannot fail to become deeply interested in observing the wonderfid instincts (instincts akin to reason) of these admirable creatures ; at tlie same time that he will learn many lessons of practical msdora from their example. Having acquired a knowledge of their habits, not a bee will buzz in his ear without recalling to him some of these lessons, and helping to make him a wiser and a better man. It is certain that in all my experience I never yet met with a keeper of bees who was not a respectable, well-conducted memher of society, and a moral, if not a reUgious man. It is e%-ident, on retiection, that this pursuit, if well attended to, must occupy some considerable share of a man's time and thoughts. He must be often about his bees, which will help to counter- act the baneful allurement of the village "public," with all its accompanying syren-like e\-ils. Whoever isj'ond of his bees is fond of his home : this is an axiom of irrefragable truth ; and it is an axiom that will be sure to kindle in every true Englishman's breast a favoiu'able regard for a piu'suit, which, though humble, has undoubted power to produce so happy an influence." Such are the author's objects, and we assure our readers that he has written most successfully for attain- ing those objects. It is a thoroughly practical work, yet enlightened hy a sufficient application of scientific knowledge. It teaches where and how to found an apiary; how to select stocks; what hives to prefer for cottage management, for which he justly decides upon Mr. Payne's; amateur hives of straw and wood; their management in the open air, in a bee-house, and in a room window ; on feeding bees, and on the instruments and conveniences desirable to the bee-keeper. It is not to be expected that we coidd agree with the author in all his results, for even in practice the same experiment will have various degrees of success in the hands of as many experimenters ; and w'e especially differ from him where he objects to feeding bees with barley-sugar, because it is " troublesome to make." Now, we have found it but little more troublesome to manufacture than to prepare a compound somewhat similar to that which he recommends, of sugar, sherry, honey, and beer ; and this compound, to defeat him with another of his own objections to barley-sugar, is " as expensive as honey." Supposing, however, it to be thus dear, and even troublesome to make, yet these drawbacks would be all more than compensated by the facility to feeding which it affords. We have many passages of new and usefid informa- tion marked for quotation from this truly usefid volume ; but we must forbear, and the less reluctantly because we feel assured that many of our readers will adopt our recommendation of adding this good guide in bee-keep- ing to tlie other friends-in-time-of-need on their book- shelf. GARDENING GOSSIP. The great talk among florists is of the absence of the usual great show of Pelargoniums at the Chiswick Show, which was supposed to be the result of previous concert among the growers ; but we made it our business to go May 39.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. in among tho growers, and we can state positively that their specimens were certainly not ready to make any kind of creditable appearance. Had they been as for- ward ou tlie third as they were on the fourteentli, when they were not even then fully blown, they would have been at Chiswiok. We are quite awai'e that some eudeavom-ed to have it inferred they were absent because the prizes were not so good as tliey wislied, in tlie hope of moving the executive to more liberal encom-agemcut ; but tlie truth is, their plants were not fit to be seen. People are now as much opposed to any removal of The Crystal Palace, when done with, as they were at one time to its erection in the park, and schemers are at work already for suggestions as to its future appropria- tion. We have never had more than one opinion — It originated with a gardener, and it should be made a garden ; not of a costly description, because that is un- necessary, but it should be laid out in walks, clumps of shrubs and trees, and beds of flowers. It should be a promenade for winter, and should be open to all classes freely as the open park. Hundreds of interesting plants would thrive under glass without artificial heat, which would involve, perhaps, more cost than it is desirable to incur. And what if it cost the country a few thousands a year for labour ? Tlie money would not go out of the kingdom, and it would be employment for so many more labourers in the English vineyard. Specimens of very choice plants would thrive there, and half-hardy plants would flourish there. But suppose it were even necessary to give artificial heat, wlio would begrudge the cost when it was to provide amusement for the million ? And who has a greater right to be considered than the million ? Mr. Hume, who has laboured often in belialf of amuse- ment for tlie people, would be debghted at the appropriation of a reasonable sum to provide so rational a means of giving enjoyment to the poor as well as the rich. Tlie parks have always been a stain upon the Englisli taste ; it is time that they were examples of English landscape gardening instead of what they have been, and still ai-e — beautiful plots of ground, ill planted, and ill kept. We liope the gardeners will speak out; we hope the mind that planned the palace will be directed to its appropriation as a winter garden. A discussion has arisen among tho learned cultivators of Pinlis and Carnations upon the fact that in " The Properties of Flowers and Plants ; " it is said there should be six guard petals, whereas tho knowing ones say it is unnatitral, and against the nature of tho flower, which has only five. Upon this question we need only quote the actions of the learned disputants, for whenever they can find a sixth petal large enough to drag down into the lower circle, they do so; and why? because six petals make a better approach to a circle than five do. They thus stultify their own argument, and siqiply from the other petals what should be produced by the flower itself. We all know the Poh/aiillMS has five dirisious on the petal naturally, but that it dues come with six, and wlieu so, the flower is greatly superior to the flower with only five, because it approaches the scoUopped circle closer. It is not pre- tended in the " Properties of Flowers" that the models laid down should be natural; it is the very essence of floricultm'e to produce things far removed from then- natural state, and, in many cases, the best flowers ai'e the fiu'thest removed from their original form and texture. The Highhurij and North London Horticultural Show took place on the l.")th, in the grounds behind the Crescent, and a more complete exhibition was never witnessed. An immense tent, of elegant proportions, was furnished with a centre and two side tables, the full length, on which some of the finest specimens that have been shown this season were placed. The grass was matted, so tliat it was like walking in a drawing room. The plants were quite worthy of the preparation for them. J//-. Cutf, gardener to Mr. CoUyer, of Dartford, especially dis- tinguished himself, for better gromi plants were never shown. J/c. Fmzcr also contributed largely. The amateurs of the neighbourhood evinced taste and skill. Mr. Brmjij, of Slough, showed the best Pansies we have seen this season ; large, well-grown, and weU-chosen . The only seedling we observed worth notice was a Cineraria, a purple self, not an enticing coloiu-, sUghtly cupped, and, therefore, the petals more closed than they would be if they came flat; it had a first seedling prize, but Imndreds as good have been passed over this season. It was raised by Mr. Lockner, an amateur, self-sown in one of tlie named pots. The Roses in pots were grand. Messrs. Paul, of Cheshimt, exhibited a collection — perfect models ; Mr. Francis, of Hertford, showed some not for competition. A variety of cucumber called Hinilleifs improved was exhibited in great style ; one on tlie plant'in in a pot, others cut. One must have been thirty inches long we think, and for such lai-ge fruit handsome. Upon the whole this exhibition was so complete that it was Chiswiok in mmiature. The Royal Botanical Society's Show, in Regent's Park, ou the I4th, was attended by, according to their own estimate, five thousand persons. It was, in the distinguishing features, much the same as that at Chis- wiok; the plants, however, in many respects, were better flowered, being ten days forwarder. In the seedling way there was not mucli that we had not ah-eady seen. Hoyle's Mar/net, Pelargonium, of which we h.ave already favourably spoken, confirms our former opinion. It wiU be a very useful flower in collection on account of its novel coloiu'. At the Shacldetrell Dahlia Show no less than twelve prizes are to be given for new flowers ; no bad speoida- tion for dealers who subscribe a pound each ; and if they can only induce people to order two of tlieir flowers, out of forty-live wMch are eligible to be shown, it will answer their purpose. Tlio objection made in floral circles is, that the party who lias halfa-score new flowers eligible pays no more than the man who has but one. It is, however, the only way to force new flowers upon the world, and will be adopted on a larger scale. Of the forty-five new flowers let out by the sub- scribers there are few so good as those we already possess. There is a talk at some of the floral societies of striking at the root of that evil which every florist feels, the sale of worthless novelties, by excluding new flowers from stands, and only allowing them to be shown in class by themselves. It would improve the quality of the stands, and retain many flowers which are too often thrown aside for woi-se novelties. What new DahUa will beat Tlie Murcltioncss of Cornwullis Princess RadzeriUc, Uiike of Jf'eltinijlon, Sir F. Batlairst, Standard of Perfection, Scarlet Gem, Yelloiv Standard, Qiiceu of the East, and such like? Constancy of bloom carries everything, because a flower can always be cut, but we gain nothing in quality. Sir F. Batliurst, of last year, was the only real advance ; others there were which came up tolerably weU, but nothing like a model of otu- best present ones. 124 THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [Mat 20. This year, when half a dozen are mentioned for some dis- tinct point in their favour, we hardly know a flower that can he shown without an horn- or two can he occupied in poking open tlieir quilly petals, for Jressing is now amved to sucli a discreditahle jjitch, that gentlemen who cannot, or will not, condescend to disguise a flower, stand no chance in competition. E. Y. NEW PLANTS. THEIB PORTKAITS AND BIOGBAPHIES. Opposite-leaved Schcenia (Sehcenia opposiiifolia). — Botanical Magadne, t. 4500. — This is a new genus of Composites, named in honour of Dr. Schosn, a botanical artist. It has the character termed by gardeners ever- lasting in the flowers, which iu Schcenia oppositifolia axe rose-coloured. Among Composites it is nearest related to Heliohnjsum : the accompanying woodcut will suffi- ciently explain the second or specific name. It was discovered in Western Australia by Mr. Drummond, by whom seeds of it were transmitted to the Kew Gardens, where it flowered for the first time in the April of 1840. It is an upright-growing annual, a gem of its land, and may he compared witli such things as Mcsemhryanthemum tricolor of the gardens, Portnlaccas, Munfiles's Bhodantli, witli which, and with Lnwrcncella rosea, Sir W. Hooker com- pares it, and ipiite equal it is to either of them for interest and heauty. The rosy hue of the flower envelopes is what gives the real charm to this little greenhouse or half-hardy anniial, the flowei-s being collected together in heads or corymbs on the top of the stalk, and densely guarded by these coloured scale-like coverings. To cultivate this suc- cessfully, the seeds should be sown in a hotbed iu the spring, using one half peat earth, and the other half made up of leaf-mould, loam, and sand. As soon as the little seedlings appear, the pots are to be removed to a front shelf in tlie greenhouse, where a free current of air will be secured, so as uot to force them into premature flowering condition. As soon as the seedlings are strong enough to bear transplanting, fom- or five of them shoidd be at once transferred into the pots in which they are to produce their flowers ; after this potting they ought to be put into a close frame for a week or ten days, to enable them the more readily to make fresh roots. After that, the greenhouse or a good window-sill would be the best situation for them ; they do not require much water at any time, but still the pots should not be allowed to get dry, as they, and indeed most of the pot annuals, do not flower well if they suffer from any sudden cheek while they are growing. Stem erect, angled, downy, unbranched, except by flowers at the top. Leaves opposite, united at the base, nari'ow spear-head shaped, slightly downy and hair-fringed, gra- dually diminishing into bractes. Flowers in a coiymb ; flower-stalks with bractes ; involucres scaly, and the inner- most row of scales are like the ray petals of the daisy, (fee, o-sving to their having rose-colom'ed appendages ; recep- tacle, or disk, fuU of yellow florets. Dark-plowehed Methodoeea (Metrodorea nigra). — Gardeners' Magazine of Botany, vol ill. 4U. — This genus was named by Auguste Saint Hilaire in commemora- tion of Metrodoro Sahino, " who, according to Pliny, was the first to illustrate plants by means of figures, and the specific name alludes to the dark purple colour of the flowers." It belongs to a section of the Rueivorts (Piu- taceie) peculiar to the equinoctial regions of America, and called Pilocarps, from Pilocarpus, another genus of the order. It is also closely related to Esenhechia, one of the Quinas of Brazil, which, in those regions, is in as high public estimation for its febrifugal properties as the Cincliona, or Peruvian Bark itself The great bulk of the Piueworts inhabit our Cape Colony iu the shape of Diosmas, and the like ; or the open plains and hill sides in New Holland, as Eriostemons, Boronias, Correas, and others, which with us require ouly the shelter of the gi-eeuhouse. The Brazilian Piueworts, like this Metro- dorea, on the contrary, must have the stimulus of a hot damp stove in their growing season. Metrodorea niijra is a strong-growing, woody, or shrubby plant, attaining the size of a lai-ge currant-bush, and pro- ducing its numerous small dark pui-ple flowers on loose panicles from the end of tlie branches, eight or nine inclies long — a mode of flowering very well represented by our artist in the accompanying woodcut. .A.lthough this plant makes a showy appearance when it is in full flower, it is rather bulky to stand by the side of such stove plants as Mat 29.] THE COTTAGE GAEDENEB. 125 the amateur vnth short means delights to cultivate. It must be well accommodated at the roots ; a large pot and a sti'ong compost of loam and leaf-mould, with, or without, a little peat. It requires abundance of water in summer, as, Uke the Oleander, its roots are periodically immersed in water from the ovei-flowing of the rivers. It was discovered in the bottom of a brook running into tlie canal of Sehas- tianopolis, in the province of Eio, and was tirst introduced here from Russia by tlie Horticultural Society in 1846, who presented a plant of it to the Society of Apothecaries, in whose gai'den it flowered last year, and where, in days gone by, it would liave been thought of much value medicinally, liueworts like it being characterized by their powerful bit- terness, and the American species being well known for their febrifugal properties, as we have just stated. Melrodorea nigra has leaves about four inches long, dark green, smooth, in threes, each leaflet broacUy spear-head, Flowers in loose panicles about eight inches in length, clammy and downy at the end ; eacli corolla about three lines m diameter ; petals five, broacUy spear-head, very glossy, and dark purple ; filaments purple ; anthers orange. It is a straggling shrub, and the bark of the branches grey. J. B. THE FRUIT-GAEDEN. Melons. — We must retui'n to this subject, as the present is a period of much importance to the main summer crops. Those who intend ridging out late or autumn crops shortly, will do well, if in beds of ferment- ing material, to raise the frame nearly three feet above the ground level, with brushwood, sticks, &c. One of the chief elements of success with vert/ lata melons, is to be found in the ability to apply hot linings with a liberal baud in the end of September, and all through October ; and this in order that a free ventilation may be observed, for confined damps are, at that period especially, the great enemy. We would use the Beech- wood, or Snow's or Terry's Melon, for the latest crop ; what the new " Brombam Hall" is, we do uot Imow except by hearsay. " Setting" Melons. — This process should be attended to daily about noon, or when the farina is in a lively state and dry. As soon as the fruits swell as large as a pigeon's egg, they must be thinned out, and whatever number of plants a frame may contain, four or five melons to each light is a good crop, if size and flavour are a consideration. As soon as any given shoot has its allowance of fruit in this stage, the point should be pricked off at about three eyes beyond the fruit ; so say our principal melon growers, although it is not unlikely that another eye or two would benefit them rather than otherwise. Still the advice is sound on the wliole, for a greater latitude would induce young beginners to crowd their frames with useless spray, than which no- thing is more opposed to success in melon culture. Through all their culture, indeed, the utmost vigilance sbo'jld be exercised in this respect, no spray should be suifered to continue long to shade the princi]ml leaves, providing the latter are beathful ; if not, they must be progressively removed to make way for later develop- ments. A good melon frame, or pit, idways exhibits an uniform surface of bold leaves, with little or no spray lying confusedly over their surface. It is a good plan to make a point of examining the frames twice every week, for stopping, thinning, and regulation purposes and this on set days, in order to avoid neglect, All superfluous blossoms should at such times be pricked away ; every blossom, both male and female, not wanted, is just so nuicb strength detracted from the plant. Swelling melons, at this period, require much nourish- ment, in order to keep the older leaves in vigour, for those ouglit to be quite fresh when the fruit is ripening. So sure as the larger leaves are decaying at that period, so sure will the flavour be inferior and the flesh wanting in depth and in juice. Now the leaves n\ay decay through more than one reason ; insects are the most general cause, but lack of sufficient nourishment is another. A high amount of elaboration, and a heavy tax on the secretions, exists during the months of June, July, and August ; and if this is not supplied as demanded, a premature decay of the organs is a sure consequence. Need we add, to complete the climax, tliat the fruit suffers in a con-esponding ratio. It is, therefore, good practice in frame culture, to raise aU. tlie frames in the end of May, by which period there is scMcely so much need of very hot linings ; and so to raise them as that the roots may protrude into a bed of soil, or rather leaf-mould, outside the frame. To elFect this the lining must he drawn away to the depth of the frame, a cavity formed, and the leaf-soil, or other material, introduced, closing the whole after- wards with sweet lining. If any renewed lining is re- quisite, it should be over this, and against the sides of the frame. Thus, beneath should be a mellow and moist lining of about 90°, enclosing material for the outstretching of the fibres ; and above renewed lining, with a heat, if necessary, of 100°, for not more than 90" will descend to the soil from the tendency of heat to ascend. Let it be here understood, that it is too late to do all this when the melons have completed their first swelling; we have Imown this done, and the fruit to burst in consequence, as well they might. Their skins being " set" are ill-adapted to withstand an undue acces- sion of sap, suddenly thrown into a system ill-prepared to receive and appropriate it. This prooedui'e should take place about the period the crop first commences swelling ofi", and cannot well be done at a very early period, on account of the very hot linings requisite in trame cultiu'e. Watehino JIelons. — This is rather an important affah', and must be done with caution. From the time they are ridged out, until the fruit is swelling, they require but little ; what is necessary being conveyed to the root without wetting their stems, or damping the ulwle surface of the bed. As soon, however, as a crop is set and swelling, they need a very liberal watering ; and this may be given all over the siu'face, taking cai-e to use every means to get the surface dry again as soon as possible, by warm linings, and a free ventilation. Liquid manure will, at this period, prove highly bene- ficial, and it must be administered warm, say at 90°. After its application, the plants had best be sprinlded with clean water. Henceforth, they will scarcely need another soaking, unless the weather is very bright and hot, when the dose may be repeated just before the first swelling is completed ; after, a slight amoiuit of water will suffice ; indeed, watering rather freely occasionally close to tlie frame inside, will almost prove sufficient, although slight syringings will be of great benefit each afternoon about four o'clock, or just before closing time, during bright weather. From the period the ripening commences syringings alone will be suflacient, and even these may be discontinued if the weather is dull, giving abundance of air night as well as day during the ripen- ing period, in fact ripening them slowly rather than otherwise. Insects. — The melon is pecuKai-ly liable to the attacks of the thrip, the aphis, and the red spider. The last being most frequent, arises, doubtless, from the dry atmo- sphere which is encouraged amongst melons. Any stagnation of the sap, through impeded root-action, will tend immediately to subject them to its depredations. The best plan we know, is to use a sulphur paint, about once a fortnight, from the blossoming to the ripening period. This is composed of clay paint, to which plenty of sulphur is added, and may be thickly coated on the sliadij portion of the wood work, or wall, of the interior; and extended, but with caution, round the ends, with 12G THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [Mat 29. now and then a daub on the sunny portions. In addi- tion, if the insect appears, use syringing as frequently ! aait can be dried away again, talcing care that the plants j and surface are dry once every day. As for the thrips, I they are always puzzling rogues ; we are not aware that 1 any sure mode of totally extii'pating them exists, unless I it be our friend Appleby's mode, as practised with ! orchideous pilants, which is to fumigate with tobacco, and slightly stove with sulphur in combination. We have tried this with orchids for the extirpation of the minute thrip, which infests such as the iJendrobiums, Nobile, and Coernlescens, and it has certainly destroyed them. We venture on dangerous ground, nevertheless, to recommend such practice to the inexperienced, who, ten to one, will "burn their fingers" in the very first attempt. If stoving is resorted to, it will, perhaps, be a good plan, iu a i'rame, to make three or four bricks pretty hot, and to plaster them with a sulphur paint, intro- ducing them in front, and shutting close up with mats. We leave it, therefore, to the discretion of the operator, with a strong recommendation of caution. The aphides are, as is well known, easily destroyed with the fumes of tobacco. Wo advise all our melon friends' to practice fumigations in a preventive sense, commencing witli the plant just before blooming, whether tlie aphides appear or not. Such may be repeated nearly once a fortnight, using moderate doses, but shutting up close with mats, &c., for several hours. The Persian Melons. — The Hoosianee, the Ispahan, and their varieties, with some others, require peculiar treatment. Mr. Fleming, of Trentham, is well known to be one of the most successful cultivators of this section in the varieties ; and it is not the only thing he excels in. He has raised hybrids of his own, which are said to combine the hardiness of the finer old kinds, with the delicate flavour, thin rind, and exquisitely juicy character of tlie Persians. All, however, are too tender for those of limited means to rely on; and if they will try them, extra attention will be requisite. The best of glass is necessary, and a very high temperature must be secured. They, moreover, evince more im- patience as to confined atmosjiberic moisture than the ordinary melons, albeit they enjoy a considerable amount of moistm-e at the extremities of the roots. Those who desire further information concerning them, with a view to next year's culture, will do well to consult the Cottii(/e Gardeners Dictionanj when it arrives at the letter JI. If we mistake not, this cheap work will prove the hand- book of thousands. R. Ebrington. THE FLOWER-GAEDEN. Pl.vntino Trees .^nd Shrubs out from Pots. — There are two reasons in favour of the plan of planting single choice specimens out from pots on mounds twenty inches or two feet above the general level, a system of which I disapproved in my last ; the first of which is a damp, cold liottom of clay lying in such a way as to be ditflcult to drain it properly ; and tlie second is — a very general practice with planters — to make large wide holes at once, and filling them wilh fresli soil, or compost, in a very loose state, without pressing it down, an excellent jilan for very liardy trees like our oaks; but the very reverse for any plavit that is at all tender, or for one whose natural habit is to begin to grow with us early in spring, as some of the Indian firs do, or whose habit is to go on growing late in the autumn, as many of the Cypress trilie exhibit, and tlie reason is this : On a mound of loose soil you encourage the roots to go at once to the bottom. Right enougli for the oak ; but for the early riser in the spring you aggravate tlie evil of shooting too soon for our climate by encouraging the roots away from the influence of surface temperature. At the end of a long winter our soil is never so cold at two feet from the surface as it is on the toj), so that the deeper you have the roots, if the bottom is dry, the warmer they are, and, therefore, the more readily do they assist your plant to gi'ow away at the top, and the sooner it does that, the more liable it must be to be injured by a late frost. The same causes are at work late in the autinnn, to encourage the late-growing kinds to go on in their own way until they are overtaken by a sudden hard frost, which, perchance, may cut ofl' their aspiring leaders. In November we may have the sur- face so chilled down as to stop vegetation ; but at two feet below, the influence of the warm summer showers is still in operation, as I liave just remarked. Therefore, those who have studied all this properly, object to the practice of encouraging the roots to sink deep into the earth. When they put in the new soil iu a pit, they press it hard down until they come within a foot or so of the surface ; therefore, as this soil cannot afterwards settle down much, they have no cause to raise the collar of the plant more than a few inches above the level. When the young roots come to the pressed earth they are more likely to search sideways where the soil is loose, and thus keep nearer the surface, or if some of the strongest do find their way deeper, the more useful ones are sure to spread on either side. When the roots of many trees grow long and fast, as they surely will in a wide pit, they do not make nearly so many small feeding roots as those which are stinted for room. Plence it is that naiTow pits at first planting are better iu the long run than wide ones ; besides, in a wide pit filled at once with good soU, some of it at least will be inert, or say not good for much, by the time it is all occupied by the roots. On the whole, therefore, the best practice is to begin with narrow pits, and to enlarge them by degrees as the tree gets on. A few years since, Mr. Ayres, one of our very best gardeners, and also amongst the best writers on practical gardening, founded a new plan of making Vine borders on this very principle which I am contending for. First of all he only allows the Vine about fom feet wide to spread in, and afterwards adds to the width of the border, by degrees, as the roots increase, the Vine being notorious for making long bare roots in a wide border. The next step in successful planting is to see that roots that have coiled in the pots are laid out or trauied out in straight lines, which we have so often insisted on; but the whole ball need not be disturbed in doing this. Fatal results have often been experienced from a false notion that it is necessaiy to shake away the whole of the soil in the ball before the roots can be got at. Roots never coil in a pot until they reach the sides : therefore, to do the thing properly, all that is neeessaiy is to unloose the first inch or two on the outside of the ball, and tlien all the coils may be easily uncoiled, the centre, or the greater portion of it, being left just as it is. so that very little risk indeed is incurred — not much more than that in changiug a ]ilant from one pot to another. Then, if the plant is loosely tied to a firm stake in the middle of the pit, I can see no reason why the youngest amateur in the country may not plant the rarest tree from Mexico or Peru as successfully as the most experienced gardener ; but the best planter in the world, if he ventures to plant out without thus releasing the roots, but merely putting in the ball as it turns out of tlic pot, is as sure to be defeated in the long nin as my name is Donald. There is anotlier side to this subject well wortliy of being put in jiractice in many iustances ; an old plan, it is true, but not a bit the worse for that. Let us suppose one has a fine lot of rare things in pots, and that it is high time tliey were planted out jiermanently, but some how or other the grower has no place ready for them, or his situation is too bleak to turp them oiit just yet, or, May 29.J THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 13T jjerliaps, be has to i-emove in a year or two to another part of the country. What is he to do? I'otting them into larger pots would only increase tlie danger in un- coiling the roots some day or other, because, it' they are now in a coiling state, there would be two sets of coils, in all likelihood, to get free at the time of ])lant- ing. The plan I allude to is to meet a case of this description. The plants, instead of being planted out permanently, are to be prepared iu all respects as if they were to be finally planted — that is, the outer part of the balk are to be gently loosened, and the roots uncoiled and set free ; then to plant the whole in flat hamper-like baskets, about two feet in diameter, or a little more, and nine or ten inches deep, and then to be plunged in a border in the ]m average liabit, and, moreover, that it has nearly lost the \ niitch," everyliody could form an idea of its genera' cha- racter; and if the Societies mean to be useful tbcy must came to this. All such vague terms as " good form," " a good show flower," iVc, must be left out of the report. They I mean nothing — they have meant nothing for years ; one Mat 29.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 131 half of the judges have turned out things, year after year, described as of " good form," or as " good show flowers," and they have proved very inferior. Let us talce another of tlie first class certificates given to a Pclnrrjon'nim — Jlr. Hoyle's Chieftain. This flower should have been reported as a pretty variety in a large collection ; call it crimson, or any other colour that means something between piu'ple and scarlet, but baring tlie under petal standing np away from the other four, and not a good trusser. The Jiiiici/ Pelurijoiiinm raised by Mr. Ayres, Foi'ni'jsissimtim, was awarded a first class certificate, and this was on tolerably safe ground, because it was shewn as a seedling last year, and I had described it as one of the very best formed of all the family. The colour is not striking ; but when a flower without any particular fault is a decided advance towards the ideal model laid down, it may, without much damage to tlie public, be classed among tlie best. But to justify a first class certificate, a flower ought to be better than anything we have got of its colour, or a new and desirable colour mthout any condemning fault. Now, Mac/net, ilr. Hoyle's Peluriioniiim, though it could not be fairly called a first class flower, is worth a dozen of his Chie/laln. The coloiu' is desirable, it is a good trusser, and the flower has no fault great enough to jjut it out of half a dozen exhibiting plants. The Aurirula, to which a first class certificate was given, was not nearly so good as some we already possess. It was called the Beaut;/ of Bath. The plant was not sufficiently matured to judge at all ; it shewed several faults that would condemn a flower : the divisions reached into the paste, and the footstalks were so short, that if ever it bears seven )iips, uuless the footstalks come much longer, the pips must lie crowded, and form a small round head, instead of displaying the whole in one face. But while it was exceedingly erroneous to give it a first class certificate, it ivould have been unjust to condemn it, because it may come better when matured. The judges might have said it was promising ; but it is au even chance that we may never see or hear of it again, because, it it does not come better next season, the grower will throw it away. Jjarti/ Hume Campbell has been mentioned in the papers as a new Cineraria, but it was noticed by me last year. It is a pretty blue-edged flower, very striking, but deeply notched; showy in a collection, and the colom's well defined, but the uotcli is a great di-awback. jMr. George Smith has shown two white Cinerarias, both an advance upon om' present whites, and veiT difl'erent from each other. These ai"e both above the average, and either of them would be an acquisition — Alba Ma(/n.", Sultwood).— Rely upon it, yours is simply a case of immaturity in the wood, such ever presents a similar appearance. There certainly seems Uttle objectionable in your border; but trees that are in the common acceptation ** the admiration of every one" when in a young state, but too often flatter to betray. If your trees begin to grow luxuriantly shortly, let a trench be dug out about four or five feet from the wall, and parallel with it, and let every root be cut which projects beyond that line, even to the very bottom. If you do not cut now, be sure to root-prune less or more in the middle of September, for to do so earlier would prejudice the fruit, moreover, we would stop every shoot of any strength in the end of July. Pray look over Mr. Er- rington's papers for root-management. (Enotsera macrocaepa (i'a6r//i«).— Now is the best time to make cuttings of this. Slip olf young shoots when they are three inches long, and put them under a hand-glass in a shaded place. ortrait of genuine Scriptural piety. We cordially recommend our readers to receive the Weekly T'/sfVor into their families. Wherever it goes, it must convey an influence for good ; and the best wish we can express for our country's welfare and safety, in these trj-ing times, is that every family in England may be moulded upon the religious principles which this work so attrac- tively sets before them" — Chester Courant. London : Weutueim and Macintosh, Paternoster-row. Winchester: H. Wooldridge. And may be had of all Booksellers in Great Britain and Ireland. " GLENNY'S^OLDEN RULES FOE, GARJ)ENEEa Price 6d. n GLENNY'S HAND-BOOK to the FLOWEB-GAEDEN. vJ • Price 6s 6d. GLENNY'S HAND-BOOK to the FRUIT and VEGETABLE GARDEN. Priee 7s 6d. p GLENNY'S HAND-BOOK of PRACTICAL GARDENING. Vj. Price 7s 6d. C. Cox, 12, King William-street. INDUSTRY and HUMANITY, versus PLUNDER and MURDER.— 1 MARRIOTT'S NEW BEE-HIVE for the humane management of honey bees is the best for real practical utility, each hoop finely worked upon straw, the hoop of the top, or cover hive, fits over the hoop of the nether, or stock hive, which has three glass windows, ventilator, and thermo- meter for regulating the temperature, and either three or four bell-glasses, for taking the finest quality of the fruit of industry at the height of honey gathering without the least injury to the bees. Taylor's new .Shallow Bos Hives, with or without bars, two adapting boards, &c. Taylor's Amateur Bar Hive, Nutt's Collateral and other Hives. A Descriptive Engraving, with Priced Catalogue, posted for two penny stamps. BIAREIOTT'S Humane Bee-Hive Factory, 74, Grace- church Street. PORTABLE ECONOMICAL VAPOUR BATH, for Families, Travellers, i &c. At all seasons of the year, but more particularly in the winter, when the prevalence of cold, attended with influenza, rheumatics, and fever, to which most persons are subject, it must be a pleasing desideratum — under all circumstances, on land, at sea, in towns, and in the remotest villages — to be enabled to command an alleviation, aaid in most cases a certain cure, by this simple but efficacious Vapour Bath. Complete, with large Cloak, J!\ lis 6d. PORTABLE ICR BOXES, REFRIGERATORS, &c., and FOREIGN BLOCK ICE, 63 per 100 pounds. Packed for the country without extra charge. SYPHON AIR VENT BEER aiid WINE TAPS, 33 and 3s 6d. ELECTRO-PLATED, 5s 6d. BATHS of every description. SWAN NASH, Furnishing Ironmonger, &c., 253, Oxford Street: City Dep6t, II9, Newgate Street. nUTTA PEE- CHA PUMP FOR LIQUID MANURE, &c. G-. G. G. The Gutta Percha Pump has the following advan- tages over metal ones. 1. Non-aflFection by the acids in I^fanures. 2. The Valves are so constructed that they can be readily taken out and cleaned. 3. The ^'"alves will not easily clog or get out of order. 4. The Pump is so re' markably light that it may be carried a considerable distance on the shoulder, if required. C. More economical. Manufactured by THE GUTTA PERCHA COM- PANY, Patentees, 18, Wliarf Road, City Road, London. June 5.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 148 M D 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 w D Tb F 1 S Sen M To W JUNE S— 11, 1851. Weather near London IN 1850. Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon R. &S. Moon's Age. Clock bef . Sun. Day of Year Barometer. Thermo. Wind. Rain in In- K. Hanover b. 1771. Pink flowers. Common Blue Butterfly seen. Oxford Term ends. Whit Sunday. Portug:al Laurel fl. Whit Monday. Bladder Campion fl. Whit Tuesday. Oxford Term begins. St. Barnabas. 29.937-29.795 30.109—30.090 30.137—29.920 29.990—29-892 29.9I8— 29.792 29.728—29.668 29.851 -29-797 85—57 66—51 71-50 66—42 65—43 60—42 65—37 w N.E. N.W. N.E. N.E. N.E. N-E. 1 1 1 1 1 II 48 a. 3 47 47 46 46 43 45 8 a, 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 0 8 0 38 1 5 1 30 1 53 2 16 2 40 6 3 8 9 10 11 13 1 55 1 46 1 35 1 24 1 12 1 1 0 49 156 157 153 160 161 163 Whitsuntide ia usually one of the most brilliant holiday-tides of the whole year. It is almost always a time of sunshine and soft breezes, and being also the high festival time of our flowers, we may then realize, as nearly as is permitted to exiles from Paradise, that happy period when might be heard " the voice of God. walkinji^ in the midst of the Garden." Perhaps Thomas Fairchild felt this, and for that reason provided thoie funds which ever since his death have been devoted to secure the delivery, on each Whit-Tuesday, of a Lecture " On the wonderful works of God in the Creation ; or. On the certainty of the Resurrection of the dead, proved by the certain changes of the animal and vegetable parts of the Crea- tion" Bright themes are these, and around them the scienced and the eloquent have concentrated illustratioos which demonstrate, beyond dispute, that an all-wise and all-powerful Being formed the world, and formed it, too, with an all-benevolent design. Nor is that design abortive ; for, as Paley remarked, even in the pain and weakness of his dying hours—" It is a happy world after all." Happy, not only because enjoy- ment prevails here, but because the same design assures us that the day, or rather the eternity, shall come when there shall be no more death— but as the seed dies to become fruitful, and as the perfect Golden-eyed Lace- wing comes forth from the cerements of the chrysalis, so we have the glorious hope that we shall rise from the grave to rejoin, and be ever present with, those loved ones who have passed before, to abide with Him who lived and died, also, " to prepare a place" for them. Connections and thoughts such as these comforted and elevated the heart of Fairchild, for he not only founded the lecture on such themes which we have mentioned, but he tells us — " When we are not yet arrived at the pleasures of a large garden, or cannot enjoy the benefit of a large piece of ground, we content ourselves with a nosegay rather than fail. There is, I confess, a very wide difference ; but where a little is only to be had, we should be content with a little ; industry will always find out more : and if their riches do not too much engage their mind, they may have content too, for whoever understands and loves a garden may have content if he will, because he has opportunity every day of contem- plating the works of the Creation, and admiring the power and wisdom of the Creator ; which I think is the greatest happiness." Mr. Fairchild was one of the few gardeners of his time who united a love of science with the practice of his art. He was a nurseryman and florist residing at Hoxton, where his e3tablishmen:3, known as '* The City Gardens," were the most extensive and best near London, and were greatly frequented, not only for their agreeable situation, but for the variety, rarity, and excellence of their productions. He was also one of the latest English cultivators of a vineyard, for he had one there as late as 1722. Long residence in the vicinity of the metropolis made him pain- fully conscious how, by degrees, plants ceased to be cultivatable there, which had flourished amid its houses in his younger days. To enable the citizens to contend against this growing plant-mortality, he published, in 1722, The City Gardener, containing the most experienced method of ciUtivating and ordering such evergreens, fruit-trees, flowering shrubs, flowers, exotick plants, i^-c, as wilt be ornamental, and thrive best in the London Gardens. In its preface, he says; — " I have, for upwards of thirty years been placed near London, on a spot of ground where I have raised several thousand plants, both from foreign countries, and of the English growth, and in that time, and from observation I have made in the London practice of gardening, I find that everything will not prosper in London, either because the smoke of the sea-coal does hurt to some plants, or else because those people who have little gardens in London, do not know how to manage their plants when they have got them. Yet, one may guess at the general love my fellow-citizens have for gnrdening. in the midst of their toll and labour, by observing how much use they make of every favourable glance of the sun to come abroad, and of their furnishing their rooms or chambers with basons of flowers or ioug'ft-pots, rather than not have something of a garden before them." As Ulr. Fairchild was alarmed by the gradual extinction of plants, so we, on the other hand, are now astonished to find such statements of what still flourished in his time within the city's bounds, as are contained in tliese extracts : " Pears bear very good fruit, as may be observed in very close places and confined allies about Barbican, and other places about Aldersgate* street, Bishopsgate-street, &c." '* To these we may add the Vine, which will do very well in London, either against wallsi or without them. In Leicester Fields, there is a Vine that bears good grapes every year." " i^ig-s prosper extremely in the city, and the smoke has no ill-effect upon them. The Reverend Mr. Beniiet has some of them in his garden at Cripplegate. They have ripened very well in the Roll's Garden in Chancery Lane." " There are now two very large Mulberry-trees growing in a little square yard, about l6 foot square, at Sam's Coffee House in Ludgate- street." Hoxton is in the parish of Shoreditch, and when Mr. Fairchild died, October 10th, 1729, he gave, by his will, the sum of .£"25, to the trustees of the Charity School, and the churchwardens, to be by them placed out at interest, for the payment of 20s. annually for ever, for a sermon on Whitsun Tuesday, in the afternoon, at the parish church, on the sub- jects we have already particularized. The bequest, in 1746, was increased to .^e'lOO, South Sea Stock, and vested in the President and Feliows of the Royal Society, and the interest is paid to the lecturer annually. Of the Fairchild Lectures, the following have been published:— By Dr. Denne, [Matt. vi. 28—30), in 1730. (Gen. i. 11—13), in 1733, on vegetable Creation. And {Psalm viii. 4—6), in 1745, on God's regard to man in his works of Creation. By Dr. Wm. Stukeley, {Gen. i. 1 1), in 17fiO— 63, three sermons. And by the iteu. Wm. Jones, one on Bota- nical Philosophy, another on the Economy of Beasts and Cattle ; and a third, [Gen. i. 9, 10), on the Natural History of the Earth, and its Minerals. Besides these, among the preachers we find the Rev, H. Wheatley, Rev. John Brigden, Rev. John Vade, Rev. Michael Marlow, Rev. Dr. Anselm Bayley, Rev. Henry Owen, and Rev. Samuel Ayacough. Besides the work we have mentioned, Mr. Fairchild communicated a paper to the Royal Society, On the different and sometimes contrary motion of the sap m F/an(s, (Phil. Trans., No. 384, 1724), and the follow- ing extracts will show his thoughts and experiments relative to subjects which still interest the gardener and botanist. He grafted Laureola, an evergreen, upon Mezereon, a deciduous shrub, and E'^ergreen Oak of Virginia, upon the common English Oak, yet both retained their leaves and flourished, "which plainly shows that the juices rise upwards in winter." Mr, Fairchild adds, that " the Crab stock makes the wood of the Apple-tree (grafted on it) more firm and lasting than that on the Apple stock; and Peaches and Almonds budded on Plums, are more lasting than those on Peach-trees." "I inarched a Pear-tree upon two Pear stocks in March, 1721-2, which is now in a good flourishing condition, with a branch in blossom, and receiveth no nourishment but by the two inarched branches, the roots being out of the ground, and though it was done above two years ago, it is now shooting suckers out of the roots, which proveth that the branches are as useful to support the roots, as the roots the branches, and it is, therefore, no wonder that so many trees miscarry in planting, when there are no branches left on the head." Meteoeology of the Week. — At Chiswick. from observations during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- peratures of these days, are 74.1'' and 48^^, respectively. The greatest heat 90°, was on the 7th, 1846, and the lowest cold, 35^, on the 8th, in 1838. During the time 100 days were fine, and on 68 rain fell. A BEAUTIFUL voiuiiie lias just issued from the press, entitled Sertum Ecclesice : Tlie Churcli s Flowers A' Even were the work insipid and insiguificant, it could have uo unfriendly criticism in our pages, for we find this sentence in its preface : *' The profits of the volume (if any) will go to assist in the education, as governess, of a young person from the Isle of Skye, whose parents have been reduced, by accuimalated misfortunes, fi'om a higher condition to one of exceeding privation ; their support, and the education of their younger children* must now chiefly depend on her exertions." We need say no more to awaken an interest and a sympathy * Published by R. Grant and Son, Edijiburgh; and F. and J. Rivineton, London . among our readers, nor need we recommend them to purchase the work — but we may add, that the purchase money is calculated to secure more than one harvest of good, for the volume has more than the one hallowed purpose we have named. Its, object, an object as old as the Olive-spray Dove- borne into the Ark, is to associate particular plants with particular events. It quotes at length the statements in Holy Writ relative to each, adding such poetical quota- tions as are sti'ikingly applicable, and giving with each a drawing of a flower, which might have been much better, and yet not have justified the cynical criticism that they were needlessly superior. It is a volume excellently suited to the season of the No. CXL., Vol. VI. 144 THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [JCNE 5. year; and just before we penned tliLs notice we rested on a grassy bank beneath a treillage of Roses, near borders gemmed with Geraniums, Pansies, sjiicey Stocks, Esch- scholtzias, and Wall-flowers. It was at that hour of the almost departed sun, when the blue mist is prophetic of another glowing day on the morrow, when the coolness is no more than reli-eshing, and when the quietude is rendered more striking by the buzz of the humble-bee being the loudest sound upon the ear, as he struggles to escape from the intricacies of the clustered flowers. In such an hour and place we proceeded to complete our perusal of this volume, and it seemed somewhat better than mere accident, that we opened its pages at those on wliich were these lines : — , Broods there some spirit here ? The summer leaves hang silent as a cloud ; And o'er the pools, all still and darkly clear, The wild wood-hyacinth with awe seems bowed ; And something of a tender cloistral gloom Deepens the violet's bloom. The very light that streams Through the dim dewy veil of foliage round, Comes tremulous with emerald-tinted gleams, As if it knew the place were holy ground ; And would not startle, with too bright a burst, Flowers all divinely nurs'd. ***** Yes, lightly, softly move ! There is a power, a presence in the woods ; A viewless Being, that, with life and love. Informs the reverential solitudes : The rich air knows it, and the mossy sod — Thou— TAoK art here, my God ! We have received the following interesting communi- cation from Mr. J. Henshall, dated Java, Mai'ch 15th, 1851, and we shall be obliged by a continuance of such communications. "I Tvrite to you these few lines in reference to Gordmiia Javanica, noticed amongst the "New Plants," in The Cottage Gardener, for December, 1850, vol. v., and page 187-8, wherein it appears that the true habit of that plant is at present unknown. Should you think the foUowing accounts are of any service to your valuable work, they aie witli pleasure at yom- senice :— I first discovered this beautiful plant, Gordonia Javanica, on the plains in tlie district of Toerjoe, near the base of the moimtain Pangcrangoe, at an elevation of 3500 feet above the level of the sea. It is only found in exposed situations, wliere the temperature I ranges from Fahn. 64° to 70° in the day, and occasionally as low as 54° at midnight. In its native habit, it is a fi-ee flowerer, seldom exceeding five feet in height, and will, no doubt, prove a valuable greenhouse plant. The most suitable soil appears to be sandy loam, combined with vegetable mould, and a treatment similar to that given to Camellias. It is not, like many other plants, distributed over a wide surface of land, but is confined to the western parts oi.lava, known as the Stmdanese cUstrict. Its native name is Soeroe." GARDENING GOSSIP, There is scarcely a more brilliant plant than a well- bloomed Mimulus, and few flowers sport so much at , different seasons of the year; but they are so easily • propagated that they are looked uj)on as weeds. : In a batch of seedUngs, we may see a hundred variations ! m the markmg, although the colours are, perhaps, essen- tially the same. ^Ve remember seeing, a few years ago, the 1 sporUng of the ground to a cream colour, and the markmg to a purple. The vai-ioties so marked came small, and we c ."?u ''^^?''ect to have seen them improved upon. In fact, the Mimulus was neglected as a thing too easUy grown to show the skill of the gardener, but it ought not to be thrown aside. In judging Pelargoniums, there are several points frequently overlooked. In the first place, seedlings being often exhibited with one or two pips open, the cen- sors, naturally taken with the novelty and brilliance, perhaps also the good form of the individual flower, award it the prize, when it is possible that the plant will not truss well ; the footstalks may be too long when all the blooms are out, aud the flowers may lay or hang about, instead of forming a compact bimoh. Again, the first flower in a tntss may decay before the whole are full blown, and the colour may not stand ; the brilliancy of the opening flower may depart before it is fuU-grown. Another consideration is the form of the flower, which, before it is quite open, may seem unobjectionable, be- cause it is in a cupped state, but opening wider it may be loose and worthless. Therefore, no seedling should be judged untU it is shown with the trusses fvdl bloomed. The habit of a plant has a good deal to do with its value, and no raiser should attempt to force a seedling, nor to grow it carelessly, for it impairs the flower, tosaynotliiug about the disadvantage to the plant. It seems there ai-e to be three Horticultural Slwtcs at Vauxliall Gardens tliis season. We have not at present, lany distinct plan before us, but it seems there is to be a sum of twenty-five pounds given in prizes at each show. Tliis is a liit at the South London Floricultural Society, which may be felt if their own members encourage the rivah'y ; but if they abstain from sliowing, it wiU have no bad effect. The more shows there are, the better for trade, so that they do not weaken one anotjjier. The Amateur Tulip Society is rapidly progi'essing, and, before this appeal's, they will have had their annual show at the Horns Tavern, Kennington Common. It was, at one time, feared that the bad judgment last year would have prevented some from exhibiting, but the addition of two judges has removed the chance of a second mishap. Oardetiing in Neiv Zealand. — Our attention has been directed to Brees' Panorama, now exibiting in London, in which ai'e seen very distinctly the principal gai'dens of the English settlers, laid out with a great deal of taste, and showing that vegetation is most luxui'iant. Our ordinai'y shi-ubs become in an incredible short time immense trees. Gardeners who contemplate emigi-ation, must not faU to visit this exhibition, for they wUl gain more information on gardening in New Zealand than they can in a month's reading; an intelligent man explains eveiy thing, and points out the residences of several English settlers. We have before us, also, a letter dated Nelson, New Zealand, Sep- tember, 1850, in which the writer, after obseiwing that month answers to oiu: March, but that it has more of its characteristic "lamb" than of its "lion," adds — "I think before many years are past, we shall be making champagne here, for the number of vines every body grows in their gardens is quite astonishing. It is said, by competent judges, that our hops and barley are the finest in the world." Society for Encouraging Floriculture in Great Britain. The subject at the last meeting was Tulips, and the point for discussion, the plurality of names by which some Tulips are known, many of them being sent out under ten or twelve different appeUatious. Few, how- ever, who talk of good and bad strains of the same flower June 5.] THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. 146 think of this simple fact: seeds out of the same pod will bring flowers a good deal alike ; but tliere is no such tiling as good and bad strains of the same identical variety. If we have a very foul flower, and a very flue one that we know to be from the same origin, we may call the better one a tine strain, and the other a coarse strain ; but another season the so-called fine strain will be as coarse as it can be, and the coarse one altogether as fine. AVe know there are many tulips called Polyphemus that are not true, they are as similar as two seeds from tlie same pod may be, and one may be finer than another. A so-called Polyphemus that mil constantly come tine would be invahi- able. Bro\vn's Ulysses is a seedUnfi from Polyphemus, and iu constancy, as well as good points, in many respects su- perior. Tulips were reported to be backward. Notliing of consequence exhibited. No less than seventeen nurserymen have availed them- selves of permission to exhibit plants in the Crystal Palace, and to us, Goths as we are, the plants formed the most striking feature. The public have learned rather an important fact, too, for Mr. Fergusson, of Stowe, informs them iu a very conspi- cuous manner, that he sends out bedding-plants at a shilling a dozen, and has taken orders at the palace for thousands. Niu^serymen are the only people that do actual business in the exhibition, and the people in the refreshment-rooms seem to be the only ones that do bssiness near it. National Fi.oRTicni.TnaAL Society, May a2nd. — A. W. Newhall, Esq., of Woolwich, in the chair. Censors, Messrs. Davidson, Woodhouse, Robinson, Ayres, Lid- gard, Goldham, Parsons, and Staines. Thirteen new members were elected, and four proposed to be baUotted for at the next meeting. As usual there were a great number of seedlings of all the florists' flowers now in bloom exhibited, and none were without some desi- rable quality ; but it must be allowed, very few liad a decided improvement in every point. The censors only Selected the following: — A certificate to Jlr. E. G. Henderson, of St. John's Wood, for a Cineraria, named Eosalincl, w-ith a grey disc, wliite ground, and beautifully edged with sky blue. It was, also, of a good form and substance. A certificate to Mr. Himt, of Maida Vale, for a Pansey, named Pandora, with a yellow ground, edged broadly with pm-ple, pleasingly shaded with puce ; a fair size, good fomi and substance. A commenda- tion was given to Mr. Ambrose for his Cineraria, named Formosa, with a white ground, dark disc, and rosy purple tip. A commendation to Mr. E. G. Henderson for his Cineraria, named Nonesuch, a Ught pm'ple self of fair pro- perties. A commendation to Mr. Chater, of Saffron Walden, for a Cineraria, a white self of a good shape; likely to be useful. Peluryoniiims, Maynet, Chieftain, and Herald, came from Mr. Hoyle, of Reading. The first and second we have already noticed ; the third is new, and desirable, with dark top petals, and the lower beautifully mottled, and a clear ■white eye. The censors desired this to be shoiMi again. Mr. Dobson, gardener to E. Beck, Esq., Isleworth, sent his Pelargonium, Incomparable, a flower of considerable merit, and Mable, a new striking flower, nith dark upper petals, and light lower one tipt with dark colom-. Mr. Bragg, of Slough, sent also some seedhngs of Pelar- goniums, the most remarkable of which was one named Prince Albert. This was a smooth well-formed flower, the upper petals dark purple, the lower a pleasing rose-colour. Mr. Ambrose had also several seedling Fancy Pelargo- niums. The best was one named Figaro, with very large flowers of a Ught rosy colour. Mr. Gaines, sent several seedling Calceolarias of some merit, especially those named Confidence, a dark flower well marked, and Minerva, yellow ground, and covered with well- defined dark spots. Messrs. Henderson, of Pine-apple- place, sent several seedhng Calceolarias, well marked, but deficient in form. Jlr. WiUison, of Whitby, Yorkshire, sent several breeder Tulips of some merit, especially one named Juliet, a finely- formed rose with a clean bottom. Mr. E. G. Henderson had some seedhngs or new Gloxinias ; one named Van Humboldt was good — a light variety in the way of Alba sanguinea. Mr. Moore, of Perry Bar, neai- Birmingham, sent several seedling cut flowers of Rhododendrons, chiefly scarlet, but not sufiiciently distinct to merit a notice by the censors. The tables were ornamented with collections of Cinerarias of named kinds, from Messrs. Henderson, of Pine- apple place, and from Mr. E. G. Henderson, of St. John's Wood; also coUectious of Pansies from Messrs. Bragg, Turner, Brown, and Skinner. Fancy Pelargoniums from Messrs. Ayres, Ambrose, and others. These collections of approved named varieties are exceedingly useful, as well as orna- mental ; they serve as a beacon and guide to the censors not to give any prizes to any seedhngs but what are decided improvements upon those of estabhshed character. The Trowbridge Horticultural Society's Second Grand Exhibition wUl be held on the 20th of August, and not on the 27th. as originally announced. The prizes are liberal, varying fi'om £b. downwards. E. Y. NEW PLANTS. THEIR PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. Officinal or Indian Tajiarind (Tamarindus offici- nalis or /ndi«(s).— The genus Tamarindus was named by the great Linnaeus, from the Arabic name of the Date, Tamar, and Indus, India, that is literally the Indian Date. In his sexual system it stands in the sixteenth class, Monadelphia, the stamens being monadelphous— that is, joined together with the style at the bottom, and 6th order Decandria, the stamens being nine or ten in number, three of which only are fertile. It belongs to the Recfcmhrijous division of Leguminous Plants 146 THE COTTAGE GAKDENEK. fJuNE 5. (Fabaceae), a division founded by Decandolle, and in- cluding all the plants in the order that have a straight embryo. There are nearly seven thousand species of leguminous plants described, and these ai'e sub-divided into orders, sub-orders, and tribes, for the facility of classi- fying them. The sub-order to which the Tamarind is referred, is called Gasaljnnia, and the tribe of that sub- order is called Amherstia, after that noble tree named after Lady Amherst, which was lately introduced to England, and so successfully flowered by Mrs. Lawrence. Amherstia, therefore, is in close affinity with the Tama- rind, as are also such noble plants as Brownea, Hum- boldtia, Jonesia, Schotia, and others. The flowers of the Tamarind are produced in loose bunches, six or more together, from the side branches ; they are yellowish, with red streaks, and are succeeded by thick, compressed seed-pods, by which the West Indian and South Ameri- can Tamarind is distinguished, chiefly from the Asiatic species, the former having short pods generally fi-om two to three inches long, while those of the Eastern tree are twice or three times that length. The pod is one-celled, having from thi'ee to six seeds, and the valves are filled with an acid stringy pulp between the two linings or covering, called by botanists endocarp and epiearp, or the inner and outer lining. The East Indian Tamarinds are drier and darker than those from the West Indies, but they contain more of the pulp, and being generally preserved without sugar, they are better for medicinal use than those from the West, which are more red, less pulpy, and being preserved with sugar, are more reUshed in confections, which have a pleasant, acid, astringent taste, with somewhat of a vinous flavour. A very grateful drink for the sick-room may easily be made by pom-ing boiling water over Tamarinds. Tamarind wliey is obtained by boiling two ounces of Tamarind pulp with two pints of mUk. In hot countries dried Tamarind is used as food, and travellers cariy it for the purpose of dissolving it in water for refreshing drink, and in India sherbet and vinegar are prepared from it. The Tamarind grows to the size of a large timber tree, covered with a rough brown bark, a large branching head clothed with light green leaves, arranged in the manner eaUedby botanists, abruptly- pinnate — that is, with leaflets arranged like those of the ash without the odd or end one ; in this way many sets of jjairs of leaves on one common stalk are produced by the Tama- rind-tree. With us the Tamarind is a stove plant, easily propagated by seeds, sowing them in a hotbed iu the spring, and when the plants are three inches long they shoidd be put into separate small pots, and again plimged in bottom- heat. If rightly managed, they will grow very fast, and be a yard long by the end of the first season ; but under the best gardeners they are not Hkely to flower under ten or twelve years of age. The curious, however, might graft scions of established old flowering-plants on sitch seedlings, the second spring after the seeds were sown, and thus ob- tain flowering-plants in a comparatively short time. After all, the Tamarind is only applicable to large botanic gar- dens, or for large houses solely devoted to the cultivation of tropical fruit, as Mango, Cinnamon, and the like. The Tamarindus officinalis has leaves composed of from twelve to sixteen pairs of stalkless, oval leaflets ; flowers iu racemes at the ends of the branches ; calj'x of four sections or sepals, one much larger than the others ; petals three, nearly equal, straw-coloured, streaked with red. J. B. THE FRUIT-GARDEN. YouNo Vines. — The rearing of young vines in newly planted vineries, is, we conceive, so important an aflFair, that no apology is necessary in introducing the subject in a special manner. Few things are more grievous to the proprietor of new vineries — constructed at much expense, and in which every available improvement is inti'oduced — than to find that he cannot get his vines to succeed. The following is an extract, ver- batim, fi-om a letter received yesterday from a reverend gentleman in Derbyshire, concerning some vines planted by him last year: — "I must trouble you to give me a little advice about my vines. For the life of me I cannot make them grow. They are alive, with small hmhj heads, but refuse to send out any vigorous shoots. I fancied something was wrong at the roots, so last week I took them up, and replanted them iu a more porous soil." Now this depictures, it is to be feared, the com- plaints of many others. It so happens, that we saw the vinery, in the border of which these were planted, just previous to the operation, and, from what can be remem- bered, the border was scarcely above the ordinary ground level; and that, too, the adhesive and stubborn soil of the corn-growing districts of Derbyshire. Such errors almost always originate in the house itself, in consequence of the floor-line being pitched too low. We have seen, in our time, scores of houses thus misplanned ; we had almost said the majority were so a few years since. It is strange that people do not well consider this before beginning to build ; for, supposing a gentle- man about to erect such a structure, what is the first thing to be done? We speak not here of how the interior is to be appropriated, or, in other words, the interior fittings, but of the shell of the house. Well ; a general " floor-line" must be drawn, on this the esti- mated width of the house laid down; and now he must make up his mind whether be will have front sashes or not, for on these and their depth depend the relation that ought to exist between the general floor-line of the house, and the average ordinai'y ground level outside. And why? Simply because the Wnes have to enter the house immediately on a level with the border surface, and that surface cannot be carried higher than the solid masonry; and where the glass begins the border must end, as to its surface level. So it appears, that \^dthin the front wall plate, or the sill, if a front sash, must generally determine the height of the border surface. These things settled, viz., the height at fi-ont and back from the floor-line, and this line determined either by the wall-plate or the sash-sill, nothing remains but so to raise the floor-line in the sketch above the ordinai-y average level of the locality, as that the border, when made, may be in a position to freely pai't with its own surplus moisture at any time, instead, as is too often the case, being made a recipient of the moisture fi-om other parts of the garden. As a general rule, we shoidd say, let one-half the volume of the border be above the ordi- nary ground level. So that if a border be made two feet in depth of soU, there will, of course, be one foot above, and one below the gi-ound level. But we return to our text. M.4NAGEMENT OF NewLY PLANTED ViNES. — -It iS scarcely necessaij here to ask whether the ball of earth was dislodged in the act of planting. Most persons, now-a- days, steer cleai- of that short-sighted policy which thinks to "gain time ultimately, by planting things out with solid and nearly impervious balls of earth. Mr. Beaton has most ably shown this in several papers, and in his opinions thereon I fully coincide. One thing may, however, be observed as to this course, and that is, the plant so turned out, pei-haps requh-es, under certain cii-cumstances, a little more nursing than those with balls, for a little while ; for if the balls be moist, they possess a living independent of the adjacent soil for a while ; and so they need, for it is long before a root coiled like a boa-constrictor can adapt itself to a state of liberty. The other, however, soon acquires all the freedom of a seedling, and prepares itself speedily to invest the whole area of the border; I Jdne 5.] THE COTTAGE GAKDENER. U7 I for the free extension of the already existing fibres soon I induce a vigorous shoot or two, and thence, by recipro- cation, a renewed demand on the root action ; and Nature, with her plastic power, soon frames out, and brings forth, another series of roots of a much greater calibre than the first set. When newly planted vines thrive as they ought, they soon acquire a considerable amount of strength ; and the rising stem, in conse- quence, becomes much thicker in the young shoot than in the older wood from whence it sprang. In this con- dition, lateral shoots soon begin to be developed : and it is the practice with many cultivators to pinch or stop these to one eye as soon as they lengthen. This practice we do think is, in such cases, canied to an imprudent extreme, imless it be that the cultivator unwisely de- termines to suffer the young vines to carry a crop in the second year ; a proceeding which cannot be too severely reprobated. The third year, we suggest, is soon enough for bearing, and such being the case, we would advise, that the laterals alluded to, be suffered to extend some three of four eyes at least; and when stopped, to be done so in a steady, progi-essive way, not in a huri-y, allowing the lead- ing shoots to extend considerably first. There can be little doubt, we think, that in the case of very young vines, every stopping is a slight check for a few days on a ft'ee extension of the existing fibres, and slightly impedes the formation of new ones. When, indeed, the shoot has extended some twelve or foiu-teen feet, which will not be before the end of July, then a progressive removal of the laterals may be made, beginning, of course, at the lower end of the vine, and clearing them partially, or wholly away, as far as the first stopping of the main shoot. This latter process we may now advert to, for the inexperienced sometimes seem much puz- zled to know whether to stop, and where. Supposing the young plants have to be trained on the spuning system, wliich, although it may not produce bunches quite so large as the cane method, is by far the most systematic and satisfactory mode in the end ; we think it an advisable covn-se to stop about two or three eyes beyond the point to which the young cane will be cut back at the winter's pruning. If the vines thrive, we should expect them thus to bear the whole length of the rafters in the fourth or fifth year. Thus, vines planted in March, 1851, should, when winter- pnined, occupy one-third of the length of the rafter. At the next winter's pruning, another third ; and hi the succeeding one, the remaining third ; and in March, 1855, the last third, reaching the back of the house, will have developed its spurs ready for fruiting ; and then the whole stem will be studded with spurs, at regular distances, with nearly as much precision as a joiner could by art place them. The principle, tlien, on which we would manage such afl'airs is, that of securing strong and confirmed spurs one year previous to their bearing ; and this done, and the vine in a sound, elevated, and healthful soil, we would guarantee the vines to produce equal crops every year, i'or nearly a century, if necessary. To revert to the stopping them on the principles here advised ; after stopping the leading shoots the first sum- mer, at somewhere near half way up the rafter, we would suffer the vine to ramble almost unmolested, merely stopping laterals which threaten to cross and confuse, or which have reached the back of tlie house. The stopping here recommended will have tlie effect of ren- dering the buds below it more firm and plump, they will consequently develope fine spurs. In each succeeding year, whilst completing their spurs, the same practice may be followed until the whole tree is in full bearing, when the ordinary routine of vine culture may be pursued. Thus, in the third year, tlie lowest portion of the stem, about a third, will carry a crop of about six or seven bunches to a vine, each one- and-a-half to two pounds weight. In the next year, both that and the second portion will be cropped to double that amount ; and in the following yeai- the whole length will be in bearing, and will average about one-and-a-half pounds per lineal foot up the rafter ; so that from a fifteen foot rafter, quite twenty pounds of good grapes may be obtained, and that, too, all else being right, for very many year's successively. We know fuU well that all this requii-es patience ; and there are those who will prophesy still more abundant things. It will be urged that you can easily run a cane up to the back in one summer, and bear it the whole length in the next. Now the unwary are apt to be caught in this way, inasmuch as such may be done ; but those who offer this famous recipe, do not care about the permanency of the vines, they leave that to their suc- cessors. Indeed, owing to the public pruriency for quick re- turns, a custom prevailed amongst some gentlemen of sharp practice, a few years since, of advertising for a gardener's situation, on the basis of this very eminent qualification, viz., that of being able to plant a vinery one year, and cause the roof, albeit metallic, to bend with its vinous treasures in the next. Depend upon it, a vine should be allowed to acquire some stamina, some " stock in hand" to trade upon, before embarking in large speculations; or, like some Jack-in-the-box tradesman, poor Vitis may be the ad- miration of evei'y body one year, and in the Gazette the very next. E. Ekrington. THE PLOWER-GAEDEN. Companion to the Calendar for June. — Anemones, Eauunculuses, Hyacinths, Tulips, Spanish and English bulbous Irises, also Crocuses, and spring-flowering Daffodils, or Narcissuses of sorts, and many other border roots, bulbs, corms, or by whatever other name we choose to call such things, may, or may not, be taken up and dried as soon as the leaves decay. Why do loe take lip bulbs? Jlerely for the sake of convenience, either to get the ground ready for another crop, or to better it for the bulbs another year ; and, perhaps, in one or two instances, we gain something by keeping one or two families from growing too soon in the autumn for our climate, as a long winter hurts them if they break gi-ound before Christmas. There are bulbs which certainly should not be removed oftener than once in five years at the least; others there are which require to be taken up every third year, because they make such quantities of offsets, or little side bulbs, as choke the old ones, or press so hard upon them as to prevent their flowering satisfactorily. Anemones and Ranunculuses are very apt to commence growing early in the autumn, if the rains come down much in August. All this, however, is only the surface of a current which has [ flowed down to us from nobody knows how long a time back. Ihe Scarlet Miirtagon Lilies ("the Lilies of the f field") on the plains of Sharon, have not been taken up i or transplanted since they were referred to in the Sermon J on the Mount, and yet, according to recent accounts, j are as gay and as large as the same sort is with us with i all our removings. Then the old notion that ofl'sets ' huider parent plants from flowering, is totally refuted by Dr. Herbert's Gladioli. Where is tlie bulb which ! "ofl'sets" more than they? Yet Dr. Herbert ascribed I his success in flowering them on the same spot, without \ once being removed for ujiwards of tliii ty years, to these very oftsets causing a better drainage ; but then wo must recollect that the old bullis of Gladioli die as soon as they flower, and so do old tulip bulbs ; and why not flower the tulip for thirty years on the same spot like the Sword lily? The why and the wherefore of the whole question is just a matter of convenience, as I have said. lis THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 5. All bulbs whose roots perish annually with their leaves, as the tulip, may be taken up every year and ih-ie^l with advantage, as well as tor the convenience of the thing; but those bulbs having perennial roots, as the Amaiyllis, should be disturbed as seldom as possible ; indeed, the whole practice hinges on whether the bulb has annual or perennial roots. Annuals. — The best annuals to sow in the early part of June, are Viscaria ocidata, Coreopsis Drummondii, Virginian Stocks (white and pink), Siceet Alyssum, Candy tufts (white and purple). Calendula lujhrida. A row of the yellow Eschscholtzia, sown from the tenth to the middle of June, will keep in bloom from August to the end of October. Except for very early flowering, this does best sown every year, and treated as an annual. Being one of the Poppyworts, it was, at first, supposed to be difficult to transplant, but that is by no means tbe ( case ; it will easily transplant at any age, and being a perennial, the old or last year's plants of it can be turned into sunny banks, or into poor gravelly or sandy places where few things would grow, or where even seedlings of it would be very difficult to rear, when the ground is wanted for young stock. I believe if you could find foot room for the Eschscholtzia on the ban-en lava of Mount Etna, or any other mount or mountain not too warm for it, it would live and flourish there for years. I once had a tuft of it from self-sown seeds on a natural rock 18 feet above the ground level, and where one could hardly expect a houseleek to live, yet it lasted seven years, and flowered finer than in the rich new borders at the bottom of the rock. It will transplant now if the tops are cut off. The Chinese Laekspub (Delphinium sinensis) is another carrot-rooted plant which makes a beautiful bed for a long time, and there are difierent coloured varieties, | from blue to white. It is generally used as an annual, ; because the roots are apt to die in wet gi-ound, or by a hai'd winter ; but the beauty of the plant is not fully j brought out the first season. It does best the second or third year, and should have exactly the same way of treatment as the blue Saliia patens. Now is the right time to take up for potting the over stock of Dahlias i and Salvia Patens, either to bloom in the pots, or to fill up places in the autumn beds. Early last April all the old roots of these were to be planted in the open ground, | for tbe convenience of getting them out of one's way when so many irons were in the fire, and here they are now full of sap and vigour, and will no more mind being removed into pots than I would to go and see the Exhi- ; bition. i CoiTiNQS. — Early in June is tbe best time in the year to make cuttings of all such Oeraniums as have done flowering. There is a long list of border geraniums, such as the Rising Sun and Priory Queen, which people force for coming in early in April and May. These get out of shape after a season or two of this forcing, but still may be brought in very useful. If cut down half- way now, and planted out in the beds or borders, tbey will begin to bloom early in July, and go on, though not very regularly, to the end of the season. The cut- tings from them, and, indeed, all geranium cuttings, from this time to the end of July, at least, do better planted out in the open ground full in the sun. Then come the fancy Oeraniums, the gayest and most elegant of all the sections of the family, and some of them, as Queen Victoria, can only be rooted out of doors any time in summer, so tliat those who have not the convenience of a hot bed early in the spring to strike off a lot of them, are obliged to resort to out-door cuttings, and the earlier in June they are put in, the more sure they will root. Besides, tlie whole growing season is now before tliem, and they will make strong healtliy plants before winter. It is a great mistake to consider these fancy geraniums more delicate, or less strong, than the old sorts, it is the usual mode of growing them which make them appear so. I have seen large bushes of Ibrahim Pacha, full five feet high in bloom this spring, and Queens half as high again. They do not make such large plants, however, nearly so soon from spring cuttings, because, as soon as tliey are rooted, and have made a little growth, they get into flower and weaken them- selves before they have time to make roots large enough to push them on, and cutting off' the blossom buds only aggi'avates them ; all this is got rid of by summer cuttings out of doors, and the plants are in full sap by September, when they are potted. Now the gi'eat secret to get them into large bushes, is to start with them from this potting, or, say from tbe middle of October, then, to the middle or end of next April, they will stand as much stove heat as the pine apple, and a gi-eat deal more than would be good for the " fruiters." A well-rooted summer cutting of Queen Victoria, potted at the end of September, and confined to one leader, and kept close to the glass in a good working stove, will grow full fom- feet high before it comes into bloom hi the spring, and by Jufte may be cooled down to the temperature of the flower- garden, whei'e, if you plant it in something rich, on a good sheltered border, it otU form a bush five feet high, branch out from the bottom, and be in fine bloom by the autumn. A hedge of such plants, a hundred yards long, and planted a yard apart, would be something to look at. (ExoTHERA Prostr.ata. — I foi'got to Say at page 112, tha,t prostrata was only the garden name of this Qiuo- thera. I had it from an excellent practical botanist, under the name CEnothei'a riparia, which I take to be, or will be, the book name for it. Roses. — All the perpetual roses should be budded as soon as possible in June, or else at the very end of Sep- tember, that the buds may start at once and turn out good healthy plants, and well-ripened shoots before the winter, so that the frost can do them no harm, or else, as in late budding, remain dormant during the winter. June, however, is a much better tune to bud them than the autumn months. Those that are now in bloom for tlie first time from last year's budding, should not be allowed to make many "flowers, or to remain long in bloom. If we would but have a little more patience, and be satisfied with just enough to see that tiie sorts are true to the names' or numbers, it would be a great gain to the plants afterwards. When gardener's have a full stock of roses, and have budded from their old plants, they seldom allow them to produce the fii'st buds at all, but as soon as the buds are formed after the middle of May, they stop the shoots, and thus cause the plants to get more bushy, besides husbanding the strength of the plants for a later display. About the turn of Midsum- mer, if the young plants come up strong, is a good time to cut the ends of the wild shoots down to the very back of the budded parts, so that the cuts may heal over as soon as possible. Let us all bear in mind the experi- ment I mentioned last year, of causing rose shoots to root in moss before they are cut off, and so get a stock of scarce sorts, or at any rate satisfy ourselves of the practicability of the thing. Yellow-berbied Hollies, and all the variegated hollies, are best increased by budding, and, like the rose, the sooner they are put in in June, the better they will do. The holly with the yellow fruit is much stronger than the variegated ones, and looks far better when worked on a variegated sort ; therefore it should not be budded on the top or leading shoot, as in that case it woiild soon run away with all the strength irom the roots, and injure the variegated parts. Here and tliere, among the side branches, tbe yellow berries would look remarkably well in contrast with their own green leaves and the variegated leaves of the stock plant, without having much power to rob or injure the bush. June j.] THE COTTAGE GAKDENER. 149 Cuttings. — A nice bed for cuttings behind a hedge or wall would come in verj' useful from this time to the end of August : it should be made of half sand aud the other half of any light stuff that one may happen to have, and if patted down with the back of a spade, and an inch of sand put ou for a top coat, nothing could be more handy for the rest of the season — one would not much mind a shoot of any thing being broken off by an acci- dent, if there was a bed ready to put in cuttings from it at a moment's notice. Cuttings, and slips, little seed- lings, and, indeed, all jnanner of tilings, would be easier managed that way, besides getting rid of the bother of having to make up a smtable place for every little thing one may happen to think of through the season. ScARCK Plants. — Some people believe the safest way to deal with a new flower-garden plant is to coddle it iu a pot all the summer, so as to make sure of it, and of a stock from it for another season ; but that is a great error ; few people can give a plant so great a vigour in a pot as it would acquire in a good rich border, and early cuttings from it would keep better over the winter than the old plant — plant out all such at once. D. Beaton. GEEENHOUSE AND WINDOW GARDENING. Fancy Scented Gebaniums : Propagation of the more Dwarf and Woody Icinds. — The culture of the first of these desirable plants was given by us last season, and though different growers may have something dif- ferent in their practice, I am satisfied that if the rules laid down be fairly carried out, success will be secured. In conversing with a courteous intelligent mechanic, the other day, respecting the hows as to the working of a piece of machinery, I could not but perceive a cliauge iu his demeanour, arising either from an uuvvQlinguess to satisfy my inquisitiveness, or an idea that I was too thick-headed to compi'ehend his explanation. I do not suppose the readers of The Cottage GAnDf;NER have any reason to complain iu this respect ; but the above, and many facts that have come in my way dui'ing the last month, have convinced me, not that the editor and contributors should pay more attention to the wishes and wants of correspondents, but that one and all may at times fall into the error of imagining that their inquirers know more of the subject inquired about than they really do, and that, consequently, tlie information conveyed is, for those most interested, robbed of half its value. True, it is known that a second inquiry would be dealt with as courteously, even upon the same subject as the first ; but then the sometimes honourable, but, in the present instance, mistaken, notion of not liking to be troublesome, prevents the application being made, aud weeks of examination of the correspondents' column may be endured, in order to find out if any one has been bolder than themselves. This feeling, based on right principle though it be, is yet fraught with injurious consequences to all con- cerned. Readers do not get what they want most, and writers are left comparatively ignorant of their desii-es and wishes. Perhaps in no case is this more felt and seen than in the management, by our window-gardening friends, of the beauties with which I have headed this article. AVith such cultivators, from time immemorial, the geranium has been an object of attraction. Some delighted in those with beautiful flowers, while others rejoiced in those where the flowers were small and next to inconspicuous, but whose leaves were redolent of perfume — such as the Thyme-scented, the Apple-scented, Nutmeg-scented, and Cut-oak leaved geraniums, plain or variegated, but the scent of which were all, more or less, esteemed iu our cottage homes, and the successfid propagating of which was looked upon as a great step in gardening acquisitions. Here change, if not improve- ment, as well as in other cases, is rapidly sweeping away the tastes of the good olden times. More variety was wanted in the parlour window. Flowers were considered more beautiful than leaves, however muoli they were cut, carved, and scented. Odour was not forgotten, but then it was concentrated more into such small-leaved plants as the heautifid fragrann, Citriodora, and Prince of Orange. Largish leaves, scented or not scented, were not absolutely scouted, if associated with other good qualities ; and hence the charming Unique promises to be a rare favourite in our windows, alike attractive by its deep crimson flowers, the continuity with wliich they are produced, and the smallness of the pots m which it freely blooms. As if to suit the window-gardener who rejoices in colour, the fancy geraniiuns have appeared — compact in their habit, becoming eveiy day more perfect in form aud colour, and blooming more profusely aud con- tinuously than the larger, commonly caUed florists' varieties. But gi'eat advantages are not always followed by a reciprocal amount of enjoyment. If they were, these writing gardeners who blab out all they know, and seldom hazard the probable for the pi-actically certain, woidd be the last to dread the infliction of Lynch law from the disappointed enthusiastic window-gardeners. As it is, it would be pleasauter to be somewhere else, than at times to encounter these our best friends. Un- fortunately, along with others, I had recommended many and small plants for producing variety and more extended enjoyment from the window-garden, in stead of larger specimens, a few of which would monopolise all the available light. As a natiu'al consequence, young healthy stubby plants were preferred to the older, stunted, less vigorous specimens, and these young plants, curbed at the roots by being kept in small pots, or plunged thickly in boxes or vases, yielded such flowers as never had been witnessed on the old plants. Pi-o- pagation by cuttings thus became the order of the day. Scarlet geraniums were struck even on south borders, after July had come, and, welted thougVi they looked for a time, it was astonishing what nice plants the cuttings made before the autumn hoar frosts set in to disturb them. Florists' geraniums, after having their tissues weU-hardened before separating the cuttings from the mother plant, throve equally and amazingly well. Buoyant with hopeful anticipation, some fine plants of the crimson unique were out down and inserted in a similar manner ; but, instead of augmenting, they got less and less, until they well-nigh disappeared from the scene before the potting time in the autumn ; others were placed under hand-lights in a north border, and left comfortably alone, but at the end of two months there were only the slightest trace of roots. The small- leaved, hard-wooded, sweet-scented, aud the compact firm-wooded Fancies, were treated in the same approved manner, and with a similar amount of success. Great were the murmmings that little birds carried to our ears, and fortunate it was that these organs were at safe distance, or they might have had to liquidate somewhat the loppings ft-om established favourites, and all to no pui-pose. ^Misfortunes like these, however, are only painful evils, when they act not afterwards as beacons alilce to warn and direct. Thus improved, they constitute some of our best, ii yntherjiagellating teachers. A gi'eat object is gained when it is clearly demonstrated, that though the most of the strong-growing, succulent stemmed geraniums, if suitably prepared, can be propa- gated in a cold frame under liandUghts, or even on the open border, any time after July, that all the harder-stemmed, stubbier-growthed, kinds will not thrive under such treatment. In neither case is there a 150 THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [June o. great departure from the general piinciple, that cut- tings root most readily when tlie wood is neither hard nor soft, but in a fortumUe medium state. Excep- tions there are, iu numbers, when J'ouug wood only must be used, and others again in wliich firm, well- ripened wood can only be trusted with safety ; but with these cases, at present, we do not intenneddle. Florists' Pelargoniums are no departure iu this respect from the general principle. The good order of the mother plant, ii-om which the cuttings ai-e removed, and our own con- venience in securing the simplest mode of increasing the stock, are the reasons that induce us to prefer the middle aud end of summer for performing that operation, and not because we could not more quickly raise cut- tings from more spongj' wood at an eai-lier period. But in this latter case we must resort to slight hotbeds, and handlights, and shading, aud frequent dampings — enough to weary tlie patience of any ardent beginner. The in- serting such cuttings in a border iu the early part of the season would just he so much labour lost, as in its watery state each slip would be destitute of organisable material to meet the influences of light and air. On the other hand, the chief reason why Fancies and firm- wooded, sweet-scented geraniums cannot be successfully propagated in the end of summer, if they have been well mauaged, is, that there the growing has given place to the accumulative process, and the wood has become too indurated for the hasty production of roots. I say hasty, because, if proper conditions are secured, along with a patience that will not tire, plants will ultimately be formed, hut at a vast sacrifice of time. Thus cuttings of Unique, Fancies, aud such kinds as Citriodora, &c., inserted in a shady border iu the end of July and in the beginning of August, with even the advantage of a light put over them, were ten or eleven weeks before they showed languid signs of rooting. Small pieces of the tips of the shoots, where they could be spared, or where shortening was desirable, taken oft^ in April, from an inch aud a half to three inches iu length, cut clearly through at a lower joint, where the wood wasjusta little firm, the ends dried in the air for a few hours, and then the cut- tings inserted round the sides of well-drained pots, aud plunged iu a mild, sweet hotbed of a medium temperature of from :jO° to 00°, and slightly shaded and syi-inged, produced beautiful rooted plants in less than a fortnight. Inserted firmly iu a border, and rather larger cuttings used any time after the middle of May uutil the end of June, with a handlight over them, they generally would root in somewhere about three weeks. In June, strongish cuttings, but not too hard, may be planted out in a border, making drills, and filling up before planting with any light sandy material. 1 have, however, even after resorting to shading with branches, &c., seldom suc- ceeded with these on the open border in any thing near to the same degree as with the older florist kinds. Where GUI' friends fond of these ornaments for their window, have no pit or frame, the handlight is their nest best resource. To attain, even here, the acme of success, the light sliould not be set upon the ground, but a founda- tion of at least half a dozen of inches of clinkers, coal- ashes, &c., above the level of the soil, salt sprinkled amongst them to prevent the access of worms, and over that placed rough soil, aud then finer, for the reception of the cuttings. Without the handlight, the best substi- tute is to place the cuttings in small, well-drained pots in the window, so that they may be shaded by the other pots in liot sunny days, and even in extreme cases set down on the floor for two or three hours. Mind, I have spoken of the propagation of these plants on the suppo- sition that tliey were receiving fair treatment in pots. If you plant them out of doors in summer, and attempt to propagate from them then in August or so, your suc- cess will be as dubious, not because the wood is too ripe, but from the very opposite cause — its sponginess and luxuriance. If circumstances should compel you to hy cuttings even fi-om such plants, choose the stunted side shoots, and not the points of the luxuriant ones. Much farther trouble will, therefore, be avoided by getting cut- tings inserted before June has run a great part of his course. E. Fish. HOTHOUSE DEPARTMENT. EXOTIC STOVE PLANTS. Plants with Vasiegated Leaves. — There are, in our stoves, a considerable number of plants, of which the leaves are so beautifully varied in colour, as to render them objects of great admiration, even when the flowers ai'e, compai'atively speaking, insignificant and uninter- esting. It seems to be a rule almost without exception, that if a plant has beautifully coloured leaves, its flowers ai-e deficient in colom- and form ; but there ai'e some ex- ceptions to this nde — the Oesnera zebrina, for instance, and some others of the same tribe. Having been lately very much pleased with some well-grown specimens of plants with various colours and chai'ming tints in their leaves, we have thought that a few examples and de- scriptions of them woidd be acceptable, and there is this in favour of such plants whose foliage is persistent (evergreen would be an improper term) , that then beauty is unlike that of flowers persistent also, — they are beau- tiful at all times and in all seasons. There are a few persons who object to variegated leaves, because they consider them as indicative of disease ; but when the variegation is regular and constant, and the plant con- tinues to gi'ow and produce healthy and large (bliage, we opine they can scarcely be considered unhealthy. The Aucuba jaimnica is a case in point. It always appears more or less variegated, yet who will say that it is diseased? Besides, the more this fine hardy shrub is exposed to the light, which is, in most cases, consi- dered the cause of the beautiful gi-een colour of leaves, the more increases very considerably the amount of variega- tion, and still the shrub flourishes, all other points neces- sary to the well-being of even gi'een-foliaged plants being present. And this holds good with all permanently variegated plants, whether we refer to the beautifully Striped Holly of our shrubberies, or the finely-tinted foliage of the Croton of our stoves. Both continue to perform, in a healthy manner, all the functions of deve- lopment of stems, branches, and leaves, and even pro- duce flowers and seeds. It is, nevertheless, quite ti-ue that blotched, or pale-coloured, or yellow leaves, in some cases indicate disease, as in the Camellia tribe, but such instances do not apply to what w(^ have termed jyerma- nentbj variegated plants. There is generally a cause and a remedy for such temporary deficiency of the usual colour. The cause wUl be found either to be diseased roots, too much water, or a deficiency of light, and the remedy will be the removal of these causes of deficiency of the green colour. The observer, then, need not think, when he is admiring the beautifully tinted or varied foliage of the plants we are about to describe, he is looking upon a poor, sickly, diseased thing, that instead of yielding delight, ought to be looked upon with pity or avereion. AxtECTOCHiLDS SETACEus, and its varieties. We have already described the inimitable and truly exqmsite leaves of this most lovely-foliaged genus at page 224, vol. iii., of this work. Though this is a native of Ceylon, and generally grown in the orchid house, it will thrive well in the warmest part of a common stove, provided a bell-glass is kept constantly over each plant. AcHiMENEs PicTA (Painted A.). — A beautifully varie- gated plant, native of Mexico. The leaves are ol a deep green, with lines of white intersecting eacli leaf. It begins to grow during the eai'ly part of summer, and continues in beauty till Christmas. It has beautiful June 5.] THE COTTAGE GABDENEE. 161 flowers of a bright orange, striped with reddish brown. The culture is the same as the rest of the genus. jEchmea discolor (Various-coloured A.). — The leaves of this plant are gi'een on the upper side, and a rich chocolate purple on the undSr side, rendering it always a beautiful object. Culture. — Stove heat, 05° in summer, and 55° in winter. Flowers tine, of a scarlet and pui-ple colour. Soil. — Loam, peat, and leaf-mould, with some sand. It will grow best if plunged in a warm bed of tanner's bark. Increased by suckei-s. JE. FULGENS sTEiATii-oLiA (Striped-leaved Dazzling A.). — Foliage narrower and longer than the last, and beautifully striped with reddish brown. Culture tjie same as the last. Aspidistra variegata (Striped -leaved A.); Japan. The colours sport considerably on the leaves of tliis plant. Sometimes one half of the leaf will be white, and the other half green ; at other times tlie two colours will be regularly alternate, and sometimes the white will be in broad stripes, and the green very narrow. Flower uninteresting. Culture. — Sandy loam, with a moderate heat. Being a persistent, herbaceous plant, it requires water all the yeai-. Increased by division. iEscHYNANTHUs ATROSANGCiNEUs (Dark-bloody-leaved A.) ; Java. The colour of the under side of the leaves is of a rich purple-red colour, which gives the plant a fine appearance. Culture. — Sandy rough peat, in baskets hung up in the stove. This method shows the colour of the leaves off to the greatest advantage. jE. zebrinds (Zebra-leaved A.) ; Java. The leaves of this species are prettily striped with purple, on a green ground. Culture the same as the preceding. Increased by cuttings readily in sand, in heat, under a bell-glass. Bartolina maculata (Spotted-leaved B.) ; South Ame- rica. A persistent herbaceous perennial, with dark green, glossy leaves, blotched towards the lower part of the leaf with broad longitudinal spots of white. A beautiful new plant, with a head of small rose-coloui'ed flowers. Culture. — A warm stove, in peat, loam, and leaf-mould. A very desirable plant. Begonia. — In a recent number we have given a de- scription of the party-coloured leaves of several species, and to that we must refer our readers. Bii.LBERGiA zebrina (Zebra-stripod B.) ; South Ame- rica. A pine-apple looking plant, with long green leaves, barred with spots of wliite. When in health, and a fine specimen, this is a noble looking plant. The flowers are surrounded with large pink bracts; they are blue and pale yellow, produced on a large drooping spike. Culture the same as for ^ohmea. Caladium bicolor (Two-coloured C.) ; Madeira. — A splendid foliaged plant. The leaves are frequently a foot long and six inches broad. The colour is in the centre of a rich dark scarlet ; the veins are of a light crimson ; the whole shading off' towards the edge into a beautiful pale gi-een. Culture. — Moderate heat, 70° when gi-ow- iug, and 00° when at rest. Soil. — Rich compost formed of turfy loam two parts, and well-decomposed dimg one part; potted into rather large pots, and placed in pans of water when gi'owing. In winter, during the season of rest, the plants should be kept tolerably dry, but not quite so. If too dry, they will become mealy and perish. Increased by division. The plants, when growing, send up side shoots, or slips, which soon put forth roots ; as soon as these are perceived take the slip oft' with a sharp knife ; plant them in small pots, and place them under a hand-glass in heat. They will soon put forth roots suflioient to enable them to bear the full light and heat of the stove. C. varieqatdm (Spotted-leaved C.) ; South America. — The leaves are light green, with broad blotches of cream colour. Culture the same as C. bioolor. Calathea zebrina (The Zebra Plant, commonly so called). — This is often, but eiToneously, called Maranta zebrina. The leaves are of bright green, with broad purplish stripes beautifully shaded. A plant that every body admires. The flowers are dull purple bracts, not particularly handsome, the foliage being its great attrac- tion. Culture. — Soil; a rich compost of turfy and leaf- mould in equal parts ; pot freely and often, and give plenty of water when the plants are growing, but mo- derate supplies in winter. It is a persistent herbaceous perennial, and, therefore, will not endure complete drought in winter. Croton picta (Painted C ) ; East Indies. — The leaves of this plant are more like the colour of flowers than leaves. They ai-e reddish crimson, pale yellow, and gi-een, blended and mixed together in a most fantastic and uncertain manner. Sometimes the bright colour prevaUs with only a shade or two of green ; at other times the pale yellow, or almost white, is predominant ; and in some parts of the plant the green colour is most abundant. It is one of our finest variegated stove plants. It is a shrub that often attains three or four feet in height ; flowers small and inconspicuous. Culture. — Soil; a light compost of turfy loam and peat in equal parts is proper for it, and the warmest part of the toves. Water moderately. Increased by cuttings placed in white sand, under a bell-glass, and plunged in a bark- bed. C. variegata (Variegated C.) ; East Indies. — The variegation of this species difl'ers materially from the pi'eoediug, inasmuch as there are only two colours, and they are nearly equal. The ground colour is bright green, striped and blotched irregularly with bright yellow ; a very handsome plant if not gi'own in too gi-eat a heat, or too much shade. There is a variety with the leaves much longer and naiTower, named C. variegata angustifolia. Culture the same as for C. picta. T. Appleby. FLORISTS' FLOAVERS. ME. GLENNYS EEPOET OF FLOEICULTURAL MEETINGS. The meeting of The National Floricultural Society on the 22nd was tolerably well attended, and there were established favourites in Geraniums, Cinerarias, Pansies, and other florists' flowers. Among the seed- lings, many of which were of secondary, or even inferior character, there were several rather interesting. In Pansies, jy»»rs Pandora, a. vei'y smooth edged well- formed variety, with light yellow field, puce upper petals and border. 'The only real fault tliat is conspicuous is the yellow on the side petals being rather paler than that of the bottom. This was awarded a certificate. Mimt's Cnrdinal TTiscmati. — A variety that will, perhaps, be seen better ; but young and crurapleJ blooms were not adapted to judge from. Tlie colour is extremely rich, and, except the crumpUng, there is something very promising, though it could not be noticed in that state. In Calceolabus, Mr. Gaines had several not much of an advance on scores already out. Cimilariti/, of the com- monest colour — yellow and bro\vn —but a good deal more iuflated than the average ran of these flowers, and free from ribs. Antiope, much of the same character, differing a little in the marking, but of the same general complexion. In Ttnjps there were several breeders and two or three broke flowers. A Rose-breeder named Juliet, from Mr. AVillison, of Whitby, was desirable in form, texture, and colour. This was commended ; the others were not worth particular notice. In CiNEEAEiAS, a certificate was awarded to Mr. Hender- son for Rosalind, a blue-edged flower, but tlie notch was too conspicuous to make it a favourite. It was this fault that deteriorated Lady Hume Campbell of last year. Mr. Ambrose, of Battersea, had a flower called Formosus — white centre, crimson edge, broad petals, reflexed, and a showy bedding 152 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 5. or market flower. It was commended as such by the censors. Mr. Wynnis had a collection of Misiui.us, among which Prince Albert was the best. It was speckled with dark brown on a fine yellow gi-ound, and of middling form ; worth growing as an ornamental plant. Many Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Gloxinias, and many other plants, were sent for decoration; but the most con- spicuous were two or three yeUow Ehododendrons. The meeting at Exeter Hall, on the 27th, of The London FloricuUural Society produced a goodly show of Tulits, ex- hibited for prizes in class showing. Upwards of a hundred blooms were staged, but the only seedling was a sulphm-- coloured self, by the Secretary ; a gay, middle row flower, of which a couple might be appropriated very well. It is beautifully pure, but the outer petals very much smaller than the inner ones, and, therefore, not a sliow flower. In class-showing among amateurs the first and second Rose Tulips were taken by Claudiana ; the thu-d, Triumph Boyal. In Bijhlomens, 1 David, 2 A'iolet Quarto, and .'! Holme's King. Bizarres, 1 Fabius, 'i Brown's Ulysses, 3 Polyphemus. Nurserymen, 1 Optimus, 'i Polyphemus, 3 Eufus. Rose, 1 Chedrona, 2 Triumph Royal, 3 Brulante. Byblomens, i Rossius, 2 Dutch Superb en Noir; no third. Pansies : Amateurs (selfs), 1 Sambo, Mr. Treacher; 2 Rainbow, Mr. Lockner ; 3 Lucy Nsale, Mr. Hunt. Yellow yroiintls, 1 Ad- dison, Mr. Hunt ; 2 Zabdi, Jilr. Lockner. White i/round, 1 Duchess of Rutland. Nurserymen {self's), 1 Jloor of Venice, 2 Lucy Neale, 3 Duke of Perth. Yellow ground, 1 Sir John Franklin, 2 Mr. Beck, 3. Junius. White ground, 1 Mrs. Beck, 2 Duchess of Rutland, ;! Almazor. Mr. Bragg was the win- ner of all the Nurserymen's class of Pansies. Mr. Hunt, of Wickham, took all but one of the Tulip prizes in the Ama- teui' class, whicli one, the second Rose, was won by Mr. Weare. Mr. Batten took aU tlie Nurserymen's class. Seedlings. — Pandora. Mr. Hunt obtained a first class certificate for tliis Pansey. It is the same flower that ob- tained the like honour at tlie National, and has been already described. Rotunda. — Mr. Hunt obtained a certificate, one of the judges expressing, however, his doubt whether the colour would stand. This flower has a white ground, and rather a wasliy shaded blue border; the eye, except the few radiating stripes, is of the same washy colour ; the lower petal does not lay kindly ; but we consider the blooms not in their best condition. We quite agreed with the doubt expressed by one of the judges. CiNER-utiA : Lockner's Surprise. Vei7 symmetrical and pretty for a self, but too much scolloped on the edge ; it nevertheless had a certificate. If this was right there will be hundreds this year quite as highly deserring that distinction. It is one of those shaded blues which are so prevalent. No other seedhngs worth especial notice were exhibited. florists' flowers received. (C. K. S., Edinhurtjh). — A white Cineraria, full size, very pure white. Obtuse broad petals, inclined to cover each other, but if displayed, as in some flowers, forming a fine circle. The petals rounded back and ribbed ; disk light hlac ; upon the whole, an acquisition, although we have two fine and distinct whites this season already, but this is hke neither. Has it been shown under a name ? because we ought to know it, or give it one. {Mr. Hunt). — A small lialf-grown Pansey, called Iris, in colour exquisite and pure, its novelty very promising ; we can only compare it to black and gold ; but let it be grown well, and send it in condition. Emperor — A promising novelty ; clear straw-coloured gromid, dark border, but certainly not in condition. {E. W.) Cinerahia. — Lilliputian. Very pretty, tipped flower ; fine, close, even head ; bloom wliite, witli well-de- fined tip ; too small to be a great favourite. {J. T. L.) Cacti. Notliing more than slight variations from Ackermanii ; certainly not worth naming. G. G. I FLORISTS' FLOWERS AT THE CHISWICK SHOW. E09ES IN I'OTS. All were really superb, and we merely pailicularize a few of the best. Magni- AuBBKNON, rose, hybrid perpetual. {Terry. Rosier, Paul.) Augustine Monchelet, pale rose, hybrid perpetual, very excellent* {Rowland.) Baron Prevost, deep rose, hybrid perpetual. {Terry, Paul,) ficent blooms, six inches across. {Rosier,) Blairii No. 2, rose, hybrid Chiiut. {Rosier. Francis.) Che'ne'dole, crimson, hybrid China. {Francis.) CoMTE DB Paris, blush, tea-scented China. {Paul.) Countess Molle, rose, hybrid Bourbon. {Terry.) Coup d'Hebe, blush, hybrid Bourbon. {Francis.) Duchess of Sutherland, rose, hybrid perpetual, extra fine. {Lane.) Eliza Sauvage, pale yellow, tea-scented China. {Francis.) FuLGORiE, China. {Terry.) Geant des Batailles, crimson, hybrid perpetual. {Rosier, Lane.) La Heine, pale rose, hybrid perpetual. {Frayicis.) Lemaruue, white, Noisette, very fine. {Francis. Lane.) Madame de St. .Toseph, cream, tea-scented China. {Lane.) Extra fine. {Paul.) Mrs. Bosanquet, white, China. {Terry.) Nina, cream, tea-scented, very fine. {Terry.) NipHETOs, white, tea-scented China. {Paul.) Paul Perras, deep rose, hybrid China. {Francis.) Souvenir d'un ami, blush, tea-scented. {Lane.) William Jesse, rose, hybrid China. {Paul. Lane.) Amateurs. — First prize, Mr. Terry, gardener to Lady Pullen, of Youngsbur}'. Second Prize, Mr. Rosier, gardener to T. Bradbury, Esq., Streatham. Third prize, A. Rowland, Esq., Lewisham. Nurserymen. — Fnst Prize, Mr. Francis, Hertford. Second prize, Messrs. Paul, Gheshunt. Third prize, Messrs. Lane, Berkhampstead. FANCY PELARGONIUMS. Anais {Ambrose). Defiance {Ambrose). Formosa {Ambrose), Hero of Surrey {Ayres). Ibrahim Pacha {Ambrose). Jenny Lind {Ayres). Madame Meillez {Ambrose). Magnifica {Ayres). Pic- TUATUM {Ayres, Ambrose). Queen Superb {Ayres). Statuiska [Ayres], First Prize, Mr. Ayres, nurseryman, Blackheath. Second prize, Mr. Ambrose, nurseiyman, Battersea. CAPE PELAEGONRTMS. ArDENS, BiCOLOR, BlANDFORDIANCM, ElEGANS, FULGIDUM, And HoLosERicEA, WCTC exhibited by Mr. Rosier, and obtained the only prize. CINERARIAS. Angelique {Robinson), Annib {Robinson, Fancourt). Bessie {Robinson. Fancourt). Cebito {Fancourt). Fairy Ring {Robinsm), Flora McIvor {Robinson. Fancourt). Newington Beauty {Robin- son). Wellington {Fancourt). Wedding King {Fancourt), First prize, Mr. Robinson, gardener to J. Simpson, Esq., Thames Bank, Pimlico. Second prize, Mr. Fancourt, fore- man to Mr. Cant, nm-seryman, Colchester. PANSIES. For the first time these were exhibited in pots (8-inch), and the only collection was shown in good condition. Among them the best were Poly- phemus, Queen of England, Lady Carrington, Ophir, Eliza Anne, Mr. Beck, and Juvenata. The exhibitor, Mr. Bragg, florist, Slough, obtained the first prize. AURICULAS. Mr. tVilmer, nurseryman, Sunbury, had an extra prize for a collection in fine condition ; among its best beauties were Waterloo, William THE Fourth, Fair Maid, Lovely Anne, Earl Grosvenor, Colonel Taylor, Morning Star, 5Irs. Smith, and SauiRE Pelha.m. FLORISTS' FLOWERS CULTURE. The Pansey, — Is worthy to be placed amongst the best of our bedding-out plants, and we wish our learned friend in such matters (Mr. Beaton) would try a bed or two of the self-coloured ones. They produce the, highest and brighest colours, from pure white to almost black, and would, we are quite sure, fill up many a blank at seasons of the year when effective colours are highly to be de- sired. Just now they require a more than common attention to keep them up to the mark of perfection. Dry weather and a hot season will quickly cause them to fail to produce fine blooms fit for the exhibition table. To keep them in health of bloom, no seed should be allowed to ripen, or even to form, on the plants that are to produce winning flowers. Encouragement to produce such blooms should be given in the shape of a thin mulching of very well - decomposed manure, spread equally all over the bed. Long straggling shoots should be carefully bent down to the ground and layered, that is, such long shoots should have a few of the lower leaves trimmed off, and an incision made half way through eacli stem, and then pegged down, and the cut June 5.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 153 part covered with some finely-sifted, light, rich loam, leaving the ends of the shoots out of the soil. These layers will quickly root, and form so many new plants that will flower much stronger and longer than if left to grow wild, and, besides tliis, the centre of each plant wQl send forth fresh shoots, and these will flower late aud finely. We have repeatedly acted upon this plan, with the greatest success. The layers we found made excellent plants to pot and store through the winter, and bloomed in these pots well the following season. The council of the Horticultui'al Society have offered prizes for florists' flowers in pots, acting, no doubt, upon the idea of the success that has attended the culture of roses in pots for exhibition purposes. If florists intend in futui'e to compete for the prizes offered for Pansies in pots, we would seriously advise them to try the method we have recommended of layering their plants, and potting the layers, when well established, in the pots they intend to exhibit them the next year. We feel confident suc- cess in the greatest degi'ee will ensue fi'om the experi- ment. The layers for such a purpose should he made about July, and be taken off in September, potted, and placed in a cold situation till the middle of November, then placed under a cold frame, protection being given only from heavy rain, snow, and frost. In early spring they will be found strong, healthy, and I'eady to bloom towards the end of April. Plants in bloom now, should be protected from the sun in bright clear days. Thin canvass will be found the best protective. Water will be necessary in dry weather ; and when it is applied, let it be effectual, not the di-ibbling watering too often given, which really does more hann than good, but a regular good soaking, that will reach down to the deep- est fibre. One such good watering, accompanied by the mulching mentioned above, will do more good than twenty sprinklings. Shoidd the soil of the bed appear caked, haixl, and cracked, stir the surface with a short three-pronged fork, cai'efully preserving the roots ; pre- viously to watering it eSectually, or, which is better, water well once, allow the surface to become dry, and then use the fork, and afterwards give the heavy dose of water. This will encourage the plants to grow prodi- giously and produce the finest bloom. Cuttings may now be taken ofi' the plants. Previously prepare a piece of ground in a shady situation, not under the actual drip of a hedge or ti'ees. The way to do this, is to remove a portion of the soil where the cuttings are to be placed ; sift some fresh light loam and spread it over the surface, then cover this with a layer of fine sand ; procure some hand-lights, square ones are the best, fix the first at one end of the prepared piece of ground, pressing it down to make a mark ; lift it off' again and place tlie cuttings within the mark. The cuttings should be taken from the weaker shoots of the plants, the strong branches being too coai'se and sappy to strike readily, and are apt to damp oflf immecUately. Number each lot of cuttings, so as to be able to know them again when they are fit to be planted out. When a hand-light is full the cuttings should stand just clear of each other ; give a gentle watering to settle the earth firm to each cutting, then place on the hand-light, and proceed to fill the next. When all is finished, shade pretty closely for a few days from the light of day, and where a callosity is formed at the base of eacli, allow the light to reach them, but still shade them from the aun if his rays can reach them after eight o'clock in the morning. Observe whether tliey flag if the sun shines upon tliem for an hour or two. If they do not, roots will be forming, and then they may have the full light, and a little an- given to them daily. This is to prepare them for planting oiit when the roots are fiilly formed. T. Appleby. THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. I Angelica. Presuming a sufficiency ere this to have | been secured for preserving, the bloom stalk, to prevent exhaustion, should be carefully taken oft", with the ex- ception of a plant or two left for seed. At the same time encoxn-agement should be given by keeping the surface of the earth well open, and adding pretty free applica- tions of liquid manure. With respect to Angelica seed, we find the most certain method of obtaining plants is to sow the seed as soon as ripe ; good strong plants will then be secured by the autumn, when the desired quan- tity may be put out on a well-prepared piece of ground. If the soil be good, deep, and rich, and a loose surface is maintained, with the assistance of occasional applica- cations of liquid manure, very fine transparent stalks will be secured the following sjjring. Celery. To secure a heavy crop of good sized Celery, say, upon an average of from 4 fb. to 0 tb. per plant at taking up time (which is about our average size), the piece of ground should now be chosen for the pijricipal crop, aud should be well manvned and trenched to the depth of from twenty to twenty-four inches, the qua- lity of the subsoil being the gxiide : — the soil should, of course, be left in rough ridges. We generally choose our early cauliflower or early cabbage ground ; either of which, by previous liberal trenchings, surface scarify- ing, aud liberal soakings of Uquid manure, being in pretty good condition; but the spinach ground, early pea or any other spare ground, well managed, will, of course, answer the purpose. When the planting season arrives, we measm-e out the ground into five or six feet beds, stretch the line across the ridges from end to end, and, with a shovel, cast out right and left a few inches of the soil into what is to be the earthing space, which space is also left four or five feet wide between each Celery bed : — the width of this is regulated according to the richness of the soil, the season of planting, or the extent of ground to be spared. The width, however, is not very particular, so that it be sufficient to provide the desired quantity of earth for bleaching, and security against winter fi-ost, as the space, whatever it may be, is, of com-se, at once cropped with useful vegetables in variety ; the centre part with late Cauliflower, Cape Brocoli, or Coleworts, and the outsides, next the Celery, with Lettuce. Indeed, we often sow late Dwarf Peas in the centre of the trench, such as the Imperial Blue, Ameri- can Dwarf, Fan Peas, &c., and theforegoing crop on each side. Tlie Celery, of course, is planted crossways in these shallow trenches in beds, at the distance of from eight to ten inches, or even a foot. If early, and in- tended to be grown very large, an immense weight of Celery may be secured from a small space of ground, well managed, upon this principle ; and for winter crop, what an extent may be thus easily and inexpensively secTired against wet or frost. The old single row system of culture, where still carried out by those who require large supplies, now puts us in mind of the old things long laid by in the corner of curiosities, but cultivatug Celery upon the foregoing system economises the matter in various ways, for not only is space saved, but manure also, if desirable to confine it only to the width of the bed : — the application of water or liquid manure, too, and the necessity of aU after-labour is so considerably diminished, that it is worthy the attention of all culti- vators. One consideration with respect to the planting of Celery is, that at all times care should be taken not to plant deep, but to keep the seed leaves and collar of the plants above the surface of the soil ; and to produce fine Celery it is necessary to make a good preparation with regai-d to soil, manure, and good plants, and never to allow it to get diy. Continue to prick out young plants. Routine Work. — Sow late dwai'f kinds of Peas on 154 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 5. the shady side of sloping banks or borders, as well as Garden Beans, and plant French Beans on the sunny side. This is a good season for sowing a full crop of Canliflowers and Gape Brocoli. Another sowing should be made of Parsley, and the growing crop well thinned. Continue to sow Turnips in succession. Commence planting out between the early crops of Potatoes, young plants of Drumhead Cabbage, Cabbage or Colewort plants, Savoys and KaU. These will have rooted, and be ready for a gi'owing start by the time the Potatoes are taken up ; and by good after-management in scarifying and keeping a loose, clean surface, a valuable winter crop may be obtained. Jajies Babnes. MISCELLANEOUS mFORMATION. RESULTS OF BURYING BEES. WTNTEE 1850 — .'51. Number of hives and description of them ; whe- ther swarms, casts, old hives, or preserved bees. Probable age of queen. Has she ever led off a swarm. Whether buried in the ground, and in leaves or other- wise, and at what depth. What me- thod of ven- tilation, if any, was adopted. Date of inter- ment, and state of weather. Weight ot eoTi- Nature tents of each 1 of soil hive on inter- I and as- ment, as far as pect could be ascer- (North tained. best). General character of the winter. Date of disinter- ment. Condi- tion of hives on disinter- ment. Weight of Percep- contents on tibleloss disinter- of each ment. hive. No. 1. A second swarm of 1849. From brood of 1850. Placed on lime-ash floor, covered with earth one foot thick. No ventila- tion. 29th Nov., 1850. Frosty mDrning' Gross weight, Shed 21 lbs. , facing the south. Remark- ably mild and wet. 29th March, 1851. Very dry and sound. Gross 6 lbs. weight, 15 lbs. No. 2. A swarm from No. l in the first week of July, 1S50. Probably two years old. Ditto. Half, inch pipe from entrance- Ditto. Gross weight, ' Ditto. 114 lbs. ^ Ditto. Ditto. Gross weight, albs. 34 lbs. No. 3. A second swarm in 18J9- Brood of 1850. Ditto. Half-inch pipe from entrance. Ditto. Gross weight, Ditto. 174 lbs. Ditto. Ditto. Gross weight, 9 lbs. 84 lbs. No. 4. A swarm from No. 3 on the 8th July, 1850. Two years old. Ditto. No ventila- tion. Ditto. Gross weight, Ditto. 94 lbs. 1 Ditto. Ditto. Gross weight, 6 lbs. 3oz. 34 lbs. 5oz. Further Observations. No. 1. Bees living, and commenced to carry in pellets of wax on their legs the fourth day after disinterment. The stock, however, is much weakened in numbers, from the great quantity found dead on the bottom board in a putrid state. No. 3. Living, and doing very well ; commenced to carry was the second day after disinterment. No. 3. When disinterred, a small portion of bees living and lively, but since dead ; honey left in combs. No. 4. Bees in a very weak state, and never recovered ; all dead by the third day after disinterment ; no honey left. N.B. Number I and 3 were strong stocks, full of bees, and the large mass of dead bees found in each of them was enormoue. The weight, on an average, of the empty hives, from 3 lbs. to 4 lbs. each.— A. Mc Kelvie, Stevcnstofie, Torrington, Devon. POULTRY KEEPING. YouK valuable correspondent, Aiister Bonn, lays down such excellent rules for fowl keeping, as to leave but little room for further remai-ls found later broods turn out sickly. As 1 do not intend setting any of my hens this year, I will cndoavotu- to keep a correct account of the produce, and give the result at the end, for the benefit of the miUion. — J. CeoMiEY, Great Slielford, Cambridge. BEES. I will, once more trouble you with a few obseiwations- on bee management, in reply to "A Coimtry Curate" and "A Cotuitry Solicitor." 1 agree with the latter in his remark that difference of lociility must produce very different results ; it is, therefore, desii'able that a writer on tliis subject should state the locality he treats of. His hive (as regai-ds shading) was placed under a fir tree impeiwious to the rain. Was not this exactly the situation to encom'age moth? than which the honey bee has not a more powerful enemy. He gathered up tlie bees which fell near the hive, and put them tlierein through a hole at the top of the hive. Here he was allowing a current of air to pass through the hive : it is a well known fact, that bees endeavour to close up every crevice in their habitation except the entrance, and, no doubt, to procure a sufticient temperature for their well being. This alone, particulaa'ly at Uie eai'ly pait of the season, was sufiioieut to prevent them from progressing ; hut may be there were other reasons — the description of fir tree, as respects resin, or the Campanule wasp, wlucli dehghts j to sling his hammock in the fir tree. 1 have now a hive, i which stands in the shade, well covered with a straw hackle, but rpiite exposed to wind and rain ; it commenced work on the l.^ith of February, and I am persuaded that it did not contain more tlian foirr pounds of honey when placed in that situation ; it appeared perfectly free from moth, has never been fed, except with a small quantity of brown sugar in a feeding box below ; although the air is still very cold here, yet it appears in good health, as appears by visitors to the crocuses in my garden. June 5.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 155 With I'espect to purchasing hives, I hold the opinion that they should be young, clean combs, and free from moth, never in an old hive, and if in ilarch they have four or five pouuds of honey in store, it is quite sufficient. I acknowledge myself quite at a loss to know what is meant by artificial swarms. If it is to procure a premature swarm, the only way is to divide the combs perpendicularly, so as to take away a portion in which is a queen's cell sealed up, and, by a distant i-emoval, the nurses may remain till the said queen's cell produces a young queen bee ; but to divide the hive horizontally, is next to impossible to make two out of one, as it will ever be found that the queen's cells are in the lower part of the hive, and on being much disturbed they mil all follow the old queen. Let me tell " A Country Curate," that a much better plan is, to await till he can observe one or more caps from the queen's cell lying beneath the hive ; or, another certain sign which I could tell him (if a first swarm), that everything is ready for a sepai'a- tion of the community, weather permitting, he may then, by artificially producing that which is the last cause of the turn-out, enjoy the sight of a natm-al swarm of much more value than in prematurely dividing the stock. If his object is only to obtain the honey and preserve the lives of his bees, let him adopt mine, which has ever been denominated the *' stoi7ing principle ; " or, taking the upper box or hive, and leave the lower habitation, without driving from one hive to another, as though the poor bees had no feeling. As to locality, mine is Bamsley, in Yorksbii'e, by no means an early or a warm climate ; and around me the gooseberry- bush is rapidly giving way to the factory -chimney. I have still one consolation, and that is, I am not neai* a brewery, as I was at Middlewich, when a brewer brought me nearly a quai'tem-measm'e of bees which he said belonged to me, adding that "he had taken the drunken towads out of the cooling wort." S.J. R. TEA-SCENTED ROSES. AarATEun cultivators of these roses who, Uke myself, reside within a few miles of the metropolis, and are compelled necessarily to grow them under glass in pots, find them fail after a season or two. We may be successful with most kinds of plants, but these prove more than oiu- match. With great care, I get at first, certainly, very satisfactory speci- mens, but find it impossible to keep the plants in the same state, and the blooms speedily deteriorate. Before giving them up, I made a new attempt, which has been quite suc- cessful. I planted about fifty half-standards and dwarfs of Souvenir d'un Ami, EUza Sauvage, Adam, Devoniensis, X-c, in the autumn, in a weU-prepared compost, and erected a low span-roofed house over them, with glass sides to the ground, and side windows for ventilators. It answers admi- rably ; the plants are looking remarkably healthy and i)ro- mise well. The shoots are most vigorous, and are covered with bud&. — ^W. G., Stoke Newington. TO CORRESPONDENTS *#* We request that no one will write to the departmental writers of The Cottage Gardener. It gives them unjustifiable trouble and expense. All communications should be addressed " To the Editor of The Cottage Gardener, 2, Amen Corner^ Paternoster Row, London.'' Botanical Arrangement in Borders {Miss M. B. ^.).— We cordially agree with you, that with a view to the encourag:ement of the study of hardy plants in natural groups, or according to natural classifi- cation, specimens from the ditFerent groups should be procured and cul- tivated by amateurs and others in their "mixed borders." This has been our own idea for many years, as to the true use of what are called "herbaceous plants," and with this impression we have sent your letter to one of our contributors with a request to aid you. Meantime, oar Cottage Gardeners' Dictionary, is the best and cheapest reference to suit you ; indeed, it is the only catalogue in our language in which an attempt is made to separate the useless from the beautiful. Calystegia soldanella (76(d).— Can any of our readers procure a rooted plant of this British bindweed for our correspondent 7 Calycers (76id).— There are some hardy, or half-hardy, plants in the obscure Order Calycers (CalyceraceEe), but, as far as we are aware, there are none of them in cultivation. All that are described of them, inhabit the southern parts of South America, particularly in South Chili. Wintergreens {Pijrolace(F) {Ibid). —They are all hardy, and the easiest of them to be procured are Pyrola and Gaiw— plants not un- common. Fir Rapes {Monotropacecs) (Jfiid).— They are parasites which grow on the rootB of trees. We are not aware of any attempt havine been made to cultivate them. Dodders (26trf). — They grow freely from seeds in the usual way, and as they rise from the seed-pot they become parasites, and attach them- selves to the nearest plant. Nectarine Leaves Blighted {P. D. D.). — We have no faith in any hand work performed for leaf or branch in your case, for we fear the constitution of the soil is bad. Whether too wet, too dry, or too poor, we of course cannot say ; but think you will do well to pick off all diseased leaves instantly, and immediately to apply a rich mulching, four inches thick ; presuming that the bottom is too poor, and too dry, fitfully. On this mulch we would apply a soaking of guano nnd soot water, at a tem- perature of 90", in order to excite new and clean wood betimes, and pinch the points of all at the end of August. The Roman Nectarine is not very tender. If this does not improve its condition, pray dig it up in October, and make a platform as advised in our back numbers. To Preserve Ginger (A Constant Reader). — Put some of the youngest and most tender races of ginger, which should also be free from knots, into a China bowl, cover them with water, and let them soak 12 davs, stirring them two or three times a-day during that time, and then boiling them until tender. Let a syrup be made of a pound of sifted loaf-sugar to every pint of water, to which some lemon-peel and cinna- mon should be added. Boil this syrup, skim, and when it has boiled half an hour put in the ginger, and boil all together for another half an hour. Pour the ginger and syrup together into a Chma bowl or vessel, and let it stand closely covered until the next day, when it should be boiled another half hour, and the same be repeated daily until the syrup is clear, and remains attached to the spoon, when it may be put into a jar, and when cold be tied closely down. Some use equal parts of raisin wine and vinegar, instead of water, for soaking and boiling the ginger. Fdschia Bods Dropping (T. P. L.). — Wlien you shifted them the other day it was probably into cold earth ; and the abundant watering you speak of was probably with cold water. Keep the roots warmer ; water with tepid water, and shade the tops. Heracleum giganteum {H. Winckworth). — We cannot go to the expense of having this engraved, nor do we see the need for describing it, since you have a flourishing plant from Messrs. Hardy. We shall willingly answer any specific question regarding it. Eggs Duopt from the Perch {E.M. F-). — Hens will do this occa- sionally ; the best remedy is to have the perches close to the ground, and a thick covering of sand or fine coal ashes beneath. Wardian Cask. — In answer to an inquiry, particulars relative to one on sale may be obtained of Mr. W. Batger, 3 Beauvoir-terrace, Kings- land-road, London, Apple Blossom Grub {J. C). — The grub which destroys the blos- soms of your apple trees just before the fruit is set, is probably the larva of the Apple-blossom Weevil {Anthonymus pomorum), of which you will find a drawing and description in the Cottage Gardeners' Dictionary ^ p. 53, and in our first volume, p. 145. We know of no cure at this time of the year. Smoking the trees will have no effect. Destroying every infected blossom, and scraping off the bark and destroying the Weevils beneath it at the close of autumn, are the best preventives ; especially if you afterwards keep a broad band of moist tar round the stem of each tree until the fruit is well set. Planting odt Potted Trees (/. H.). — We never received your first communication with the seed vessel. There is no doubt about the benefit of spreading out the roots of potted trees when they are turned out into the border. The hair-like roots of Cupressus thuri/era we should have set free by washing the earth from them. No stronger case than that could occur, illustrating the importance of spreading out the roots of potted plants. Narcissus biflorus (Ibid). — We think, though we cannot speak with certainty without seeing the specimen, that your wild specimen is N. bifiorus. It is common for it to have only one flower, and sometimes it has three upon a stalk, or scape. Much less is it a specific distincrion having a white margin to the tube of the nectary ; this is as often absent as present. We presume you know that its popular names are the Pale Daffodil, and Primrose peerless. If the flower-bud bent down, or elbowed soon after it came forth from the ground, it is a confirmation of our opinion that your specimen is N. bifiorus. Watering with Hard Water (R, H. D.). — It may injure your flowers ; and can there be any insurmountable difficulty in exposing the ^^ ater to the air for a few hours before using it ? It is a part of good gardening, as well as good practice in all other transactions, not to run unnecessary risks. Moth in Clothes (G. H.). — The grub of Tinea pellionella is, pro- bably, your enemy. Beat the infected articles frequently, expose to the air, and keep camphor in the drawers, &c., renewed as often as needed, to make them smell strongly for the next six months. Elementary Catechisms {G. P.). — These are published by Messrs, Groombridge, Patemoster-row. Your reproof about the cuttings is not just. If we were to give away these, we should have hundreds of appli- cants, as we had, to our serious inconvenience, for Himalayah Pumpkin seeds. Aeaucaria {Syonica). — Vou do not tell us the species; but as you talk of " an avenue" of it, we presume it is A. imbricata. Your light soil ought to suit it, if not overshadowed with trees, for it requires no particular culture. If your plant was raised from a cutting, instead of from seed, it will grow very slow, and remain moie dwarf, do what vou will. Thinning Potato Stems {A Constant Reader). — We quite agree with you in recommending this. Our correspondent says — " We practise it by going along the row before hoeing, and drawing away all the weak lateral shoots, and leaving two, or, perhaps, three to a root of the strongest shoots. We served them all the same way last year, and had a splendid crop of potatoes, there were scarcely any small ones." We cannot tell what plant you refer to in your question. Give us the name and refer to the page. Bitter Btittee (D. fl.).— Cows will not eat the buttercup; there- ! 166 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 5. fore, it cannot arise from its leaves. The bitterness probably arises from some other weed. The wild Chive gives an unpleasant flavour to butter. Try the effect of a little chloride of lime added to the milk. Dissolve half an ounce of the chloride powder in a gallon of water, and put a tea- spoonful of the solution to every gallon of milk, as it is brought from the cow. Earth Grub (T. W. B.).—'The grub just below the surface of the soil, which eats the stems of your flowers, can only be destroyed by stirring the earth around them, and killing the marauders when found. It is the larva of the Dart Moth {Agrotis segetuin). Grass upon a Carriage-drive {W, T. P.).— There is no mode of destroying this wholesale except with common salt ; and the most effi- cient mode of applying this is the form of brine, made by dissolving salt in water until an egg will float in it. Apply it two or three times, soak- ing the ground thoroughly, on as many following evenings. Concrete Walk (Ibid).— Yout rough gravel, broken hard stones, and strong lime, are just the materials required. The following extract from The Cottage Gardeners' Dictionary answers all your queries. If you need more information write again. " Mr. Beaton's directions for making the walk is as follows : A layer of stones, brick-bats, shells, or clinkers, si-x inches deep, to form a dry bottom ; a layer of chalk or lime, in the proportion of one to ten of the stones or other foundation, and well-rolled and watered to the thickness of three inches, with a rise of two inches in the centre ; over this half an inch of gravel and lime, or fine chalk ; water and roll well again ; add one-eighth of an inch of the best coloured gravel; and again roll until quite solid. Have the walk two inches wider on each side than you desire, as this checks the turf and weeds from encroaching, and prevents the rain water getting to the foundation of the walk." Cottage Gardrners' Dictionary (R. Rowell). — Vou will find Clematis if you look again. Bryony we have not given, because we only endeavour to give those genera and species which are desirable for cultivation. We cannot give definitions of botanical terms ; ours is a Gardeners' Dictionarv ; neither can we give answers on its covers. There is no such work as a Cyclopedia of Rural Economy for Emigrants. Potatobs not Vegetating.— G. S. D. says—" About the beginning , of March last, I planted some Walnut-leaved Kidney Potatoes, and at ■ least a fourth part of them have not come up. On searching for them I find the sets with a few small potatoes sprouted from them, about the size of marbles. Now, I shall feel obliged by your informing me if the fault arises from the seed potatoes, or from any error of mine in planting them. I have taken shoots from those that came up the strongest, and carefully planted them, to fill up the vacancies caused by those not coming up. Do you think thev are likely to produce a few potatoes?" The fault was in the seed potatoes. They had been kept out of the ground too long ; were probably soft ; and, it is not unlikely, had had the sprouts rubbed off more than once. Your transplanted stems ought to produce serviceable potatoes. You did quite right. Devoniensis Rose (E. R.). — Any florist or nurseryman who adver- tises in our columns will supply you with this. We do not know the Norwich florist whose Hollyhock seeds you require. Vine Scale (W. Franks). — You will see a drawing and description of this (Coccus vitis) in The Cottage Gardeners' Dictionary, page '26o. Paint with a hard brush the stems and branches with a creamy mixture of i lb. of soft soap, 1 lb. of sulphur flowers, and ioz. of powdered black pepper, to 4 gallons of water ; boil it for twenty minutes, and add lime and soot sufficient to make it as thick as cream, and not of an offensive colour. Glazed Waterproof Calico (Cambridge). — You must make it by applying the mixture, and in the manner described at page J 3 of our last volume. Peaes and Quince Stocks (An Enquirer). — We, like yourself, have abundance, or rather superabundance, of bloom annually, nut very little fruit, The reason appears to be, that they bloom so early as to have their fertile powers destroyed by the spring night-frosts. Perhaps taking up the trees annually, and replanting them in October, might check this early blooming, and if so, it would account for your observation, that those trees which are newly removed from the nursery do bear. Do these bloom later? Names of Plants (H. G. C). — No. 1 is Brassia Henchniannii. No. 2, Brassia maculnta, and No. 3, Odontoglossum Iceoe. (Elizabeth l{ j/).— The leaf only enables us to say that it is a Crnssula, and pro- bably C. cultrnta. It flowers, but is not worth much. Grow it in a sandy soil, mixed with limy rubbish, and well drained. (j1/?'s. E. J.).— Your trifling specimen does not enable us to say positively ; perhaps it is Cotoneaster tomentosa. (J. V.). — Your carelessly sent bundle con- tained Genista canariensis, Coronilla glatica, and Miimdas rimilaris. The Cinerarias, Calceolarias, and Heaths, no one could name from such specimens, (il/. C. J2.).— Your shrub is the bladder Nut (Staphylea pinnata). The seeds have been used as beads, and their kernels, though bitter, eaten. The other plant is Sherardia aroensis. We wish all our correspondents packed their plants as nicely as you have done. They are then a pleasure to examine. Climbers for a Greenhouse Conservatory (W. P«m).— Your conservatory is 25 feet high, and its heat need not fall below 40° in winter. The following climbers will suit: — Bignonia grandlflora, Hardenbergia monophylla, H. ovata, Jasminum odoratissimum, J. grandiflorum, l\Ian- devilla auaveolens, Passiflora racemosa, P. carulea racemosa, Tropceolum speciosum (dies down in winter), Tecoma jasminioides nana, Zychia pau- nosa, Z. inophylla florabunda. London: Printed by Harry Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William SoMERViLLB Orr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ Church, City of London. — June 5th, 1851. ^beittiScmmtg. TjlOR WATERING GARDENS, 5. Distributing Liquid Manure, Brewers' Use, &c. Patent Vulcanised India Rubber Hose-Pipes and Flexible Gas Tubing. JAMES LYNE HANCOCK (sole Licensee and Manu- facturer), Goswell-road, London. These pipes are well adapted for Watering Gardens, conveying Liquid Manure, racking Beer and Cider, for portable Gas Lamps, and all purposes where a perfectly sound Water- proof and Flexible Pipe is required. Hot Liquors or Acids do not injure them ; they are, therefore, much used for chemical purposes, as they require no oil or dressing when out of use ; are particularly suitable for Fire Engines, and are found exceedingly useful in dwelling-houses for conveying Hot or Cold Water to Baths, &c. Testimonials and prices may be had on appli- cation to the Manutactory. N.3. Vulcanised India Rubber Garden Hose, fitted up with Roses, Jets, and Branches com- plete, with union joints ready to attach to pumps or water cisterns. All Orders or Letters addressed to J. L. HANCOCK, Goswell - mews, GoawcU • road, London, will meet with immediate attention. Waterproof Fishing Boots and Stockings, Portable India Rubber Boats, Shower and Sponging Baths, Air Cushions and Beds, made all sizes to order. mHE LONDON MANURE COM- X PANY beg to offer as under i — Corn Manure, most valuable for spring dress- ing. Concentrated Urate, Super Phosphate of Lime, Nitrate of Soda, Sulphate of Ammonia, Fishery and Agricultural Salt, Gypsum, Fossil Bones, Sulphuric Acid, and every other artificial manure ; also, a constant supply of English and Foreign Linseed Cake. Peruvian Guano, guaranteed the genuine im- portation of Messrs. A. Gibbs and Sons, ^'9 10s per ton, or ^Q S» in quantities of five tons or upwards. EDWARD PURSER, Secretary, 40j Bridge Street, Blackfriars. TJUMANITY, ECONOMY, and ^ ORNAMENT. Much Improved Collateral Bee-Hive, or Apiary, as shown at the Great Exhibition of IS.'il, by G. PHILLIPS, of Harrow-on- the-Hill, Middlesex. No Loss or Destruction of Bees, Pure Honey, and an additional Ornament to Lawn or 'Pleasure Grounds, and the pro- gress of the work, and the temperature ascertained, without danger. All communications addressed to the Manufacturer, Harrow-on-the-Hill, will receive immediate attention. PORTABLE ECONOMICAL VAPOUR BATH, for Families, Travellers, i &c. At all seasons of the year, but more particularly in the winter, when the prevalence of cold, attended with influenza, rheumatics, and fever, to which most persons are subject, it must be a pleasing desideratum— under all circumstances, on land, at sea, in towns, and in the remotest villages— to be enabled to command an alleviation, and in most cases a certain cure, by this simple but efflcacious Vapour Bath. Complete, with large Cloak, .^l lls6d. PORTABLE ICE BOXES, REFRIGERATOllS, &c., and FOREIGN BLOCK ICE, 63 per 100 pounds. Packed for the country without extra charge. .„„^ -, SVPHON AIR VENT BEER and WINE TAPS, 3s and 3s 6d. ELECTRO-PLATED, 5s 6d. BATHS of every description. SWAN NASH, Furnishing Ironmonger, &c., 253, Oxford Street ; City DepM, II9, Newgate Street. INDUSTRY and HUMANITY, versus PLUNDER and MURDER.— i- MARRIOTT'S NEW BEE-HIVE for the humane management of honey bees is the best for real practical utility, each hoop finely worked upon straw, the hoop of the top, or cover hive, fits over the hoop of the nether, or stock hive, which lias three glass windows, ventilator, and thermo- meter for regulating the temperature, and either three or four bell-glasses, for taking the finest quality of the fruit of industrv at the height of honey gathering without the least injury to the bees. Taylor's new Shallow B'ox Hives, with or without bars, two adapting boards, &c. Taylor 5 Amateur Bar Hive, Nutt's Collateral and other Hives. A Descriptive Engraving, with Priced Catalogue, posted for two penny stamps. MARRIOTT'S Humane Bee-Hive Factory, 74, Orace- church Street. JnNK 12.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 157 M W 1 12 Til UF US 15 Son 16 M 17 To 18 W JUNE 12—18, 1851. Weathee meae London i N 1850. 1 Sun 1 Rises. Sun Sets. Moon R. & S. Moon*8 Age. Clock bef. Sun. Day of Year. Barometer. Thermo. Wind. Rain in In. Walnut flowers. Yellow Pimpernel flowers. Large Skipper Butterfly seeen. Trinity Sunday. Cuckoo-spit Insect seen. Dog-Rose flowers. Mullein flowers. 29.933 — 29.923 30.118 — 29.927 30.17,'. — 30.116 29-999- 29.791 29.776 — 29.7.10 29.975 — 29.924 30.066 — 30.038 57—40 67—34 72—40 70—48 68—46 72 — JO 75-41 N.W. N.E. N.E. E. N. N.W. W. 0.01 45 a. 3 45 44 44 44 44 44 14 a. 8 15 15 16 16 17 17 3al0 rises. 8 a 53 9 50 10 31 M 6 11 35 13 © 15 16 17 18 19 0 37 0 25 0 13 0 0 0b:2 0 25 0 38 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 Adrian Hardy Haworth says, in one of his letters — " I was a gar- dener, practically, at seven years old ; " and we have three similarly-tasted urchins under our own root-tree ; for a love of flowers, and their culture, is one of the blessed mental inclinations birth-implftnted in us, \)y cur all-kind Creator, as a sweetener of the toil imposed when the ground was ordained to bring forth weeds lo encumber the work of the husbandman. A love of gardening — a love of nature generally — is in every child's he.irt, and though we do our best to choke that affection for the fair things of the soil, by cramming them with book lore, and tutoring them with accomplishments which enables them to " play fantastic tricks before high Heaven," yet, happily, the love of nature will prevail, and we are grateful whenever we hear " My Garden " talkedof more, and cherished more, than " fliy Ciesar." " Wy Euclid," or even than " My Piano." Yes — yes. We would have every child of our clan love knowledge in all forms — Greek, Latin, and Music among the rest ; but though we would have him, or her, love those well, yet we would have each and ail love Chemistry, and Botany, and Gardening better. These sciences have more to do with the things of life, they give us another sense, for they let us know the why and the wherefore of all that is going on around us — and the child who can explain why sugar dissolves in his tea, has a scrap of knowledge more useful than he who can tell why Achillea joined in the Trojan war. Thanks to the limited span allotted to man, our old master cannot read or hear of our heresy, in decUiring that we think there is more sense, more suggestive matter, in this one verse of CampljeU's, than in all the Iliad — The very Law that moulds a tear, and bids it trickle from its source, Tliat J^aw preserves the earth a sphere, and guides the planets in their course. Now, taking that verse for a test, we would preach for '* a full hour by Shrewsbury clock," on the wonders of chemical and physical attraction, which would detain us, even more unjustilialjly than we have been already, from the hero of our theme, Well, then, Mr. Haworth, loved to grub about plants even in his child- hood, and this fondness for natural things, strengthened with his strength ; but his father was a matter-of-fact personage, a wealthy merchant, who, perhaps, traded with China, who certainly preferred its Tea to its Chry- santhemums, and who would have his son give up Lepidoptera for Law, and Succulents for Conveyancing. He was articled to an attorney, and had to engross through even those brip;ht sunny days, when it is martyr- dom not to be hunting for plants and buttertlies. But no sooner was our young naturalist released from the trammels of the law, than he at once raiounced it for ever, and all its splendid chances of success, and retired to Cottingham, where he resided a few years, and then married. At this village, in the neighbourhood of his native town (Hull), he commenced his arduous career, at once embracing the sciences of entomology, orni- thologj', and Ijotany. — Shortly after this, he changed his residence to Little Chelsea, near London, where he wrote the Lepidoptera Britiinnicn. and successfully cultivated all the succulent plants at that time known in the kingdom, gratuitously and freely obtaining them both from the Uoyal Gardens at Kew, and from the most celebrated nurserymen. About the year iai2, he resolved to return to his favourite town and garden at Cottingiham, and thither he repaired with the greater part of hia extensive collection of natural history. During his short stay at that place (for he only resided there about five years) he was principally in- strumental in forming, and arranging systematically, the Botanical Gar- den at Hull. The neighbourhood of London was, however, evidently the field most adapted to a mind so ardently endued with the love of scien- tific pursuits; accordingly he soon again bid adieu to his native county, and resided till the melancholy day of his death at Queen's Elm, Chelsea. That day was the 24th of August, 1833, when he was in the Slith year of his age. He was enjoying his usual health, and watering his favourite plants the evening prc\'iou8ly, was seized by malignant cholera, and in about twenty hours death had closed his eyes- Mr. Haworth's fame as an Entomologist is scarcely leas exalted than as a Botanist ; but doubtless his great worth, and which will live to the re- motest posterity, is the Lepidoptvru Britajinicu, already several times re- printed on the continent, and the same remark will apply to his principal botanical work, Synojisis Plnntannn Sutcul^ntarum, which is in fact the (•«(/e ?n«'«ni to all cultivators of this interesting tribe of plants, the one being as useful and essential to the Botanist as the other unquestionably is to the British Entomologist. Of the private life of this distinguished Naturalist, for such he may be truly designated, having successfully studied all branches of Natural History, we know but little except his having constantly resided in the bosom of his family, and though frequently pressed by the earnest soli- citations of foreign friends and correspondents, he could never be induced to visit the continent, or in fact to travel tarther from his usual residence than occasionally into Yorkshire, his native comity. Many short extracts from some of his letters were published in The Gardeners Magazine, and one of those extracts is too highly characteristic not to be quoted. It is as follows :—" As an old botanist, I love most dearly inp Jirst sight of a plant that is neu' to me. And as your object is to send chiefly things that quite puzzle you, a few must appear riddles to me, and I shall have, or have had, all the pleasure of solving them. Besides, every packet is a sort of lottery, in which any new plant is a prize ! Hence you will see my zeal is at last equal to your own. I once was near joining with a.pnhtie botanic garden here (Chelsea), and I much regret it fell to nothing. Alas I we have now not one public botanic garden left near the metropolis of this rich kingdom; and yet I think such a thing would pay well. About some of your specimens I will decide in November or December next ; when I propose incorporating all my more newly acquired specimens with the glued onea ; and when many of your well-grown examples will be added, to amend or extend the col- lection ; in which every specimen is acknowledged from whom, or what garden, it came ; and when, as far as possible. I have been about 40 years amassing them. A few odd ones were even gathered still earlier, when I was a boy. I was a gardener, practically, at seven years old." Mr. Haworth was a good gardener, as well as a botanist and entomo- logist, and for evidence, the reader may refer to his excellent paper on the propagation and arrangement of Double-Jlowered Chrt/satifhe-mums, in the 9th volume of The Gardeners' Magazine, and to his essay On the ■ytccies of the Crocus, and their cultioation, in the Horticultural Society's Transactions for ISOQ. Meteorology of the Week. — At Chiswick, from observations made during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest temperatures are 73-7°, aod 50.4°, respectively. The greatest heat, 90^ was on the 12th in 1842, and the lowest cold, 3(1°, on the I5th, in 1841. During the time 101 days were fine, and on 67 rain fell. Wk have (i gi-oiipe of volumes before us requiring notice, and lirst among them is one entitled Twenty Lessons on British Mossi's. Second Series. Illustrated with twentij- five specimenit. Bij William Gardiner, A.L.S., d'c. It is published by Messrs. Longman, in Loudon, therefore, accessible to every reader who can afford to spend three and sixpence upon a very gratifying little volume. The species are very nicely mounted, and the information relative to them useful and amusing. As a specimen, we will extract what the author says relative to Aimnta- (jiain ciliatam (Hoary-branched l^eardless-moas). Tlds plant grows upon stones, rocks, and walln, in livoad flakes or pattrlies, and is conspicuous from its lioiiry appear- ance, ai'isiugfrom its diapbanous-pointed leaves. Tliuse are confavc, ovate, and accuniiuated into a slender colourless point, and tliose of the penduvtium, or sheath around the base of the seta, laciniated, or jagged at the extremity. Tlie capsule is almost sessile among the perichcetial leaves, pear- shaped, with a wide naked month, — a plane Ud having a small raised point in the centre, and a mitriform veil. Many of the large stones or boulders we so often meet with in hilly places, ai'e quite incased in tliis and similar spreading mosses; anil the same verdant di'apery is em- ployed by Nature to adorn the rugged ciifls and the dila- pidated waU, — tlius rendering them more seemly and agreeable to the eye. Rockwork in gardens might denve miich advantage in their embellishment from an admixture of mosses with the Alpine plants there usually cultivated ; and, indeed, a moss- garden, as well as a Fernery, would add greatly to the in- terest of every Hower-garden, and amply repay all the care bestowed upon them. The plants could thus be more easily watched tbroui^Iiout the wiiole progress of their develop- ment, and a fuller actiuaintance be gained of their structure and history. A small bit of woodland, with a patch of moor- land or heath, bordered by an old Avali, having a rugged liank on the one side, and a stream on the other, would suffice for this purpose ; or, where sueh a combination could not be commanded, uor even a shady nook or piece of rockwoi'k, many of the species may be successfully cultivated in pots, No. CXLI., Vol. VI. 158 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 12. or in a Wardian case, — the degree of moisture and shade being regulated hy what you observe in their natural habitats. *' \Vliat forests tall of tiniest moss Clothe every little stone ! What pi^my oaks their foliage toss O'er pigrniy valleys lone ! With shade o'er shade, from ledge to ledge, Ambitious of the sky, They leather o'er the steepest edge 01 mountains mushroom high." Mr. Gardiner, who we believe to be thoroughly trust- wortliy, resides at No. 158, Overgate, DumUe, and is au excellent and enthusiastic botanist, but, like many other men of science, he cannot afford to risk the loss of his time and money in travelling for the collection of speci- mens. To avoid such risk, and yet to place his services at the command of any one to whom tliey may be de- sirable, he has issued the following prospectus, and we can assure our readers that if we needed such a collec- tion, we should not liesitate to coniide our twenty shillings to Mr. Gardiner's keeping, with the full con- viction that whilst we served him, we should in return obtain our full money's-worth : — ■\Vii,LiA3t Gaedinek begs to say, that it is his intention to prepare, dm-ing the present season, a series of Collections of Botanical Specimens, each to contain 250 select species, — the subscription, ifil, to be paid in advance. This unusual condition in W. G.'s practice as a botanical collector, will enable him to make tlie sets more interesting, as he will thus have the means of visiting more locahties, and bringing togetlier the rarities of each. The long experience W. G. has had in preparing botanical specimens, and the many thousands of them in the possession of his numerous sub- scribers, to any of whom a reference can be given, if re- quired, will be a guarantee for his fitness for the task he undertakes ; and he trusts that those honouring him with their patronage, will place confidence in his executing it faithfully. It is also W. G.'s intention to prepare to order volumes of specimens, mounted and named, of the different tribes of British Plants, as Flowers, Fems, Mosses, Lichens, Seaweeds, itc , from .£1 Is. upwards : Also, " Summer and Autumn Leaves ; " " Buttercups and Daisies," a new book for the young ; and new editions of " Lessons on British Mosses ; " and illustrated copies of the " Flora of Fori'ar- shire." Early application solicited. We shall be much obliged by any, or by all our corres- pondents adopting the suggestion of Mr. Errington in our paper to-day, and sending us a report of the pros- pects of the fruit crop in their neighbourhood. Tliey need only mention the name of the place, whether in a valley or on a hill, and the state of the crop in one word ; for example. Maldqn fjiillj, Gooseberries, good ; A2}ples, bad ; Pears, partial ; &c. Of eoiuse we shall be glad of any comments, but these are not essential to the utility of such returns. GARDENING GOSSIP. Theee are to be throe Floiier Shoics at Vnuxhall Gardens, the schedules for one of which have been issued. Those who feel a real interest in tlie shows at the Surrey Gardens, regret this opposition ; for, however it may be professed to be otherwise, the effect must be more or less injurious to a series of exliibitious on the same side of tlie water, in the same months, and sup- ported by tlie same people. We see in the speculation a certain loss to the management. It is impossible to be more attractive than the Surrey Gardens, and nobody will pay half-a-crowu to see a flower show when they can see the same for a shilling; but it will have the effect of dividing the attention of exhibitors whose cupidity is aroused by the ofl'er of large prizes. It is thought that this Surrey opposition is not unlikely to lead to a break up of the South Loudon Floricultural Society. RoslicrviUe Gardens, Oravesend, are especially adapted for flower shows ; and at one time the managers con- templated getting up two or three exhibitions a season under an experienced manager. This they have declined, but a private individual has hired the grounds upon speculation, and issued a schedule fidl of monstrous absurdities. I To say nothing of the great defects, a few of the little ones are bad enough. Prizes are offered for Cinerarias, j Pinks, Hollyhocks, and some other subjects in July, long I after or before any can be fit to exhibit! In fact, the I schedule offers one huudi-ed and twenty-foiu- pounds in prizes, half of which cannot be shown for ! If tliis be the result of ignorance, the speculator deserves to lose ; if design, it will fail to take in the public. The metropolitan showers treat tlie thing as a lioax. The Great Northern Tulip SJiowwent off much to the satisfaction of the Great Northern gi'owers, and was especially pleasing to a class of dealers who cannot thi'ow away foul tulips. Having secured three patrons of smudged-bottomed varieties forjudges, and Mr. Henry Goldham, from London, as a fourth, to give countenance to their proceedings, they did as they pleased. They would not disqualify foul-bottomed sorts, and the tulips which had prizes were a disgrace to the fancy. Mr. Henry Goldham could not have carried his point against three lovers of foul flowers, but he could have retired anil upheld the dignity and taste of the south, which rejects as unwortliy of notice all varieties with dirty bases. He could have said, " Gentlemen, — As I am of no use against three of you, and never will sanction a piize to a foul flower, I beg to retire, and leave you to the indulgence of a taste which I hope wiU always be confined to the north." Mr. Turner, of Slough, the best professional, and Mr. Edwards, of Holloway, a spirited amateur, had to sij; down quietly under the disgrace of being beaten with tulips that the poorest grower in the meti-opoUs would not disgrace his stand with. It has been suggested that as the trade has been liberal in subscribing funds from which to give prises for New Dahlias, the managers of societies ought to let everybody show without entrance fees. The trade cannot anticipate in their gifts the idea of ex- cluding anybody wlio can buy new flowers; but if the entrance be more than nominal, say a shilling, a great num- ber will be debarred from showing after they have bought new flowers to the extent of their means. We strongly recommend the ShackleweU managers to cliai'ge only a shil- ling entrance for the new class ; they had better have twenty at a shilhng, than four at a crown, or eight at half-a-crown ; it swells the sliow. The Plymouth Roijal Botanical and Horticultural Gardens were opened for the season on the '^Oth of May, and the attendance was as brilliant as the show of flowers. These gardens, established in those of Mr. Rendle, the enterprising nurseryman and florist, com- bine the attractions of concerts, promenades, and horti- cultural displays, and axe well worthy of patronage. June liJ.J As we must confine om-selves to topics of general interest, we will only particularise the following : — At the extremity of tlie garden, a Chinese pavihon was erected, sufficiently capacious to accommodate several huncb-ed visitors. It was fitted up in perfect keeping with its character. At the extreme end, a well-designed view of the City of Canton was fixed; the river flowing in front, and the mountains in the distance ; a fountain playing in the centre, added much to its picturesque appearance. I'pwnrds of eighty Chinese lanterns, bond fidt: manufactured hy L\me Shbiij, of Canton ; (purchased out of hond from the importer by Mr. llendle), were suspended from the celling. On the sides were Chinese paintings, obtained from the same source ; and, fully to cany I out the design, a very splendid collection of Cliinese plants i in bloom — Rhododendrons and Azaleas, interspersed with j choice heaths and other beautiful specimens of flowers and 1 plants — -were placed in the centre and by the sides of the pavilion ; its appearance being truly beautiful, presenting a scene not easily to be forgotten. This was the chief attrac- tion of the day ; it was crowded for hours, and all the visitors gave Jlr. liendle much praise for the taste he had displayed, and for the exertions he must have used, in the erection. Amongst the many objects which struck the attention of the visitor in this tent, we must mention the plants intended for her Majesty. These were four handsome specimens of Rhndodcndron Cntawhicuae in varieties. Jlr. Rendle, when exJiibiting a collection of his plants in the Crystal Palace, obtained the favour of being allowed to present a group to her Majesty, being the only nurseryman from tlie imiiiti/ who had the privilege of displaying plants, on the auspicious opening of the Exposition. The largest srt7« of first class Tul'qis that lias taken place for 3'ears — that of Mr. Lawrence's at Hampton — was tolerably good evidence that the faucj' is not on the decline. Pandoras, Sti-ong's King, Glenny's Duke of Northumber- land, Brown's Polyphemus, Brown's Ulysses, Salvata Eosa, Musidora, Apelles, Marcellus, Sanders's Vivid, Camoise de Croix, Beterall's Ijrulente eccletante, and other choice kinds, I created very spirited competition, and many brought prices very nearly approaching the demands made in the cata- logues. There was an excellent muster of old growers, and not a few enthusiastic young ones. Tlie flowers were in the finest possilile condition. At the Oxford Ttdip Show, Mr. Glenny, who was .judge, put back every stand that contained a tulip with a stained base, and marked every flower that was faulty, that the growei's' attention might be at once directed to the faults wliieh condemned the stand, or that caused it to be placed lower ; but it was considered by the growers a valuable practical lesson. In Pansics he also lowered all the stands which had the eyes running into the margin, or which bad two different shades of yellow in the lower petals, and marked these flowers also. In fact, he carried out to the full the standards laid down in his " Properties of Flowers." Mr. Goldliani, the father of the tidip fancy, has tliis year again a noble bloom of Tulips. His novelties, the result of many years devotion to the raising of seedlings, are beginning to reward bini. ^lany liave broken into splendid varieties, perfectly unique, and possessing many of the properties which give value to this splendid tribe of flowers. The peculiarity of the tulip, which foniis a family of itself, is, that when they first bloom from seed, tliey for the most part come a self colour, except the base, wliich is white or yellow, and it may be many years before these selfs break into stripes. Mr. Goldhani has some of the most promising we ever saw; and many that have broken into the most exquisite varieties, unhke anything we liavo, and fit to rank I with the very best in cultivation. E. Y. THE COTTAGE GARDENER. NEW PLANTS. IHEIR POmHAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. 109 The Asoca (Jonesia Asocii).—Piixtons Flower Oar- den, ii. 164.— This is a small genus of East Indian trees, or, perhaps, made up of one tree only and one climbing plant besides. It was named by Dr. Roxburgh, in honour of Sir William Jones, the celebrated scholar and man of science. The specific name is that by which it is known among the natives. Burmanu, a Dutch bota- nist, called it Saraca, also from its Indian name ; and in Rluule's Hvrtus Imlims Malaharkus, a good figure of it is given in the fifth volume. We believe, however, tliat Mr. Paxton's is the first figure of it which has appeared in any English work. Nevertheless, the plant itself is not a stranger to the British gardener, although it must be either very difficult to grow, or not easily increased, for we see it put down in the priced lists of this season at the very figure which a friend of ours bought it at two-and-twenty years ago, as nearly as our memory serves us. Thus we see that a really good plant, either in the trade or in private cultivation, may, under certain circumstances, keep up its price for twenty years, even in England. Our own experience will not justify us to say pointedly that pieces of the roots, brought over from flowering trees of the Asoca, could be relied on to in- crease the tree that way, and thus to place flowering plants in our possession in two or three years ; that, however, need not shako the faith or confidence of those who agree with us about the practicability of transmit- ting trees from one part of the world to another by means of root cuttings, nor that plants got up from such cuttings would not inherit the flowering stage or pro- perty of the tree from which the roots were taken. Jonesia belongs to a section, or suli-order, of Lcijuminoiis lilunis (Eabacea:), founded on the Dhidivi, or Casaljiiiiea Coriiiriti, wliose seed-pods, by the way, are among the most astringent of known substances. The flowers of the plants in this division are not " pea flowers," but in-egular with spreading petals, as in the Cdssiii, which, without the assist- ance of the legumes, or seed-pods, might, at first sight, puzzle the young student of the natural system of botany. To such of our gardeners as do not know Joiiesin, perhaps it will be a suificient guarantee for its merits, to assert that it is the nearest plantain affinity with the far-famed Amhersthi iwbilis. In India, it forms alow spreading tree, with long l60 THE COTTAGE GARDENEE. [June 12. pinnate or leafleted leaves, whicTi, at first, assume a very peculiar aspect at the commencement of the growing sea- son ; then, as the young leaves break bud, they hang doivn almost perpendicularly over each other in long strings ; and were it not for the laorizontal position of the old leaves, a young gardener might readily mistake this kind of drooping for that commonly induced by deticiency of moisture at the roots in his pot plants. As the leaves gain strength, they gradually assume their leathery texture and horizontal posi- tion. The flowers are bright orange, arranged as is shown in OOT wood-cut. and are fragrant. It belongs to 1-Heplan- dria l-Monocjijnia of the Linnajan system, thougli it very frequently has only six stamens. Its name in Bengal, where we have frequently seen it in gai'dens, is Usok. It is a great favourite of the Brahmins, who plant it about the temples of their idol Siva.— 3. B. THE PRUIT-GAEDEN. Frtjit Setting. — As usual, the reports coneerning this important matter are of a very varied character. Peaches and nectarines here (Cheshire) are a thorough crop ; apricots only partially so. Plums, a fair crop apparently ; ^(«(«j-6' moderate ; apples, the gi-eatest pro- mise we ever knew; raspjs, strawberries, gooseberries, and currants, all heavy crops,^ — the gooseberries uncom- monly ladeu. It would be rather interesting if reports could be obtained and published from every county in Britain ; sueli horticultural statistics would be of gi-eat service, and, subsequently, might be thrown into a tabu- lar' form, illustrative of the influences of the varying character of atmospheric moisture, warmth, &o., in their relation to each otlier. In such reports, the elevation of the disti-ict should be stated, and the nearest range of hiUs, if any, with their bearings. To be useful, they must, of course, be highly condensed ; a dozen lines would amply suffice. We have now to recommend a most careful band- picking of all choice fruits. People are scarcely aware how much a sure supply in the ensuing winter depends upon assiduity in this respect. It need scarcely be ob- served, that merely unfolding clustered leaves will not suffice. We liave known idle and lounging fellows set to this business, spending hour after hour over the trees, and the latter no better for their labour. The enemy must be sought out and destroyed ; for if they (the caterpillars) are simply ejected and thrown on the ground, they will .speedily crawl up the trees again. If any aplddes ap]iear, no quarter must be given ; tobacco and soap-suds wUl be the best remedy. When there is only a shoot point liere and there infested, the best way is to dip the points in a bowl, and as this is an econo- mical way of proceeding, a strong solution may be used. Six or eiglit ounces of strong shag tobacco, added to a gallon of ordinary soaji-suds, will thoroughly extirpate tbera. Calendabial Companion. — We may now enlarge a little on some }Joiuts in the last calendar — "Apricots Thin." — These are such trickish things, that unless they arc set very tliicl; indeed, it woidd 1)0 premature to remove many until the first swelling is nearly complete. Still, where; doubts exist, and where much crowded, they must linvc assistance. If the trees are healthy, they may, at this period, be thinned to about three inches apart, ceitainly not thinner for the present. " Apphs Scarrhing, c(-c"—We do not know how this fruit has set in other parts, but here it is so uncommonly thick, that we intend to give the trees a pruning sliorlly in iho (M wood, removing whole shoots smutliored with fruit, especially in the interior of the trees. We oidy advise: this course where the trees are of some iige and lull of branches, and iis apples need thinning when too profuse, this will jirove a groat relief to the trees. Tlie American blight, if it appears, should be instantly attended to; a touch with spirits of turpentine will soon settle tliem. " Disbud all Trained Trees, ifr." — The gi'eat importance of a thorough attention to this has been most frequently pointed out in these pages. We would now submit that too much care cannot be taken over this proceed- ing; for on its due performance depends, in the main, the setting of the blossom in the succeeding spring. Covering, or non-covering of the blossoms, retarding, &o., all faU into a mere secondary position before the question of maturity in the young wood, practically termed ripening of the wood. " Mulcliing." — Now is the time when about three inches in tliickuess of manurial matters will prove of immense benefit. Wherever a heavy crop of fniit pre- vails, wherever soOs are too light and sandy, or where young or other trees are scant of shoots and freedom of growth, a case for mulcldng exists. Our practice is to water well immediately the mulch is applied, if the wea- ther is dry. " Strawberries Water, d-c." — Another important affair with respect to the late kinds especially ; for the earlier will now be ripening. We know it is scarcely safe to recommend watering during the latter condition ; cases, nevertheless, sometimes occur when watering is of great utility, even during the ripening jirocess, especially where the soil is shallow and poor ; for it is not altoge- ther unusual to see them " flag " during a period of drought, a condition quite at vai'iance with the produc- tion of fine fruit, although it contributes to intensity of flavour. The Alpines esj^ecially require liberal water- ing, or they may become infested with red spider. The runners also should be kept in due subjection. " Vermin Destroy." — If there be any one period when such advice is of the gi-eatest import, it is the present. It matters not what the kind be — rats, mice, or even the various aphides, red spider, &c., this is the period when their ravages may damage the plans of mauj' months. It is unnecessary here to detail the various plans of extir- pating them, such may be found in our back numbers. Assiduity, without procrastination, can alone accomplish such things. " Wasps Destroy." — We give a penny per head each up to the middle of May, and thence a halfpenny to the second week in June. About this period the young brood, in early situations, will begin to appear, when the destruction of nests should immediately commence. People hunting for them, should look out for the T'^expa Britanica also, a wasp whicli builds in bushes, or low trees, generally about a yard from the ground. "The Stove." — "Atmospheric Moisture, &c." — The abimdanoe of ventilation rendered imperative in all houses, where it is essential to use artificial warmth, calls for the application of frequent washings. There is nothing which tends more to the wholesomeness of the atmosphere, than frequent washing down the floors, &c. There is something in this that tends, in a peculiar way, to remove impurities, as well as to soften the atmos- phere. To those, therefore, who ca,n spare the labour, we say let your man wash down all floors at eleven o'clock, A.M., and again at foui-, i'.m., using plenty of water. " Fire-heat dis2>eiise with" — It may be fiiirly presumed that no person woidd continue to use fire-beat, unless for some specific reason, such as to hasten a crop of any kind to maturity, or to raise a necessary temperature diu'ing cold periods, which sometimes occur even in .luno. To be sure the ]iincry will rcijuire less or more through the season, and the same may be said of the melon house or ]iit; but as ibr the ripening of fj'uits, sucdi as the graj)e, peach, fcc., a much greater dcgiee of ]ierfection will be attained without artificial heat, pro- vided the weather bo seasonable. June 12.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 161 " reaches disbud, eCo." — Most likely all necessary dis- budding will have been carried out long since in-doors. The stopping of gross slioots, however, must be persisted in until the end of their growth ; and we deem it good practice to stop a considerable amount of the young shoots, which have attained some length, just about the period when the last swelliug begins. It tends to in- crease the substance of the principal leaves ; and on the robust character of these depends, in no small degree, the size and flavour of the fruit. Moreover, it induces a more early ripeness in the wood, and, by consequence, a more decided rest ; and, also, throws a little power into the inferior shoots, which should be left gi'owing mitil the very last, iu order to draw sap into them. " Stmwbernes turn out, (Bc."~-lt is astonishing what very nice crops of strawberries are sometimes produced from plants of the later forcings, not but the early ones might answer, but the fact is, few persons can And house or pit room for the plants after the fruit is gathered ; and, like ]iot-bulbs when done blooming, it will not do to throw thcni aside at random. To do justice to them, they should be preserved in a pit or frame, hardened by degrees, and supplied with liquid maniu'e. The later forced lots, however, will scai'cely turn out of their house quarters until ilay ; and then, if they have not been coddled, they will stand iu any snug corner, if well supplied witli moisture. In a fortnight or three weeks they may be planted out finally, without disturbing their ball ; and they should have a rich and fine soil. We are not awai-e if any other kind will succeed so well as the Koeu's seedling ; these are notorious for producing fine fruit ; at the same time it must be admitted, that since such late strawberries as the Elton have been better understood, there has been less occasion for such a procedure. " Ventikitc Freely, dc." — Above all the evils most to be deprecated as to in-door tilings, what is termed " burning," is perhaps the worst. Starving, or, in other words, too low a temperature, may be got over; but burning leaves its effects manifest for a very long time, especially with such things as the vine. We have a metallic vinery here, that, do what we wiU, burns less or more, and has done every year for these twenty years, and certainly not for want of the means of ventilation ; for every other backlight slides nearly half-way down, and every front sash opens wide. Now this house has, the whole of this spring, had air given liberally before (i A.m., and, at nine o'clock, the whole ventilation of which the house is capable is given, with the end door set wide open. Nevertheless, two of the vines in the centre are sliglitly damaged again, although it was pre- determined in the sjiring to ruu the utmost risk of star- vation, in order to avoid this plague. This evil is, doubtless, in the glass itself, for tliore is nothing peculiar in the roof (albeit metallic), which is at an angle of 00°. Many a poor wight of a gardener has, doubtless, in- curred heavy displeasure, and undergone a gi-eat severity of feeling, through a similar case, when entirely beyond his control, — for this world is not particularly careful to place the saddle on the right horse. In such houses, it is, doubtless, a justifiable course to shade even vines, if canvass can be spared ; this, however, must only be foi' three hours on very sunny days, at most, as the shading would soon do serious mischief to a plant so dependent on Ught as the vine. E. Erringion. THE FLOWEE-GAEDEN. liuT.\Nin.M, BcmiiEKs. — A lady has written to us saying, that sill' "wished very much to have in her garden a hardy phiiit of every natural order that contains hardy plants;" and adding, "perhaps you would kindly ]uit me iu the way to accomplish this plan by giving a list of those orders of which hardy specimens can be grown as representatives of their class ? " Although this is not quite a new idea among amateiu's, it is as bold, and, in some sense, as comprehensive as that which ended in the Great Exhibition itself; and if we could enlist "foreign commissioners" to send us over such plants and seeds as we could mention by name, I can see no difficulty iu getting up representative collections in the gardens of all those who may be desirous to arrange pai't of their grounds for tliat purpose. If I had plenty of money, and a large family to bring up and educate, I certainly would have a border of representative plants for the young ones to learn a general knowledge of plants and botany from, as part of a liberal education. At one end of this border I would have a summer-house, which I would provide with the elementary books on the dif- ferent departments of natural history ; also, as many shells, stuffed birds, and dried insects as would exemplify the best methods of their classification ; so that when the boys got out into the world, and travelled — may be in foreign parts, after some honest calling — they could write me home such letters as I should not be ashamed to send to the newspapers or periodicals to amuse or in- struct the rising generation, instead of proclaiming them- selves dunces, as nine-tenths of the authors of " foreign travels " do now-a-days, who cannot deserilie the differ- ence between a donkey and a March hare, let alone plants. Mixed borders of herbaceous plants, including bulbs, if carefully planted ac^cording to some natural arrangement, woiild have a meaning, and be very useful as domestic schools of botany, as well as interesting scenes at present ; for gay they are not, nor can be, according to our notions of gayness in a flower-garden. One plant from every order containing hardy ones, as suggested by our correspondent, will give us but a very faint idea of a natural arrangement of herbaceous plants. Mr. Loudon once collected an assortment on that plan, which I had examined one day with himself, my kind- hearted friend, and I told him on the spot they were no better than" Love's Labour lost." He had them arranged according to the system of DecandoUe, beginning with the Oroivfoots (Ranunculacefe), our own field buttercups being the most familiar to us of the whole of them. But neither a buttercup, nor any other plant in the order, is suflioient of itself to give a new beginner an insight into the vaiied forms assumed by the Crowfoots, although they do not vary ft-om each other half so much as those of many other orders. To meet this difficulty, and to render the study of plants more easy to the unlearned botanists, we now-a-days divide the great natural orders into small groups, as farmers do tlu\ir cattle when they send them to the shows to try for iirizes. Now, if a man were tosend six head of cattle to the" Hume park," j next July, for competition, all in one lot, and that the ! first cow was of the Hereford breed— the handsomest j breed of any, apart from the Dunrobin black high- I landers— the next a sprawling-headed Devonshire, the ; third an Alderney, the fourth a short-horn, and the fifth and sixth without any horns at all; why! the judges ! would think the man was beside himself. He ought to j put up six of one breed, as the breeders say; but even 1 with a sample of six " breeds," a person coming over to the Exhibition from some unknown part of the woild, where cows were never heard of, would have much to learn about our milkers, even after studying the pecu- liarities of the whole six. But let us suppose that this stranger coidd only see one cow, and that a Suflblk dun, without bonis, ho would never make a (•owiiiun fiom all he could lenrn by this sample ; and it is just the same with attem))ting to learn botany, or the natural arrange- nient of plants, by single specimens of each order. Large orders, similar to the Cow order, arc all, like it, divided into breeds, and to have any thing like a good notion of any one order, you ought to have at least one 162 THE COTTAGE GAKDENER. [June 12. specimen of each breed in that order. Then, suppose we stick to the Crowfoots, we must, on the veiy lowest calculation, have fine plants to represent the fine kinds of breeds, or sections, or sub-orders, into which botanists liave divided them for our convenience. The Clematis is a Crowfoot, and represents the first section of them ; the Anemone, the second section ; Ranunculus, the third; Helehorc, the fourth; and the fifth is represented by Actcva, a genus very close to Bugwort (Gimicifuga) . Therefore, it must be as plain as a b c that an acquaint- ance with a clematis, or buttercup, or bugwort, or, in- deed, any one of the sections, without knowing the rest, that is some plant in each, cannot possibly give one a good idea of the Crowfoots, and yet they are almost as easy to learn as nine-tenths of the natural orders. On the other hand, suppose I planted a bed in the flower-garden after this fashion, one Tulij) from Mr Glenny, one Hijacintli irom Mr. Fish, a Welsh onion and a Oiant asparagus from Mr. Barnes, one of those beau- tiful Squills which Mr. Weaver told us of the other day, and an Agapanthus, or blue African lily, with the finest lily in or out of Japan ; what kind of a natural order do 3'ou suppose they would all make? or, rather, what an unnatural association I should have in this, and yet I still want half a dozen moi-e strange-looking plants, including the African aloes and the Yucca, before I could show off the difiei'ent breeds which compose the beautiful order of Lihjuorts! A gai'den onion in full flower would give a stranger a better notion of a tulip than the Welsh leek would give of the great grass ti'ces of New Holland ; and who could make out any beauty in the lily from seeing the asparagus in blossom? Tliere must be a screw loose in tlie art of applying meaning to words, if there is anything like natural in tlds natural order of Lilyworts. But the fault is with oiu'selves; aU the systems of arranging plants since the days of Lin- UcBus are just as artificial as the Linnseau system itself, and some of them ten times more so. At any rate, it is as clear as daylight, that very little can be learned by plant- ing or studying only a single individual of each natural or unnatural order. I do not say this, however, with the intention of reprehending the idea which gave rise to this letter, — far from it; but the subject is too exten- sive for oiu' little work, unless there was a general demand for it among our readers, and if there was, I would eagage to furnish samples, both of herbaceous and woody plants, not only of all the natural orders, but also of the more prominent sections of each order, and all according to the latest and most approved au- thorities. Tkaxsplanting Evehoreens. — My experience in this branch of gardening for the last twelve months lias caused me to alter my opinion of the best time in tlie year for performing the work. Wliether I am wrong or not, tliere can be no harm in telling my tale, in order that gardeners may test the subject, or, at any rate, to open the question once more, and to try experiments ou it, and record tliem. Among reading gardeners, the question about the best time for transplanting large evergreens has been settled for some years, August and September being the two best montlis. Last year, I puslied the whole moutli of .July into the scales, as beuig quite as good, if uot better, than September for tliis work. Putting off the worli to November, as was tlie fashion not long ago, is certainly not the best way to succeed. The large box bushes I planted last June, under a fierce hot sun and a long drouglit, have done as well as any one could wish, not a sprig of tliein has died, and they are now growing as well as can be. fn .July and August following we removed very few things; but from last September to the end of tbis'last May, we had to move some almost eveiy week, as the alterations going oil in the garden suggested; and a "second tliought" caused the removal, this spring, of some large specimens that were only transplanted last autumn, and, as luck would have it, these plants happened to be of different families — there being hardly two of a kind which had to be thus dealt with the second time, and it was from these that I took up my new notion of the best time for transplanting evergreens, and the histoiy of one specimen will show my reason and meaning. About the end of last October we removed an Italian cyjiress {Cypressus sempervirens). It was a fine plant, above twenty years old, and more than that number of feet in perpendicular height; but having had two leaders near the top, the opportunity was taken advantage of to reduce it to one leader, and the shortest being the best formed one, the longest was cut off, which reduced the height of the plant two or three feet. This cypress, like all the rest of them in the garden, never ceased to grow the whole winter, and no one could see now, from any indi- cation, that it had been removed these ten years ; but it was transplanted twice since last autumn, first in October and again in April, and both times with horse power ; but all this tune it had not formed one single new root, nor made the least effort to heal over the ends of any damaged roots. I confess that, under the circumstances, I could bai'dly believe all this if I liad not seen it, — a fast-growing evergi-een removed in the autumn, and kept ou gi'owing through the mildest winter any one can remember, and still, up to the very end of April, not having made the least effort to increase or repair its roots. This led me to examine the roots of several kinds of evergi-eeus all over the garden — those that were not transplanted, as well as those tliat were — and from the whole I have come to this conclusion — that everi/ month in the whole year, if the winter is veiy mild, is the best month for some jyarticular plant to be removed, and that I, and the whole of us, were quite wrong in supposing the autumn, or any particular time, to be the best time for all evergreens to be removed. We might just as well have broached a new doctrine about potting every jilant we grow, bulbs, orchids, and all, in one month, as to assert that one particular month in the au- tumn, or spring, or summer, is the best time for all evergi-eens to be moved; but let us have more observa tions than mine recorded on the subject. D. Beaion. HOTHOUSE DEPAETilENT. EXOTIC STOVE PLANTS. oncHiDs THAT THKivE WELL IN pois — {Continued from page 130). OxciDR'ji.— 'This is probably the largest genus of the whole tribe, and the species are generally possessed of great beauty, and lasting a long time in bloom. They mostly are natives of the warmer parts of the western continent, and the West India islands. None, we be- lieve, have yet been discovered in the East. We have already described a considerable numlier of them at )iages i) and .'((i of the fourth volume of The Cottage Gaiuiener, as thriving best on blocks, and we shall now describe the remainder (at least, such as are worthy of j culture) as being best cultivated in pots. [ O. ai.tissimum (Tallest O.); Panama. — Though this i species does notexliibitin its bloom the brightest colours, yet the long flower-stems it produces (olten from eight to ten feet long), the numerous branclies ou each stem, and the innumerable flowers on them, render it a desirable species. Sepals and petals yellow, spotted with brown; tlie lip is a shade lighter, and the spots upon it are of a brighter hue. J'Jasily grown, and if well rested it flowers freely. L'ls. O. AJii'LTATu,-\r (Broad-hpped 0.) ; Guatemala. — Sepals and petals clear bright yellow, thinly spotted with red- dish chocolate ; the lip is broad and large, and is nearly white, spotted with brown. The pseudo-bulbs of this June 12.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 163 species ai'e very large, solid, and lieavy. They are very much wrinkled, and might easily be taken, when without leaves, for some swollen reptile. The flower-stems rise I from the base of the last formed pseudo-bulbs, and when I that is large and healthy, will rise to the height of three feet. They are but s])aringly branched, hut the flowers, on account of their size and bright colour, are exceed- ingly atti'active. A large flowering plant will cost 42s. 0. Bauerii (M. Bauer's 0.) ; S. America. — In colour, shape, and habit, this approximates vei-y near 0. altis- simiim, but when the two are in bloom together, some difference will be perceived. Perhaps the principal dif- ference is in the shorter and more densely-flowered stems. 18s. 0. nic.vLi.osuJi (Two-warted 0.) ; Guatemala — Sepals and petals have a deep brownish orange ground colour, very rich, and difficidt to describe. Upon this ground coloiu- there are some rather large spots of rich brown, and the same colour forms an edging round them ; the lip is bluntly broad, and of the same colour. The flower- stems are stout and short, and produce a goodly number of large, handsome flowers. 42s. O. cANniDD.^i (White O.) ; Guatemala. — Sepals pure white; petals the same colour, with two violet-coloin-ed spots on the base of each; lip, clear bright yellow. A very pretty species, but so scarce, that we cannot put a price upon it. 0. Cavendishiakum (Duke of Devonshire's 0.). — The whole flower is yellow, richly spotted with chocolate. The leaves are very thick and large, and of a peculiar light bright green. The plant itself is a handsome object. I'he stems rise to the height of two feet. A desirable species. Good plants may be obtained for .31s. (id. O. DivARic.uDM (Spreading 0.) ; Peni. — The flowers are of such a variety of colours, that it is almost impossible to describe them ; the ])revailing colours are yellow, orange, and brown. They are produced numerously on stems from four to six feet long, and form, when in bloom, a very beautiful object. It is a good plan, in order to show off the blossoms to the greatest advantage, to train the long flexible flower-stems round a shield- like, or even globular, trellis. This ought to be done before the blooms expand, and then each bloom wUl adjust itself to be seen in its natural position. If trained after they are expanded, some of the blooms will be seen with the under side outwards, whicli will considerably injure the general effect. This is a pretty species, with handsome foliage. ;Us. 6d. O. I'i.ExuosoM (Bending 0.) ; Brazil. — Sepals and petals bright yellow, witli rich chocolate-coloured spots ; the lip has the same colours, with more numerous and brighter spots, especially towards the base. The pseudo- bulbs stand on a long rhizoma, and each newly-formed one rises above the rest, so that it is necessary, in order to form a good bushy plant, to divide them into lengths of three or four pseudo-bulbs to each division, and as they are rather weighty, a strong branch should be fixed in the middle of the pot, two or three feet long. Tie each length in an ujiright position, at eijual distances, round the stump. The fle.s.ible flower-stems will then, when in flower, gracefully curve downward, and form a kind of umbrella-head of bloom. This is an old species, easy to gi'ow, and should, therefore, be in every collec- tion. 10s. (id. O. FonKELLii (Mr. Forkell's 0.) ; Mexico. This is a fine species, but nearly extinct in cultivation. A fresh importation of it would be very acceptable. The sepals and the lip are gi-eenish yellow, blotched with crimson ; whilst the petals are of a pleasing violet colour. Tlie flowers are above the medium size. This, with the beautiful combination of colour, renders this species a very liandsome and desirable one. 0. HASTATUM (Spear-like O.) ; BrazU. — Sepals and petals with aground colour of clear yellow, prettily ban-ed with brown ; lip brownish purple, and halbert shaped ; hence its name. The flowers are long and branched. A pretty species, lasting a long time in bloom. 21s. 0. ixouEVUM (Bent O.) ; S.America. — This is an ele- gant species when in bloom ; the flowers are of a beauti- fid blush white colour. The sepals, petals, and lip, are all bent backwards; hence its specific name. A'ery desirable. 21s. O. Insleay.'inum (Mr. Insleay's 0.) ; Oaxaca. — Sepals and petals pale yellow, blotched and spotted with shining brown, which does not, however, quite extend to the end of each petal ; the lip is large, nearly round, nar- rowing at the base ; colour clear yellow, with bars of rich reddish brown on the outside. This is a lovely species. The flower-stems are short, and produce five or six of these beautiful flowers. This is one of the best of the genus, and commemorates a very worthy man, who was gardener to that zealous cultivator of orchids, the late Mr. Barker, of Birmingham. Price 31s. (id. 0. Lanceanum (Mr. Lance's O.) ; Surinam. — The flowers of this fine species are exceedingly handsome. They are very large, nearly the largest of the whole genus, and of the most pleasing colours. Sepals and petals pale yellow groimd, covered with streaks of piu-- plish crimson. The lip varies in colour, being nearly white in some, and in others of a bluish cast. The leaves are large and beautifully spotted. Every col- lector, however small, ought to have this fine species. A large plant, such as we see sometimes at the metropo- litan exhibitions, with seven or eight flower-stems from a foot to a foot and a half high, is one of the finest objects even in this fine tribe of plants. Flowering plants may be had for 42s. O. LEncocHVLOM (White-lipped 0.) ; Guatemala. — Sepals and petals yellowish green, barred and spotted with brown ; lip large, of a dazzling white, and of a triangular form. The flowers are borne on long branched stems, often eight or nine feet long. This is another beautiful and interesting species, and will grow in a low temperature. Mr. Skinner, who resided for several years in the province of Guatemala, remarks, respecting the climate, '• The seasons here happen at the same period of the year as in England, the coldest weather being in December, January, and February, and the warmest in the same months as in P^urope ; " therefore, this plant may be grown in our common stove with the greatest success, provided a moist atmosphere is kept up whilst the plant is forming its new growth. Tliis renders this species a desirable one for the new beginner. T. Appleby. FLORISTS' FLOWERS. ME. GLENNY OX FLOKISTS' FLOWERS. The South Lomhm Horticultural Sliou-, on the 2Sth of May, was well supported. Five tents of productions highly creditable to the gi-owers divided the attention of the company. In the s'eedling tent there were several new Tulips, two of which received certificates, one a byblomen, called Mr. Smith, and a Rose, called Princess Helena. The fonner, a small wcU-formed variety of some promise, having substance, and a tolerably smooth edge ; although the marking was not very fine, it was pure at the base, and may be a useful show flower in better condition. The latter was the largest Rose in cultl' vation, and free from those faults which are jjrevalentin our large flowers. It is pure, of good average form, tolerably compact, inclined to pretty marking, very pale, but a noble flower, and not in the style of anything we have. It would stand no chance in a competition \ntli our finest Roses of moderate size, but is a great acqui- sition to a bed. Pandora Pansey was exhibited again by Mr. Hunt, and obtained a certificate. Emperor was 164 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. !JUHE IS. shown and did not. Lockner's Surprise Cineraria again obtained a certificate. It is the cu]iiiing of tliis flower that wins i'avour, the edge is too deeply scolloped for us, and, moreover, it is a self, wliich cannot bear a price, because of tlie great number we have. A new Verbena appeared in Mr. Smith's stand, called Rival Purple, singular and striking in colour, which is quite new, it forms a bold truss. It is not a first-rate form, but does not discredit a stand on which variety is an object. It was not shown as a seedling, but as one in twelve varieties. A number of Caleeolarias were shown by Mr. Gaines, none of which had certificates. There was one, liowever, wliich was an advance, and which ho may let out without discredit. Miss Charterls ; a rich cream coloiu', with a crimson blotch, and more than usually in- flated— that is to say, a better approach to a round. As to the general show, it was rich in plants. Tulips were shown in great numbers. Pmtshs abounded, and, perhaps, considering there were so many, a list of the best that we could pick out from aU the stands [may 1)6 useful to be- ginners. Addison, Hooper's Wonderful, Duchess of Kutlaud, Lord Walsinghara, Almanzor, Example, Mrs. Beck, Cai-o- liue, Am'ora, Caesar, Dulie of Perth, Bertha, Tliisbe, Ophu-, Sir J. Franklin, Viceroy, Sir R. Peel, Sylvia, Moor of Venice, Dulce of Norl'oll;, Miss Hamilton, BeUona, Androcles, (Jon- stellatiou, Master Lacon, Masturijiece. Many others tliat we know to be oceasi(jnally good were shown, but, in Sii- ■premt:, for instance, Mr. Beck, and some others, tlie eye broke through to the border. Those we have named were shown in an unexceptionable state. Many packets of flowers have come to hand, and, strange as it may appear, a vast majority beneath notice. Were it not for the expense, I should almost fancy people wished to hoax me; and it may be at once con- cluded, tliat if I omit to notice any thing it is because there is nothing to say in its favour. If I miglit give a little advice to florists, for the purpose of saving them trouble, I should recommend them to bear in mind that unless a Ranunculus, an Anemone, a Tulip, Pansey, Dahlia, Cineraria, Calceolaria, or, indeed, anything else, be better than those we already possess, or is new in colour, it is a waste of money to send it, — not that I cai-e about the trouble, but that there must be a degree of dis- ajipointment to the jiarties. Of Cinerarias, Calceolarias, and Tansies I have in three or four days received hun- dreds. The general fault in Cinerarias has been the edge too nuich scalloped, the petals individually full of ribs, and notched at the ends, besides which, the vast msijority have been sells, or shaded selfs, presenting no novelty in colour. The most prevailing faults in the Calceolaria have been flatness on the surface, or tliDSe melon-like indentures, otlierwise there has been great variety of coloui' ; and where colour alone is the recom- mendation, I would recommend the gi-ower to select a few of the most strildng, to grow luitil they can got into a bettor character for form. A Calceolaria should be as round as a chei'ry ; of course, then, the more nearly they approach, by inflation, a hollow ball, the better. Tlie most common faults in the Paiisics have been the sinalluess of the white or yellow field, anil the cyo breaking into the border, thinness of the petal, crumply form, and roughness of tlie edges ; and where any of these faults are consjiicuous, they hardly need be sent for a second opinion. I have noti(^ed a few things, with thoir i[ualilies ; but were I to notice all, it would occujiy space witlioiit iut.erestiug anybody. We have received a box of Cai.ckoi.akia blooms of every i;oncc^ivahlo variety of colour, many very striking and heiiutifid, from " An Amalrur." We ohject to give opinions upon things sent anonymously, hut when tiicy have rcccivcri'd, wi^ will select a do/.en of the best. With all their beauty, however, there is that flatness of face, and luelondiko indentation, which renders them value- less, with the exception of two or three ; and so it always seems to happen, the best forms have the worst colour. Three Pansies. — Something has completely baffled our judgment on two of the three flowers, enclosed in a round tin box. One exhibits the most extraordinary shades of bright green in the field that we ever witnessed, so much so, that wo have been obliged to conclude that the moss has stained it; a second, though nearly a self, has a tinge of the same colour. Let us know whether this green is natural to the flower, or has been acquired from the moss. Pansies (J. G. B.). — No. 4 is the only one worth trying; if the field enlarges or the eye recedes, so as not to break into the margm, it may inove an acquisition. ( \i'. T., Mor- j>elh). — King of the Whites has form and distinctness of character, and many worse are shown ; but it is thin, and transparent, which tell against it as a first-class Uower. (/. B. Stroiiil).- — lull, too much like Old Eclipse to be of any use. The small yellow one should be well grown ; it has colom', form, and textm'e, and may attain size. (T. J.). — Only one of the eleven likely to lie useful ; I tliink it has not bloomed to character. The hrst bloom cannot be de- jiended on, and many have only a short season of true doweling. Calceolarias {Mrs. M.). — None are good enough to rank among first-class flowers. The best are Nos. 4, 1, and ■i'i ; they ai'e more roimd than the rest — that is to say, more iiillated ; but they are far behind some we already jiossess. Vehbenas C^ James," Bedford). — No. 'i not liatf so good as Exquisite, and No. 0 very inferior to Shylock. {N. N.). — • The petals all too narrow ; tlui slate-colomvd variety has toil small a truss, but if it improve in that respect the colour is new. Cinehakias (W.). — Lillle JVonder is pretty, but very small ; it is of a good lialiit too. It may be a favourite if shown well, but it is evidently badly grown. ( IV. II'.). — ^We have better whites already. The tipped one is so lil;e Lady Hume C'anijibetl that they coidd not be shown together. I'ELAjiGONiuMs (Thomas — , Wullsall). — It is impossible to give a positive decision without seeing the plant. There have been live blooms on the truss, but were they nil in flower at once? Many bloom not more than one or two flowers at a time, and befure the last one of the truss is opeu the first has dropped. The flowers ai'e above average, but not new. (O. B., Essex). — None really good. B 4 is the best, but only three pips to the truss ; there should not be less than five. Eanunculuses {T. R., Maidstone). — The only promishig vaiiefy is A 7, and that is anything but A 1. It is a bad Admiral Najiier, O. O. FLORISTS' FLOWERS CULTURE. The Pink is now fast approaching to the blooming state. To bring it to the highest perfection severid manipulations arc now necessary. The lust is a mulch- ing of short, well-decomposed, hotbed manuro spread thiuiy all over the bed. The advantages of this appli- cation are — ^a protection to the roots Ironi drought, and whenever water is applied, either from tlie watering-pot or from the clouds, the stimulating and enrichiug powers of tlio manure are carried down to the roots, enabling the plants to prixluee finer flowers and healthy shoots, from which the pipings are to he taken. IJy thus promoting a high state of vigour, the plants arc not so subject to the attacks of insects, it being well known that if a plant is in bad health, insects are sure to appear more numerously, and cause a still more weak state. The next jioint to attend to at this season, is to secure the llowcr- stciiis from being broken, and to preserve the flowers from being dashed with earth or mud. The means to be used arc Bti(^ksjiist strong enough to support the stems in an upright position, and preserve the flowers from being spoiled. The best sticks are made of split deal laths, and if they liavo a coat of lead-coloured paint. June 13.] THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. 165 and another of light green, they will be neater, and more like the natural stem of the flowers, and, besides, will last much longer. They should be tln-ust into the ground firmly, and stand no higlier than the flower- stem is likely to grow. Use no more than one or two, at the utmost, to each plant. It is not prudent to allow more flower-stems to each plant, unless it is very strong, for it is not tlie multiplying of the number of flowers tliat increases the chances of securing a greater number fit for the exhibition table, but, by reducing the number of flower-stems, the whole strength of tlie plant is accu- mulated to produce finer flowers on those tliat are left. Generally speakmg, however, each plant will ])roduce only one stem, and tliis may liave on it several blooms. Here is a case, again, that requu'es discrimination. If the buds exceed the number of three, it is advisable to reduce tlicin to that standard, by carefully rubbing them oft' without injuring the stem. In weak subjects, it may be advisable even to reduce them to the upper- most one, leaving that only to bloom. Now as to whether it is desirable to leave one or more stems, or one or more buds to bloom on each stem, depends upon the strength of the plant — the judgment of the cultivator, exercised upon tlie state of his plants, must bo the guide. The next point to be considered, is the tying the stems to the sticks. Simple as this operation may ap- pear, it must not be done without thought. If they are tied tight to the sticks, the lengthening of the joints will cause them to form bonds of a knee-like shape, wliich, if left for any time, will suddenly snap off at a joint above or below the tie, and the bloom, consequently, will be destroyed. To prevent this mishap, tie the mat, or other material used, first round the stick as hard as you please, then bring the flower-stem within the two ends of tlie string, and tie a knot, so as to leave a small space for the stem to grow upwards and outwards. The stem then will hang loosely, and all danger of breakage will be avoided. When the flower-stems have attained their full height and thickness, and the flowers begin to open, it may be desirable, to protect them from heavy winds, to tie them in pretty tight, there will then be no danger of the stems breaking. As the buds advance towards opening, to prevent them bursting the calyx or gi'een flowor-cup on one side, it is absolutely necessary to place round each a ring of some kind to keep them whole. Rings of India-rubber, of the right ihameter, are the best, because, as the buds expand, the ring ex- pands also. Tliey should be placed as near as ))Ossible to the centre of the bud, and if it shows any tendency to burst on one side, in spite of the rings, slit the other divisions of tlic green flower-cup with a pair of sliiu'p- pointed scissors down to the protecting ring; this will cause the pet.als, or flower-leaves, to exjiand equally on every side, and thus cause a good-shaped flower. Where great perfection is desired, it will he advisable to place under each flower a card, with a hole stamped in the centre. This will keep the guard leaves, or lower petals, from falling too much backwards, and will kee)) them in a flat, even form when the flower is fully expanded. All badly-shaped, or not jiroperly-coloured petals, slioidd be drawn out early with a pair of tweezers, gi'eat care being used not to injure or displace the perfectly formed ones. 'J'he flowers should now be in the greatest perfection, and will require, to prolong their beauty, a shelter from wind, rain, and smishine. Hoops bent over the bed with three or, which is better, five longitudinal rods tied firmly to ea<^)i hoop, form the rafters, as it were, for a lool' of cithi'r mats, canvass, or glazed calico, tlie last being th(^ most effectual. C.\i!NArioNs AND PicoTEEs lequue mxioli the same treatment now as described above for pinks. Next week we shall enter more fully into the paiticular points of culture they require. Ranunculuses must now be well supplied with water, or the blooms will fail. Tulips going out of bloom should have the shades I'emoved, and all seed vessels cut off, to induce the bulbs to go to rest. T. Appleby. THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. Where the soil has been well managed, and the seed committed carefully to the earth in due season, many of the crops will be by this time in a healthy and luxuriant state, and, in some cases, ali'eady yielding a bountiful return for the use of man. How beautiful and interest- ing a matter it is to those who are in the habit of watch- ing and assisting Nature's wonderful works. If the weather continues hot and dry, considerable assistance may, no doubt, be given to some kinds of crops by the application of water; but to apply water by di'ibbles, or in small quantities, or over the foliage of plants in clear, fervid weather, will injure, rather than assist, the progi-ess of vegetation. Our system in applying water to crops is first to mulch the surface, which has, of course, throughout the season, been well kept open by constant stu-rings, and then to apply one regularly good soaking ; but we never apply the water over the foliage of the plants or crop, but only to the siu-face of the soil, from the spouts of the waterpots, one in each hand, with a branch of brushwood tlirust into the spouts or noses of them, so as to lead out the water quickly and softly to the place desired. The water may thus be applied with beneficial eff'ect on the shady side of late Peas, Oaidijiowers, Scarlet Runners, or any other grow- uig crop, at any time during the day, though we prefer a])plying it late at night, or in cloudy weather, if it can be so ordered. Imgation at night, where it can be commanded in the heat of summer, is to a vegetable garden truly valuable. Plant out, if not already done. Capsicums and Chillies close under walls or fences, on which they may be nailed or tacked dose, or on a warm border. Canloons should be tlunned, and kept encouraged by constant surface- stu'ring, and the last sowing made for tins season. A small sowing of Curled Endive may be made ; and also a planting of Leeks, Onions, Carrots, Parsnips, Red and White Beet, Sahafy, Scorsonera, Parsley, and all kinds of summer crops should have their final thinning ; but constantly encourage a healthy, luxuriant growth,' by fi'equent surface-stin-tngs ; indeed, it cannot be too often performed while the hoc or scarifier can be at all got amongst them. Do not neglect at this season full sow- ings of Colcworts, and the getting out, at all convenient opportunities, plenty of Saroys, the various Kales, Brus- sels sprouts, Kohl-rahi, and other winter stidf. We plant a good deal of for winter cattle feeding. The whole of the potato ground is thus planted, and produces a heavy crop. Potatoes. — With regard to the prospect of a Potato crop no one can foresee, to any certainty, what the pro- duce may be. They are at this time, it is very true, to all outward appearance, looking remark-ably strong and healthy ; but tliey will not bear a close examination. Tins our experience has taught us; and although all our early crops have been very good, with scarcely the least indication of the old disease to he seen, we are sorry to observe that amongst all the out-of-doors crops that we have examined, the old enemy is still ihstinguishable, although in a much slighter degree than we have ob- served it for many previous years. Up to tlic present time we have seen no indication on the foliage nor up the stalks liighcr than two inches from tlie base or olil plant, and not in any case in tliat virulent manner that we have on former occasions observed. All that at present is to he found consists of small specks, some advanced into blotches ; but as scarcely any stalks are , 166 THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [June 12. to be yet observed affected with bulgings, gangrene, or decomposition, tliere seems a better prospect at this moment of a bountiful crop than there lias been for the last seven years. Thunder-storms or frosty mornings, which have sometimes followed June storms in former years, fogs, and close, dai'k days, may have a very un- favourable ett'ect, and yet bhght our best hopes, for atmospheric influence has a wonderful and sudden effect with regard to this disease. Ridge Cucumbers, Vegetable Marrow, &c. — The soil about these should be well surface-stirred and mulched; the hand-glasses, when fall of bine, and after having been lifted up by raising the corners, and filling up with earth between to prevent draughts, should have at first the south side raised to let out the bine, and, after remaining thus a few days, the glasses should be lifted on to three or four brickbats, and the bine be trained out regularly all round, pegged and stopped. Jikhjc Cucumbers should not at first be too suddenly e.Kposed to the open atmosphere and di'aughts, but gradually, by first increasing the air, and then mulching them. When first let out they wOl escape sudden checks, the effects of which very often produce canker, rust, mildew, &c., &c. Melons may still be ridged out ; also. Frame Cucumbers, and another sowing made. Both Cucumbers and Melons, in full fruit-bearing, should have occasional assistance with liquid manure. Give air at all times pi'eviously to the sun's shining on the structure. Apply a sufficiency of good tepid water at shutting-up time, which should be early. Never apply it over the foliage or fi-uit, and neither canker, mildew, and red spider will be seen. James Barnes. MISCELLANEOUS INFOEMATION. OUR VILLAGERS. Bi/ the Authoress ■\Ve are sometimes permitted to see scriptural illustrations in the lives and experiences of those around us, as well as in our own. AVe sometimes see very remarkable proofs that the human nature is unchanged, that tlie ways of men are the same now that they were in the days wlieii He, wlio alone was "without sin," "taught in our streets," and that the Word and judgments of God are as plainly and powerfully displayed in the rural, secluded, parishes and villages of England, as tliey were in the splendid city of Jerusalem, and on the rich plains of the Holy Land. Joseph R had been all his life a farmer, and a prosperous one. He never married, but his sister Hved with liim and kept his house, and they grew old quietly together. When I first remember him, a great many years ago, he was an athletic, hale, midiUe-aged man, with an attempt at half-gentleman-ism aliout him, which is never pre-possessing, and frequently arises from a mind lower in its feeUngs than the station in which it has heen placed. He used to wear a sort of green sportmg coat, with what were formerly called tnp-hoots, and a hat set knowingly on one side, a dress altogether unseemly for a sen.sible, steady man, as all British farmers ouijht to be. Occasionally he came to church, but so rarely, that we used to remark the occmTence when it happened; and his look when there was vacant and unconcerned. After a few years even this attendance was given up, and as his farm lay quite on the otlier side of the extensive parish, some years elapsed before I saw him again. He was a man notorious for hoarcUng his grain ; stacks after stacks were made, and allowed to stand in his rick- yards and fields. He could not hear to thrash them out, prices were never high enough for him, he would wait and see what another year would produce, and even in times when wheat was so high that every one brought their stores to market, and the poor were literally wanting hread, Joseph R went abcjut with his hat on one side, unmoved, and inimoveahle. It cannot literally be said that he pulled down his barns to build greater, but his stacks were oljfiged to be put in the fields because there was no room for them at the farm. In the course of time rats became so numerous, and there appeared so much damage dcine to the com, that the farmer was obliged to look into the matter, and throw open some of the stacks to see what was going on ; and as a labourer expressed it, whose way to work lay by the i'nnn, " the noise of the rats and mice among the stacks was like liounds in fidl cry." When the stacks were examined, a very great nmuber of them were nothing more than so many hollow shells,— the entire centre of each was crumbling dust'; and tlie refuse straw was thrown into the farm-yard to I'oi-m manure. A large Ijarn full of thrashed wheat which had been surtered to remain there for years, was " minted," as the country people said, and was nothing but chaff, so that the of " My Flowers," &c. "moth and rust" had indeed destroyed the treasm-e which poor Joe E had been laying up for himself on earth. Still his love of hoariUng, and hope of gain did not forsake him, he followed the same course, forgetting that his sonl might be required of liim before the day of prosperity came. When I next saw him I scarcely knew him, he was grown so old, and dirty and grey. His hat no longer sat smartly on his head, but was pulled over his eyes, his sporting coat was exchanged for an old brown one, and his boots, which be still wore, looked as if they had never been cleaned or mended since the days of Ins youth and pride. In fact I death had placed his seal upon him, although, perhaps, he did not know it, for the first approaches of the sure, but stealthy [ foe, were silent and soft. He was at this vei7 time nego- I elating a matrimonial treaty with the widow of a baker, who j was left with houses and land, which poor Joe jirobably 1 thought would add to the gains he was heaping Tip, not |- knowing who should "gather them;" but the widow was 1 cautious and wary, and so much time passed in preliminaries, i that all hope of worldly happiness faded and died. An icy i hand lay hea^■ily upon him, and he at last took to his bed to rise from it no more. The closing scene, alas \ was such as might be expected. Joseph R had sown to the world and to tlie flesh, and we are told by lips " that spake as never man spake," that he that " soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap comiption." His bodily anguish was severe — excruciating; but the torment within must have been yet more terrible, for he would not let his sister move out of his sight, nor wouUl he sufler any one but his medical attendant to go near him ; no one was permitted to enter the room, not even the servant, and he resolutely refused to see bis clergyman. In this state of agony and desolation he lingered for some time, I and it was only one day before liis death, when bis weakness of body and mhid had reached its lowest point, that he consented to the clergyman's visit being paid. The interview j was, of conirse, short and unsatisfactory, and in the course of a verj' few hours from its occurrence he breathed his last. I The poor of the neighbourhood were much struck at the I circumstances attending the death of .Joseph It •. They I knew well all that he liad done, and all that he had not I done, and their jilain and simple acquaintance with the I Word of God, untortured and untwisted by the subtleties of human wisdom, enabled them to see at once the att'ecting parable performed before their eyes. Oh, that we would all hiy to our hearts such solemn scenes as these, and draw from them the instruction and reproof they so abundantly convey ! It is not among our more lowly brethren only tliat we find these passions at work; the rich and the great man has them too. Not a great many years ago, a man of large estates and wealth drew near to the dark valley thrcjugh which we all must pass. His state of health obUged him to leave his Jo^E 12.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. lor baronial hall, his park, and woods, and broad, fertile lands, to seek relief at a mild watering place. He lingered tliere for a long time, and it was said by those about him, that his great disti-ess at dying was, that he could not take his beautiful and beloved property with him to the grave! I was myself passing througli a town not fai' from the noble residence of the departed at this very time. We stopped to change horses, and in the centre of a hroad, open place, in front of the inn, stood a hearse, dusty and travel soiled. The horses were removed, and they and all the attendants were taking refreshment in the inn. My companion, on re-entering the carnage, said, '* "SThose remains do yon thing that hearse contains? Those of poor P ti ." I can never forget the feelings of that moment. Tlie once proud, aristocratic owner of the woods we could almost at that moment see, was left the tenant of a hearse, with dingy plumes, nodding in unnoticed grandeur in the midst of the street where his caniage and four had so often rolled along. No one was near him ; no one seemed to look at the heai'se, or care who was in it; and all passed as unconcernedly about their daily business, as if nothing sad, or solemn, or grand, or great, stood before them! The possessor of the lordly lands of C ■ rests in a vault in lonely state, and the hmiible fanner sleeps beneath the " swelling sod " in a rural chureh-yard ; but the same spirit animated the clay of which their earthly tabernacles were fornied, in their widely diflerent spheres. How loudly do the hearse and unpretending pall speak to our hearts ! PZach bears away the dead from aU he loved and treasured, and carries him, a hapless burden, to his last narrow home! The " golden bowl " a»d tlie " pitcher," are alike broken " at the well;" — in the end they are the same. Nothing earthly can give peace at the last. "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, all is vanity." Whatever we set our hearts upon here betrays and forsakes us. Whether riches, or fame, or talents, or lands, or gardens, or stacks of corn. Let us remember this, and seek the only "Tower" into which man can run and be '*sa/t%" the only Treasure which will not "malce itself wings and flee away," ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, REGENT'S PARK, HORTICULTURAL SHOW, May 14. The most splendid exhibition, on one of the finest days, we ever ^xdtnessed. The Queen and Royal Family visited the Show early in the morning. The Exotic Orchids were shown in excellent condition ; the large collections of Stove and Greenhouse Plants were decidedly superior to those at Chiswick ; the Greenhouse Azaleas were not quite so good, excepting the collection from EaUng Park, which had con- siderably improved ; Ca])c Heaths were shown in numbers, and in fine condition ; the Pelargoniums were superior both in quantity and quality ; and the Roses in pots were equal, but certainly not superior, in point of quality. We sliall only notice some of the best which were not at Chiswick. EXOTIC ORCHIDS. There were nine collections, composed of 130 plants. AcANTHOPHippiOM BicoLOB (Bames), well bloomed. Angr.ecum caudatum (Mt/lam), eight of its long-tailed flowers. Bbassia. verrdcosa {Carson], ll-spiked. {Woolley), six long spikes. Cattleya intermedia {Mylam), eight- branched spike. C. Skinneei [Mylam), a fine variety, 25 flowers, with large, rosy purple lip, and white spot at the base. {Rae), 14 spikes, one 11-flowered. C. MossiJE soPERDA {FraJikH/i), finely grown. Camarotis purpureus (Ml/lam), a mass 3 ft through. {Carson), 3 ft by 3 ft. Chysis dractescens (Barnes), eight-flowered. Dendrobium moniliforme {Williams), well bloomed. D. Paxtomi {Williams), rare, orange, with a dark central spot. V. CHRYSANTHUM (Blake), a fine specimen, D. DENsiFLOEUM (Barnes), six-spiked. D. SULCATUM (Barnes), rare. I D. MACROPHYLLUM {Woollet/), ten-Spiked. ; D. DivARiCATUM [Greeji), fine. j Kpidbndrum aurantiacum {Willinins), six-spiked. I E. Hanburii (Barnes), large and healthy, numerously spiked ; named i after his employer. E. Stanfordia.ncm (Barnes), densely bloomed. j E. CRAssiKOLiuM (Woollfi/), remarkably fine, H-spiked. E. TiBiciNis [_Mylam), flower-atem 7ft long, with eight large flowers. (Blake), as good. ■ L(£LiA cinwabarina {Williams), two-spiked. ; Lycastb tigriAntuina {Mylam), rare. h. Lawrenciana (Franklin), new species. Odostoglossum L.EVE (Mylujn), rare, eight flowers. Oncidium papilio (Mt/lam), two of the best flowers we ever saw. O. ALTissiMUM (Green), large, and brightly coloured. pHALii:NOPsis GEANDiFLORA (Bumes), IJ-spikcd. Phaius Wallichii (Barnes), eight-spiked. Trichopelia coccinea {Blake), new. Vanda Roxburguii (Carson), three-spiked. V. TERES (Mylam), three fine flowers. Zygopetalum rosthatum (iriV/iaTMs), eight-flowered, difficult to grow. 25 Orchids. First prize, Mr. Mulam^ gardener to S. Piucker, Esq. Second prize, Mr. Williams, gardener to C. B. Warner, Esq., Hoddesden. IT) OitCHiDS. First prize, Mr. Blake, gardener to J. H. Schrueder, Esq., Stratford Green. Second prize, Mr. Frank- litif gardener to Mrs. Lawrence, Ealing Park. 10 Orchids. First prize, Mr. Carson^ gardener to W. Farmer, Esq., Cheam. Second prize, Mr. Barnes^ gardener to R. Hanbury, Esq., Poles, Ware. Third prize, Mr. Bae, gardener to J. Blandy, Esq., Reading. Fourth prize, Mr. Woolley^ gardener to H. B. Ker, Esq., Cheshimt. Fifth prize, Mr. Grecu, gardener to Sir E. Autrobus, Bart., Cheam. STO'S'E AXD OBEEKHOUSE TLANTS, Sixteen collections, comprising 170 plants. Aceophyllum venosum {Cole), 2 ft by 2 ft, well managed. Aphelexis sesamoides rosea (Cole), 2 ft by 2 ft, covered with flowera. A. PURPUREA GRANDiFLORA {WilUanis), 2^ ft by 2J ft. Adenandba fragrans (Green), 2^ ft by 2i ft, a beautiful specimen, densely flowered. A. sPECiosA (Taylor), 4 ft by 4 ft. well flowered. Azalea Muerayana (Cole), 3 ft by 3 ft, profusely bloomed. A. EEFULGEiNs (C(ite), 3 ft by 3 ft, well bloomed. (Frazer), 6 ft by 4 ft, profusely bloomed. A. iNDiCA viviCANS (Green), 5 ft by 3 ft, a most gorgeous plant, A. sinensis (Green), 4 ft by 3 ft, splendidly bloomed. A. INDICA ALBA (Tuylor), 5i ft by 4 ft, splendidly in bloom. Bossi(F,A DisTiCHA (May), 4 ft by 5 ft, a splendid, rare plant, well bloomed. B. LiNOPHYLLA (Carson), an elegant drooping plant, 4^ ft high, covered with bloom. BoRONiA pinnata (Taylor), 3 ft by 2i ft. Ciiorozema Hencumanni (Crojrford), 2^ ft by 2 ft. (May), 3 ft by 3i ft, healthy and well bloomed. C. Laweenciana (Speed), 3 ft by 2i ft. CuiBONiA GLUTiNOSA (Cole), 2^ ft by 2 ft, scarccly in bloom, but well grown. DiLWYNiA eriocephala (Green), 3 ft by 2i ft, a dense bush, thickly bloomed. Epaceis miniata (Cole), 3 ft by 3 ft, a splendid plant, profusely bloomed. (Croxford), 2^ ft by 3 ft. E. GBANDiFLoRA (Stanley), 4 ft by 3 ft, a noble plant, well bloomed. (Gree/i), 3 ft by 3 ft, well flowered. Eeica vestricosa COCCINEA MINOR (Cole), 3 ft by 3 ft, most profusely bloomed. E. Hartnellii (Stanley), 2 ft by 2 ft, well bloomed. E. PEBSPicuA NANA (Stanley), 2^ ft by 2^ ft, densely bloomed. E. PERSPicUA (Frazer), 2 ft by 2^ ft, densely flowered. E. pROPENDENs (WilUams), 3 ft by 4 ft, an immense plant, nearly weighed down with bloom. Eeiostemon intermedium (May), 2;^ ft by 2^ ft, a well-flowered plant. E. neriipolium {May), 3 ft by 3 ft, fine, well bloomed. E. buxifolium (Cole), 3 ft by 3 ft, fine, well bloomed. (Taylor), 5 ft by 4 ft. EuTAXiA PUNGENS (Speed), 2) ft by 2i ft, profusely bloomed. Kranciscea macropuylla (Carson), well bloomed, with 24 heads of flowera. Gompuolobium polymorphum (May), 2 ft by 2 ft, trained to a low globular trellis, and densely bloomed. Hoya carnosa (Taylor), 3 ft by 2i ft. HovE.v belsia {Stanley), 2^ ft by 2 ft, well managed and profusely bloomed. H. PUNGENS (May), Ij ft by I^ ft, difficult to manage, covered with blossoms. IxoRA Javanica (May), 3 ft by 4 ft, a fresh plant, with scores of heads of blossoms. Leschknaultia Baxtbbix (May), 2 ft by 3 ft, a fine, well bloomed plant. L. poRsiosA (Cole), 2 ft by 3 ft, profusely covered with its rich blossoms. L, biloda major (Cole), 2^ ft by 2i ft, well bloomed. Pjmelea spectabilis rosea (May), 3 ft by 4 ft, completely hid by its fine heads of blossoms. Polygala Dalmaisiana (Green), 2i ft by 3 ft, well grown and pro- fusely bloomed. Stepiianotis plqribunda (Co^fi), 4 ft by 2i ft, trained. (Speed), S ft by 2i ft. Tropckolum tricolor major, Stanleyana, and grandiflora (Stanley), three well grown and profusely flowered plants, trained to circular trellises. ;iO Plants. Amateiu-s. First prize, Mr. May, gardener to Mrs. Lawrence, Ealing Park. Second prize, Mr. Cole, garciener to H. Collyer, Esq., Dartford. Third prize, Mr. iStanlet/, gardener to H. Berens, Esq., Sidcup, Kent. 30 Plants. Nm*serymen. Messrs. Frazer, Lea Bridge, had a prize for their collection, the only one in this class. 20 Plants. Amateui'S. Fu-st prize, Mr. Green, gardener 168 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 12. to Sir E. Antrobus, Bart. Second prize, Mr. Taylor, gar- dener to J. Costar, Esq., Norwood. 20 Plants. Nurserymen. First prize, Messrs. Frazer. 10 Plants. First prize, Mr. Croxford, gardener t(i H. Barnes, Esq., Stamford Hill. Second prize, Mr. Sjiaeil, Edmonton. Third prize, Mr. Williams, gardener to Miss Trail, Bromley. Fourth piize, Mr. Carson, gardener to W. T. Farmer, Esq., Cheara. GREENHOUSE AZALEAS. The tent in which the large collections, and the collections of Azaleas were placed, is on a sloping ground. Tlie plants stand on raised terraces, the centre one being oval and the rest circles of different sizes, ivitli half-circles at the sides. The front of the terraces is covered with green turf, and the flat space is covered with sand; this being done on a large scale ( for the oval terrace alone held the two collec- tions of 00 large plants) it shoNvs off the plants, if well arranged, to the greatest advantage, particularly the Azaleas in bloom. Mr. Frazer's collection of ten of these gorgeous plants, by the judicious blending of colour so as to harmo- nize with each other, formed a pictm-e of floral display that will not easily be forgotten. Her Majesty, and her royal and noble attendants, turned round and stood a considerable time admiring the beautifid arrangement. This, we hope, will have a good effect hereafter upon the exhibitors, and will cause them to study the effect of arrangement of colours more than they have liitherto done. The prizes and spe- cimens were nearly the same as at Ghiswick. CAPE HEATHS. The following we notice as additional to those at Ghiswick. Erica ampullacea cahnumbrata (Cole), 1^ ft by 2 ft. E. ampullacea vittata (Cole), 2 ft by 2 ft. E. Cavendishu (Ouer), 2i ft by 2ift. (Rollison), 3 ft by 3 ft. E. depressa (Cole), well bloomed, 1$ ft by 2 ft. E. FLORIDA (Oi-er), lA ft by li ft, a rare heath. (Rollison), 2 ft by 2 ft. E. FAVOIDES (Rollisott), 2^ ft by 2 ft. E. FAVOIDES ELEGANS (Sniilli)', 3 ft by 3 ft. (Ot'er), 2 ft by 2 ft. E. Mac Nabbiana (Smitti). Ij ft by 2 ft. (Veitrh), \i ft by 2 ft. E. jietol.i:floea il'«7i7i), Ij ft by 2^ ft, the true. E. PERSPICUA NANA (Cofr), 2ftby 2 ft. (Omr), 2^ ft by 2 ft. (Rolli- son), 2j ft by 2i ft. E. PE.EGNANS (Roltisan), 3 ft by 3 ft. E. VESTITA ALBA (Smith), 2^ ft. by 3 ft. E. VENTEICOSA NANA (CoU), 1 .^ ft by 2 ft. E. VENTRicosA suPERBA (Cole), 2^ ft by 2^ ft. E. Westphalingia (Smith), 2J ft by 3 ft. 12 Plants. Amateurs. First prize, Mr. Smith, gardener to W. Quilter, Esq., Norwood. Second prize, Mr. Gulc. Third prize, Mr. Over, gardener to W. McMulleu, Esq., Clapham. 12 Plants. Nurserymen. First prize, Messrs. Rollison, Tooting. Second prize, Messrs. Veltch, Exeter. Third prize, Messrs. Falrhurn, Clapham. FoiU'th prize, Messrs. Frazer, Lea Bridge. NEW AND bare PLANTS. Messrs. J. A. Henderson and Co,, Pine-Apple-place, had a silver mcilal for Franciscea confertiplora, a finer species than the well known F. latijiora ; the foliage is a deep green, large, and glossy ; the flowers are disposed in clusters, and are of a deep violet colour. Besides this, Messrs. Heiutersoji had prizes awarded for Ceanothus papil- L08US, an elegant, blue-flowered, hardy shrub, from California; and for anew Pulten.ea, named Juniperina, with neat heads of orange and scarlet pea-shaped flowers ; also for a Pulten^ea, unknown, of a free flowering habit, and lighter coloured flowers. Mr. E. G. Hendersim had a prize for Allamanda nebiipolia, with smaller flowers, but of a more bushy habit than the older species ; also for Hebeclinium ianthinum, a bluish flowered plant, blooming in early spring. Mr. Aoilirose, of Battersea, obtained a prize for a new rose-coloured Hybrid Uiiododen- DRON, with small oval leaves. Messrs. Stimdish and Noltte, of Bapshot, showed a .Seedling Rhododendron, named Vesuvius, with large, well-formed trusses of rich crimson flowers ; also a Double-flowered Azalea, a seedling, named The Glortt of Sunning Hill ; both these were awarded a prize. Mr. John Waterer, of Bagshot, had a fine rose- tinted Rhododendron, named Gemmiferum ; this is said to be a hybrid between R. Aztileoidcs and R. Russeliiunum ; this also obtained a prize. A silver medal was awarded to Messrs. Veitch for a beautiful plant of the new Deutzia gracilis, and a prize of the same value was obtained by Mr. Baumunn, nurseryman, of Ghent, for the same. A prize, for a plant of economical interest, was awarded to Messrs. Rollison, lor a fine Sarracenia, from North America, with curious pitcher-like leaves, fully three feet high. Many otlier prizes were awarded, but for collections little differing from those at Ghiswick. HAEDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS SUITABLE FOR SPRING DECORATION. {Continued frovi page 118.) I THINK it will be conceded by all that few plants look so well when not in bloom as the old Double Culchfly, and when in bloom none look better, therefore, I strongly advise those who have not yet tried it for furnishing their beds in winter and spring, to begin betimes, and jiropagate what few plants they may have or can obtain. A medium sized plant may be pulled into a great many pieces, retaining as much root to each as can be got ; but they grow very freely without any, if put in some shady place and watered if the weather be dry. They certainly requii'e less attention than most plants, and in autmun wiU be found nice stocky plants, furnishing a bed pretty well at once, and keeping so all the winter, and towards the end of May rewariling you with a rich crop of blossom. I invariably plant several beds of it in autumn, and on some occasions have lilted them during tlic winter when some alterations were wanted in the an-angement of the bed, and liave planted them again without their seeming to suffer from the change, so exceedingly hardy are they. It is only necessary to divide them after flowering, and plant them in some suitable place to gain strength during the summer months. Another useful plant with blue flowers is the Aubretia Delloides, which, though I have not used it much, seems well adapted for the pm-pose. It appears to partake of the character of the Arubls tribe, but is less rampant in its growth than the white one of that genus. Witliout mucli trouble it seems to increase pretty fast, and 1 have no doubt will be found useful. It seems a pity that some of the numerous species of the Dlanthus and Campanula species do not flower a month or more sooner, as they would afford us great variety. As it is, I have not been able to make much use of them. I have sometimes put in a bed or two of the Canterburi/ Bells in autumn, but its foUage is not inviting during mnter, and as the greatest part of its growth takes place after the first of May, the succeeding crop cannot well be planted with it. I have, on more than one occasion had a bed of the Campanula Grandls, and removed it after flowering, but that is attended with a trouble that the season will not always allow of being (lone justice to; and a small white Campnnula called (I believe) Pmnilla has always such a weedy look, that I dismissed it altogether, and however pretty Uu-vci Williams and others of the dianthus tribe undoubtedly are, their not flowering until the middle of .Tune, prevents their being profitably used for this kind of work. One of the earliest of yellow flowers is the old, yet ever useful, Llnmnflavum, than which few can excel for brilliancy; but it is almost desetTing a better place than the transient one of serving a temporary purpose in spring. However, it is well adapted for that, and unless in very damp situations it stands the winter very well. There is a dwarf early flowering Phlox, called vcrmi, with its varieties, which I have seen malce a very gay bed, but whether it will aUow of being planted in autumn and flowering well the following spring, or not, I cannot say, having never tried it: but I shoiUd suppose it wouUl. Most of the other species flower only late in the summer, and, though extremely beautiful, they are more unflltiug orna- ments to the mixed border than the pai-terre. In drawing these notes to a close, it need not bo inferred that the list is at all exhausted; I intend to try several others, and have made partial trials of some, but not suflicient to give a decisive opinion upon their merits. But so far as I have tried, it appears that all early flowering herbaceous plants must have stored up food the preceding summer to form the embryo buils, which require no ex- traordinary additional nutriment to develope at the ap- pointed time. Not so, however, those which do not bloom until a later period. With these a considerable growth takes place during the cm-rent season, exhausting the bed and robbing the ensuing crop, whose welfare it is most important to secure. For tliat purpose it is evident that gross growing plants must be used with caution, as for instance the Luplnus pvhjphyllns and its varieties, which bloom and look well at the end of May. Scariet valerian also ought to be chopped round wiUi the spade as June 12.] THE COTTAGE GABDENER 169 directed, for they are sad robbers of less robust neigh- bom-s ; and as their purpose is only to serve the tem- porai-y duty of furnishing the beds when more showy ones could not exist, care must be taken that they do not exercise their oificious services too long. In conclusion, let mo beg of those having used other plants for the same purpose to report theii- success. It is a subject fraught with interest to the iiower-gardener, as it must be admitted that each succeeding season proves the futility of attempting to get an early bloom of the plants usually planted out as summer bedders, and the present season does not promise any better times than its predeces- sors. At the same time I admit that I have a strong dislike to resort to annuals, for the temporary piu-pose treated of; their more deUcate habit being so easily turned over by the wind, and other casualities more than counter- balancing, in my opinion, the more gay appearance they present, for a very few days only, over their more robust neighbours, the much-neglected herbaceous plants.. S. N. V. TEMPERATURE UNDER GLASS. I HAVE gi'own vines for several years trader glass without lire heat, and though I have not kept a regulai- journal of the heat compared with that out-of-doors, I have occasionally done so. Lowest Lowest of 1851. out-of-doors. my vinery; Jan. 24th 25 35 ,, 28th 3fi 42 „ 30th 32 38 Feb. 4th 27 32 ,, l6th 23 35 ,, 22nd 23 34 Mar. 3rd 30 38 „ 6th 39 45 „ 7th 20 31 „ 8th 33 42 „ 9th 35J 42 „ 10th 34 40 „ 27th 1850 2 23 When the sun shines, the thermometer in tlie shade under glass wUl rise 20°, 30°, 40°, and even at times 00°, above the thermometer in the shade out-of-doors. Thus, the highest temperature in the winter was on February luth, 42° out-of- doors, whilst in the vinery it rose to 80°. I tind vines in pots under glass come into leaf sooner than the vines which have their roots in the ground. On the 10th of March, 1840, 1840, and 1847, ray vines under glass, without any fire heat, were in leaf ; whilst in 1848 and 1849 this took place on the 19th of March. In 1800, March 10th, vines in pots in leaf; on the wall on the 18tli. I find even in cloudy weather the vinery is warmer than the air out-of-doors. Eey. C. A. A. Lloyd, Wluttini/ton, Osiveslri/. TO CORRESPONDENTS •** We request that no one will Avrite to the departmental writers of The Cottage Gaedenee. It gives them unjustifiable trouble and expense. All communications should be addressed " To the Editor of The Cottage Gardener^ 2, Amen Corner, Paternoster Row, London.*' Scarlet Geraniums {Lady Bird). — The leaves came in very good condition. Those of Baron Hngel have the largest and darkest horse- shoe mark of any we have seen ; a seedling raised at Cossy Hall being the next best, in that respect, of all we have grown. Is the Baron so well marked in the autumn? if so, and "being very like Tom Thumb in colour, truss, and growth, but not nearly so long in the flower-stalk," we should like to meet with him at the " Kxhibition," or nearer home, for he must certainly be a first-rate bed-fellow where the soil suits him. The leaf of the improved seedling you sent can give no index to the flowers ; being so small, however, is a very great recommendation, and, should the (lowers not come up to your expectation, we would still keep the plant for a breeder. The leaves of all our scarlet geraniums are out- rageously too large. Seedlings in this class often improve in the size of the truss for the following two years ; Punch was in his fourth year before he showed more than 70 flowers in a truss. Names of Insects {E. P., Ejeter). — The brown weevil found on the broad beans in great numbers is the Sitona pleiirifica, closely allied to the weevil {Sitona linearis) which nibbles the leaves of the common pea, and wc have no doubt this does the same to the beans. The green insect is the Phijllobius areentattis, which is found on various plants, on the leaves of which it subsifita ; it ia a beautiful object for the microscope. Pruning Roses {Jane).— We should be very sorry to lose you either as a correspondent or subscriber. We do not justify our seeming neg- lect, but you know the best of us *' nod" at times ;* and the least push at the elbow will set us to the desk immediately. All roses whatever should be pruned before they cume into leaf, unless they are very strong indeed. Kvery weakly rose, no matter what class it belongs to, ought certainly to be pruned at the end of October : the reason is well ex- plained by one of our contributors two years back. Last year's shoots of all the hybrid perpetuals, and some other free-growing sorts, will do to make layers of in July ; but the Moss, Cabbage, and many of the old roses, will not answer so well except from the current year's growth, but much depends on the strength of the plants. " Cuttings with a heel " you and the gardener have been '* splitting straws " about. You are both wrong, and each of you is right. It does not matter one straw whether the heel is smoothed, trimmed, or not dressed at all, and if it is it is all the same. The roots issue from between the bark and the wood ; and if the bark is torn or jagged, in pulling the slioot out of the socket, the edges of the bark should be cut smooth all round. But why not prove your positions by trying six heeled cuttings one way and half a dozen the other? By all means pick off the early flower-buds from the newly rooted rose cuttings. Quassia foe Destroying the Green Fly. — The lady answered above, to show she is not ort'ended past forgiveness, writes as follows ; — " As I have not seen quassia mentioned as a remedy for the attacks of the green aphis on the rose, in any of your papers, I think it may not be uninteresting to you at this season to hear that I used it last year with the most complete success. I have no merit in the discovery, as I only followed the directions in Mrs. Loudon's ' Ladies' Companion to the Flower Garden.' Boiling 4 oz. of quassia chips to one gallon of water, and gently dipping the shoots (or bunches of buds> covered with the aphis in a basin of this water (cold) ; or, where the branches would not allow of this, I washed them with a soft sponge or brush dipped in the basin. It did not injure the coming flowers the least; and what was singular was, that I never saw a single living aphis on any branch so treated during the whole of the after season, while the fresh buds and fresh shoots which continued to be put forth during the summer were often covered with them. I ought to mention, that I shook the branch or bud in the water till it was somewhat cleared of the aphis." Artesian Well {W. N. G.). — You can only have this formed by boring ; and there are men in Norfolk, we dare say, as there arc else- where, who would undertake the job. An advertisement would bring you many tenders probably. Kitchen Garden {J. S., Clonmel). — If your two men and a woman employed in your proposed walled kitchen-garden of one rood and sixteen perches do nut keep you fully supplied with vegetables all the year, be assured that the head man does not know his business. This is always supposing that asparagus and potatoes are not grown in it, and that the soil is of ordinary quality, and manure to be had as required. Vou ought at this time to have your table supplied with asparagus, cabbage, cauli- flower, peas, beans, lettuce, &c. As for giving you a statement of the divisions into which the garden should be divided, rotation of crops, &c., it would take half of our pages to-day to give the details. If you have our first volume, refer to what is said at pages 184-5-ti on the subject. If you have not the volume, send eii;ht postage stamps to our office, and tell them to send No. 17 to your direction. It is a double number, and the prepaid postage will be fourpence. WouMs IN Pots {C. E. H.).—To dislodge these, give the earth in the pota a good soaking with limd water. Poetey of Flowers {Alpha). — You are quite wrong in supposing the idea modern. So far from it, we have, even in the Kuglish language, a demonstration to the contrary, in a volume nearly 300 years old. It is very rare, and is entitled, *' Posye : oe. Nosegay of Love, couteyning the Posies of sondrye Flowers, Hearbes, and Plantes, that are put com- monly in nosegayes, directed to the True Lovers, 1580." Cheap Book on Gaedening {M. N. E.). — Not one is either so cheap or so full of the information you require as The Cottage Gardeners' Dic- tionary. It is about half completed, and is published in sevenpenny monthly parts. Hens Dropping Shell-less Eggs {P. G.), — Keeping your hens entirely on barley may cause this ; give them once a day a meal of moist food, such as scalded pollard, and see that they can have access to lime rubbish. The egg taken away within three days of hatching was removed probably by a rat. DoEKiNG Fowls.— The Rev. G. Marsh, Ampthill Rectory, Bedford- shire, writes to us as follows : — '* If any of your correspondents are in want of some thorough -bred, white Dorking Fowls, I could supply them with eight hens and a cock for 358. Should any one prefer a haif-bred Game and Dorking cock, I would substitute it for the Dorking at the same price. I consider the cross between the Game and the Dorking an improvement. I part with them solely because my stock is increased beyond the accommodation I can give them. On the receipt of a post- office order for the money I will have them carefully packed and for- warded." Greenhouse {W. Q., a Novice). — Let the angle of the roof be 40°; glass, 16 ozs. to the foot, la inches wide, and one foot long, because the bars should be 15 inches apart. The vine, with its roots in the house and its head outside, will do all the better, for the roots should always be in uction before the buds. With your greenhouse and pit you ought to have some kind of flower in bloom in each month. It water is near the surface, or is liable to be so in wet weather, do nut sink any part of your pit below the surface. Cutting of Dooble-Pink U A\VTnov.Ti {One zvho has a nook i)i her father's {garden). — You cannot attempt to strike this with any proba- bUity of success. Put some of the buds into the common hawthorn, shading the buds, after budding, by tying a laurel leaf over them. London: Printed by Haeet Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William SoMERviLLE Orr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.— June 12th, 1851 THE COTTAGE GARDENER— ADVERTISEMENTS. BOTANICAL AND GARDEN- ING PERIODICALS. THE COTTAGE GARDENERS' DICTIONAllV. Edited by G. W. Johnson. Esq., Editor of The Cottack Gardener, Sec.; aided by Messrs. Beaton, Ereington, Fish, Appleby, Barnes, and Weaver. In Weekly Numbers, price I^d, and in Monthly Parts, price 7d. THE MAGAZINE of BOTANY, HORTICULTURE. FLORICULTURE, and NATURAL SCIENCE. Conducted by T. Moore, F.L.S.. and W. P. Ayres, C.MIH.S. Botany— A. Henfrey, Esq., F.L.S.,&c. The Literary Department contributed by the best Practical Gardeners in the Country. Illustrated with higlily finished Plates and Woodcuts. In Monthly Parts, price 29 6d. London: Wm. S. Obb & Co., Amea-Corner. R ICHARDSON'S RURAL HAND- BOOKS. Price One Shilling each, with numerous Illustrations. DOMESTIC FOWL; their Natural History — Breedinfj^Rearinp — and General Ma- nagement. New Ediiion, revised and enlarged. PIGS ; their Ori^'in and Vaneties — Management with a View to Profit — and Treat- ment under Disease. Also, Plain Directions relative to the most approved modes of Curing and Preserving their Flesh. New Edition, improved. BEES; THE HIVE andtheHONEY BEE; with Plain Directions for o))taining a considerable Annual Income from this branch of Rural Economy. New Edition, revised. DOGS; their Origin and Varieties — Directions as to their General Management — and Simple Instructions as to their Treatment under Disease. HOliSP^S ; their Varieties — Breed- ing— and Management in Health and Disease. PESTS of the FARM ; with Instruc- tions for their Extirpation ; being a Manual of Plain Directions for the certain Destruction of every description of Vermin. LAND DRAINAGE, E]MBANK- MENT, and IRRIGATION. By James DOiNALD, Civil Engineer, Derby. In the Press, SOILS and MANURES. By John Donaldson, Government Land Drainage Surveyor. London : Wm. S. Orr & Co., Amen-Corner, N EW EDITIONS OF POPULAR WORKS. In post 9vo., cloth, gilt, price 6« dd, WALKERS MANLY EXERCISES. Instructions in Riding. Hunting, Shooting, Walking, Running, Leaping, Vaulting, Swim- ming, Rowing, Sailing, and Driving. Edited and enlarged by Craven. With numerous Illustrations. In post dtfo., cloth, gilt, price 55, BECHSTEIN'S CHAMBER BIRDS; their Natural History and Management. With very nmneruus Woodcuts of Birds, Xages, &c. In post 8j'o., cloth, gilt, price 5s, WHITE'S NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. With copious Notes by Mr. Blytii, a Map of the Locality, and numernuH Illustrations of the Animals and Scenery described. New Edition. In Hmnll Ato., cloth, gilt, price 8* 6d, CLARK'S DRAWING AND TAINT- ING IN WATER COLOURS; containing examples of Drauini^ in Landscape, Flower Painting, Miniature and Historical Painting, in various stages of tinish, with directions for imitating them. London : Wm. S. Obb & Co., Amen-Corner: p LENNY'S GOLDEN RULE FOR GARDENERS, Professional and VJ Amateur ; showing, in few words, what Gardeners ought to do and avoid. Price 6d. p LENNY'S HAND-BOOK TO THE ELOWER-GARDEN AND VJ GREENHOUSE; containing the Description, Culture, and Management of all the Popular Flowers and Plants grown in this country; with a Calendar of operations for every month. Price 5s 6d. n LENNY'S HAND-BOOK TO THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE vX GARDEN; containing the Culture, Management, and Description of all the Fruits and Vegetables grown in this country ; with a Calendar of Operations for every month. Price 7s 6d. LENNY'S HAND-BOOK OF PRACTICAL GARDENING; contain- ing full instructions for performing every operation connected with the Practical Management of Gardens ; and for the Culture of Florists' Flowers. Price 7s 6d. pLENNYS PROPERTIES OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS ; containing VJ the Description of all the Qualifications necessary to a Perfect Flower. Price Is. G LENNY'S CATECHISM OF GARDENING ; containing the Elements of Practical Gardening, in Plain Questions and Answers. Price Qd. C. Cox, 12, King WiUiam-street. G INDUSTRY and HUMANITY, versus PLUNDER, and MUEDER.— 1 MARRIOTT'S NEW BEE-HIVE for the humane management of honey bees is the best for real practical utility, each hoop finely worked upon straw, the hoop of the top, or cover hive, fits over the hoop of the nether, or stock hive, which has three glass windows, ventilator, and thermo- meter for regulating the temperature, and either three or four bell-glasses, for taking the finest quality of the fruit of industry at the height of honey gathering without the least injury to the bees. Taylor's new Shallow 'iio\ Hives, with or without bars, two adapting boards, &c. Taylor's Amateur Bar Hive, Nutt's Collateral and other Hives, A Descriptive Engraving, with Priced Catalogue, posted for two penny stamps. HARRIOTT'S Humane Bee-Hive Factory, 74, Grace- church Street. pLASS MILK PANS, PROPAGATING GLASSES, &c. JAIMES vJ PHILLIPS and CO. beg to hand their Prices of sundry articles for the Dairy and Garden. MILK PANS. s. d. 12 inches diameter. ... 20 14 „ .... 2 6 16 „ .... 3 0 18 „ .... 3 6 20 „ 4 0 22 „ 4 6 24 „ .... 5 0 26 „ 6 0 Carefully packed in baskets and sent to any part of the kingdom. CREAM POTS. 6 inches diameter 2 0 8 „ 2 6 10 „ 3 0 12 „ 4 0 PROPAGATING BEE GLASSES. 2 in. diam. . . 0 2 ditto 0 3 ..0 4 .. 0 6 ..0 8 .. 0 10 .. 1 0 .. 1 2 .. I 4 .. 1 6 ..2 0 ..2 6 ..3 6 ..4 0 0 10 1 I 1 4 1 8 2 0 2 8 3 6 CUCUMBER TUBES. 24 inches long 2 0 1 10 1 8 1 6 1 4 .. I 2 I 0 LACTOMETERS, for trying the quality of Milk, 6s each. Loud Camoy's MILK SYPHONS. GLASS PRESERVE JARS. With top. 0 3.. 0 4^ 0 5.. 0 7 0 7.. 0 9 0 9.. 10 10.. 13 13.. 17 16.. 2 0 2 0.. 2 6 3 in. diam. 4 5 „ 6 7 8 „ 9 10 „ PASTRY SLABS, of Strong Plate Glass, fitted in Wood Frames. 20 inches by 14 inches . . 13 0 22 „ 16 „ .. i6 0 24 „ 18 „ .. 19 6 26 „ 20 „ .. 23 6 23 ,, 24 ,, .. 30 0 30 ,. 21 ,, .. 32 6 PASTRY PINS. 14 in. long 15 „ 16 „ 18 „ 21 „ 24 „ Glass. 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 3 2 6 3 0 Opal. 3 3 0 0 3 6 4 3 0 0 0 0 GLASSES FOR WALL FRUIT. Halliman's Fruit Protec- TOB, registered Mar. 22, 1850. Peach & Grape Glasses. These Glasses, placed over Fruit on the common wall, as- sist nature in our cold climate. The fruit grows to a larger size, and its richness is increased. JAMES PHILLIPS & CO. beg to say tliey have purchased the above Registry of Mr. Hal- liman, and caution all persons from making or selhng the same without their consent. FERN SHADES. JAMES PHILLIPS & CO. have succeeded in making a very neat style of Shade, with glass bottom (or stand;, ex- pressly for the growth of Ferns, which will be found much more ornamental than any previously made for the same description of plant. WASP TRAPS, 3s 6d per doz. GLASS TILES. Rough Plate. l-8th inch thick 0 10 3-l6th3 „ 1 0 i 1 3 I , 2 0 Sheet. 16 oz. .. 0 6 I 26 oz. .. 0 10 21 ,, .. 0 8 I 32 „ .. 1 0 HAND GLASSES. 12 inches .... 3 0 glazed 6 0 14 „ 3 16 4 0 „ 18 4 6 „ 20 5 0 „ 24 6 0 „ Painted and Glazed. l6oz. Sheet Glass. If Open Tops, at Is e.ttra. 7 0 8 0 9 0 10 0 12 0 with GLASS SLATES, with drilled holes. Size. i inch thick. Rough Plate. Sheet. i inch thick. g inch thick. J inch thick. 16 oz. 21 oz. 26 OZ. 32 oz. 24 inches by 12.. 20 „ 14.. 22 „ 12.. 20 „ 10.. s. d. 1 6 1 hk 1 b 1 n s. d. 2 0 I 11 1 10 1 6 s. d. 2 8 2 7 2 6 2 0 s. d, S 0 4 10 4 8 3 8 s. d. 0 11 0 lOJ 0 10 0 »k s. d. 1 3 1 2i 1 2 1 0 s. d. 1 9 I Si I 8 1 5 s. d. 2 0 1 11 1 10 1 6 Full List of Prices, and every information, may be had by applying to JAMES PHILLIPS and CO., Horticultural Glass Merchants, 116, Bishopsgate-Street-Without, London. June 19.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 171 Memory scarcely brings to us a trace of any remembrance previous to that when we were used to be placed at a table, to allow the nur3us earnest about planting. The volume containing this long ■remembered example of dibbling bears this comprehensive title : — " The Gardeners' Labtjrinth, containing a discourse of the Gardeners' life, in the yearly travels to be bestowed on his plot of earth, for the use of a garden, with instructions for the choise of seedea, apt times for sowing, setting, planting, and watering, and the vessels and instruments serving to that use and purpose : wherein are set forth divers herber.s (arbours), knotts, and mazes, cunningly handled for the beautifying of gardens. Also the physick benefit of each herb, plant, and flower, with the virtues of the distilled waters of every of them, as by the sequel may further appear. Gathered out of the best approved writers of Gardening, Husbandry, and Physick, by Dydymus Mountainb." This was printed in 15/7, and we have vainly endeavoured, both from that, and from a later edition, to glean some particulars of the author. This later edition bears the date of l65(j, and the title is somewhat altered, beginning by stating that it is " The Gardeners' Labyrinth, or a new Art of Gardening, wherein is laid down new and rare inventions, and secrets of Gardening not heretofore known," then entering into the details as in the old title page, but concluding by stating that it is not only collected from other authors, but also from "forty years experience in the art of gar- dening." The dedication of the first edition to Lord Burghley, is signed by Heiirij Dethicke, and states that he publishes the work in obedience to his '* promise plighted unto his friend lately interred." and those two brief aentencea embrace all tlie information we have been able to acquire concerning the author. Of the editor of his posthumous publication, we have somewhat more information, for he fortunately was a graduate of Oxford, and Oxonians fortunately had Anthony Wood for their biographer. Vet. this information extends no further than that in 15/8, Henry Dv- thirke, Master of Arts, jwas admitted Batchetlor of Law, and in 1581, Doctor of Law, being at the time Archdeacon and Chancellor of Carlisle. In the first edition is given a liat of twenty-eight " authors from whom this work is selected." It includes all the Roman and Genponic writers, concluding with Galen, and there is not a single reference, that we can find, intimating a suspicion that directions, suitable for Italy and Greece, are not applicable to our more northern latitudes. Yet, there are many directions scattered through the pages indicating that the author practiced the art on which he undertook to lecture, and revealing that many of our practices, only lately much enforced as those adopted by good gardeners, are only revivals of ancient gardening. Fnr instance, our use of liquid- manure is thus forestalled, as well as our knowledge of the importance of using tepid water to our plants. " To the water standing in the sun, if the owner or gardener mixt a reasonable quantity of dung, after his discretion, this mixture no doubt will be to great purpose, for as much as the same gently watered, or sprinkled abi-oad, procureth a proper nourishment to the tender plants and young buds conung up." One of ttie watering-pots then employed was somewhat peculiar and ingenious, being controlled by excluding the atmospheric pressure, and is thus described. "The common watering-pot with us for the garden beds hath a narrow neck, big belly, somewhat large bottom, and full of little holes, with a proper hole formed on the head to take in the water, which filled full, and the thumb laid on the hole to keep in (out) the air, may on such wise be carried in handsome manner to those places by a better help aiding in the turning and bearing upright of the bottom of this pot, which needfully reiiuire watering." He then describes '* the watering-pot best to be liked, that is much used in the chiefest gardens about London," which is exactly our present watering-pot, excepting that it was then made of cojiper. Mountain alao describes the mode of irrigating the beds, and gives a drawing both of that and of the plan adopteil " by some which use to water their beds with great stjuirts made of tm." The woodcut shews that the great s(iuirt, resembling one of our garden engines, was plunged into a tub of water, and the water forced through a rosed pipe by means of the vertical motion of the syringe's plunger. Near to the above work, for it was published in the following year, stands a volume bearing this title : — ^* A Pcrfite Platforme of a Hoppe Giirden, and necessary instructions for the making and maintenance thereof, with notes and rules for re- formation of all abuses conmionly practiced therein, very necessary and expedient for all men to have, which in any wise have to do with hops. Now newly corrected and augmented by Reynold Scot. ISJS." In the dedication to Sir Wm. Lovelace, "Serjeant at the Law," the author asks him to dig "unto the bowels of the ground, and to seek about his house at Beddcrsden, for a convenient place for a Hop Garden," and to do this promises " the effect of myne experience," and there is no doubt that he spoke the truth, for it is one of the most original and correct bonks on the culture of any crop that had then issued from the press. Indeed, the author, as we shall see presently, was no ordinarily- minded man, but one of those, who, in advance of their countrj'men, point out their errors, and in return are derided, persecuted, and unre- garded. It was then the common practice to make ale of malt without any other addition, and Mr. Scot laboured to show that its uuwholesome- ness and bad-keeping qualities arose from not using hops in its brewing. The neglect of their cu!tin*e, and their consequent dearness, was one of the reasons of their not being employed, and he says, energetically — " It grieves me when 1 see the Flemings tnvy our practice (in the cultivation of the soil), who altogether tend their own profit, seeking to impound us in the ignorance of our commodities, to cram us with the wares and fruits of their country — -sending into Flanders as far as Poppering, for that which we may find at home in our backsides." Backsides, it may be as well to explain, meant in those days, the inclosed ground behind a resi- dence. Mr. Scot then proceeds, in a very systematic order, to give good di- rections for hop-growing, from the time of first planting, to the drying of the produce. " Upon every acre," he says, " you may erect seven, eight, or nine hundred hills ; upon every hill well-ordered, you shall have Slbs. of hops at the least. Two pounds and a half of these hops will largely serve for the brewing of one quarter of malt. One hundred pounds of these hops are commonly worth 268. 8d." It was then a practice "to burn the neather part, or great end of the poles, to the end they should last or endure the longer," though Mr. Scot very unwisely condemned the procedure as " unnecessary trouble." We have no space for further extracts, for wc must find room to show why we have said Mr. Scot was a man of no ordinary mind, and for this purpose we need but point to the work he published in 1584, and which at the same time shows the great depth of his researches, and the un- common extent of his learning. It is intitled, " The Discoverie of Witch- craft," and reprinted in i6j1, with this title : " Scot's Discovery of Witch- craft ; proving the common opinion of witches contracting with devils, spirits, familiars, and their power to kill, torment, and consume the bodies of men, women, and children, or other creatures, by diseases or otherwise, their flying in the air, &c., to be but imaginary erroneous conceptions and novelties. Wherein also the practices of witchmongers, conjurers, inchanters, soothsayers, also the delusions of astrology, alchemy, legerdemain, and many other things, are opened, that have long lain hidden, though very necessary to be known for the undeceiving of judges, justices, and juries, and for the preservation of poor people, &-C. With a treatise upon the nature of spirits and devils," &e. In the preface to the reader he declares, that his design in this undertaking was, ' first, that the glory of God be not so abridged and abased as to be thrust into the hand or lip of a lewd old woman, whereby the work of the Creator should be attributed to the power of a creature : secondly, that the religion of the gospel may be seen to stand without such peevish trumpery : thirdly, that favour and Christian compassion be rather used towards these poor souls than rigour and extremity," &c. A doctrine of this nature, advanced in an age when the reality of witches was so universally believed, that even the great bishop Jewel, touching upnn the subject in a sermon before queen Elizabeth, could " pray God they might never practise further than upon the subject," must needs expose the author to animadversions and censure; and, occordingly, a foreign divine informs us, though Wood says nothing of it, that Scot's book was actually i)urnt. ^^'e know, however, that it was opposed, and, as it would seem, by great authority too ; for James I., in the preface to his " Demonologie," printed first at Edinl)urgh, 1597, and afterwards at London, l603, observes, that he " wrote that book chiefly against the (Jamnable opinions of Wierua and Scott ; the latter of whom is not ashamed," the king says, " in public print to deny that there can be such a tiling as witchcraft, and so maintains the old error of the Sad- ducecs in the denving of spirits." Mr. Scot was a younger son of Sir John Scot, of Scot's Hall, near Smeeth, in Kent, where he was jirobably born ; and, at about seventeen, sent to Hart Hall, in Oxford. He retired to his native country without taking a degree, and settled af Smeeth; and, marrying soon after, gave himself up solely to reading, to the perusing of obscure authors, which had by the generality of scholars been neglected, and at times of leisure to husbandry and gardening. This si-nsible, learned, upright, and pious man (for we know that he possessed the two first of these qualities, and he is universally allowed to have had also the two last) died in 1599, and was buried among his an- cestors in the church at Smeeth. flIiiTEOROLOGY OF THE Week. — At ChiBwick, from observations during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- peratures of tliese days are "'i.'i'^, and 50.4*^, respectively. The greatest heat, 93'', occurred on the 22d, in 1846. and the lowest cold, 37°, on the 25th, in 1835. During the period 97 days were fine, and on 71 rain fell. No. CXLII., Vol. VL 172 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 10. Some queries relative to the premature dropping of Fuchsia buds, which will be found iu our last page, added to an enquiry as to the temperature water should possess when applied to the roots of plants, induces us to resume the observations we somewhat abruptly con- cluded at page 04 of our last volume. It has been maintained, that water is the sole food of plants; but all experiments are inconclusive which are presented as supporting the theory. In the first place, all waters contain earthy, saline, and organic matters : even distilled water is not pure, as Sir H. Davy has proved ; and rain water, Margraaf, Liebig, and others, have demonstrated to be much less so. No plants, except water plants, growing in water only, will ever perfect seed ; and the facts, that different plants affect different soils, and that a soil will not bear through a series of years the same crop, whereas it will bear a rotation of different ones, demonstrate that they each take different kinds of food from the earth, and not that universal one, water, which is ever present and renewed. So far, indeed, from water being the sole food of plants, they are injured and destroyed by its superabun- dance iu the soils sustaining them. Such soils are always colder than well-drained soils, iuasmnch as tliat the same quantity of caloric (heat) which will warm the earth four degress, will only warm water one degi-ee — or, to use the language of the chemist, the capacity for heat of water is four times greater than that of the earths. Secondly, the vegetable decomposing matters in a soil, where water is superabundant, give out carhu- retted hydrogen, acetic, gallic, and other acids, instead of cai'bonic acid gas and ammonia, — products essential to healthy vegetation. Palliatives for such evils are the application of lime, or its carbonate, chalk, to the soils in which these acids have been generated; and, indeed- after they liave been formed, such an application is essential, though the radical cure and preventive of recurrence — thorough drainage, be adopted. To plants in pots, good drainage is not less essential than to those iu our borders. To secure this, not only should at least two inches of ruhbly materials and char- coal be placed beneath the soil put into the pots, but the soil itself should be allowed to retain its pebbles, in- stead of having tliem sifted out, as was the ancient prac- tice. Drainage, however, is not the only desideratum to potted plants, for they have many other difficulties to contend against, from wbicli those in the open soil are preserved. Tlie open soil is always a few degrees warmer than the exterior air; hut, owing to the evaporation from the sides of garden-pots, this is rarely the case with the soil in them. To preserve this salutary warmth to the I'oots, a double pot lias been suggested. Tlie importance of following the dictate of nature, to keep tlie roots of plants, natives of the temperate /.one, as warm or warmer than the branches, has been too much neglected by tlie gardener in his forcing depart- ment. In the vinery, for examijle, the stem and I'oots are too often exposed to tlie rigour of winter, whilst the buds are expanding within the glass shelter in a tem- perature of CO". A vine so treated is like the felled elm, which, allowed to retain its bark, though rootless, puts forth its leaves in the spring, expands its buds, and advances through the first stages of growth merely from the inspissated sap stored within its stem and branches. This is no mere suggestion of fancy; for repeated ex- periments have shown that hothouse vines, with their roots thus kept torpid by exposure to cold, had not their buds burst; whilst other vines, treated in all respects similarly, but with their roots kept genially warm, were actually iu bloom. Although an excess of water applied to the roots of plants is injurious to them, yet all of them are benefited by a due supply of that liquid, and that supply has to be regulated by the amount of their daily transpiration. The gardener knows that this differs in every species, and during different seasons. For instance, in a dry hot day, a sunflower, three feet and a half high, transpired 1 lb. 4 oz., being seventeen times more than the human body ; during a hot dry night, 3 ozs. : during a dewy night there was no transpiration ; and during a rainy night it absorbed 3 o/.s. Therefore the gardener finds it best to apply water during dry weather, eai-ly in the mornLug, just before the chief demand occurs, which is from six a.m. till two in the afternoon; and during moist weather he refrains from the application entirely. Then, again, the gardener keeps his Agaves and other fleshy-leaved plants in a dry stove, for they transpire but sparingly in proportion to their mass, and require watering but seldom, and then abundantly ; for they take up, as in their native sandy soils, a large supply, and retain it pertinaciously in defiance of the long-protracted droughts to which they are exposed. In the same species we have always found varieties transpire abundantly, and require a larger supply of water in proportion to the extent of their transpiring surface. Thus the broad-leaved fuchsias and pelargo- niimis transpire from two to three times as much as those varieties which have smaller and less abundant foliage Then, again, as to the temperature at which water should be applied, it may be taken as a general rule, that it should be 5" warmer than the soil in which the roots are growing. This, of course, varies, for, as we have observed in The Cottage Giirdcner'n Dictionary, " Every plant obviously will have a particular bottom heat most congenial to it. Plants growing in open plains, as at the Cape of Good Hope, will require a higher bottom heat than those growing in the shade of the South American forests, though the temperatme of the air out of the shade maybe the same in each country. Tliat gardener will succeed in exotic plant-culture best, who, among his other knowledge, has ascertained the relative temperature of the air and soil, in which any given plant grows naturally. At present, such informa- tion from actual observation is not obtainable, but it is not dillicidt to ascertain the maximum and minimum temperature of the air of a country; and tliis being obtained, the gardener may adopt this as a safe rule : — Let the bottom heat for plants of tluit country be &" June in.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 173 higher tlian tbe average lemperaturo of each month ; that is, if the lowest temperature of the month is 40°, ^ and the highest 70°, the average is o")", and if we add O" to that, we shall have 00° as tlie bottom heat for that month. If the average maxiimira tcin))erature of the air only be known, lot the bottom heat be less by 10° than the maximum temperature of the air." We have stated the general rule as to tlie temperature of water for tlie roots of plants, hut there are exceptions. For instance, the C'alceohiria, being a native of high mountain ranges, in South America, and accustomed to be watered by their cold moistures, succeeds best when treated with water of a lower temperature than that of the soil. GARDENING GOSSIP. The PhtiUs in the Great Exldhilion do not improve, and we were not a little astonished to see on Messrs. Paul's stand plants with the Roses on them dead and brown, as if they had been placed there and forgotten. Knight and Perry's stand are rich in Conifers, and some very pretty exotics. Loddige's, of Hackney, have noble Palms there, which look none the worse for their sojourn among the wonders ; but the stand which caps them all is Messrs. Lane and Sons. The noble Azaleas, Rhodo- dendrons, Roses, and other flowering plants are as fresh as in their own nursery. The Exhibition owes much of its effect to the numerous groups of plants, whicli, however, require to 1)C kept up well by fresh supplies, or they become worse than a vacant space. There is some talk of a Sale of the Dri) Roots of the Tulip at taking up time. Several growers who have scarce flowers to make np twenty or thirty lots, each to be delivered at the time of sale with a guarantee. There are mnny good llowers scarce among the growers, and it was considered that a sale, Avhieli took place sonic years iip;o, when Baron, Delaforce, Wilmer, Lawrence, and some others, put good Hewers up for competition, encouraged young cultivators to come out well, and improved many beds. If il takes place, the tinje will be early in .June. Mr. Lawrenee's hed of Tulips (sold Friday, the 30th), although only consisting of a hundred and forty rows, produced between three and four linndred pounds. They were divided into one hundred and ninety-nine lots, and occupied the auctioneer a little over three hours ; about a lot a minute. Every lot hut one sold. The exception was a lot not hid for, and the auctioneer passed it ; nor would he go back again. This rather spurred the bidders on to the rest of the sale. Is the Cineraria to lose the noteh at the ends of the petals ? Assuredly there are hundreds of seedlings that come without it, but they have other faults ; still it shows there is hope that we may obtain better forms with the same desirable point attained. One of the brightest varieties (Lady Hume Campbell) has the notch very bad. The brilliant cob mrs and close petals save it ; but the notch is exceedingly conspicuous. It must be remarked, too, that for the most part those wliich are perfectly free from the notch, have as bad, or nearly as bad, a fault; ths petals are more or less pointed; and for the flower to be round and rich they should be broad and obtuse. There is scarcely any thing more trying than to be obliged to reject seedling after seedling, which has been done times out of luunber at the Socicly for the Encouragement of Floriculture. When we consider with what anxiety a man sows and watches his seedlings up to blooming, and then how aggravathig it is to have things just upon the verge of useful, lint no better, it requires some firmness to extin- guish his hopes; but the man who cannot do this to the best man in the world should not be a judge ; and to the election of persons who ciin do this the Society owes the coulideiice reposed in its decisions. Flower after flower which has been rejected by such judgment, has been taken to other Societies, and received first-class certificates ; many of them bought, grown, and thrown away, while the vei-y few to which certificates have been granted by the Society are retained to the present day among the best in cultivation. Although the Society has not been long enough in existence to claim many flowers as their pets, the judges elected by the body can claim to have given the proper character to many that have sustained their places for years, although at the time their fiat has been disputed. The Princess RailzvHle Dahlia is among the best twelve now; Scarlet Gem, Yellow fltaiitlarrl, SliuulunI vf Perfcclhin, Marcliioiiess Cnnnvallls, Queen of the East, Duli'e of Welliuiilon, and other favourites, obtained their first distinctions through the awards of those new judges at the Society elected upon the strength of their former accu- racy ; and" no Society will be really useful until it elects censors from the floral world without any qualification but their own judgment, aud that by the votes of the whole members. ' The countiy members by proxy, not handed over in blank to persons ou' the spot to be used for whom they hke, but written in full, for such as each separate member deems to be most cnmpctent. Hut we are wandering from the point a Kttie. Tbe Cineraria is to be obtained without the notch, but it can only be done by seeding from a very few of the very best, retaining from among the produce those which approach the standard nearest. Those who grow a collection may raise many Ihousamls without obtaining one in advance, while others, who save from the only half-dozen they grow, and these good ones, may, perchance, get one in twenty ; and this applies not only to Cinerarias but to every flower that is raised from seed. t)ii this account purchased seed is useless. A flower in advance of all the rest is worth five, ten, twenty, or fifty pounds, as the case may be. What florist will sell seed likely to produce such ? It is not m human nature to sell chances of this kind. We have tried, ipiite against our own opinion, seed warranted by .\. B. or C of Trimula Sinensis, Calceolaria, I'olyanthus, Blimulus, Pink, and many other subjects, and never procured a move in advance ; and our advice is now to save your own, but save from the best only, and where none but the few you select for the purpose grow. We confess that when we have had seed given to ns as a great favour we have been no forwai'der. The great cause why nursei-ymen and large growers rarely raise gooil new flowers is their being obliged to grow general collections for sale, and, conseiiuently, having great difficulty in saving seed that has not been contaminated by the coarser varieties ; while amateurs will often, from a single pod of good seed, obtain a decided advance, and tbe nurseryman becomes a purchaser. The Horticultural Socictfs Show at Chiswiek, on the 7th, was remarkable for one of those gi-eat collections which now and then come down upon us, as a surprise, from F.xeter. jNIessrs. Vcitch and Son, who have, doubt- less, been quietly acquiring them for years, produced the most superb assemblage of Pitcher Plants, Nepenthes aud Sarracenia, in the world, comprising a vast number of varieties, of the most extraordinary forms, sizes, and colours. Description, however elaborate, could not do justice to thorn ; but as they were the chief objects at the show, so have they been the chief object of conversation since. Messrs. \eitch had a gold medal awarded for them. 174 THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. [June 19. This has, perhaps, been the most ti'ying season we have had for years for all bcclded-out jihints. The frost, sun, and wdnd have in turn done their worst ; and in many good establishments the flower-gardens look poor and miserable, many plants having been all but de- stroyed, and the remainder being scarcely good enough to depend on for the summer. In one place, where a vei-j- pretty geometrical flower-gaxden of twenty-foiu- beds was planted, with the bedding-plants advertised at a shilling a dozen, three-fourths have gone oif altogether. Erysiimmi Peroffskianum, carelessly allowed to seed in a flower-garden, has come u]i like a weed all over the gi'ound, and can hardly be got rid of by ordinary hoeing. We only mention the fact, because the plants, whenever there were any left, have been in bloom some time, and are so vigorous as to appear another vaiiety. The height two feet, and it blooms as large as a waUflo'wer. This will sug- gest autumn solving. Tire Plants in the Conservatory at Ghiswicle are now getting too large for their domicile. A systematic pruning, to keep them within bounds, has been avoided until we fear it is too late to render them subservient and preserve a good form; but the sooner they are reduced the better. Of course we do not allude to the Coniferfe, which are unmanageable, but the others, such as Acacias, Rhododen- drons, Bnigmansias, and many others could have been kept by pruning within reasonable bounds, and preserved in noble form ; the longer they are neglected the worse they will be. Waterer's American Oround at Ghiswicle is just now very attractive, although by no means in full bloom ; some of the most noble specimens are not even showing colour. It is very tastefully laid out. The worst pai-t of the affair is the covering, which is not in keeping witli the superb plants beneath it. The inhabitants of Cheltenham had a chance of esta- blishing one of the finest shows in England, having the advantage of a heavy subscription. But they farmed the exhibition out to private speculators, who tm-ned out one of the worst schedules that was ever [ printed, promised the most ndiculous prizes, cut them down after they were fairly won, and were actually threatened with law proceedings liefore even some of these were paid. It may be improved, but it will never be what ii might have been with good management. Our note npon the Vauxhall Garden Shows should have Ijeen read seventy-five, instead of twenty-five, pounds for prizes. It was an error which occm-red through tlie indistinctness of the copy. To tell against the first show on the IMtb, there is a Grand liiiznar and Fanci/ Fair at llie Royal JToxpi- lal, Chelura, where the six bauds of the household troojis wUl peiform togetlier, forming the must extensive strictly military band that has ever been engaged. The profits of the fete arc to be devoted to the bosijital funds. 'The Surrey Zoological Gardens form a very interesting arboretum. There ai-e many noble specimens, with their names attached ; the only thing to be regretted is that some of them are too close. Considering that there are sometuues twenty thousnnil persons scrambling about there, the condition of tJie gardens IS liigldy creditable to Mr. Patterson, the gardener, llie Panorama is painted S(j that the foliage of the trees forms actually jiart of the scene. At nearly all the Dahlia Shows this year there will bo a class for the best new flowei-s of 1861. It is curious to see bow differently florists and amateurs prepare for the competition, some having thirty or forty new tlowers, one of a sort ; others fix upon the half-dozen which ought to win, and have two or three of a sort. These are extremes ; it is unsafe to tnist to less than nine varieties to cut six blooms, a dozen is better ; for iJahhas, like many olbers flowers, have tlieir seasons, and you may in vain ti'y for a bloom when they are out of condition. E. Y. NEW PLANTS. THEIR PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. Smooth-leaved Centkosolen (Centrosolenia gUihra). — Botanical Magazine, t. 4552. — This genus is a new addition to the order of Gesnerworts (Gesueraceoe), and is closely allied to Gesnera itself, on which the order is founded. It was named by Mr. Bentham, fi-om Kentron, a spur, and solen, a tube, in allusion to the bottom of the tubular flowers ending in a spur-like process. The ti'ue Gesnerworts form but a section of the order. All natives of the American tropics, where many of them lead a half parasitical mode of life, at- taching themselves to the stems and branches of trees, and feeding on the accumulations of dead vegetable matter which collects on the rough bark, or in the arm- pits of lateral branches, whence ai'isos their preference for leaf-moidd, peat, and good drainage, when under cultivation. The subject of our present biography was introduced from La Guayra into the Koyal Botanic Gai'den at Kew, a few years bac](, from Jlr. Wagener, a Gennan collector, who has l)een travelling in South America for some years. It will be sought after for furnishing late autmnnal flowers for the sittuig-room or conservatory, after a season's growth imdcr the influences of stove -beat, jiartiid shade, free ventilation, and a moist atmosphere. We lielieve, howmer, that this, and many other Gesnenvorts, so mucli alilie in their out- ward appearance, and not very striking in tlieir beauty, would never have been retained in select collections wore it not for the late period of the season in which they produce their flowers, the little room they take up in winter, and the ease with whicli tiny may be iucreascd by seeds or cut- tings. AVlien the systi'in nf growing jilnnts in dose glass- cases, in towns, on Mr. Ward's plan, conies to be understood and acted on, this order of Gesnerworts will supply subjects well worthy of the attention of the amateur, for many of them seem, I'rom their " (luasi-parasitical life," to be pecu- liarly fitted to that way of management. June 19.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER 170 C (flahra belongy to the l^-Didifnumiu 'Z-Anyiospermiu class and order of the Liniifean system. It is a stove plaut, erect, and about a foot liigh ; stem, round, succulent, and reddish-brown ; leaves, in jiairs, jet very unequal in size, — ■ one being small and spear-bead-shaped, and the other lai-ge, egg-shaped, and saw-edged, — succulent, and smooth ;_/7oh'(')-s, on short, hairy stalks, rather crowded in between the leaves and the stem ; cuhjx, five-lobed, tipped wilh pm-ple, rather hairy, fom- lobes equal-sized, but the filth much smaller, and bent back by the spiir of the cnrol/a ; tliis is tubular, enlarged upwards, and fiAe-lobed at the mouth, pale yellowish-white. Cuttings root readily without the aid of a bell-glass. B. J. THE ERUIT-GARDEN. Causes of the Prevalence of Insects. — ^It is vt^ry common for folks to blame tlie east wind for a blight, &c. or to term a tree infested with the lilliputiau enemies, " struckeu," as the good couutiy people l«;re, iu Cheshire, do. All these terms luiglit be fairly merged into one, to save farther trouble, and that " the inex- plk'ithh." It is a custom to apply tlie term struckeu to animals, in these parts ; for wlieii a verj' vii'iileut intlammation (which probably had been smoulderuig some days iu the viscera of the animal), at last bursts forth into a mani- fest blaze, apptu-ently beyond the help of man ; this the holders of the precise oi)inions of many generations term " strucken." in such a case, as we take it, the house has been on fire many hours before the engines arrived, and, as the Irishman observed, "were just in time to be too late." Let no one, therefore, in an im- patient mood, give up these things, liJve the Turkish fatalist. Our gracious Creator has placed few mere material matters entirely beyond the reach of man, and to come to the gist of this question, we would re- spectfully suggest, tluit in three-fourths of insect in- vasions, as healing on the culture of fruit-trees, whether iu-doors or out — the cause — the remote cause, it maj' he — must be souglit for in the conditions of ruot culture. E.Ktreme drought, stagnation of corrupted moisture, and leathery kind of adhesiveness in the soil, are amongst the principal of the evils to which we would now direct attention. Drought may occur through shallow soils, through soils being too light or saudy, or from too much of porous materials being combined in their te.\ture. Now, it is almost needless to observe, that drought at the roots of a plant or tree must act iu a way somewhat analogous to partiid starvation iu the animal system. , . „ Vital energy, is. doubtless, much reduced ; the absorption | older, by the red spider, if they are pot-bound, and no by the roots is much less active and copious; and by a ~" ' "' -i"'-- '■ ■■ ' -*■ —■.•--■ 'I'l.., ^.,.^^ ,,..i„r., l)arity of reasoning, the elaborated secretions must be thicker, sweeter, and more viscid, consequently, slug- gish. It is manifest, theu, that it is something more than the mere (iscendimj sap that insects in general seek from fruit-trees, as witness the position iu which they are for the most part found — viz., the bark of the leaf. Hence, then, it becomes plain, that since the insect tribes most infect under a torpidity of the vital action, the cause must be sought mainly iu the root ; and this brings us up to tlie iiuestion of mechanical texture in the soil, of which more in due time. Stagnation oi' Gorrupteu Moisture may arise from at least three causes. Tlie soil in which a tree is planted, be it ever so fine in its own nature, may be recumbent on a bed of clay ; or, what is much worse, on a " moss-pot ; " or it may itself be of too adhesive a character ; and, moreover, may have been originally handled wlien in a wet state, and this will spoil tlie texture of even a fine soil. Many persons, in making stations, or borders, for trees, prosecute the work with such an eager impetuosity, that the very point of all others on which a petmauouce of suooess should be based is lost siglit of iu the turmoil. Good soil is proeui-ed, drainage secured, &c., &c., and so faa' so good ; when, forsooth, a wet period supervenes, and instead of the work standing over until the new compost had emptied itself again, it must be tilled iu, and the work completed. Now this done, tlie surface finished, and all dressed otf stylishly above, how many would feel annoyed at some old practical telling them their labour would never prove thoroughly satisfactory ! " Oh, these fussy gardeners !" might be tlie secret ejaculation of the instant ; "who ever can understand them'.'" But gardening is not learnt iu a day, a week, or a year : aud, however valuable science may be, this is au art iu which e.'cperience carries as iiiucli weight as in any one that can lie named. To return : Stagnation fho.m a ueh ok Ci.av, as the substratum, generally happens when the surface of that clay or inaii is on a dead level. In sucli case, the siu'plus water cannot drain otf fast enough ; aud the tree being glutted, a torpidity in the fibres takes place, aud it may be rot. Tlie other case — Stagnation from a bed of Moss, or, what are practically termed, moss-pots, is still more pre- judicial ; inasmuch as the moss is more absorbent aud retentive in its own natiu-e. It is sciu'cely reipiisite to add, that no appliance can bo expected to inove thorougldy curative in the latter case. "Tbe midden must be removed ui order to get rid of the Mushrooms." It will now seem strange to some persons to observe, that all those cases meet nearly iu a point as to the question with which we set out. viz., the influence of the soU below, as bearing on the insect tribes above. Tor- pidity of root-action in the wet soils, and a state of leaujuess, or partial starvation, iu the hot and dry ones, for a time paralysed the absorbent powers, and a less watery condition of sap iu the system of tlie ti'ee is the sure result. To digress for a moment ; we would here beg our readers not to conlbuud the influence of gross mauurial matter with the absorption of oriUuary fluids through the agency of the roots. It is not au un- common thing to find writers asserting that then- peach or other fruit-trees were too gross, through being placed in too wet a soil, or having roots too deep. It is not, however, excess of mere moisture which produces luxu- riance, but artificial mauurial matters in the soil, at depths never liable to become anyways dry, which throws fruit-trees into what may lie aptly termed a gouty con- dition. We will quote a ease or two in point. The Thunbenjia family, especially ((lata and its varieties, if ever so free from insects, whilst growing freely aud in a young state, invariably become attacked, when ' ' ' ' w and then sufl'er tor want of water. The same, indeed, may be said of Cinerarias, "V'crbenas, and a host of in- door things, which lay more within the province of the able writer of tbe Cireenhouse and Window Oaideniug, and who, doubtless, can speak to endless cases of the kiud. In fact, the cleanUness iu exhibition matters of these days, as weU as by consequence, the healthful luxu riance, manifest hi all " show " matters, is, in the main, attributable to the fact, that torpidity of root action finds no place iu tbe vocabulary of those jierse- vering gentlemen, unless it be the annual rest or cessa- tion of action in both root and branch which some plants reijuire. In the Kitchen, or Fruit-garden, too, numberless are the cases where the same thing is manifest. An apple- tree is transplanted of some size, and the top but sliglitly pruned; ten to one this tree is the prey of the aphides, the scale, or the red spider, during the succeeding sum- mer, unless special means are taken to prevent it ; and the Plum, the Black Currant, &c., are overtaken with drought iu a warm and loose soil, immediately they are sinotbered with aphides. We have written thus much to pavo the way to a full appreciation ol' such moaus 176 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 10. whuth we will presently point to, but enough of cases: our business is to incite cultivators to increased obser- vations whilst it is the season for such things ; to learn to trace from cause to effect, or vice rer.M, as the case may be; and this once habitual, no trouble will appear too great to the ardent cultivator to secure thriving and creditable crops. Talk of trouble, indeed; the old pro- verb may apply here — " lazy folks take most pains." And, indeed, when we see a man driven to take up his trees and replant them, with sundry other matters twice or thrice done, one is tempted to apply this proverli. However, the fault is, that more err through ignorance than sheer idleness. In thus handling the afl'air, it was our purpose to show the immense benefits to be derived froni summer- mulching, and a liberal and timely application of liquid- manure in urgent cases. Such may be made to benefit most fruit-trees in their hour of need. To clean the shoots of the trees with tobacco, &c., althoiigh of much use for awhile, is but a temporizing expedient, and cannot alone prove satisfactory in the end. Those of the readers of The Cott.\ge Gahdener, therefore, who suspect their trees ai-e languishing through the causes here described, will do well to apply six inches of good rotten manure, immediately following with a thorough soaking of water, if the ground be dry. Where unusually heavy crops of fruit exist, such is especially beneficial, and the watering should be re- peated at intervals, even adding liquid-manures, soap- suds, and soot-water if at hand. In addition, let us advise that the leaves of the trees be kept clear of insects and free from impiu'ities, and that all luiuecessary breast- spray about the lower jiro'ts of fruit-trees be kept luider by stopping ; such, too often diverts the sap into useless channels, to the detriment of the true-bearing wood. R. Errington. THE FLOWER-GARDEN. Annuals. — From the middle of May to the turn of MidsTunmer, the flower-gardens pl.auted after the good old fashion — that is, borders filled with herbaceous jilauts, and annuals in patches here and there — are, or should be, in their prime of beauty ; Roses and Rose Bays, or Rhododendrons, come in in succession, and, after them. Hollyhocks, Dahlias, Michaelmas daisies, Golden rods, and Sunflowers carry on to the end of the autumn. Xow-a-days, however. Midsummer is, perhaps, the less gay time of the whole season, under the system of massing plaiUs igh it, from the under side. Its colours are, in such a position, of a truly unique character. The flowers are small and white. D. I'URPiTREA (Purple-leaved D.) : East Indies. — The foliage of this species is of an uniform purple chocolate colour. In form much like the preceding species. The flowers are white and inconspicuous. Culture. — To grow these fine-foliaged plants to the greatest perfection, a tan-bed, of moderate temperature to plunge the pots in, will he advantageous. Soil : loam, peat, and leaf-mould, in equal parts. Increase by cut- tings of the roots, stem, and young tops. Bij Roots. — Take an old plant, turn it out of the pot, and cut oft' some of the tliiekest roots. Cut these again into lengths, two or three inches long, preserving all the fibres belonging to each ; place them round the edges of a five-inch pot, in the compost recommended above for tlie plants. Let the top of the roots be just level with the soil ; plunge them in a hot-bed, and give a gentle watering. They will soon form buds, shoots, and new roots, and may then be potted oft' singly into small pots. Bg Cuttings of the Stan. — If the stems luive attained any length, and it is desirable to increase the number of plants, cut them down to within six inches of the soil. Cut the stem into short pieces, two inches long, and plant these pieces round the edges of the pots, and manage them like the cuttings of the roots. These make nice plants even more qiuckly than cuttings of the roots. The young top may also be put in as a cutting, but will require to be placed under a hand or bell-glass. DiEWENBACHiA jiAGULATA (Sjiotted-leavcd D.) ; South 180 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. rJuNE 19. America. A robust-growing sliruli, witli large leaves, beautifully spotted and blotched with white. Allied to Caladium. CiiUtirc. — Requires the constant lieat of the stove. Soil : sandy loam and peat in equal parts. Drain the pots well, as tliis plant will not bear the least stagnant moisture round its roots. Increased by cuttings of the young tops placed under a large bell-glass in heat. Ei.EODKXDRON Indicu.m (Indian E.) ; East Indies. — Leaves dark green, beautifully spotted. The rib of the leaf is red. The foliage is large and handsome, and the jdant forms a handsome bush four or five feet high. Flowers inconspicuous. Requires the heat of the stove. Soil, peat and loam in eijual parts. Increased by cut- tings placed under a bell-glass in beat. En.iNTHKMUM i.EucoN'ERVOM (White-uerved E.) ; New Grenada. — The foliage of this new plant is really beauti- ful, eqi.ial almost to an Ancectochilun, every vein being pure white, and the rest of the leaf a beautiful light green. It is of an exceeding dwarf habit, and the foliage spreads over the pot. The flowers are pure white, but small. Culture. — It requires the constant beat of the stove. Soil, light fibrous loam and sandy peat, in equal parts. The pots must be well drained, as it is rather impatient of moisture. Increased by cuttings and seed. The cut- tings must be put in sand, under a bell-glass, and plunged ill a gentle heat. Tlie seed should be saved as soon as it is ripe and sown in March. The cuttings must be potted off' as soon as they have made roots ; for if they remain too long in the cutting pot the roots will peiisli. The seedlings should be potted of!', when they have made their second leaf, singly, into the smallest sized pots, and repotted as they require it. On account of its snug growth and beautiful foliage, this plant is worthy of being in every collection HoY.v cAiiNos.v noiA (Painted thiok-leaved H.) — A hybrid. H. cAiiNos.i vARiEGATA (Variegated thick-leaved H.). — These two distinct variegated varieties of the old H. carnom have been introduced lately from the Continent, and are very pleasing, with their beautifully-coloin'ed leaves. The former has, in the centre of the leaf, a large blotch of creamy-white, whilst the edges of the leaf are of the usual colour. The latter, on the contraiy, has the variegation on the edges of the leaf, while the centre is of the green colour. Both ai-e beautiful and equally worth growing. Culture. — The coolest part of the stove, with a full exposure to light, is the right position for them. Soil : loam and peat, with a fi-ee admixture of old lime-rub- bisli. Tliis will assist in keeping up the distinct and vivid variegation. They may be increased by cuttings of the stem, by a leaf, witli a bud at its base, or even by a leaf alone, without the bud. The first makes plants the quickest. Put the cutting in sand, and give no water till a callosity is formed at the bottom of eacli cutting, or leaf: then give a little to encourage tlie roots to jmsh forth, and the shoots to start and grow ; then ]iot them off' into small pots, and contiiuially keep them rather under-potted. In too large pots, or with too much heat and moisture, they are apt to lose their beautiful variegation. T. Api'leby. (To he continued.) PLOllISTS' FLOWERS. MR. GLENNY ON FLORISTS' FLOWERS. At the Socieli/for the -Encouragement of Floriculture, Mr. (^luclch [iroduced the only novelties wortli men- tioning, a Jii/lildwen 7'uliji, with deep, dark feather, and the ground as clear and pure as suow. Tlic flower had fallen, hut it was considered a very beautiful flower. It was broken from ilr. Jeffrey's breeders, and, therefore, its origin cannot he traced, as he had breeders of every- body. A second flower from the same source was ex- hibited. The white, pure ; shape, good ; and the mark- ings, that remarkable mousey-coloiu' which distinguished some of Mr. Rutley's breeders. This was named Dr. ■SV»»rize. It is a semi-double variety, of a lake colour, and appears a very likely thing to make a splendid bedding plant. It is like a geranium in every particular, and has no more appearances of a cross than any other we possess. It seems, too, an abundant bloomer. It was raised by Mr. Cole, gardener to ilr. Wilmore, near Birmingham. There is nothing in its form or texture to recommend it, but the colour is new. G. G. FLORISTS' FLOWERS CULTURE. C.MiNATioxs AXD PicoTEES. — These beautiful summer flowers will now be advancing rapidly towards blooming. If not already furnished with support for the flower- stems, no time should be lost in applying it. The best sticks ai'e made of deal, sharpened at the lower, and gradually tapering to the upper end. They may be either round or square. We prefer the latter, for a reason hereafter to be mentioned. They should have a coat of lead-coloured paint first, and then one of green. Painted of this colour they assimilate better with the colour of the stems. Their length should be at least three feet, which will allow six inches to be thrust into the soil, and ai feet out. This height is desirable, for though the flower-stems seldom rise so high, yet a support is re- quired for each flower, formed with a piece of wire with a hooked end for the flower to rest on, and it will be found the end to be fastened into the stake should be a little above the flower, in order to place it in the best position to be seen. Tie the stem to each stalk witli the same precaution as described last week for the Pink — that is, loosely, for if tied tightly to the support, there is the same liability to form knees, which will certainly cause the stem in time to snap oft' at the node where the tie is so tight. The green fly will be very likely now to attack these plants. The best remedy is a syringing or two of tobacco water, and the way to make it, is to steep the strongest tobacco in water. Three ounces to a gallon will be strong enough. Let it macerate in the water for a few days, squeezing the tobacco two or three times with the hand to bring out all the strength. Apply it with a fine-rosed syringe. If the insects congregate in the scales round the buds, dip these in the water, holding them in a few seconds to be certain the insects get a sufficient dose of it. This is best done some calm even- ing. In the morning syringe again, rather strongly, with pure water, to wash oft' the dead or half killed insects. Repeat this again in a day or two, if they are not all killed the first time. To have these flowers in the highest perfection, and to enjoy tlieir beauty for the longest possible time, it is best to place them under a shelter of canvass upon a platform, just high enough to bring the flowers near to the eye. The height of the platform should be from a foot to fifteen inches. If lower, the spectator would have to stoop to examine the flower, and if higher, he would only see the edges. The frame to support the canvass should be in the form of a house — that is, with two upright sides, and a roof sloping two ways, with a long piece of square wood, and rafters five feet apart, let into it. These should reach down to two beams, supported by pillars, to form the sides. Two rollers, the length of the stage, should be provided to : fasten the canvass to, with a wheel at the ends to hold \ the cord, by which the rollers are drawn up and let down. This shelter must be used to protect the blooms from rain and bright sunshine. If this mode is too expensive, or inconvenient, caps of either canvass or oiled paper may be used, and will answer the purpose tolerably well. These caps must be formed of a wire frame, covered with either paper or canvass, with a hole in the centre, to rest upon the top of the stakes. They should come low enough down the stake to protect the blooms eft'ectnally, without actually touching them. Though a tolerable substitute for a regular stage, they are by no means either so perfect, or so useful, for every time the flowers are exandned they will have to be lifted ofl'; a rather tedious operation where a lai'ge collection is cul- tivated. On the other hand, if the pro])er stage is erected, the flowers can be constantly seen without any trouble, and every necessary attention given to them instantly. Water must, of course, be given regularly, in sufficient quantities to support the growth of the plants, and no more, for too much will be as injinious as too little. It is impossible to give precise du-ections on this point, so much depends upon the weather, and the robust or weak state of the plant ; it may, however, be remarked, and laid down as a rule, never to give water till the surface of the soil is dry, and this more particularly nnist be attended to when the plants are weak or sickly. Syringing may be practised with beneficial results, the chief of which is the cleansing tlie foliage from dust and dirt. The paths, also, it will be desirable to sprinkle occasionally with water, to lay the dust, and give off' a cool moistiu'e to the air ; this may be done every day, and two or three times a day dining dry, hot weather. Stirring the soil. If the surface of the soil, from fre- quent waterings, or any other cause, becomes hard, or appears sour or mossy, it should be stirred well up with a very small fork, using due care not to injure or disturb the roots. If the soil has sunk much below the edge of the pots, a fresh coat after the forking will be useful, and will give a neat, cleanly appearance to the plants. No weeds should ever be allowed to push beyond the seed-leaf. Thinning the biah. — Whenever the buds exceed three they should be reduced to that number, and on weak plants one will be sufficient. Tliis thinning should be ])erformcd early, in order to throw the whole strength of the stem into the remainder. As the buds begin to swell, they must have a ring put round each, to prevent them bursting sideways or irregularly. See Pink culture in the last week's number. Directions on layering next week. T. Appceby. THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. Asp.\RAGns. — Finish cutting from those plants which have been cut from this year for the first time, and allow the spi-ew, or small shoots, to grow on the old beds. Keep a thoroughly open surface, never allowing a weed to be seen, watching for every available oppor- tunity of applying slight dredgiugs of salt, and if a little Guano and charred-dust can be given alternately, so much the more will be added to the vigorous growth of the Asparagus. This is the sure mode of laying a good foundation for another year's produce; for a luxuriant sunnner's growth is insured by abundance of strong buds on the crowns. No one would think of applying salt, Guano, or liquid manure, in hot, parching weather. Advantage should, at all times, be taken of applying 182 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 19. tliem either at the commencement of rain, that it may be immediately waslied in and incorporated with the soil about the roots, when their immediate effect will be visible. It' dry weather should prevail for a considerable time, and it is deemed necessary to give the Asparagus some assistance, take advantage of cloudy weather ; and if applied at night so much the better. If the manures are sprinkled on the surface of the soil when diy, this should at once be well scarified, and then well soaked with water. In dry weather, particularly, we prefer applying Guano and other easily dissolving manures in a liquid state, aud then to wash it in with abundance of water, in order that it should be well extended to tlie ex- treme points of the roots. Never apply water by dribb- lets or iu a manner to surface bind tlie soil, but give a good soaking, and have done with it for a time. Cauliflovveiis and C.\pe liiiocor.i shoidd be sown again, and a succession of plants put out between Peas, or in jiartially sliaded situations. If the eauUtlower-root grub is troublesome, which often is the case for tlie ne.xt two months, particularly if hot, dry weather prevails, apply soot-water and soaji-suds, incorporated together, pretty liberally. Besides destroying those pests it is a famous stimulant to the plants. Peas. — Make another sowing of some favourite variety of late Pea, after which some of the early kinds should be sown for autumn production. All strong-growing, tall, late, or summer Peas should be mulched over their roots, and if dry weatlier prevails, aliundance of water should be applied. Hummer showers have but little good effect ; indeed, showery, foggy weather, when the Peas are dry at their roots, produces the mildew, where- as, if kept moist and cold at the bottom, they continue MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. PHLOXES. These beautiful flowers, which eveiy cottager ami amateur may grow as well as the best gardener in the world, deserve siieli attention, because tlieir culture is easy, and their flowers handsome, graceful, and of almost every sliade. The plan I adopt, when cleaning our borders in the spring, is to have those old plants that have been in tlie border fcjr years, thinned out to five single stems. Tliese five we allow to grow unsupported till tliey are about to show their flowers, when we make a hooj) of hazel, or willow, or snowberry, or wire, anything tliat will bend, and make a lioop of about a foot or fifteen inches diameter, and we put a bar across it. The strongest of the five stems we put in the centre of the ring, and the other four we tie round the ring, by which means the flower stems support the hoop, and tlie hoop keeps them in their respective places ; for they are tied to the hoop with a good fresh piece of bast, not too much twisted, but well wetted before using. This arrange- ment is very neat, and not the least otfensive to the eye ; whUst we have seen a dozen, or perhaps more, stems all bouiirl together to one stake, and instead of seeing one fine head of bloom, you looked on a confused mass ; but the ring prevents this by keeping tliem iu their jdaces till the last. I have the boops made of rods not much tliieker than the stem of the Phlox. Tlio portions of the Phloxes re- moved we jiut in as cuttings in pots, and tiiey are rooted in about fourteen days. Tliese we plant as suiglc plants among our roses, and they come into bloom after the roses are over in August, September, or Uelober. I have often seen the Gladiolus recommended for this purpose, and it does very well, but we like the Pldoxes better. These we plant at about 11 yard apiu-t eaeb way. ^\'e select Ibo late-flowering ones lor tliis purpose ; tlie dark and most choice sorts we place in the centre, as that is the greatest distance from the beholder; and those with the fine delicate colours, such as f'oft Hoiilli, liiitbriijht, Bicvhr, and the like, of which the beauty cannot be admired if much beyond a yard from the eye, we place at the side of the bed. But if we were to have scented ones, such as Antacjonist, of beautiful large white form, and extraordinary perfume, we would place them near the edge also. We have tried diflerent soils, — peat, rotten turf, and leaf- mould; but we found that Phloxes grow as well in common garden soil, made rich with very decayed dung, aud they will be much the better for a little liquid-mamu-e. This makes the foliage darker green, and the flowers of brighter colour. I should have said that nhen we make cuttings we have them from two to three inches long, cut close to a joint by a sharp knife, and plunged in any of the frames at work for cucumbers or melons. We struck a lot in a box in the following very simple way. I had no room iu our frames, so I bad a box about eighteen inches long by twelve inches wide, and about six inches deep; put an inch and a half of crocks over the bottom ot the box. and sjiread a little moss on the top of the crocks. I then put about three inches of sand over the moss, and dibbled in the cultings very firmly, aud gave a little water. I then made a hole about two feet scpiare in a heap of soil lying for otber pur- poses, and filled it with about a barrow-load of dung, some leaves, and short grass, not exceeding three barrow-loads iu all; I then placed the box on the top, and drew llie mould over and up to the box, and put two long squares of glass on the top of the box, and the next day the material had begun to lieat, which we fancied was rather strong tlie fourth day; but on trying the thermometer it was about 70°, which we were iiuito content with. Sixteen days after I began to think they might be rooted, and upon trying to draw one up 1 found it firm. I then put a trowel in, aud raised two of them, which had roots about an inch long. I then tof>k otf the glass, aud let them stand without a cover all day, throw- ing a mat over them at night. We never allow Phloxes to grow vigorously, blossom, and produce fine pods for a long time, and escape the mildew. We occasionally, also, apply good soakings of liquid manure. We always have our Peas at great distances from row to row, or, indeed, sow them as shelter and shade for the other various summer crops. One row of a good variety of Pea thus sown, so as to enjoy the light aud air on all sides, mulched aud assisted by alunidance of water, will produce an immense quantity of fine pods, and coutinue to grow and bear a long time ; besides a single row | does not aftbrd such harbour for troublesome birds, &c., ; as they do wlien in rows a few feet from each other. ' SoATii.ET-BUNNER Beans may be dwarfed by pinching ; oil' the ends of the shoots to any desired height, or they may be encouraged to grow to a greater height, to afford ' shade or sheltci', by surface-mulching aud the application I of liquid-manure. ! Dwarf-kidney Beans, where vigorous growth is en- , couraged, should either have a jiieoe of ropeyarn run up 1 on each side of every row, and i'astened to stakes, or a few tops of pea sticks, or other kiud of brushwood, placed to prevent the wind from injuring them. Routine. — Plant again, and sow a fidl crop of Cole- icoris : make a small sowing of Turnips, and apply plenty of water occasionally to growing crops, or they \vill be hard, strong, and sticky; sow a few Rampions on a shady, cold situation ; sow a few Horn Carrots, to have young in succession ; choose shower)' or cloudy weather for commeuoiug planting out full crops of winter Brocoli, Borecole, Brussels Sprouts, and Savoys. Such things may be planted between Peas, Beans, &c., which will, for a time, aftbrd them partial shade. James Bahnes. JnNE 19.] THE COTTAGE GAKDENER. 1S3 to remain more than one year in the Rosary, ami prefer cuttings, as we never found old stools dc so well as cuttings among the roses. We sometimes put in a Salvia fidycns amongst the roses — for that, also, looks gay in September — when we want sometliing lively ; for then our llosaiy looks dull, as we liave none of the late-flowering I'oses. 1). D. SEEDLING FLOWERS AT THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY, EECIENT'S PARK. We have never seen such a display of new Pelmrjoniwms as were at tlie Royal Botanical Society's Show, on the llfh ; there must have been scores, if not hundreds. In ihefaiicj class, which we do not judge by such rigid rules as the ordinary show dowers, there was an immense variety. The most remarliable were, Ai/rts's Advancer, a line deep colour, good form, and plenty of substance, received a ceitilicate, and deserved it ; Atlvnnccr is a good name, for it is better than Formosa ; his Gipsy Queen, pretty, spotty, and criimply, was not so good ; it had some sort of distinction, called a third prize. Ambrose's Siiperha, a brownish-red, with rosy under petals, was very ijretty, and, in tlie present state of fancy varieties, deserved a certificate which was awarded ; his Captivation, which also had a certificate, did not deserve it; there was no compactness, it was, moreover, a dull colour ; and Trianiph. /'niHe), says, in answer to the query of Eliza L , at p. 105, that he has often heard the Arum, or Calla eihiopica, called "the Trumpet Lily." Gardening Watering Engine (i>. T. E.). — The Barrow Watering Enghify which you will find drawn and described in the 23rd number of The Cottage Gnrdenern* Dictionary, is the best "to save labour" in watering a small flower-garden. They are expensive— about Jiih ; but we cannot recommend makers. They must advertise. Much less can we recommend servants ; a gardener who will do all you require in-doors, &c., is not easily found. Names of Plants {J. S.). — Your plant is a Melaleuca, and, we think, M. lanceolata. If you know any Fellow of the Horticultural Society who has a ticket of the July sliow to spare, you may obtain it for 3s. 6d. ; but to buy one on the day of the exhibition will cost seven shillings. (C. O.). — Your greenhouse climber is Kennedt/a nigricans, (T. P. L.). — Your specimen is too small, but we think it is the Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris, (Frank), — Yours is the Great Bistort, or Snakeweed, Poly- gonum bistorta. It is rather uncommon, though found in some place in most English counlics. Fuchsia Buds Dropping (T. P. L. and C. J. P.).— The almost invariable cause of this is the root action, and the action of the sap vessels in the buds and their footstalks not being duly balanced. If the roots are kept warm and moist, and the buds shaded Irom mid-day sun- shine, and in a moist air, the buds will not fall. The Caterpillar — Gooseberry Bushes. — A lady correspondent at Dunoon says — " It may not be generally known, that at tliis season of the year, when the caterpillar is making its appearance on the gooseberry bushes, a piece of whin (Furze) in full flower, placed in the middle of the bush, will effectually destroy them. This is the second year it has been tried by the writer with the same beneficial result." — Greenock Advertiser, London: Printed by Harry Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William Somervillb Orr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Pariah of Christ Church, City of London.— June J9th, 1851 ^iJbcrttSfmeuti^. A HAND-BOOK of BRITISH ll FERNS; containing scientific, and full popular descriptions, with engravings of all the native Ferns, with instructions for their culture. By Tno:uAs Moore, F.L.S., Curator of the Chelsea Botanic Garden. Price 5s, in neat cloth. London: Geoombridge Sc Sons; and W. Pamplin. N^ [KW EDITIONS OF POPULAR WORKS. In post 9vo., cloth, gilt, price 6s 6d, WALKERS MANLY EXEKCISES. Instructions in Hiding, Hunting, Shooting, Walliing, Running, Leaping, Vaulting, Swim- ming, Rowing, Sailing, and Driving. Edited and enlarged by Craven. With numerous Illustrutions. In post 8iio., rloth, gilt, price 5s, BECHSTEINS CHAMHKU BIRDS ; their Natural History and iManagement. With very numerous Woodcuts of Birds, Cages, &c. In post 8wo., rloth, gilt, price 5s, WHITES NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIKS OF SELBORNE. With copious Notes by I\Ir. Blytii, a Map of the Locality, and numerous Illustrations of the Animals and Scenery described. New Edition. Jn small ifo., cloth, gilt, price Ss 6(/, CLVRKS nUAWlNG AND I'AINT- ING IN WATER COLOURS; containing examjjlcs of J>rawing in Landscape, Flower Painting, Miniature ami Historical Painting, in various stages of finish, with directions for imitating them. London: Wm, S, Orr Si Co., Amen-Cornen INDUSTRY and HUMANITY, versus PLUNDER and MURDER.— X MARRIOTT'S NEW BEE-HIVE for the humane management of honey bees is the best for real practical utility, each hoop finely worked upon straw, the hoop of the top, or cover hive, fits over the hoop of the nether, or stock hive, which has three glass windows, ventilator, and thermo- meter for regulating the temjierature, and cither three or four bell-glasses, for taking the finest quality of the fruit of industry at the height of honey gathering without the least injury to the bees. Taylor's new Shallow Box Hives, with or without bars, two adapting boards, &c. i'aylor's Amateur Bar Hive, Nutt's Collateral and other Hives. A Descriptive Engraving, with Priced Catalogue, posted for two penny stamps. MARRIOTT'S Humane Bee-Hive Factory, 74, Grace- church Street. BEE HIVES, as sliown at tl.e GREAT EXHIBITION of 1851, by GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SON, 127, High Holhorn, London. No, 1. Nutt's Collateral Hive. 2. Improved Single Box-Hive. :i. Taylor's Amateur's Bar-Hive. 5. Neighbour's Improved Cottage Hive, working Three or Five Glasses. 7. The Ladies' Observatory Hive, &c., &c. A Priced Cata- logue, with drawings and ]>artitulars, forwarded on receipt of Two Stamps. Agents.— Liverpool : W.m. Dru by, Castle-street. IVIanchcBter : Hall and Wilson, fiO, King-street, Glasgow: Austin and McAslin, I68, Trongate. June ^6.] THE COTTAGE GABDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 18:-) Mi W d; d JUNE 28— JULY 2, 1851. 26;Th j Mushrooms seen. 27 F Broom Rape flowers. 28 S QOEEN \^icTORi.i's Coronation 1818. 29 Son 2 Sunday after Tr. St. Peter. 30 M Hoary Beetle seen. I 1 To Oxford Act. Caoib. Com. 2 W_ Red Evebright flowers. Weather near London in 1850. Barometer. Thermo. Wind. Rain in In I IP-OM — 99.9191 75—51 29.989 — 29.913. 87—47 ao.ord- 29.991; 76—48 30.079 — 29.919 73—55 so. 156 — 39.916 63—35 ,30.160-29.921' 79—57 39.999 — 29.964 1 73—55 w. s.w. jN.W. 3. I ' N.E. ' , S.W. I 1 w. Sun Sun Moon 1 Rises. Sets. R.&S. 46 a. 3 19 a. 3 2 3 ' 46 19 2 .35 47 19 3 13 47 19 sets. 48 13 9 a 26 48 18 10a 8 49 18 10 41 Moon*3 Clock Age. bef. Sun, 27 , 2 21 2S 2 34 29 ' 2 46 '^ 2 r.9 3 11 2 i 3 23 3 3 34 ( Day of Year. 177 178 J 79 180 181 182 183 Theee was a time, "long, longajo," when the students of our Inns of i Court, before they were entrusted to defend the property, the life, or the I reputation of their fellow-men, had to undergo some qualifying tutorship i and discipline. In those daya of common sense, "afterdinner and supper," | says a contemporary writer, " the students and learners in the house, sit I together by three and three in company, and one of the three putteth forth some doubtful question in the law, to the*)thertwo of his company, ' and they reason and argue unto it in English, and, at last, he that putteth forth the question declareth his mind, also showing unto them the better opinion of his book; and tliis do the students observe every day throughout the year, except on festival days." Now, this discipline did not at all consort with the tastes of two classes of " the apprentices of the law ; " those against whom the Benchers aimed the order '* that there be no drinking of healths, nor any wine or tobacco uttered within the house ; " and that equally large section who accept, literally, the Lord Chancellor's advice to read Don Quixote, as a preparation fur the pro- fession. Of this last class — those who indulge in any mental occupation rather than such as is applicable to the labours of Westminster Hall- was Sir Hugh Platt ; he was a lawyer without law, and, consequently, it is to be hoped, without practice. In the title page of more than one of his books, he is styled "of Lincoln's Inn, gentleman," aud he probably resided in St. Martin's Lane, for there he tells us was his garden. Yet he was as unfixed in his residence, as he was volatile in his schemes and inventions, for at one time he had a country house near Copt Hall, in Kasex ; whilst in 1591, he lived at Bishop's Hall, in fliiddlesex, and had an estate near St. Albans. We can arrive at no nearer date as to the period of his death, than that he was alive in Idoa, when some of his volumes issued from the press, and was dead when fllr. Charles Belling- ham edited another, in 1653. This gentleman was probably Sir Hugh's I son-in-law, fur he speaks of him as '' a great searcher after all sorts of | j knowledge — to whom I had so near alliance," and with some unction Sir ' ' Edward Coke considers it " a special blessing of Almighty God, that few , I or none of the profession die without will, and without child 1 " Be this | as it may, and without stopping to consider whether if Coke himself was t blessed with a child, the blessing extended to his management of his off- spring, we may pass on to consider Sir Hugh Platt as an author, nor need this detain us long. Mr. Weston, in his Catalogue of Authors on rural affairs, considers Sir Hugh " the most ingenious husbundman of the age he lived in," which may be consonant with truth, but is a conclusion Rfr. Weston could not have derived legitimately from Sir Hugh's publications. Those which relate to the culture of the soil are Dirt'rs soils fur ma- nuring pasture and amble land, published in 1 594. 'The Jewel House of I art and nature, in the same year ; his New found art of setting corn, without a date ; and Florae's Paradise, beautified and adorned with sundry sorts of deliraie fruits and Jlowers, hi/ H. P. knight, in l608. He was then residing at Bethnall Green, for his preface is subscribed "Bednall Green, near London, this 2d of .Tuly, ifiori. H. Platt, miles " It is probable that he did not long survive this publication, for he tells his readers that though "not knowing the length of my days, nay, assuredly knowing that they are drawing to their period," he resolved to make known at once the results of his experience. In this work, and in the others we have mentioned, although he gives some experiments of his own, yet they are chiefly relations of the experience of others. We re- strict this criticism to his observations and directions for the cultivation of crops, in which the most important points which he urged on the grower's attention were dibbling in the seed, and improving the staple of lands by the admixture of soils. The Garden of Eden, of which the first part, a mere rejirint of Florae's Paradise, appeared in l6.^3, ami the second part in ItiSo, are only from the posthumous papers of Sir Hugh. Beaides the above works, he also published in l603, A new, cheap, and delicate fre of Coal-balls, and we find Evelyn saying. " I send you a short treatise concerning Metals of Sir Hugh Piatt's." Ingenious in all he suggested, yet he complains, " I write to all, but scarcely one believes ; " and he therefore sought another audience in a pocket volume, entitled Delights for Ladies to adorn their persons, tables, closets, and distilla- tories, with beauties, bouquets, perfumes, and waters. This last of his works appeared in I6t)8, and is prefaced with this by no means unpoetical address. "TO ALL TRUE LO\'ERS OF ARTE AND KNOWLEDGE. Sometimes I write the formes of burning balles. Supplying wants that were by woodfaU wrought : Sometimes of tubs defended ss by arte, As fire in value hath their destruction sought : Sometimes I write of la.sting beverage, Great Neptune and his pilgrims to content ; Sometimes of food, sweet, fresh, and durable, To maintaine life, when all things els were spent ; Sometimes I write of sundrie sorts of soile. Which neither Ceres nor her hand-maides knew. I write to all, but scarsly one heleeves, Save Dii's and Denshire, who have found them true. When heavens did mourne in cloudie mantles clad, And threatened famine to the sonnea of meri : When sobbing earth denied her kindly fruit To painfull ploughman and his hinds ; even then I write relieving remedies of dearth, That Arte might helpe where Nature made a faile : But all in vain, these new-borne babes of arte In their untimely birth straitway do (luaile. Of these and such-like other new-found skils. With painefall pen I whilome wrote at large, E.xpecting still my countries good therein, And not respecting labour, time or charge. But now my pen and paper are perfum'd, I scorne to write with coppress, or with gall ; Barbarian canes are now become my quils, Rosewater is the inke I write withall. Of sweetes the sweetest I will now commend, To sweetest creatures that the earth doth beare : These are the Saints to whome I sacrifice Preserves and conserves both of plum and peare. Empaling, now adieu ! tush, marchpane wals Are strong enough, and best befits our age: Let pearcing bullets turne to sugar bals, The Spanish feare is husht, and all their rage. Of marmalade and paste of Genua, Of musked sugar I intend to write, Of leach, of suckct and quidinia, Aff"ording to each lady her delight. By fancie framde wliitin a theorique braine. ftly Rluse presents unto your sacred cares. To win your favours falsely I disdainc ; From painfull practise, from experience, A sound, though costly mysterie. I derive: With firie tlamcs, in scorching Vulcan's forge, To teach and fine each secret I do strive. Accept them well, and let my wearied Muse Repose her selfe in ladies laps awhile : So, when she wakes, she happily may record Her sweetest dreames in some more pleasing stilc." RIeteorologv of the Week. — At Chiswick, from observations during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- peratures of these days are 72.6^, and 60. S°, respectively. The greatest heat, 9.^', occurred on the 27th, in 1S26, and the lowest cold, '.i7°, on the 30Ch» in 1848. During the period QQ days were fine, and on 69 rain fell. We iiave now visited tho Ba^^aar of all Nations in its various stages of development. We have seen it when the woi-kmen of every oountiy were busy in the arrange- ment of their national wares, and we cauglit many prac- tical hints, suoli as no other gathering coidd otter, and to witness wluoh, heretofore, the globe must have been circumnavigated ; we have seen it when crowded with none but the aristocracy of Great Britain, and we marked how the useful was as much an object of cu- riosity as the merely gorgeous and ornamental ; we have seen it when our Queen, on a shilling/ daij, with few but her personal suite, was pursuing her careful in- spection, and asking home questions of the exhibitors; and we have seen it when seventy-thousand of the work- ing classes of England were thronged, harmless, joy- ous, and inquisitive, among its stores of the splendid and instructive. We have seen all this, and we rejoiced over the deep conviction — which every visit confirmed — that not one class alone ; not one sect alone; not England alone; not France alone ; not nations alone — but man- kind together, are advancing in the best of patlis — ex- cellence in the domestic arts, aud in peace and good-will to all their bretViren. Much do we rejoice over this grand re-union of the No. CXLIII., Vol. VI. 186 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 26. nations ; aucl, altliongli but few of the objects they have | ingress through the building, without in the least cle- brought as examples of their progress are within the gi'ee molesting visitors, thus enabling the atliuirers of purpose of our pages, yet those few shall receive our : the works of nature to see the process of formiug the best attention, and we will point them out specially to , cells and storing the honey. our readers. We have not yet iugathered our materials, which we purpose to illustrate with drawings, as much as needed; but we will make, to-day, a faint beginning as a demonstration that we ai'e quite alive to the conscious- ness of how much of utilitj', how many lessons of improvement may be extracted from this wondrous Museum. At the western end, outside the glass walls of the Exhibition, we very particularly recommend to our reader's notice a model, shewing a new system of glazing Greenhouses, Conservatories, &c., invented by Alfred Kent, Plumber, do., Chicliester. This system is founded upon a mode of fastening in the glass by means of a small bar of wood, lined with Indian rubber, pressed by a nut and screw against the ft-ame beneath. " The chief points of novelty are, — 1st. That by the peculiar con- struction of the liglits, and the selection made in the materials to be used, putty and all otlier adhesive composts, are entirely avoided. 2nd. That the glass can be put in or removed with such facility, that the bars and frame can be painted, the glass cleaned, and the whole effectually repaired at an immense saving upon the old system. 3rd. That it will not require such frequent repairs as ordinary greenhouses. 4th. Tliat in the event of a fracture, it will not be absolutely necessary to wait for the assistance of a glazier to repair the same; the simplicity of tlie contrivance enabling any one to become his own glazier ; and oth. That leakage, a uni- versal complaint in the old system, is here guarded against, by a peculiar grooved bar, which likewise assists to carry off evaporation, and renders ventilation more complete." Very numerous are the specimens of Beehives, both foreign and domestic, and we hope to find room for a notice of them all, for the subject of bee-culture now claims universal and deserved attention throughout the country We will begin by examining the several descriptions of improved bee-hives, arranged by Messrs. Neighbour and Son, High Holborn, in tne north gallery directly under the transept (class xxix.) The novelty in the construction of these hives, consists in the facilities which are afforded of taking therefrom, at any time of the gathering season, the purest honey, in larger or smaller quantities, without destroying or even injuring the bees; thus humanely superseding the barbarous system of murdering tlie.se interesting insects to obtain tlie pro- duce of their industry. Immediately adjoining this group of untenanted bee- hives may be observed Udng hives, with the bees most industrioiLsly at work. These useful little creatures have been highly honoured by tlie Executive Committee, for of all the animal workers that contribute to tl)e interest of tlie Kxliibilion, they alone are allowed therein to display their matchless ingenuity and skill. By a Bimjile contrivance, the bees are allowed egress and Within these few days Messrs. Neighbour have added to the working Apiary a bee-hive, constructed entii-ely of glass, protected by a cover neatly made of straw, but so contrived, that, on application to the attendant, it can be removed instantly to exhibit moi-e particularly the curious workmanship of the tenants. Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert were some time engaged in watching, with much interest, the busy scene before them, and put many questions relative to the habits and economy of the Honey-bee. GARDENING GOSSIP. The American Ground at Chiswich is inferior to that at the Regent's Park. One of these faults is in the very limited view we obtain from any given point. There is no lack of variety, we only quarrel with the effect, which is far better at the Park. The Horticultural Society have jucUciously arranged that any stranger shall obtain admission by tickets, to be had at the Society's rooms, at one shilUng, without the trouble of obtaining an order from a Fellow. Thus, Mr. Waterer mil have the full advantage that could be derived from a separate exhibition, for the price is the same, while there is all the additional atti-actiou of the Society's garden. The showing of Holhjhoclcs has become almost a general feature in miscellaneous exhibitions. How to show them to the best advantage is another affair, some require the top of the spike; but by far the best way is to limit the length of the spike to eighteen inches, and to take the top off. In short, to have the eighteen inches all flower. At the National Flortioultvral Society, June 11th, E. Beck, Esq., was in the chair. Four new members were elected, and eight gentlemen proposed to be elected at the next meeting. The following first class certificates were awarded. To Mr. Hoyle, of Heading, for a Pelargonium named Etizc, the i/eueral cliaracter of which is light. Upper petals rich crim- son, edged with rose ; lower petal pink, with a white eye ; iirst-rate form, a good trusser, and good substance. To Mr. Hoyle, for a Pvlunjoniiim named Gaiiymi-ile. Upper petals dark, blotch edged with rose ; lower petals pale rose edged with pink ; good form and substance, with good trusses. Cfrfi/fco/cs were awarded to Mr. Hoyle for his Pelaryonium named Muynet, a splendid high coloured flower, a good trusser, and of great substance. The edges, however, were a little crumpled ; still it is a desirable variety. Also to E. Foster, Esq., for a Pelur(jfniiiim named Purple Slanilurd. Upper petals rich purple edged witli rose, lower |ietals dark rose edged with pink; and for a Pelaryonium named Enchith in the centre of the split parts should be scraped out, as it is Liable to cause damp or mouldiness ; the pieces are then planted an inch deej) in sand, under a hand-glass, or a cold, close frame, and sometimes with no lietter help than the shade or shelter of a north wall ; part of the leaf-stalks are above the sand, and mark the centie of each cutting; the bud at the bottom of the stalk will soon push, make I'oots, and be in all respects as good as a seedling, besides being true to the sort. Now, I dare say, there are hundreds of plants tliat may be increased just in tlie same way, as well as the Hollyhock, although we have never found tliem out. Wlio knows but the old Fraxinella, or the Tree Paonies, that are so difficult to increase, might not root, if thus tried early in July. I'erhaps hundreds of roses would come that way also ; for what is the iirocess after all, but a kind of budding, only we take more sub- stance along with the bud, therefore, let us all try how many tilings each of us can root on this plan, and all that remains for me, is to advise the use of band- glasses where the shoots are small, or with little sub- stance; and, for such that it is more likely than not that the leaf will bo of great use in hastening the for- mation of roots, and, also, that leaves thus detached in July should never see the sun, or be e.\posed to free air, till roots are formed. Pot Oeniiiiums, — I would not throw away the oldest and most straggling Geranium I over saw in July, as some peojile do, as soon as they are done flowering. I would cut them down halfway of the greenwood, and plant theui out somewliere to take their chance ; they would flower in the autumn, and be useful to get late cuttings from besides. I would do the same now with all kinds of gieenhouse jilants, heaths, and all that were too old, or too big, or too anything I did not like ; after the middle of July there is hardly a stove plant in the country but would do planted out for two months or more, so that old, worn-out subjects, even Jrom the stove, need not be thrown away altogether. Mr. Uarnes planted out beds of pine-api)le plants, and ripened tlieir fruit in the open kitchen-garden ; and I am quite sure that two or three-year-old Ixoras, now showing lor bloom, might be safely planted out in peat beds, or on sheltered borders, and that they would flower that way as freely as the Rhododendron. All the beds ought to be now full. All plants that require stakes should have them, but not to be tied up close and stitt'. Every seed- pod should be cut oft', and evei-y annual pulled up when it is past its prime. D. Be.won. GEEENHOUSE AlVD WINDOW GARDENING. A Cn.iPTHR ON GENERALrriEs. — A traveller who wishes to retain in his mind's eye a vivid recollection of the scenery through which he is passing, is not satisfied with looking right a-head, or even to the left and the right, as he passes along, but will frequently stand still, and look behind him, that the objects that arrested his attention may be seen from as many points of view as possible. If he does not do so, bis idea of the landscape panorama would be so imperfect, that in beholding it afterwards from some different position, he would scai'cely recognise it to be the same. Great as are the advantages of the rail, it totally prevents these linger- ing, but fast-holding-upon-memory, glances ; and the only consolation is, that we can so quickly and easily see the same objects again. Though little noticed by our philosophers, there is reason for believing that this very ease of travelling, with all its advantages, will have a tendency to change our national characteristics, and thus superinduce the light, airy, and superficial — instead of the high-toned, deep-felt, and enduring. Cheap literature is the railway of knowledge. Its advantages are next to incalculable for the present, and gloriously hopeful as to the future; and yet the very ease with wliich knowledge is obtainable, is apt to produce a care- lessness of application, and a merely superficial ac- quaintance with, instead of the close study of a subject in all its diversified bearings. If true in any thing, this tending to superficiality is peculiarly true in respect to a considerable number of the readers of the cheap periodicals on gardening. Few, indeed, are the sup- porters of this little work, even when meeting with a fresh idea, that would ponder over it with equal earnest- ness, until every detail was mastered, as many of our leading men must have done in the case of the first expensive periodical on gardening, conducted by the strong-minded, noble-hearted, Loudon. The very difii- culty of acquiring, with its mournful drawbacks, brought with it at the same time, in the case of the few, an intenser application. These are railway times, intel- lectually as well as ]ihysically, and writers and readers alike must rattle along with locomotive speed. Hence, the puzzling and seeming discrepancy upon any subject, merely because the writers have looked at it from dif- ferent aspects ; the dift'erence, striking it may be at first, melting into nothing as the reader takes in a more comprehensive scope for his vision. Hence, too, the importance in these days of speed, and the working out of the give-me-as-littlo-trouble-as-iiossible principle ; of glancing again and again at the same objects from similar and dill'erent points of view, that repetition may ultimately accomplish what the studious formerly ac- quired by their intenser application ; that, in one word, hints to Mcinori/ may bc! given, in unison with those ideas that tend to future progression. JtJNE UG.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER 191 Azaleas. — In most collections the glory of tins beauti- ful flower will be gone. Interest in its welfare must not for a moment flag, if it is expected to furnish a striking ornament in our conservatories in winter and spring. No time slionkl be lost in removing every withered flower and leaf, and, unless when a pod or two of seed is desirable, cutting clean off all these appendages as soon as the bloom fades. In early-flowering plants this will liave been done, with late ones it must not be neglected ; with early plants, to cusure uniformity of growth, strong shoots may be pinched at the point, and they will then produce two or three, instead of one, while each will have time to ripen a hud for blooming next season. This stopping, unless in extreme cases, should now be more sparingly resorted to ; and even then, the plants should command a close humid atmos- phere, to ensure rapidity of growth, and then a drier airy situation, tliat that growth may be ripenened and hardened before autumn closes. 'J'he sooner the wood is ripened, and the flower buds thus formed, the better will the plants bloom, and the more easily will they bend, and suit themselves to the circumstances in whicli you wish to ]ilace them, as respects accelerating or retarding the bloom. Instead, therefore, of setting your plants, now finished blooming, in a cool place behind a north wall, give them the closest and waruiest place in your greenhouse, with plenty of moisture at root and top, until you get fresh growth freely commenced. A pit kept close, or a late forcing house, woidd answer a similar purpose. If thus attended to, and nothing hut bloom produced (no seed), plants will thrive in the same pots for years, with perhaps a slight top dressing ; but if shifting is desirable, it is best done, not he/ore, but just after, growtli is fairly commenced. If the ball is well soaked before baud, and the hair-like roots, though gently disentangled at the outside of the ball are not injured, the plant will receive no stoppage in its growth; the advancing shoots ensuring a quick root action in the fresh soil. When the object is to keep a specimen in good flowering condition, the shift should always be small ; when from free growth a specimen is to be made, the shift may he large ; but in an established specimen, unless the ripening ])rocess is soon begun, a large shift will be likelier to give yon fine foliage instead of flowers. After trying several compositions, nothing seems to answer these greenhouse Azaleas so well as fibry sandy peat, with nodules of clean charcoal, to assist in keeping the soil open, when it otherwise would get much com- jiressed in the cour.se of years. Watering with clear water is generally to he preferred ; weak manure-water may be given when growing and opening their flowers, but it must be weak. Green-fly is easily settled with tobacco smoke, red-spider with fumes of sulphur, but the thrip is hard to jlit : in the case of all these free growth now is the best preventive. For the thrip, dipping tlie plant in tliin mud, and cleaning it a daj' or two afterwards, washing with gum-water, lashing it when lying on the ground, (to prevent the liquid entering the pot), with clear soot-water, and a weak infusion of bruised laurel leaves, I have found less or more effectual ; but prevention is better than cure, and free growth now is the best prevention, and not the worst cure, provided always that growth is suthciently indurated before winter. Camellia. — Similar remarks will apjily to this winter- flowering plant. A few exceptions may be specified. It will stand cuUin;iu3is. Flijing Dutchman (Turner), which was a good deal noticed on account of its dark colour, has a bad lower petal. Ariadne, which obtained a certificate of some kind, was tolerable. Optima was a beautiful coloiu'. Scarlet Eclipste lias nothing but its colour to I'ecommend it. Purple Standard was awarded a second prize : and, as it deserved some notice, perhaps it was a proper distinction. As it will occur very frequently that we come across the same flower several times, we wish it to be perfectly understood that we deso-ibe everything as it appears. If, therefore, any one shows a thing one day in bad condition, he may lind us condemning it, and another day in good condition, our opinions may not match ; but in a summary, at the end of the season, we shall give the claims of all according to the way in which each maintains its character or otherwise. Cai.cf.olaiuah (A Ladij. Leatherhcad). — No. 1 is cei'- tainly a GoUah, but too flat for exhibition purposes, thouglt very showy. Nos. i, ■\. and 4, are pretty in j colour, but we have lunidreds of better form. They will make jiretty ornaments in a greenliouse, but we cannot recomilieud them to be named, except for distinction at home. They were well-packed, ami arrived in good condition. (C. P. Bnrnlei/}. — Very pretty; but we liave daily mauy too much like it, and some better. (D. P.. IStaflord). — A very nice variety; but if it be not Laihj Anne Chatteris, it is too much like it to he useful. By the way, never use cotton lint for packing flowers, moss I or leaves always. Pansies. — From Mr. Salter, of the J'er.iailles Xursery, we have a dozen varieties of fancy Pansies, richly striped in all colours, presenting a most extraordinary new family, as unlike the general run of Pansies as can well he imagined, to maintain something like tlie form. They are not, strictly speaking, show flowers, and yet two or three in a stand woidd be striking. Send us the whole collection of blooms, with figures or names, and they shall be distinctly noticed, with a hint as to which are tlie best. Petunias (If. D., Suffolk). — Very large, hut miserably thin ; even the size is no novelty, for the French va- rieties of this season ai'e monstrous, and that is the only feature to notice. {M. M., Vxhridge). — Only No. i worth trying again, and that only for its colour. The others have no saving feature. Verbenas {R. T,). — If the variety sent for opinion was sold for a seedling, it is neither more nor less than a deception. It is the old Marchioness of Ailsa, and not a seedling at all, though better than half the seedlings that come to us. FccHsiAs (A. B.\. — No. 2 too much like Fulgens, and not so good a colour ; all the seedlings that take after Fuhjens, are worse in colour. No. 1 is no better. Beauty vinter rays of the sun proceed. Tlie outer temperature being favoiprable, the bees will always sally forth, in the middle of the day, at the promptings of nature, returning immediately to the hive with great sagacity, chiefly on the eastern side, where the screen interposes little or no obstacle to their flight. Now a continuous line of screen would defeat the main object; for the tenants of several hives would become intermixed behind their barricade, and those that iound their way over or round it, woidd, in all pro- bability, never return. Hen-ry Tayeor. NOTES OF A VISIT TO MACEOOM, IN THE COUNTY OF CORK. A FEW days since I was obliged to make a jom-ney to the western part of the county of Cork, and it being a disb-ict but little knoHii, I appicliend, to the readers of The Cot- TAGE tiARDENER, this iioiiue of the plants I remarked in one day's stroll, over the wild hills and bogs of that couutiy, may prove interesting. 'I'he mildness of the climate is such, that many plants seen ordinarily but in greenhouses, flourish all the year round in the open air. Myi'lks, Gei'nniums, and many similar ornaments of our more northerly conservatories live the winter through without protection from the severest weather. Mhinloilvndrons, Aziileus, and other .Vmerican plants flourish, as if spontaneously, in the loose peaty soil. Unfortunately, a very few only of the gentry devote much care or attention to the cultivation of garden flowers. The wants of a poor and unemployed peasantiy engross, with justice, their first attention. The principal source of income to the farmers, is from the supplying of butter to the Cork Market, which the rich pasture lands yield abun- dantly. Along tlie road from Cork to Macroom I passed many a cart piled with butter-firkins; and I may remark, that except in the roofless farm houses which I occasionally noticed, I did not see those indications of poverty we are accustomed to associate with the " wild Irish." The counti'y people were, for the most part, well clad, and beggars were not numerous. It may be that the poor had emigrated, or, it may be, they were shut up in workhouses ; I only say I did not see them. Poverty is a very relative term ; and, perhaps, a Lincolnshire farmer would consider himself a poor man in circumstances that would indicate wealth to a farmer of the county I speak of. But I know this portion of the county of Cork, poor as I believe it is, may be con- trasted favoiu'ably with other parts of Ireland ; and, at all events, your columns are not intended for a discussion on the poor laws. The vei7 first wild plant I remarked in walking across a marshy field, was the beautiful Piiujiiiaihi (jrimdijlora. This lovely flower is found wild only, I believe, in the west of the county of Cork, and it would well repay a botanist the jour- ney from home to visit this gem of our native plants in its only hubilut. I remarked it in many places ; and even when not in flower, it is at once recognised by its pale, fleshy leaves spreading close to the ground, generally on a little elevated hillock of soil, which it appears to have formed for itself, the better to display its brilliant purple blossoms. From the centre of the leaves arise from one to three, or sometimes four stems, about five or six inches long, each bearing a single blossom, which your readers, who may never liave seen the plant, may resemble to a dwarf Gloxinia. A bribe of a penny a plant to a country lad procured me a basketful of plants, which I hope will grow in the mild atmosphere of a garden frame, and I shall be very happy to exchange plants with any of your readers, for specimens of the rarer British alpines or orchids, and for that purpose I enclose my address. The next plant which atti'acted my notice, was the well known London-pride {Sa.ri/mi//( nnibriisa), cu\ering the rocks in all directions, and now in full bloom. Its favourite ■ locality appeared to be the fissures of rocks, from whence it extended its trailing branches for a considerable distance around. Close by this, and contrasting well its blue-bells with the pink flowers of the London-pride, grew in great i profusicm the Srillu Kutaiis. This pretty flower, not veiy I common, I hail never seen in such luxmiauce, nor its colour' so bright a blue. A rare plant, though not attractive, save to a botanist, the Euplwrhia liibt-niicu, was very abundant. It grows in woods, and also in pastures, and foiius a lai'ge clump of yellowish June 5fi.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 203 green stems, about two feet liigh, clothed with leaves of the same colour, and each stem suiTnounted by an umbel of blossom of a yet jmler shade of green. The sundew {Drosera amjiica) was not very abundant. The arrowgrass {Triglocltin paliistre), I remarked in flower. The beautiful, though common Veronica officinalis, formed a conspicuous feature on the rocky ground, while Athyriinn filixfteminii, Axpidiiim dilalatum, and spinulosri grew on every shady bank. It poured a torrent of rain duiiug the greater portion of the day, or I might, no doubt, have extended my list considerably. W. [We shall be glad of a continuance of such notes, and quite as obliged by an enumeration of the plants usually grown under glass, but which you see in the open air iu southern Ireland, stating where, and the aspect. — Ed. C. G.] SCRAPS FROM MY NOTE-BOOK. Alpine Stawberry. — Having raised some seedlings of the white one four years ago, they were carefully planted by myself the following year, and from that time to this, have blossomed and borne fruit plentifully, but not a single runner has been forced to any root. I noticed this about the middle of the iirst summer, and looked carefully through the whole bed, and have done the same each summer since. I knew nothing of the plant before, and no one could tell nie whether it was a peculiarity belonging to this sort. Having, however, lately noticed directions given for the runners of this kind to be cut off, the matter was decided. The plants have appeared to tlourish, and have looked as healthy as possible from the tirst. I am trying to increase the size this year by rich cultivation. [White Alpine Strawberries produce runners, although veiy scantily and uncertainly. They ai'e best raised from seed, and the old bed broken up after bearing two years. A bed will continue for many years to sustain itself in plants by self-sown seeds and runners, l)Ut the crop diminishes both in size and quantity. En. C G.] Cactus. — For the last ten years, we have never allowed the soil to get quite dry at any time of the year, and the leaves have, in consequence, never shrivelled. The plants have grown veiy fast, and have a very healthy appeai'ance. Our greenhouse is, however, a very dry one. Last year, a plant of Speciossimus had twenty-nine flowers blowing at once, and had from one hundred and twenty to thirty upon it in all. I know, perhaps, too little of these plants to compare our own with those of others when in flower, not having seen many at that time ; but in size, I can safely say, ours are fully equal to any I have seen. We tried the plan, at first, as an experiment. During the growing season, we use liquid-manure three times a week, and water tluice a day in diy weatlier. GAMPANur.A Pyrasiidalis. — Having removed some rooted cuttings of it from the hotbed, a short time after doing so, I found a good-sized leaf growing by itself in the bed, witli six or eight short roots, half-an-inch long, attaclied to the heel, which had been torn off with it. The leaf was planted again, but not being able afterwards to attend to it, it withered and died. Common White Gaeden Rose. — I have inquired at dif- ferent times for a pink one like it, but could not hear of one. Tlie White Rose grows luxuriantly in our garden, but no pink one yet tried has equalled it iu size and number of flowers. We are too far north for any but very liardy sorts. Will some rose-fancier give tlie name of the pink one, if there is one, and I shall feel obliged. [If you manured more liberally, and mulched in summer, we think the common Provence and Damask Roses would equal your wish. — Ed. C. G.] Box Edging. — Mr. Beaton has lately mentioned thatit may be increased by slips, and we have a border now growing vigorously that has been planted from slips this spring. It was, in part, an experiment, which, contrary to oiu' gar- dener's opinion, I felt pretty sure would succeed, from having once reared some plants of it from a slip sent by a friend as a relict of Abbotsl'ord ; though some days before being planted, each slip from tliis small one grew and flourished. [No one need fear to adopt any praclice recommended by our departmental writers, for then they only teach and advise from experience. Their opinions and then' theories, like those of other men, may not be infallible; but what they teach as facts, need never be suspected.— Ed. C. G.] Dahixis. — Has it ever been tried whether slips can be kept in a pot of soil through the winter, in the same way as slips of Scarlet Geraniums ? Slips of Chrysanthemums may be so kept. Yei.i.ow Rocket. — A short tune ago, an inquiry was made about this plant, and shoidd the writer not have met with one, a slip or two of a plant known by that name here, shall, with pleasm'e, be sent by post, if the editor will take charge of it, or give the address, (-)ur plant grows, when well-cul- tivated, from one-anda half to two feet high, and has one large spike of flowers, with smaller ones round it, in the way of the White Rocket. We consider it a handsome plant, the flowers being bright yellow, and very double. I am not botanist enough to describe it scientifically. S. TO CORRESPONDENTS Sowing Aueiculas (C E. B. T.). — Seed may be sown now, but this sowinjij will not flower generally till 1853 ; yet sow now by all means, for the plants will be much stronger than plants sown even in early spring. Cahnation Sbed {Ibid). — This may be sown now on the same prin- ciple, that the plants will be stronger than plants from seed in early spring the year before. Thebacleum giganteum (Ibid). — The flowering age of this plant ia two years, but much depends upon the strength of the plant ; your's will, we think, flower this year. Water freely, if dry, at all times when necessary. We saw a leaf of this lately grown by Messrs. Hardy and Son, Maidon, Essex, the total length of which was five feet three inches, and the greatest breadth four feet six inches. The thickest part of the stalk was eight inches in circumference. Grafted Epiphylliims {F. W. T.). — These do not require any different treatment to those on their own roots. You should set your K' Russellianinn out of doors now, in an open situation fully exposed to the sun all day. Water when very dry, and bring the plant into a green- house, placing it near the glass, as soon as there is the least fear of frost. This exposure will ensure it to flower, because it ripens the shoots. Take it in certainly by the middle of September. Keep it dry through winter, and commence watering about the middle of March, but not abundantly, or the roots will not be benefited, but injured by excessive watering. Keep it rather cool in the spring till the flowers appear, and when a little advanced, increase the heat 10° by day. Gesnera 'Lebrina is a stove plant ; 70° of heat is proper for it. The old bulbs do not die annually. Roses in Pots {A Subscriber from the beginning). — Place your greenhouse rosea out of doors at once, top dress them with some loam and rotten dung, prune them back to the lowest eye on the new wood, water freely alter they begin to grow again, and you will have roses through the autumn months. Geranium Grafting (/iirf). — It is not too late to graft geraniums. The best method is what ia called side-grafting ; that is, cut a deep notch out of one side of the branch, then make a corresponding cut on the scion, fit them together and tie with wet bass mat. They will soon take and begin to grow afresh. Keep them in a shady place until that takes place. Ruse Cuttings (Jane).— From your account your cuttings are doing well ; and instead of hurrying, you had better give them and yourself a little patience. Do not be disappointed if many should fail. If a goodly number succeed, that ought to satisfy a first attempt, and be a good reward for the trouble involved. The reason why your cuttings seem to stand still is, that the organisable material has chiefly been spent, and more must be assimilated before much fresh progress can be made up- wards or downwards. Continue giving air at night, and shading from bright sunshine during hot days, and patience will be rewarded. Let your anxiety for having the cuttings grow quickly get the belter of this advice, and we would not like to give you much for the batch. You complain that we do not give the after treatment in many of our papers, and that, therefore, when you get a certain length you are left in the dark, and apt to ask, " What next ? " The oftener you ask, if with such good reasons, the better; but the fault cannot always be attended to. The stern editor might not mind how long a letter he had from a lady , but he would be very apt to cry, " Hold! enough," when any contributors ex- ceeded their allotted space. The "good management" necessary to make cuttings of roses flowering plants the same season, is just similar to what is given to other plants that are to be rattled on. As soon as struck, the cuttings should be potted or transplanted, and have all the means for encouraging the groiving principle, that has lately been referred to in these pages. By such process, with gradual exposure to more light and air, you would bring about the fructifying process, and, therefore, you would have flowers in the end of summer and autumn from those which naturally produced blooms at that pcriud. Many will show flower early; but these had better he removed, to encourage the growth of the plant ; as, independently of the weakening influence, a large flower upon such a lilliputian thing from the cutting-pot, is like fixing the head of Goliah on the shoulders of a Tom Thumb. Cotting-down LEAVF.S OF HYACINTHS (Ibtd). — Doctors will ever dis- agree. Use your own common sense, and fearlessly cut the seemingly inextricable knot of the authorities you cite. As a general rule, no bulb is mature, or has received its full quantity of stored-up organisable ma- terial, so long as the leaves remain green. Some florists, however, imagine that colour is rendered purer when the bulbs are taken up just before 204 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 26. they are quite ripe. Some bulbs that require resting, and feel like naughty children indisposed to go to bed when ordered, we torce to slumber by withholding water, &c. ; but we would not do so with the hyancinth. Camellia Pedning.— Mr. F. W. Tetley, of Ridge House, Leeds, writes to us thus :— " In an early number of The Cottage Gardener, on the culture of the Camellia, you state that they bear pruning as freely as apple-trees. This I have no wish to deny ; but does not this convey the idea to an amateur that he may cut away without damage, as he would with a soft, woody, quick-growing plant ? I felt the inconvenience of this remark myself, and cut my camellias in freely one year, and found, after the grov\th of the next, that my plants were scarcely so large as before I pruned them. The following year, by advice of an eminent camellia grower, I merely took out the hud at the top of the shoots, expecting to make the plants bushy, but this did not succeed ; and this year I am following another plan," which so far promises well. I have bent down all the top and other bare shoots, and have tied them down with soft thick thread, or very soft twine, and find many buds have broken which otherwise would have remained dormant, and the plants, instead of having long, bare stems, are now feathered ; and by following this practice I have little doubt of getting all my plants nice and bushy, and this with no diminution in the size of the plant. I have not broken one branch in this practice, so that they cannot be very brittle; and I think many amateurs would follow this practice if it were communicated to them." Vour plan of bending down the Camellia shoots, to cause them to break, is a good one, and, where practicable, is better than pruning ; at the same time we are certain, that if properly cut back the Camellia will break again freely, and make handsome bushes. There is a wide difference between the cutting in required by a Camellia and a Pelargonium. Alonsoa as a Beddrr (ir. K.).— This bedding plant will do better from cuttings in the spring, treated in all respects like Verbena cuttings, than by seeds, if your ground is at all rich, as seedlings go too much to leaf, which cuttings do not. Two or more jjlants of it should be kept in pots through the winter, to get cuttings from in the spring. It is very easy to keep. Petunias in Beds {Ibid).~-Oi course you planted them nine inches or a foot apart all over the bed; and pegging down means that the shoots, as they grow, should be trained over the bare places till they all meet, and so cover the whole bed. Cuttings (Ziirf).— The spring is the best time to make a stock of cuttings of all the Verbenas, and other soit-wooded low plants like them ; for Geraniums and Cnlceolnrins, the autumn is the best time. Transplanting Evergreens (.-I. fi.).— Ifby "laurels," you mean the common laurel, you may go to work with them immediately, though they are fifteen feet high. If they are Portugal laurels, which are more difficult to move safely, wait till the second week in July. Chimney Campanulas (IK. C.'.—Yon must mean the tall pyramidal Campanula, and no wonder that the same plants do not " throw up " a second time, for thev never do j you are only growing a large number of sidelings from the collar of the old plants which flowered two or three years back, and although some of these side shoots might possibly flower, that is not the way to treat them. Slip cuttings from round the bottom of the fiower-stalk should be made every year, in the autumn, or in the spring, from where the flower-stulk is tu issue, and as soon as rooted, be planted out in rows, nine inches or a foot apart, on a bed or border made very rich, The strongest of the cuttings would flower the following year, and some not till the second season. Keep a lot of nursing plants always on hand, and pot the strongest for flowering every April, which is a better, easier, and more sure way than having thcui always in pots ; good gardeners can alone manage them in pots. Sowing Seeds [J. M. U.). — Seeds of Gladiolus, Humea elegans, and Calceolarias, will not do at all to be sown in the open ground, nor will seedlings of either, from autumn sowing, stand over the first winter without protection. GladioluH seed, sow in pots as soon as ripe, or leave to September^ and keep the seedlings in the same pots over the winter, and next spring till the leaves die ; in May or June, before they begin to grow again shake them out of the jiot, and give them fresh soil, chiefly peat, placing six bulbs in a six-inch pot. Humeas — sow from January to April, or from April to the end of June, in pots, and in a close frame, for flowering the following year ; early spring-sown ones will make the best plants. Cnlcf'otiiriaa may be sown in the spring, summer, or in the au- tumn, as late as September. Cutting Down Geraniums {A. Y. Z.). — Old wood is brown, and young wood green ; cut them a little below the green parts, and all the leaves will be gone ; they will grow better from the brown wood, which is ripe. Those you intend to plant out need not be cut so close, only half way down the green wood, or say remove as much as will carry oft half the leaves. You need not shake away all the balls from tliem till you take them up in the autumn, then you will have to cut them again, and trim the roots also, but all the leaves are not to be then removed ; but you shall see all about them before the time of potting comes round. For those you keep always in pots, you cannot do better than follow Aunt Harriot's plan to the letter. She was the best manager of pot geraniums out of London, for many, many years. Bees {W. B. C). — Vour hive is in the most properous state possible. If you will trouble yourself to examine the few bees brought out, they will be found to be young ones, and every one of them imperfectly formed, — some wanting a leg, some with an imperfect wing, and so on. Bees (Clericus). — Mr. I'ayne's »m«// hives contain about ten pounds of honeycomb, &c. In putting on a second small hive, it is better to have the hole in the wooden top two inches in diameter. In three or four wcclts after the swarm has been in a common store hive, you may cut a 4- inch hole in its top to put on a small super. Bf.es ' Iiu/j}.—You bay, " In the 3i)ring of this year I bought two hives of bees, both of straw ; one of these I placed on Taylor's Amateur Bar- Hive, which is now nearly filled with comb, and I hope in the cnurse of a few day* to be able to remove the old straw hive, and to replace it with eithfT the second bar-hive or glasses. I wish I could give as good an account ot the second ; the bees are literally doing nothing ; a few congregate in the entrance and bask in the sun, but do not work ; it is respecting this hive more particularly that I wish your advice. I see by your number of 29th uU., that this state of things is caused by the old age or death of the queen ; as a remedy you recommend placing a piece of larva and eggs in the inactive hive, by placing a comb from a "Taylor's" hive in it, but this with me is impracticable. I have double floor-boards, as figured at p. 30 of "Taylor's Bee-keeper's Manual," third edition, and had intended by means of it, to have transferred them to one of Nutt's Collateral-hives. Now how am I to act ; will it be better to insert a piece of comb »i«rfp)* the straw-hive, or fixing it in the Collateral-hive as a guide-comlj, and by means of the doubling board force them to pass through it?" — Vou must not remove the straw-hive placed on Taylor's Bar-hive (you did very wrong in placing it there), you should have allowed it to swarm, and then have put the sivarnt into Taylor's hive. If you remove it now the bees will, in all probability, leave the Taylor's hive, and all return to the straw one. As regards your queenless hive, you had lietter put a piece of comb, containing both brood and eggs, into a small bell-glass ; cut a hole at the top of the hive, and i)lace the glass with comb, containing eggs, &c., over it, covering the glass with several thicknesses of flannel, or something of the kind, until the brood ia all hatched. Bees (C. C).— You ask "The best remedy for bees putting brood in the glasses, which it is often difficult to prevent when the hive is very strong. I have a 6-inch and a lO-ineh glass, both nearly full, on the same hive, but some brood in each. I have put an 8-inch square box under the smaller glass, and left a little space for air, so that the glass has been pretty cool since, and I hope her majesty will not again visit it. Can you recommend any better plan ? " Had you given the ventilation earlier the queen would not have gone up. The best method of ventilating that we have heard of is Mr. Kitchner's Ventilated Pussaf^e, which you may see in the Kxhibition, with two splendid glasses of honey obtained by its use. With this apparatus it is impossible for the queen to go up ; we may, perhaps, at some future time give a figure and description of it. Bees (B. i?.).— " A short time since I informed you that 1 met with a drone brood in a glass partially filled with comb, and very little honey, when I went to place a super between the glass and the stock hive. I thought I had now efi^ectually secured them from swarming, and was not a little surprised, on my return from church (1st June), to find a large swarm had issued from it, anl was settled on the identical gooseberry- bush on which a swarm settled last year, and to-day (11th June), a cast came off (2i lbs.), and settled on the same bush. I thought, from the number of bees in the super, and the brood in the glass above, that the bees would not have left them. There are very few in either ; a small number over the brood, and others in the super raising the comb — up- wards. In some of the pages of your work, I think I have observed that no profit can now be expected from this stock. It seems full of honey, all the cells to be seen through the window, are closed up. How should I proceed ; the comb is raised up in the super two inches? {Raise the super, cut uwai/ the two-inch of comb, and replace the at raw top.) The guide comb in the glass, the bees did not take to. but built upwards in it." {We should have raised the glass, cut awap the combs worked uj>, and then replaced the glass.) Do not put on supers after July. Treat Melilotus ieucantha as common clover ; if sown in August, it flowers the next summer. The great number of drones arises from the stocks being very strong, and this is in favour of the doubling system. Corn Mill.— .\ correspondent (JH''»iu^or) wishes to know where he can obtain one of the corn mills mentioned by one of our correspondents in our number for May SQth. Scotch Cows {Utile et duloc) .—They are usually black. They are hardy and good milkers, but inferior in the latter quality to the North Wales. If we can aid you further about the Jersey cows we will. Ladubnum with Various Flowers (/. S.).~This is not at all uncommon. The sports you mention might be grafted or budded upon a common Laburnum stock, but would not be more permanent than on their parent. Rose Flower-stalks {One who fears, ^c). — Cut them off close to the leaf whence they spring as soon as done flowering. They will not bleed. Take up your Ranunculus roots, and preserve them in sand in a dry place. OooaEBEREY CATERPILLARS (R. H. />.). —Sprinkling them with white hellebore powder, by the aid of a cook's dredging box, is the best mode of destroying them. In using /*«'•ee it not inferior herein to any University in Europe or any other part of the world were it not that many famous Universities (as Padua, Hlont- pellier, that of Vienna and others) had prevented or rather provoked us by their good example in purchasing of public gardens and looking out men of gf>od experience to lanls, were highly credible. In fact, most of the classes were well contested. Amateurs and gentlemen's gardeners form two classes. This we do not think advisable, because, whether the master, who is an amateur, or his gardener, shows, is of no conse- quence either to the show or the science, and, if " an amateiu'" is interpreted " one who has no gardener," it is not Ukely that there will be enough to make a good compe- tition ; and even this class of amatem's can generally beat a gentleman's gardener, who has so many different things to mind. It is clear, however, that Staines is greatly on the advance. The cottager's productions were highly creditable ; and the Society has the advantage of two indefatigable secretaries. Vaiixhall Horticultural Show on tlie eighteenth was, as we predicted, a total failure as far as the manager was concerned ; it merely answered tlie pitrpose of those exhibitors who are the first to promote a new show, because they are sure to come olT winners, let the proprietors fare as they may. We are sorry we did not fall in with the manager to prevent him from being deceived ; we know something of all the shows that ever took place in these gardens. It is only common justice to the proprietors to say, that they kept faith to the full extent with the exhibitors. A complaint was made at a recent meeting that Advertisements sent to The Cottage Gardener were not inserted for some time afterwards ; but it was ex- plained at once, that all advertisements must be sent on or before the Thursday previous to the puhlication. If, therefore, anytliiug is sent on the Friday, a second week is lost. The gossip at one of om' London meetings turned upon the subject of Balsams, which several growers complained of having drawn up too much, in spite of all tlie care bestowed on them. The recommendation of one party was laconic enough, "when my balsams are too long," said he, " I shorten them." However, in explanation he added, " I find them strike like weeds in bottom heat, therefore, I cut ofl' the tops two inches longer than I want them to be above ground, and pot tlie tops singly two inches in the soil, with tlie under leaves stripped off that jjortion ; I place them in bottom heat, shade them for a weelc, and I find I have just so many plants as dwarf as I want them. The bottoms break out and make capital border flowers." E. Y. Under this head at p. 174 will be found a strong con- demnation of the management of the last Cheltenham Florlicultural Show. That condemnation has elicited the following from a gentleman, who has sent us his name, and we unreservedly hope his statement is correct; at all events, we publish it at once, without waiting to hear from our own reporter, who must either substantiate his condemnation, or acknowledge that he was misinformed. " Under the head of ' Gardening Gossip,' in your number of the lllth inst., I find an article which I cannot allow to pass without comment, simply because there is not a sini/tc slalcnicnl Imindcd on fad ; and, if uncontradicted, might be an injury to the Cheltenham Horticultural Society; some of whose menrbers have been and are doing their utmost to cause their shows to be the first and most attractive out of London. The Horticidtural Society never farmed the exhi- bition out to private speculators ; they never have been threatened with law proceedings, having always paid tlic money on demand when due ; neither have they ever cut down the prizes published, except when the judges (men selected from those in the habit of judging at Chiswick) refused to award the prizes, in consequence of the specimens produced being, in their opinion, unworthy. With regard to tlie schedule, I enclose one for your perusal ; and though there may he errors and room for improvement, I do not think it can be called ridiculous ; and if you will suggest any improvement, I ha\e no doubt that next year the committee will be glad to profit from your experience." NEW PLANTS. THEIR PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. Guelder-rose-flowered Dombeya {Domheya viburni- Jiora).— Botanical Magazine, t. 4568.— The genus to which this plant belongs is included in the Natural Order Byttneriads, and in the Ut-Monadelphia SPoly andria of the Liuneean system. Like the rest of the genus it is an evergreen stove tree, being a native of the Comorin Islands, near Madagascar, whence it was introduced into Mauritius by Professor Bojer, and thence to the Kew Gardens, where it has attained a lieight of about fourteen feet. /?r«Hc/ies, hairy ; leaves, heai't-shaped, 3-lohed, saw-edged, above green and downy, beneath pale and wooUyish ; leaf- stalks, liaii-y ; stipules, largo, pointed oval, deciduous ; Jioiver- ■210 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. I^Jdly 3. slallts, about nine inclics long, from the axils of npper leaves, hairy ; Jlvinrs white, in three or four semi-globular duster;-. nr corymbs ; cali/x, tive-segmented, ■woolly ; petals, glossy and horny when dry ; sliimciis, monadelphoiis, dividing, how- ever, into five bundles of three each, with a barren stamen between eaeh two bundles ; sfiijmds, five, spreading ; ovari/, spherical and hairy. It grows quicldy, is readily propagated by cuttings, in bottom-heat, mider a glass ; rcqnu-es a light, rich loam, and abundance of water. The name of Domheya was once assigned to a genus of the Pine tribe, but the species on which it was founil, 1). chihiiaiti, is now known as Jrnnrnriir imhrtrnla. Both genera were named in honour of j\T. Donibey, a Frencli botanist, employed for several years by the King of Spain, in collecting, together with MM. Ruiz and I'avon, the plants imd other natural productions of Peru. Returning to his native countiy, he finally was enrolled among the martyrs of science; for, being sent by the National Convention to cjamine the I'lora of North America, he was captured by an Knglish cruizer, was earned into Antigua, and ilied there in IT'JCi, in the -ilst year of his age. J. THE I'JIUIT-GARDEN. KTKAWjiRniiiEs liiPENiNo.^It is uot too late yet to wara our readers of the. necessity of paying the utmost attention to the fruit whilst cluiugiug; colour; for if a wet period occurs, and tlie plants are gross in habit, it is iu vain to seek for satisfactory flavour, unless extra means are taken to encourage a free eiieulation of air, and tlic adiuission of sunshine, together with a preven- tion of accuuiulating damps, leading to rot, niouldiness, and a general deterioration of quality. Tliere has been a good deal of fuss made about certain cclebratod tiles, but it is well known lliat suoli things arc frequently, when tested, any Ibing but a stcj) in advance. ]''or our part wc have availed ourselves id' the haU'-decayed slates from an old shed; and the principal dessert Strawberries being in double rows, about twenty inches a.jiart, and on beds eh^valed six inches above, the oiilinary level, we have two capital nulxiilrx. eaelr forming an incline; this incline we fiiee with (be slat(\ and covi'r the ground between, on the surface of tbe bed, with elenn, new wheat straw, h'rom the e.xtcrior, the best flavoured tlcsaert fruit will come, and those iioni the inlerioi- may he used in confeeticms or preserves. It is really not advisable to place any tiles or other impervious surfacing over the surl'ace of the ground lomj before the ripening of the fruit. Such, in the majority of seasons, will be found to render the fruit dry and crippled, by excluding, in a wholesale way, that moisture so essential to tbe Strawberry during the period of swelling. It is not improbable that some material having small holes iu all directions, after the manner of malt-kiln tiles, might prove serviceable; inasmuch as water, when necessary, might be convej'ed in an equable manner to tbe roots. In this case colour in the material would he an import- ant eonsidcration, trifling as it may at hrst sight seem. Now, everybody talks a deal about tbe utility of black as applied to fruit culture ; the only one idea, it would seem, being, the necessity of trying to accelerate ripening iu adverse periods. It may be submitted, however, that under many circumstances, it is more the part cd' conimou sense to ward ofl' by leflecliou, or otherwise to alleviate, the parching etibrts of continued sunshine. Such, during a very still condition in the atmosphere, is but too apt to scorch and blister some tender-skiujied fruits ; or if it proceed not so far, it very frequently huiTies the fruit into an imperfect ripeness. To digress for a moment, to a point which has a collateral bearing on the subject, we feel persuaded that one of tbe principal reasons of the unsatisfactory flavour of some of our new J'cars is tbe disproportion the aggre- gate amount of light hears to that of the heat. This hypothesis would seem to accouut for the very contra- dictory statements we receive from various districts concei'uing the very same kind ; for we well know that in those counties or portions of the kingdom where, on the average of years, the greatest amount of rain falls, there a murky atmosphere, on the whole, must be )nost prevalent. And so, in all probability, with the Straw- l)erry : a free admission of light, with as free a circula- tion of air, is indispensable to flavour, doubtless; and if a non-absorbent material is placed under them, it as- siu'edly, to be genei'ally useful, should not he selected on the grounds of extreme absorption of heat. Of course our adoption of slates in the present case will strike the I'eader ; let it be remembered, however, that they hajipen to he at hand, and that we have no better material ; also, that the beds in question run north and south, and, therefore, the two slate inclines are exactly east and west, in which position they will not absorb one-half the solar rays that a southern incline will do. Those who have an incline of tbe latter character might try a non- absorbent malei'ial of a white colour, against one of black, iu a similar position; this would tend to settle the matter. And here we wish some of our ingenious amateurs, wdio have more leisure than some folks I could name, would take up such matters, smAfailhl'ullij report on them. Such would be of eminent service, and by means of an increase of matci'ials of this character, th^■ writers of such works as Thk Cottage CJAnuENKR would be able to generalise occasionally in amanncre.xceedingly useful to their readers. Facts of this kind must not be considered in an istdated point of view : they have, in general, exceedingly broad bearings ; and to show forth tbe latter is much the province of those who unite the rudiments of sound science to a long and varied expe- rience in practical details. It requires some little management duiiug showery weather to secure the ripening fruit; for it is of no use leaving it on the plants wdien fully ripe, and most jiersons need all they can (dilain for preserving or culi- nary ]nM'posep. Thi^ moment tbe fruit is dry, on each morning, it should be looked over, and gathered earc- fully in flat-bottomed baskets, and, if possible, in single layers. Tirese, if required to remain a day nr so in tbe baskets, must he suspended in some place that is )iarti- cularly dry and somewhat cool, and must be haiulled or July 3.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 211 removed with caution. The hirds and the mice must be paiticulaiiy guarded agaiust, and a good gun and some traps will bo found usel'ul adjuncts of llie straw- berry harvest. The blackbirds and tlu-ostlos are sad pests in some districts ; we have had some rattling e.\pe- rienoe of their labours for a score years or more, and our practice has been to use small iron traps like the ordinary rat-trap, about four inclies across when ex- panded; and they are, indeed, most efficient, although we must confess to a secret pain whenever we have soon a bird in them. lUmners should be well kept under in whatever stage, provided they are really not wanted ; yet, now is the tiuie to select and encourage some of Uie most for- ward for forcing purposes, as also to reserve sufficient for making new plantations where necessary. An eye should be kept on the Eltons, or the Alpines, for succes- siouiil crojis, and, of course, grown as a special and dis- tinct class. Bed-culture we have hitherto found best for the Eltona ; but some good practitioners confess to a predilection for the single-row system. We find it necessary to look over the beds once or twice in the end of June aud during July, ia order to thin away super- fluous runners, or to cut away barren stems ; botli of which produce much injury by intercepting the light, and preventing a free circulation of air. li'a dry time oceiu' whilst the J'JUoiis are swelling the bi.dk of theii' ero|i, which will be from the beginning of July to the middle of August, water should be liberally given. As for tlic ^Upiiic.s, they require ;! much attention as to watering, or their size and genei'al appearance will be very inferior. Their runners, too, must be well kept nnder; and any early fruit now swelling may be out away, for such is of no use whilst the regular Strawberry season lasts ; and the powers of the plants sliould be kept in reserve for the autinun supj)ly. With regard to runners for forcing no time may be lost; much depends on obtainuig the very earliest, and in taldng care that they are set to; work fleudid scarlet coloured bracts, and are then very ornamental. Sail. — A rich compost of loam, peal, and rotten dung, in equal )iarts. It is jiropagated by cuttings of the young shoots, or by eyes from the old shoots, placed under bell-glasses in heat, in sand with some of the compost under it. There is a vaiiety with white bracts which is equally ornamental, aud requu'OS the same treatment. |{i ELi.iA maoii.M'A (Spotted li.i; Brazil. — A jilant with leaves of a light green, beautifully blotched in the ceiiire with silvery white. (JuUuir. — Ueqiiircs the cool part of the stove. Soil. — Loam, peat, and sand. Incii^ased readily by cuttings placed under a band glass in heat. July 3.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 215 TiLf.ANDSiA spj.JONDENS (Splendid T.) ; Brazil. — A very onianiciital plant. Tt has imicli the aiipeavauce of a Mjiiill lii-oail-leiiveil piuc-applc plant. Indeed, it belongs t(i tlic same natnnd order, BronieliacecB. Tlie leaves are sjileudidly and broadly barred with rich purple. 'I'lie tlower-stem springs tioni the centre of the jdauts. It is clothed with rich scarlet bracts, out of which the llowers spring: these are of a creamy white colour; when in flower there are few objects more ornanieutal. OitUure. — ^Yhere a bark-bed is convenient the j)lants should be plunged in it, and in that situation will thrive well. Tbis is not, however, indispensable, they will flourish very well if placed upon a platform, or on a stage in the usual w-ay, amongst other stove plants. Soil. — A rich compost ol'loani, peat, and well-decomposed leaf- mould or dung, in equal parts. Prnpaijiition. — Some- times seeds are produced, and by that means they may be inci'eased plentifully. Sow the seed as soon as it is ri)ie in shallow pots, covered lightly, placed in the warmest part of the stove. When they grow transplant them ill the smallest-sized pots, and I'epot them as tln3y rcijuire it till tliey flower. liij Suckcfu. — Jiike their prototype, the ])ine-apple, they will, after they have bloomcid, send forth suckers. When these are long enough to take them off plant tliem in small pots, and place them under a bell-ghiss, or band-light, upon a bottom-heat, and as soon as roots are emitted repot them, and grow them on in the same way us the seed- lings. Tu.ujescanti.v DiscoLoii (Two-colourod T.) ; South America. — This is a pretty green and purple leaved trailing plant, wliicli may be made use of to grow in baskets and suspend fi'oui the roof Or the roots may l)c wrapped in a bundle of moss, and the plants allowed to hang down from the roof increased easily by the young shoots laid upon any moist, shady, warm place. T. Al'lU.ElJY. FLORISTS' FLOWERS. MR. GLENNY ON FLORISTS' FLOWERS. Caj.ceoi.aiiias [Amelia). — It is a pity tliat amateurs desirous of raising seedlings have to trust to sood-shops, or save seed themselves. Of all oiu' fair corresjiondent's ])rettil}'-coloured Calceolarias, there is not one we can honestly recommend. B. M. — Not one without that melon-shaped rili and swelling that renders hundreds good-for-nothing. rKTLiNiAs (J. n.) — l''ine colours, but flimsy, not one an advance on tliose we have. ANTiramiNUJis (Thomm Read). — The only one worth mentioning is B. 3(i, and that not first-rate ; stand two yards olf and there is no character. It is pretty like CoiijDpliiluiiles, but the stripes lighter. The striped varieties are all very far from good. MijiuLus (B. 0.). — There arc many better tlian the best, which is the one marked .1). 17. Seed from the cream-colonred one, H. -1"). It may jn-oduce novelty if removed from all tlie commoner varieties. 'Bansies {H. J!.). — The si/e is, generally, too great to be useful, even if they were not all so exceedingly thin. No. 4 is the best, but too flimsy to be useful. The striped one. No. l,is novel; but Mr. Salter, of Ham- mersmith, has a dozen varieties of the same school all far better. Daisies. — We cannot regard them as a florists' flowei-. They are ]uetty, and would please children. A. M. will be iivnX of them in another season, and they v/ill spread like a weed. Cai.ijeoi.aiuas {O. L. Oimastoti). — All very pretty, but very faulty. No. 1 is the fullest and best, and No. 8 the largest that has any approach tn form. Phlox Duu.mmonwi, fiom the same party, very good. Those of so round a form should be removed iroin the rest, or the less circular ones lie removed from those, that the seed may not be damaged by impregnation. It is not enough to mark the best for seed, unless we get rid of ail die inferior iu their neighbourhood. G. G. FLORISTS' FLOWERS CULTURE. The Calceoi.akia. — Although tbis is not a general florists' flower, requiring, as it does, a greenhouse to bring it to perfection, and on that account can only be cul- tivated by such of our readers as may be happy enough to possess such a convenience ; yet, for the instruction of those, we think it our duty to lay down such ]ilain, practical ndes for their guidance, as may render their culture easy for the "million." They are, when well- grown, as interesting and beautiful as almost any other flower of the class. Witness the fine specimens exhi- bited for several years at the grand Metropolitan exhi- bitions. I'ii'st, let us ofi'er a few words upon their cluiracter- ■i.ities of e.vcelleiwe. Form. — This is the most important of all. If a flower have every otlier property in the highest degree, and be deficient in form, it is of no use as a show flower. It should bo a complete circle, witli- out any indentation on the edges; the upper part should rise well up so as almost to hide the throat; this should be small. The cowl or head should be of a medium size, neither too small nor too large, but well-propor- tioned ; it must not stand so high as to destroy the general circle of the whole flower. The si:e should be not less than one-inch diameter. The colours should be clear and distinct ; if a blotidi in the centre, the ground colour should surround it equally all I'ouud. The blotch should never run down to the edge at the lower part. If the flower is a spotted variety the spots should be well- defined, if gathered in a circle in tlic centre of the flower, with the ground-colour running in a broad ring round the spots, the variety will be the more perfect and valuable ; but this is not indispensable, the spots, if well defined, may cover the whole surface of the flower. Tlie 2^l<>>it should have largo, healthy leaves, covering the surface of the ]iot, and rising up amongst the flower- stems. Florists should aim at obtaining varieties with shrubby-stems. I'nfortunately, hitherto, the best va- rieties are of, as it is termed, tlie herbaceous class, and then are more ditficult to keep and propagate than the shrubby varieties. Tbis might be overcome by imjireg- nating the shrubby varieties with herbaceous ones, and so obtain a more hardy progeny. Proimgation. Bi/ Seed. — Save tbis from such as have been impregnated in the manner hinted at above. The best time to sow it is in ,liine. If sown earlier the plants will be apt to show bloom in the autumn, and will thereby be much weakened ; if sown later they will be too weak to pass safely through the winter. Sow them in wide, sliallow pots in a rieli, light compost of loam, and well-decomposed leaf mould ; sift the portion on the surface through a fine sieve ; drain the put well ; level the surface witii a flat, smooth piece of wood, and sow the seed ratlicr thin. If sown thick they are liable to damp oil'. Cover the seed as thinly us possible, and water with the finest-rosed syringe or water-pot, allowing the water to fall upon the soil nlmo.st like a shower of dew. If the soil is very dry it is desirable to give it a gentle watering before sowing and covering the seed ; place the seed-pans on a shelf near the glass, shading them from hot sunshine. Give water whenever the surface apjiears dry, using the same fine rosed syringe or pot. The seeds, if good, will soon grow; and when .the ]ilaiits are fairly above ground allow thciii iiuue air and light; keep them just moist enough to prevent flag- ging. As soon as they are large enough to handle, transplant them into thesame kind of pots; shade again 216 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [July 3. for a time till frosli roots are formed, to enable the plants to bear tlie full light. They will, with moderate supplies of water, grow freely, and will soon recjuire potting off singly into small pots. They will grow best after this potting in a cold frame, set upon coal-ashes pretty close to the glass. Cuttings. — Wlieu the seedlings are in flower, select such as possess the desirable properties described above, mark and name them, and describe them in the book kept for that purpose. After the bloom is over, or sooner, if an early increase is desired, cut down the dower-stems, to allow the plants to produce cuttings. Take these off as soon as they are three inches long, reduce the leaves to two or three, according to the strength of the cutting ; ciit off the lower leaves witli a very sharp knife, and let the cuttings lay exposed to the light, but not to the sun, for an hour to dry tlie ejids and wounds made by cut- ting off the leaves. Whilst that is taking place, prepare the cutting-pots. ]''irst, fill them half full of broken crocks or ])otslierds, then place a thin covering of moss upon them to prevent the soil from choking up the drainage ; after that fill the pots with light compost, formed with fibrous light loam two parts, and well- decomposed leaf-mould one part, adding a liberal amount of silver-sand, cover tliis with about half-an-inch of the pure silver-sand, give a gentle watering to make it firm, and allow it to stand a short time to dry the surface. Then, if the hour has expired, plant the cuttings round the edges of each pot, but not too thickly ; one inch, at least, should he between each cutting. Situation of the Cuttings. — The propagating-house, where there is such a convenience, is, of course, the right place for them. At Pine Apple Place we have one built on the best principle, with a tank for bottom heat, and pipes to cause a dry atmosphere. Within this house there are small frames covered with glass, set on a bed of ashes over the tanks. Within these frames the cuttings are i)laced, and in such a quiet, moist atmos- phere tliey strike astonishingly quicldy. Put every one desirous of propagating Calceolarias may not have such an excellent (convenience ; they need not, however, de- spair, but may place the cuttings in a cool frame, and cover them within the frame with a handlight. To pre- vent tliem damping of!', cover the surface upon which the cutting-pots stand with dry coal-ashes. These vriW absorb the extra moisture, and keep the damp from injuring the foliage. If this convenience is not at hand, place the cuttings under liandlights in the greenhouse itself, shading them effectually and closely at first till they show symptoms of growth, when a little air may be given and less sliade used. Cuttings may be struck even in the open air under handglasses; but this is a rather uncertain mode, and only to be followed when no other convenience can be had. Directly they liave formed roots jiot tliem oil' singly into small pots ; keep them close for a few days till fresh roots are formed, when they should be gradually hardened off. (To be cunlinued.) T. Appi.tiDY. 1"L0RISTS' I'LOWfiKS AT OHISWIClv, Jink 7tu. KosEs IN I'oTs. — Tliese were sliown again in unji minislied splendour. The amateurs especially showed even improved speciraenn, both as regards growtU and bloom. Collections of 1-.!. Hrst prize, Mr. Tcrri/, gardener to Lady Puller, of Young.sbnry, Herts. Second prize, ./. lliiii-land, Es(i., of Lowisham. Third prize, Mr. Rosier, gardener to .J. Bradbury, Esip, of Strentham. Mr. Ten-y had nice plants of Burontic PrevnsI, Coup d'Hcht; Colniicl Coomh.1, Eliza Sdiiviii/r, Churlv.'i Duval, Cliimcdiih; (K'lllcll Parfail, Mrs. Ihisaiu'iiul, Sapliic ilc Mardlh/, Smnvillr (If Malmiiison, and Jiohlii Hood. Mr. ftowland had very fine Blairii No. 2, Chenedule, and Souvenir d'lin Ami. Collections of 12. Nurserymen. First prize, Mr. Zane, of Berkhampstead. Second prize, Mr. Francis, of Hertford. Mr Lane's collection was really fine ; besides the above he had Celine ; and Mr. Francis had very fine Belle de St. Cyr, lieine du Tieryes, Due de Cases, JJllliam Jesse, etc. Mr. Francis had a Collection of Si.r Yellow Roses, or rather approaching to yellow ; they consisted of Eliza Saumige, Williams' double Yellow, and single, Smith's Yellow Noisette, Harrisonii, and Yellow Banhsia. Pelaegoniujis. — The Amateurs did not exliibit ; the cause is rather a mystery, but it was generally V>ruited that it was owing to the Society offering diminished prizes. The Nurscri/men showed in pretty strong numbers. j\Ir. Gaines, Battersea, obtained the tirst prize for 1'.3, in S-inch pots. The best were Aspasia, Cenlarion, Firehraml, Mont Blanc, Mars, Neijress, Prince of Oranije, Painted Lady, Salamander, and Star. Second prize, Mr. Brayy, Slougli, for Conspi- cnnm, Guliehna, Forget-me-not, Knight of Avenal, Lord Gongh, Narcissus, NnjJanless Prince, Norah, Rosenm elegans, and others. Collections of Nine, in 11-ineh pots, were shown in capital condition, by 5Ir. Chajnnan. First prize, for Adonis, Camilla, Duke of Cornwall, Emperor, Forget-me-not, Luna, Negress, Rosy Circle, and Salamander. Second prize, Mr. Gaines, besides others mentioned above, had Marion, Orion, Rosamond, and Xarifa. Fancy Pel.uigoniums. — First prize, for six distinct vari- eties, Mr. Ambrose, Battersea, for Cleopatra, Defiance, Formosum. Fairy Queen, Modestum, and Peine de Francois. Second prize, Mr. Baines, for Hero of Surrey, Madame Rosati, Odoratum, Orestes, Magnificence, Lady St. Germains. Third prize, Mr. E. G. Henderson, Wellington-road, for Alboni, Annette, Mrs. Loudon, Prima Donna, Princess Marie Galitzin, and 1'ictoria. Calceol.\eias, in collections of 12, were good, and showed great skill in cultivation. First prize, Mr. Frantdin, gai'- dener to Mrs. Lawrence, for Admiral, Alotizo, Bridal Ring, Earl of Rosslyn, Eleyans, Goldfinch, Grandifora, Isabella, Lord Byron, Lacy Ashlon, and another. Second prize, Mr. Chapman, Tm-nham Green, for Alpha, Cavalier, Cardinal, Cleopatra, Crocus, Florabunda, Keepsake, Marion, Prince of Wales, Sappho, Sidonia, and Succe.*!S. Pansies in Pots. — Tlie stiowing of these flowers in pots, thus exhibiting the habit and foliage, is certainly an im- provement upon the old method of showing tliem in stands. On this occasion they were sliown in good condition. First prize, Mr. Francis, Hertford, for Aurora, Androcles, Duke of Norfolk, Marchioness of Lothian, Mrs. Beck, Jnventa, Lucy Neat, Miss Edwards, Penelope, Purity, and Supreme. Second prize, Mr. Bragg, for Clotno, Industria, Junius, Lucidum, Lucy Neat, Madams Sontag, Magnificent, Queen of England, Snowflake, Lucidum, and two seedlings. Pinks in 1'ots. — These made but a poor appearance in pots. The flowers were individually good, but they were not sufficiently numerous in each pot to be attractive. They consisted of Coronation, Harry, .Jenny Lind, Jibing of Pur- ples, Laura, Lola Monies, J^ord John Russell, Merope, Morn- ing Star, Oxoniensis, and Village Maid. These came from Mr. Wilmer, Sunbui-y, who had a prize awarded to him for them. Ranunculuses. — A very fine collection of :10 cut blooms came from Mr. Costar, Benson, Oxon. First jirize was deservedly awarded to them. The sorts were African, Atlas, Apollo, Alice Maud, Cedo Nulli, Delectus, Dr. Lindley, Eliza Cook, Gentoo, Joseph Paxton, Lady Sale, Lord Gouijh, Maria, Mrs. C.Tnrner, Mr. Shelley, Mr. Tyso, Mr. Holland, Medora, Na.rara, Regalia, St/uire Dcvenish, and 1'ictoria. Seedlings. — Very few were exhibited. Tlie most remark- able was a Heath from ile^isrs. Hendcr.ton, Pine Apple-place, named Erica grandis. The habit of the plant was that of E. vestita; the flowers tubular and vertieillate : tliat is, set in a circle round the stem ; the colour orange-scarlet, approaching in colour to E. splendcns. This will be a useful variety. Jfr. Thomas Kcnipster, lUackheath, exhibited an interesting Pelargonium, a liybrid, between some fancy variety and the old P. cilriodorum. This is a step in the right direction ; we want sweet-leaved geraniums, with large and more attractive flowers. CAPE HEATHS. There were eleven collections, containing 108 plants. AVe can only notice a few of the very finest. July 3.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 217 Erica ampcllacea vittata (Cole), 2 ft by 2 ft. — Bekgiana (Cole), 2i ft by 1 j ft. ^- BRUNloiDES (Smith), 14 ft by 2 ft. — Cavendisiiu (Smil/i), 4 ft by a^ ft, a splendid, extra-bloomed plant, (Fairbaim), 3 ft by 3 ft. (Cole), 2i ft by 2 ft. — DEPRESSA (RoUison), 2 ft by li ft, finely bloomed. — DENTicoLATA MoscHATA (Tiii/lor), 2j ft by 2 ft, a wcU-gTown plant. — DELECTA (Smith), 3 ft by 2^. — ELEGANS (RoUison), Ij ft by 2i ft. (Fuirluiim), 2 ft by 2 ft. — Florida (RoUison), 2 ft by 2 ft, a beautiful heath. — IIALICACABA (Cole), 2 ft by li ft. — UUMBANA (Fairbaim), 3 ft by 3 ft, a large heath. — JUBATA (RoUison), 1^ ft by li ft, a fine heath. — MELLiT.EKLORA (Smith), 2 ft by 2J ft. I — MUTABiLis (RoUison), li ft by 2i ft, a dense bush, thickly flowered. — ODORA ROSEA (Taylor), 2 ft by 14 ft, a neat, well-bloomed bush. — PERSPICUA NANA (Cole), 2^ ft by 2 ft, well bloomed. — PB-CGNANS (RoUison), 3 ft by 2^ ft. — SiiANNONi (Fairbaim), 2J ft by 2J ft, a beautiful heath. (Smith), 2 ft by 2 ft. — TRICOLOR (Taylor), 2 ft by 2^ ft. ■ WiLSONii (RoUison), 2 ft by 2 ft, a fine variety. (Smitit), 2 ft by 2 ft. (Cole), 2 ft by 2 ft. AMABiLis (RoUison), 2 ft by IJ ft. ELEGANS (Fairbaim), 2^ ft by 2 ft. DUMOSA (Taylor), ij ft by 2 ft. SPLENDIDA (Cole), 2 ft by 2 ft. — VENTRICOSA BREVIFOLIA (RotllsOn), 3 ft by 3 ft. MAGNiFicA (RoUison), 2 ft by 2 ft, a splendid variety. ALBATINETA (Fairbaim), 3 ft by 3 ft. cocciNEA MINOR (Fuii-6ai>n), Ij ft by 2 ft. (Taylor), 3 ft by 2 ft. (Co/e), 2ftby 2ift. GRANDlFLORA. The best Variety of this spccies. (Smith), 2j ft by 2 ft. (Cole), li ft by 2 ft. (Taylor), Ij ft by 2 ft. VERTICILLATA (Smith), 2 ft by 2 ft. — Vernoni tumida (Cole), 2 ft by 24 ft. (Fairbaim), li ft by 2 ft, a beautiful species. — Westpualingii (Taylor), 2 ft by 2 ft, highly coloured. Miscellaneous. — Under this lieail Mr. Ii-ison, gardener to the Dowager Ducliess of Nortlmmherland, Sion House, Isleworth, exhibited a very interesting group of E.roHc Plants, benruKj ripe and nnripe fruit. It consisted of tlie Niitmcff, Uambo(je, and Tunilla aromatica. The Cinnamon tree, li feet high, was in flower, and there were specimens of dry cinnamon produced in tliose gardens. A curious object amongst tliis interesting exhibition was a plant of the Sniilic Cucumber, with several of its singular long fruit lianging down, one or two measuring near six feet. There has been lately introduced into English gardens a great number of varieties of the common D.usy (Bellis communis). A sample of them was exhibited by Mr. Salter, of Hammersmith ; amongst them we selected a few as worthy of notice, namely, Amelie B'inter, Bacchus, very double, Charlolte, Coquette, Leonliue, Jupiter, and Decora. THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. Angelica, — If intended to remain where sown In spring, thin out the plants, and encourage tliose that are to remain by maintaining an open, loose surface, and occasionally applying liquid-manure. If to be transplanted, take up the plants carefully with the trowel or spud, plant them on a good preparation, and treat them in the same way. Asparagus, — As previously recommended, should meet, in every stage, with liberal attention. If an open surface is maintained about it throughout the summer no weeds will have the chance of making their appear- ance ; and if frequent sprinklings of salt are applied, a sure foundation is laid for the following season's lu.\uriant produce. We have observed, in too many instances, after the cutting season is over, that weeds have been allowed so to accumulate seed, and rob the soil, that in autumn, when the time arrives for cutting down the stalks, the seeds of the weed get thrashed, sown, hoed, and raked into the ground, so as to be in readiness for appearing in due season, and not only i-obbiug the next year's produce, but stocking the rest of the garden with weeds also. Routine Work. — Plant out Celery in succession, and encourage the growth of all that is already planted. Sow Endive and Lettuce. Plant out Leel,s in full crop; Turnips, also, in full crop. Take every available oppor- tunity of getting out the winter crops ; do not allow a spot of ground to remain uncropped, or a weed to be seen; use every available article that cannot be turned to better account for manure. Where good order, with economy, is the order of the day, a manure-pit will always be seen as a general receptacle for all sweei)ings, rakings, trimmings, and refuse of all kinds, as well as the soap-suds from the washhouse, and all house-sewago. Where a pig or cow is kept the drainage of these places is also conveyed to the same place. Dust or charred- dust, wood-dust, or old tan, or some articles of such kind easily procured are placed in this pit to absorb the accumulation of moisture ; if under cover, so much the more valuable. A cask of salt may be kept close by, or in one corner, to dredge it with occasionally ; and it is astonishing the quantity of tlie most valuable manure that may thus be accumulated. When this save-all is to be emptied of its contents, if a piece of gi-ound is not in readiness to take it, so as to be at once trenched in, it should be placed on some soil or rubbish to absorb its juices, and at once be covered over with earth to prevent evaporation. James Barnes. MISCELLANEOUS INEOEMATION. THE DOMESTIC TIGEON. Diseases. {Continual from page 200). The Sjiall Vo\ is very rai-e in dovecotes, situated in tem- perate or cold climates ; but in hot climates, especially in Italy it is very common. In a dovecote of a hundred pairs of pigeons, there are frequently as many as ninety attacked with it. This disease consists in a cutaneous eruption, which covers the whole body with pimples, very much re- sembling those of the small pox, from whence it takes tlie nam.?. It is incurable by art, but nature generally cm-es it ; and even when no trouble is taken about it, it seldom destroys more than a twentieth part of those attacked by it. Tlie only means known to prevent this complaint, is to keep the pigeon-house extremely clean. The "Why Neck is an hereditaiy complaint among pigeons. We believe it to be produced by a great weakness of°sight, from the fact that the eyes of those attacked with it are of a rose colour, and transparent. In this state the animal continually turns its neck-in a disagreeable manner. As long as the disorder does not make any progress, the ■ keeping them very clean. bird may live and lay, but it frequently happens that the vertigo unites with this disorder, and causes instant death. Epilepsy is frequently the sequel to the wryneck. The bird, taken with painful convulsions tiu'ns its head, so that the under part is sometimes turned upwards, whilst tlie top touches the earth ; its cries become much louder when touched. If the disease increases, there is no hope of the animal's recovery, because the tits become more fre- quent, and of longer duration, and it can no longer eat ; females are more subject to epilepsy than males. Gout seldom attacks them, except when old, and then it is incurable. This disease paralyses their feet, and prevents their walldng. It appears to be produced, at least in tlie young, by the insalubrity of a damp dovecote, or a length- ened wet season. A\'e must only look to nature to cure this infinnity; however, we may assist her operations by placing the sick birds in a warm and dry place, and above all, by 218 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [July 3 The PoLYpnsis an excrescence of flesli, which accideutlj I comes in the tlirnat, grows quickly and suiibcates the pigeon. I As soon as it begins to appear, it must he cut off with a pair of tine poiuted scissors, and its root humt with caustic. Tlic bird should afterwards he dieted, that is to say, kept entirely on barley ; a few gi'ains of salt should occasionally be put into its beak. If the excrescence re-appears, we may know that the operation has been badly done, and must repeat it ; but if it appears again the third time, the bird is lost, DiAEEHtEi, or scouring, is almost always the consequence of unwholesome food. If it proceed-; from heated grain, which is very rare, but also more dangerous, the bird must have nothing but pure barley; but should it proceed, on the contrary, from tares, or wheat of a bad quality, &c., the animal may easily be cured by giving it good grain. If the scouring has become chronical and stubborn, we must give it a little salt, and let it drink nothing hut water with a little alum in it. {Tu he Coiiliiiiwd.) DESCRIPTIONS OF PIGEONS. NINTH EACE. {Coiiliniwd from paijc 'M\.) Waited Pioeon (Oolitmha liiherciilom). — The birds of this race may he known at the first glance by their long and hooked beak, the \ery large lump on their ^\■arted nostrils, in the shape of a small mushroom, by the large red Heshy ribbon which they have round the eye, by their large size, and by the e.\traordinary length of their throat and feet. The greater part of this race are extremely fruitfid, but they are naturally wild, untraetable, and never become thoroughly tame. However cautiously any one enters the dovecote, they all fly out in the greatest confusion, break their eggs, or forsake their nests, and do not return to it again until the indiscreet observer has retired. The WArTF.n Pigeon with the l.ip.ge Mushroom (Cohimlin liihcrnihisit fiiiuioso), has a mushroom, or very large tubercle, on tlie beak ; a large red ribbon round the eyes, forming, wlion the bird is old, a sort of second eyelid, fleshy and reddisli, which falls over its eyes, and prevents its seeing. These ribbons are sometimes so large that tliey join on the top of the head, the beak is curved and hooked, and the eye black. This bird is heavy, high on its legs, large and sliort in the body; the neck is thin and long, the wings short, and feet naked; its breast-bone is always of a Hame-colour. It has several sub varieties, with a plumage black, red, black and white, dun colour, &a. All these produce but little, and with difficulty ; consequently it has become very rare, and is merely preserved as an object of curiosity. The Mixed Wakted Pigeon (Coliimha tiibemihsn olo- rliia) is known in many of the provinces of France by the name of tlie Swan Pigeon, from w)ience its Latin name. It differs from the preceding \'ariety in having a smaller ribbon round the eyes, the tubercles of the nostrils not so large, and being smaller in size. It also has a red breast- hone; its plumage is generally inclined to white, or white and black lii.ACK-TAii.ED SIIXHD Wai'.ted Pioeon ( Cohimhu tiihrmilnm oliirina iiiiirk-iaiihi), very nearly resembling the precediiig, liut always having a lilack tail, of a deeper coloiU' near tlie end. livTAVIANWAinKI) i'lOEON (Cl)lliniha IllllclTlllliSU Miiximit). Some authors call this " the great liatavian," because tliey were first liniught from Batavia. They also think that this ought to be considered as the origin of tlie Dove cole Pigeon, instead of tlio stock dove. It is larger than the jireceiling species of this race ; thick tubei'cles, eyelids \ery llesliy, although less so Hiau in the others, pearl eye, that is with a whitish iris ; very long beak, measuring nearly In lines in l(!ngl,li ; necti extremely long, b(jdy large and short, very high on its legs, feet of a blood red, long enough to extend a good inch beyond the tail when stretched out. Its step is lieavy, and its flight laborious, in consequence of the shortness of its wings, which, moreover, are scarcely covered with feathers, and the jpromiiient bones of the shoulders are left n|iparenlly nearly naked. Tliis line species product's little, and is not much soughl alter at the prese'Ut day by atiialein's. The catise of their being so little cared for may, no doubt, be attributed to their imgraccful forms, and the havoc they can make in tlie dovecotes by destroying the young ones lielonging to the other birds. with their fonnidable beak. This bird is the largest of all the pigeons, one of them being known tall enough to drink out of a common pail without trouble. {Hec ciii.) We have seen, at a German amateur's, a pigeon resem- bling in all respects the " Batavian," except in having no mushroom on the beak or round the eyes. White-headed Wakted Pigeon (Cohimla tiiberctilom ' cnpitiita). — Resemliling the preceding, but more esteemed in consequence of its plumage, the lower part of which is the colour of tobacco, and its brown neck surmounted by a white head. Shai.i, ISatatian Warted Pigeon {Coliimha tiihcrciilosii balava riiiiumn). — -Generally I'oserables the large Batarian, differing from it in being smaller and more productive SiLicY liATJiViAN Wakted Pigeon (Coliimha hili-niiloxn selucea haliivu). — \ variety as rare as singular. It resembles the preceding in its figure and chief points, but the beards of its feathers are long, and thick, and do not adhere toge- ther, which deprives it of the faculty of fiyiiig. This bird, also, which has not been brought into the market, will doubtless never be multiplieil, except by amateurs, who merely consider it a sirajile object of curiosity. Ckopped W.\nTED Pigeon (Coliimha tiiherciilosa ciiilaln). — Large in the body; less mushroom than the preceding; the ribbons round the eyes not so large ; beak shorter than that of the large P.ataviati, never exceeding fourteen lines; eye pearled; high on its legs ; feet surpassing the length of its tail ; its plumage is commonly black and wliite. This pretty bird is very productive, and desenes to be more generally bred. Grey-headed Warted Pigeon (Coliniihn Inhemilosa (■iiin-ca tapilnlu). — It has a long beak, surmouiUed with a mushroom ; the eye is pearled, and tleshy ; the head stout, and the neck long and thin ; the body large, short, high on the legs. Its head is of a greyish white, and the rest of its idumage black. This bird produces abumlanlly, but is excessively wild. THE SPOT IN I'EL.VPiGONIUMS. For some few years past the spot on Pelargonitims has been so great a pest among gardeners, that it appears as? if nothing could eradicate it; but experience has proved that even this is to be done. A few months since we had a Pelargoiiiuin of a delicate fancy variety so infested with the spot that we lliought it useless, for upon examining the young leaves we found them covered with the spot in its July 3.] THE COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 219 first stage, before it had spread — something like being inmctured; we hail tlinngbt of destroying it, but, by way of experiment, we tlioughl we would try the use of sulphur. The plant was syringed to nialce the sulpliur stick to it, and tlien sulphured with a pepper box beneath and above every leaf, till it was smothered; indeed, so desperate was the ease, that we were determined to kill or cure. It remained so a, week or ten days, when we thought it time to see the effect. The plant was syringed again to wash oft' the sulpliur, anil we found the disease was completely stopped, — not a spot has been seen upon a single leaf which the plant has made since ; nor is tliis aU, for it was the very best plant in our collection of fancy Pelargoniums, which obtained the tirst prize at our late horticultural exhibition. Hoes not tliis prove the spot to be some kind of fungus or mildew, for which sulpliur is an unrivalled antidote ? at least, it appears to us to be quite conclusive. Here, then, is a remedy simple and effective, i\ith little trouble and less cost, — Geo. Goodwin, at Geo. Tlinmus, Ekij., JJ'ooiibriili/r, Siiffol/:. HAEDY SPRING FLOWERS. Your correspondent, S. N. V., has treated on a subject veiy attractive to those poor folks, who, having no green- houses, and never spending " the season " of all seasons, in London, cannot afford to keep their (lower-beds in the proper state of fasliionable emptiness. Jly own half dozen have been as fuUy furnished for the last three months, as I hope they will be for the next three ; and even when the summer plants are only beginning to spread in the middle, the edgings of each are gay with Ranunculuses, Pinks, and Pansies, as you allowed me to describe in your pages last September. As S. N. V. promises more of his instructions, I should not have presumed upon his ground, had he not requested suggestions. He will, perhaps, allow me to re mind him of a few useful spring flowers, on which he may give us further information. — Ambi!! verna. I know not why this should not have been much used ; it is compact in foliage, brilliant in whiteness, and invulnerable by injiu'y. — Iberis sertipcrvirt'HS (Evergreen Candytuft), comes into tlower just as the Arabis is over, and looks like a snowball till .Inne. It is not strictly herbaceous, but its stems strike root as layers, so freely, that if can always be divided when removed at this season, and cuttings are equally prolific. — Aiibrivliu purpurea grows niucli like the Arabis, and is of the same natural order, but flowers ratlicr later, and continues covered with pretty purple blossoms till .Tuly, never wholly losing them till tlie winter. It spreads rapidly, and would form a beautiful edging. — /(•/.'; piimila flowers about April ; rich purple, and \ery dwarf. Host visitors ask for a bit, and it increases fast enough for all. — 7^/i/o.i; //•««(/(«'<, tiny thorn- like leaves, and brigVit pink flowers in May. I have a bed cif Roses edged with this on one side, and Gentianella on tlie other. — J'lilov mrnii, prostrate foliage, and rose-coloured flowers six inches high, in April, but a cold spring checks them. — Liiuim favimi, beautifully yellow, about May, but not quite Iiardy. Last winter, howevei-, it stood out without suffering. It should be well drained. — Hvpaliiits. With these I find no difficulty myself, even tlKiugh moved twice a-year. Tlie leaves are apt to turn black, and die just as the flowers are in beauty, and are then best cut oft'. In May they are taken up and divided, and the roots cut back and planted deeply. — I have tried many others, but these ate my sheet anchors, except bulbs, on which I hope S. N. V. will, hereafter, give liis instructions. — Incognita. BEE SUPERSTITIONS. FnoM the many proofs you have given of a readiness to receive communications from, and advise young apiarians, I am sure you will excuse my troubling you with a few lines, briefly detailing my own doings up to this time, and asking your advice as to my future proceedings. First, I would observe, that I am living in the neighbourhood of JIarlbro' Forest, not, I should think, a very favourable district foi- bee-keepei's, the late frosts to which we are subject in the spring, sadly interfering with the operations of bees ; still bees are kept to a considerable extent by my poorer neigh- bours although, as you shall hear, with all the prejudices and fancies of a century since. The habit of grubbing up double hedgerows, now so prevalent on our farms, is sup- posed by many to have deprived the bees of much of their favourite pasturage, and thus to account for the small store of houey which the bees usually fm'nisli nuw, compai'ed with the (jooil old times. In order to commence my experiments as an apiarian, I applied to a worthy old woman in my parish, better infoniied on most matters than those of her class generally, and with an especial reputation for her skill in tlie management of bees. She willingly consented to let me have one of her best stocks, but not for money, as that would be iinluckij ; it must be a gift, or it would not prosper ; and such, I assure you, is the general opinion here, at all events. The hi\e was brought early in the spring, and idaced on a stool, under a south wall, in a warm and dry- situation. I procured one of the cottage hives in readiness for the swami, whenever it should rise. The bees went on working most industriously, and the hive began to send forth a sweet savour of honey and wax, and an early swarm was expected. During the 'h\A week in June, the bets began to hang in clusters outside, and show symptoms of the hive being too full to hold them. I regretted, of course, that I could not avail myself of the discoveries made of late years, and, by putting on a cap, employ their idle time till the queen was ready, and the weather favourable for the important event of swarming, however, I had nothing to do but to wait patienUy. The wind and the weather continued, as you are aware, very unfavourable for the object in view. At length there was a change ; on the lllth and yOth of the month, the bees hung out in still larger clusters, numbers not returning to the hive before dark. On the :21st the sun shone out very brightly, and, although the wind was very high, everything promised well for the rising of the swarm. While I was sitting in my room, a message was brought in about twelve o'clock that the bees were swarming ; out I went much pleased at the tidings, when, to my dismay, I heard a loud banging and clattering of pans, for I remembered a remark in Mr. Taylor's book strongly condemning the practice as most absurd, and, indeed, calculated to drive away the bees, rather than to nttraet them. My first impulse was to stop these proceedings altogether, but I found it would not do ; an old man in my employ, who had taken many swarms in his time, and was to officiate on this occasion, shook his head at the fearful innovation of silencing this liorrible discord ; and as I saw he would lose all faitli if I interfered, I felt that I had no choice but to leave him to manage the matter in his own way. The bees (who certainly seemed most willing to alight in my little garden, had the music ceased or been somewhat more harmonious) went over the hedge which separates mine from a neighbour's garden, and alighted upon its opposite side. In tlie meantime the hive was to prepared ; salt, honey, and beei', were mixed together by another beekeeper who happened to be in the house, and the inside well smeared with the mixture ; the edge of tho hive must next be rubbed with majoram. When the opera- tion was finished, my old friend, with the greatest iion- chalenee, took the hive and went straightway to the bees and began shaking them down into their future alxide. T)>e greater part took wing again, but a few were hived, and the iiiie was then placed upon the ground, and covered with tlie boughs of a tree. After a while the remaining bees again settled upon the hedge ; the branch on which they hung was then cut off and placed by the side of the hive, and eveiything allowed to remain quietly until night; at night the bees were found to ha\'e taken to the hive, which was then removed and placed on its stand by the side of the parent stock. I weighed the hive immediately, and found the weight to be 11^ pounds. The swarm was pronounced to be uniimaltij large, indeed the hive would hardly hold it; and I should imagine, judging from tlie aliove weight, must have amounted to seven or eight pounds, as the hive itself was small and liglit. Notwithstanding the music and smearing, so far all has prospered. I have omitted to mention an instance of superstition veiy prevalent in these parts, concerning bees. One of my poor parishioners died after a long illness, leaving a widow and several children, and the other day the widow was lamenting that the bees " had done so badly since her husband's death, because she had forgotten to toll the hives, and put them in mourning." — A Couniky Vicar. 220 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [July 3. TO CORRESPONDENTS. •«* We request that no one will write to the departmental writers of The Cottage Gakdener. It gives them unjustifiable trouble and expense. All communications should be addressed " To the Editor of Thfi Cottage Gardener, 2, Amen Corner, Paternoster Row, London. Gloxinias and Aciiimenes {Rotation). — Your plants have been kept too long, either too wet or too cold. Your process of potting, and your compost, were quite right. When you placed them in the cucumber- frame was it very hot ? If so, that alone would be sufficient to destroy the bulbs. Bulbs that have been a long time dormant ought to be placed at Hrst in a temperature not more than lu'^ higher than that in which they have passed the winter. Examine the bulbs, and all that are rotten throw away at once. Such as are sound may start yet, though we much fear you will find the living principle extinct in them all by this tini^ though some may look green. Glenuy's Golden Rules for Gardeners you will find a useful book. LOPDOSPERMUM Hendebsonii {J . Betsworth). — This is a beautiful annual, half hardy, and easy enough to grow. You may put out part of your plants in the open air against a wall or paling, and put one or two in a G-inch or 8-inch pot, and place these in your window. They will run round the window, and flower beautifully. The Globe Amaranthus {Gomphrena glohosn) is a tender annual, and will not grow and flower in the open air. Convoleulits major. — As good a trellis as any for this plant are sticks with small twigs all round them ; straight hazel-rods, without twigs, answer very well ; or, if they are planted near a wall, a string of twine will answer. Preparing Florists' Flowers i-or Exhibition (A.B. C). — You are right ; we do not approve of much manipulation for this purpose ; but you may, with propriety and fair dealing, remove any imperfect or ill- coloured petals, provided you do not put any other in their place. You may also place the petals in a more regular form. Both these operations require much judgment and dexterity, or you may injure rather than improve your flowers. The only tool required is a pair of small ivory tweezers, with the ends flattened to take hold of the petals with. With regard to flattening Pansies, unless great care is used you will do more harm than good. You will be in danger of splitting the petals or rubbing ofiF the fine bloom, either of which would be fatal. However, if you like to tn,', procure some round pieces of velvet or satin, and place it carefully upon a flower that is rather obstinate, and upon this covering place a penny piece for an hour or two before the time arrives to expose the flower. But all this will not make a good flower out of a bad one. A better plan is to grow the best kinds in great plenty, so as to have many to choose from. Bees {/>. N , Edinburgh).~~Yes; the bee you inclose is a queen, a very young one, and was -turned out of your stock-hive, dead, during the night of Friday, a pretty sure sign that no other swarm will issue from that hive this season. Your swarm, in all probability, has flown away, and very probably to a hive of old comb. It is very unfair to sutfer a hive full of comb to remain exposed during the swarming-season, espe- cially where many bees are kept, for a swarm is almost sure to go into it. The honey deposited in very old comb must, consequently, be much deteriorated in quality. There is no punishment for persons exposing hives of comb in the swarming-season, except from their own consciences in knowing that they have been guilty of a very dishonest act. Bees {D. Porrell). — We have at the present moment four of Neigh- bour's improved cottage hives ^No. 5) working under our eye; andnothmg can be better suited to the amateur apiarian who wishes for a supply of Jine honey in small (quantities : the bees generally do remarkably well in them. It is better to use cotton, wool, or something of the kind, between your wooden cover and the bell-glass. Do not feed at this season; and when you do, give your food at the top, covered with a bell-glass. Dethronement of a Queen {Ree. J. M. C). — You ask us to account for a queen bee's being expelled from a hive in which a new swarm had been placed seventeen days only ; that is, to account for a supernumerary queen at all under the circumstances? The queen which led off your swarm was a very old one ; and as soon as a young queen was formed, some time before she emerged from the breeding cell the old one would be expelled. Absence ok Drones (Teddington Rectori/). — Paint your hive stone- colour ; it will then be much cooler than if it remains green. In all probability it swarmed last year, and became much weakened thereby ; and in weak hives drones are not bred till very late in the season. Do not despair ; you will see them yet ; we have several hives at which drones have not yet made their appearance. Caterpillar on Rose-tree (S.).— It is the caterpillar of one of the Geometridie moths ; but we cannot tell the species until a moth is bred from it. Answer to your query about bees next week. Pegging Down Dahlias {Dromore House) .^The main stems need not be stopped. If you peg them down by degrees, and gently, they will not break, and will soon send out branches spontaneously. O.MON Grub [F. U*. 5., Melton). — Your crop of ouions is attacked by the grubs or larvje of the Onion fly {Anthumi/ia ceparum), of which you will see a drawing and description in the first part of The Cottage Gar- deners* Dictionary, page 52. It is too long to extract. Attempts to destroy them are almost hopeless ; but we have seen much good arise from watering every night for a week between the rows, making small trenches for the purpose, with the house-sewage, soap-suds, &c. Cistern under a Greenhouse or Heathery {Water Cistern). — We know of no objection to this ; nor do we know anything of the flue tiles you inquire about. Cuampaigne (One who has risen). — At, not after. Be assured the worst of all ignorance is to be ashamed to ask for the information in which we feel ourselves in need. Potatoes (B). — Of the potatoes you mention, Fo.t^s Seedlings are round, white, short-stemmed, and good for early cropping. Of the Brt-ad-fruif, there are the red and the white, both prolific ; tubers oblong and rather flat ; keep well, but are rather late kinds. York Regents are rather late, but excellent potatoes. Ward^s Early, Penzance Kidney, and Wiltshire Kidney we do not know. Onions {Ibid). — Of those you mention, the best keeping varieties are James's Keeping, Globe, and Strasburg. The Cottage Gardener's Dictionary (T. S. De Lolme). — Thanks for your criticism ; an alphabetical list of synonynms will be given at the end ; not a plant is admitted but is worthy of culture ; as the height is given, every gardener knows the distance that should be between the plants ; and every one of your other suggestions are met in some way or other. A\''e never use symbols, because it causes more trouble to the reader without saving compensating space; and to have entered into all the particulars you require, the work must have filled three pocket vo- lums instead of one. Exhibitions of Carnations {R. S.). — The meetings for the exhi- bition of carnations and picotees are as follows; — Chiswick, July 19th ; Surrey Zoological, July 24th ; London Floricultural, Exeter Hall, July 8th. Carnations and picoteea will be exhibited at the above places in fine order. Names of Plants {Cautious). — Your plant is O.rycoeciis palustris, or English Ctanberry. The price of our cloth cover for the sis month's volume is one shilling, and for the twelve month's volume eighteenpence. Your other plant may be Azalea procumbens, but we cannot decide with- out seeing a specimen in flower. i.J'. Hudson). — Yours is Hieracium murorum. {L. P. S.). — Polygata vulgaris, or Common milkwort. Old Verses {Biblos). — We know the silly verses you allude to. They were puljlished in 1737, and entitled " A Contest betu-fen the Gardeners and the Tailors, concerning their Antiquity." The gardeners claim pre- cedence because Adam was a gardener long before he made an apron of fig-leaves. Vine Coltdre (A. W.). — We beg pardon for not answering you sooner ; the note was mislaid by one ignorant of its import. We are inclined to think that drought has had a full share in producing the evil of which you complain. Vines enjoy a liberal amount of moisture: but it must pass away immediately, for they love air as well, and it is needless to suggest to you the consideration of the truism that two bodies cannot occupy the same space. Your case does not seem positive disease, and, therefore, you might try the effect of a little weight at the ends of the curled bunches; a plan suggested by our clever coadjutor, Rlr. Fish, many years since, and which is said to answer. Mr. F. may, perhaps, furnish you with information concerning it. Turn Dielytra spectabilis out of its pot. Diseased Vine Leaf (lYo signature). — Your injured leaves would seem to have been pierced by an insect. A friend to whom we sent the leaf, and who has been a notorious vine doctor, says that he has had leaves become thus which had been smothered by a host of minute Thrips previously. We could give an opinion if we knew where the vine grows, and how it has been treated. London: Printed by Harrt Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William SoMERViLLB Orr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ Church, City of I^indon.— July 3rd, 1851. OHALE MANURE.— Tlie Bitu- ^J minous Shale Company can now supply Pulverised Shale Ashes, in sacks, at .^'2 10s per ton, delivered at any station or branch line of the South- Western Railway, and at the Terminus, Nine P'lms. This valuable Manure is at once cheap, dura- ble, and fertilizing, and will be found to be superior to all others for Grain, Grass, and Rout crops. A singular property of this Manure is, that it entirely prevents the ravages of the Fly in Turnips and Hops ; it is also utterly destructive of the Wire-worm. Orders to be addressed to the Bituminous Shale Company, 145, Upper Thames Street, London, where aUo testimonial!! from the first agriculturists of the day may be obtained. Algernon Pollock, .Secretary. n LENNY'S GOLDEN BUEES FOR GARDENERS, Professional and vJ Amateur; showing, in few words, what Gardeners ought to do and avoid. Price fid. n LENNY'S HAND-BOOK TO THE FLOWER GARDEN AND VJ GREENHOUSE; containing the Description, Culture, and Management of all the Popular Flowers and Plants grown in this country; with a Calendar of operations for every month. Price 5s 6d. n LENNY'S HAND-BOOK TO THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE vJ GARDEN; onntainin;; the Culture, Management, and Description of all the Fruits and \'eKetable3 grown in this country ; with a Calendar of Operations for every month. Price 7s 6d. G LENNY'S HAND-BOOK OK PRACTICAL (iARDENlNU; contain- in? full instructions for performing every operation connected with the Practical Management of Gardens ; and for the Culture of Florists' Flowers. Price 73 6d. G LENNY'S P1U)PJ'',RT11'',S OK l''LO\VERS AND PLANTS; containing the Description of all the Qualifications necessary to a Perfect Flower. Price Is. G LENNY'S CATECHISM OF GARDENING; coutnining the Elements of Practical Gardening, in Plain Questions and Answers. Price 9d. C. Cox, 12, King William-street. July 10.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 231 M W D D 10,Th ii!f 123 ISSdn H M 15 Td 16 W JULY 10—16, 1851. Weathke neae Lo.ndon in 1850. Barometer. Thermo. Wind. Rain in In. Sun Sun Moon Rises. Sets. R.&S. Moon's Clock Age. bcf.Sun. Day of j Year. , Wood- Vetch flowers. Lillle Throat. Wort flowers. White Lily flowers. 4 Sunday AFTER Trixity. SwoUows congregate. St. SwiTiiiN. Golden-Roil flowers. .Star-Thistle flowers. .10.373 — 30.335; 81-46 , N.E. — 30.343 — 30.325: 84-4; , E. — 30.343 — 30.23;, 81—52 N.E. — 30.213 — 30.202' 81-48 , E. — 30.202 — 30.129' 81—52 N.E. — 30.130 — 30.12:, 75—49 N.E. — 30.118-29.990 81 — 51 N. — 56 a. 3 14 a. 8 { 1 43 57 13 1 2 20 58 12 3 5 59 1 1 rises. IV 10 9a 6 2 9 9 37 3 8 1 10 2 11 4 56 12 i 5 4 13 5 12 © <■ S" 15 5 27 16 5 33 17 5 39 191 IBS 1 193 , 194 1 195 1 196 I 197 1 Bbforb us are two volumes just issued from the press, entitled The Correspondence of Horace Wal/mle, Earl of Orfoi'd, and the Rei'. Wil- liam MiiMon, two of the most accomplished minds of the last century — both poets, both wits, and both moat tasteful critics of designs in gar- dening. The familiar letters of such men could not fail to be stores of amusement ; and no one can rise from the perusal of those letters with- out acknowledging that their authors were most truly like fire-flies, very sparkling, but very very small. In our fourth volume we gave a alight notice ot Rlr. I^Iaaon, hut there are much fuller particulars in these volumes, and we shall need no apology for placing them before our readers, as well as a memoir of the Earl, derived from the same, and other sources, Mr. Mason left a chronology of the chief events of his life, and we shall quote this, weaving among its bare threads a few fuller notes chiefly from his own pen. "1. Born Feb. 12, old style, 172-1. — 2. My mother died in childbed, the Christmas following. — 3. Admitted pensioner at St. John's College, Cambridge, under Mr. Miglcy, June 30, 1743 ; elected scholar of that College the Octol}er following." And writing to Rfr. Walpole, in 1"75, he thus recounts some characteristics of liis college career, " Thirty years ago when I was turned twenty, I used to leave Cambridge for London whenever I liad five guineas to spare, on what they called a scheme. My scheme was to dine every day at a ehop-house behind St. Clement's at two, in order to be in the middle of the pit at four, there to remain witb all the impatience of expectation till the curtain drew up ; and this I continued to do daily while my money lasted, and with as much regularity as I at present go niorning and afternoon to see the ancient maiden gentlewomen and decayed tradesmen of this famous city of Vork mumble their matins and their vespers." "4. Nominated by the Fellows of Pembroke to a Fellowship in that society 'a dispute having occurred between them and the fliaster concerning the right of election), when fliiddle Bachelor, J747.~5. This dispute being com- promised, was admitted a Fellow by the Master, in Feb., I74f). — 6, Ad- mitted to the degree of fliaster of Arts, July, 1749. Went into orders. W'as instituted to the living of Aston, and appointed Chaplain to the Earl of lioldernesse, Nov., 1754. — /. fliy father died, Aug. 26, 1753. — 8. Archbishop Hutton gave me the Prebend of Holme, in the Cathedral of York, Dec, 176(). — Appointed by the Duke of Devonshire Chaplain in ordinary to the King, July 2, 175/.— 10. Resigned a bye Fellowship of Pembroke fwhich was given me by that society, after the foundation Fel- lowship became vacantj, on institution to Aston, 17.'>9. — II. Appointed Chaplain to his present Majesty, Sept, 19, Ijfil. — 12. Dr. Fountaync, Dean of Vork, made me Canon Residentiary of that Cathedral, Jan. 7, 1762. — 13. Installed Precentor of the same church, on the resignation of Dr, Newton, Bishop of Bristol, and on that account, in his Majesty's gift, Feb. 22, 1703. — M, Resigned the same day, to Archbishop Drum- mond, the Prebend of Holme, on having the Prebend of Driffield annexed to the Primateship.— 15. I\Iarried the daugliter of Wtn. Sherman, Esq., of Hull, Sept. 25, 1765. — iG. She died in a consumption at Bristol, March 27, 1767. 'Ah! amantissima. optima foemina, vale !' * — 17- John Hutton, iOsq., fllarshc, near Richmond, Yorkshire, died Jime 12, 1768, by which death an estate in the East Riding came to me in reversion. — 18, Mr. Gray died July 30, J771, and left me his Executor jointly, with Dr, Brown, Master of Pembroke Hall.— 19. Resigned the Chaplaincy to the King, Aug. 1773." His reason, and we believe the true one, for resigning the royal chap- laincy, is thus told by him to Mr. Walpole :—" I hear (for I have not seen the paper) that it has been printed as a piece of news, that 1 have resigned my chaplainaliip, and a cause assigned for it, which I fear will ofl'end Lord Hertford. 1 could wish, therefore, if it came easily into con- | versation, that you would assure his Lordship, that my intention of re- signing (for it is at present only intention^ arises merely from my reso- | lution of not aiming at any further ecclesiastical preferment, but to sit ] down iiti rorwiva satur in a parsonage, which I have built for that pur- 1 pose. That as this parsonage is in Yorkshire, and my temporal concerns also in Yorkshire, a London journey at a stated time is often inconvenient, | and will be (when I advance more in years) constantly disagreeable. On this account, and on this only, I mean to relinquish the chaplainship, and ' would wish to do it at any time wlicn liis lordship thmks it most eligible, ' * In a MS. book of Mason's he has inserted : *' Epitaph on my dearest wife, written at Bristol Hot Wells." It is not generally known that the three last lines of this Epitaph are the eomposition of Gray.— See Cor- respondence of Gray and NichoUa (ed. Aid.} and I should imagine, that if you would please to intimate this to him, it would appear to him (as it is meant to be) a more civil way of proceeding, than by an abrupt letter of resignation. Remember you have, once at least, asked for a chaplainship, be assured if you ask for leave to resign one, you will find full as much gratitude from the person you do this latter favour for, as you did from the former." At page 363 of our fifth volume, we noticed Sir W. Chambers, and hii work on Chinese Gardening, expressing our conviction that the satire upon it contained in an Heroic Epistle, and in an Heroic Postsci^t, were from Rlr. Rlason's quiver. The volumes before us establish this con- viction, for in various passages of the letters before us, are allusions as to the modes adopted for avoiding detection ; this secrecy was desired be- cause the attack upon Sir Robert was made a covert, from behind which to assail the court and its prevailing politics ; but the authorship is no longer doubtful, after this passage from one of Walpole's letters. '" Keep my letter and jjrint it in the Gazette, either before or after my death, if I deceive you. Tell — shew here — under my hand, that I exhorted you to publish both the Heroic Epistle, and the Postscript." We must refer our readers to our fourth volume for a comment upon Mason's " English Garden," and for the circumstances attendant upon his death, and postponing our memoir of Walpole until our next number ; we will conclude for the present with this extract from the preface to the two volumes, a preface which makes us regret that their editor, the Rev. J. i\Iitford, has not been more copious in his notes. "It was my wish, had time been allowed me, to turn from the heat and dust of these controversies, in which our two correspondents have been 80 long engaged, and to have represented one of them, at least, as he would best have appeared, in another and higher character, of the bene- volent pastor of his affectionate flock, the faithful guardian of their temporal interests, and the teacher commissioned to supply their spiritual wants. In tliis character fllason would have more advantageously appeared than we have yet seen him. The church, which he improved and adorned, atill attests the pious munificence wliich alike increased its utility and beauty: the children of the present generation are the successors, of those, for whose temporal and spiritual advantages he made that careful provision, which now passing into the hands of hia successors, has become a permanent blessing ; fur he thought that within the walls of the humble village school must tlie early virtues be formed and take root, which are hereafter to preserve their bloom and fragrance amid scenes and climates tlie most ungenial and unfavourable to them. Nor would the dwelling of the author of the ' English Garden * be seen without respect and pleasure by all whose approbation is of value, from the discriminate taste with which it would be given. To those who may not have had the pri- vilege which we have enjoyed, of being admitted within those kind and hospitable walls, it may be interesting to know that the house which Mason built still remain's unaltered, or only in the alterations which time requires, improved* : — that his library still remains on the same shelves; his pictures still look down from the same spots where his hand had placed them ; his closets still retain the curious and ample stores of literature that he deposited in them, and which have been ever since guarded with the most affectionate respect and attention to his wishes: and if the footsteps of the poet have long deserted the groves and gar- dens which lie loved, the guiding Hand that formed them may still he traced, as it commanded its new and improved creations to arise. Among those trees which he planted, and which now. matured by time, spread their ampler shadows on the lawn, that same taste will be recognised, however confined the spot, in every winding walk, in each connected shade, and in every opening view, which hereafter expanding over a wider field, was to give, even to nature herself, a more pleasing and attractive dress; to refine and multiply the tastes of a whole people, and to call forth an art which could alike" bestow its minuter beauties on the peasant's cottage, or spread its rich mantle of decoration over thp most extended domain." METF.ORoi.onv OK THE Week. — At Chiswick, from observations during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- peratures of these daV« are /.''». 3'^ and .'>I..5° respectively The greatest heat, 90°, occurred on the 12th in I817, and the lowest cold. 41^ on the 15th in 1848. During the period 112 days were fine, and on 56 rain fell. * " Hanc vidcs villam ut nunc quidera est, lautius Eedificatam pastoris nostri studio, qui cum esset infirmft valetudine, hie fer& wtatem egit ! " These words of the Roman orator, with the alteration of one, may be ap- plied to Mason's rectory at Aston, which he built at a considerable expense, adorned with taste, and which in his later days he seldom left. Two (^uostious are just uow being agitated, of so much interest to the lovers of flowers in general, antl to nur- serymen and tlorists in particular, that we notice them thus prominently. The first case is concisely stated in the following letter : — " Mr. A. rents of Mr. B a piece of ground, at his nur- sery, ten miles from London, and grows his roses there, because he finds they will not attain any size close to town, and he pays a man five shillings a week to look after them, visiting them himself occasionally. The question raised is, whether A has a right to show bleoras No. OXLV., Vol. VI THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [JUT.Y 10. cut from this pliuitation? Mountains nve niaile of mole- hills, anil many objections have been made to Mr. A showing from the plants grown on Mv. B's premises ; hut we will not go into all the pros and cons, because we place the thing at once on a broader base. If Edmonton produced better pansies than any other locality, arid we bargained for half a man's garden there, and Sawbridge- worth grew Roses better than other places, and we rented part of some man's premises there, and, in fact, went to the expense of ten bits of garden in ten places, and paid people to loci; after them, we are most decidedly of opinion that we should have a right to show from all of them. No line can be drawn that will e.Kclude a man from e.Khibiting from all the pieces of groimd he may rent. One of the best members of the iletropolitan Society was constrained by his business to reside in the heart of London, surrounded by its smoke; he gi'ew his .dahlias at a small nursery north of London, and frequently won prizes. There were dark insinuations about his not showing his own flowers ; and at last, a formal comjilaint was made and met. He rented a piece of ground at a nursery, paid a man to look after his flowers ; of course the case broke down ; for you might as well refuse to let the Duke of Devonshire sliow from Chatsworth because he lives also at Chiswick, as forbid a man showing from twenty gardens, if he went to the expense of twenty. The only bad feature about the matter is, the renting of ground at a nursery ; because there seems no check upon cutting from the owner's stock as well as one's own ; but if a man be honest, he will not do so." With the opinion tluis expressed, we entirely coin- cide, with the exception that under no circumstances would we allow the portion of garden rented to be pai't of a nursery. The second question is the following : — A nurseryman rents a piece of ground, erects upon it gi'cenhouses, and stocks it thoroughly. The jiarish then endeavours to rate him to the poors'-rate according to its improved value ; and the question has arisen whether this higher rating is admissible. The question was brought before the Winchester bench of magistrates, and was decided by a majority that the higher rating is not maintainable. They held that greenhouses, unlike other buildings erected by tenants in other trades, do not attach to the land, hut are always treated in law as stock in trade, which is clearly not rateable. What Lord Kenyon stated in Penion v. Rohavt (v! East, HO), is so strongly in support of this view of the case, and is so illumined by that enlightened policy which should influence a decision upon this question, that we ofter no excuse for its quotation : — " The old cases upon this subject, said his lordship, leaned to consider as realty (part of the freeliokl) whatever was annexed to tlie frechuld by the occupier; but in modern times the leaniii;; lias always been the other way, in hnoiu- of tlm tenant, ui support of the interests (if trade, whicli is beciiiue tlie pillar of the state. Wliat tenant will lay out liis money in costly improvements of tlie land, if ho must leave everything behind liim wliiuh can be said to be annexed to it? Sliall it be saiil that tlie great gardeners and mu'scry- inen in the ii.'it,'libourbuud of tins metropolis, who expend tbiiusands of jiouuds in the erection of greenhouses, and hothouses, A-c., are obliged to leave all these things behind tbem, when it is notorious that they are even permitted to remove trees, or such as arc lilcely to become so, by the thousand, in the necessary course of their trade. If it were otherwise, the very object of tlieir holding would be defeated. Tliis is a description of property divided from the realty." Now, if a greenhouse be property divided from the freehold, it cannot, in the case of a nurseryman, be anything but a part of his stock in trtide, which, as we liave already observed, is clearly not rateable. The bench were not uumindfvil of the recent decision in The Queen t. llashim (.lustice of the Peace, xt. 24) ; but they held, though not unanimously, that greenhouses being uniformly treated as part of a nurseryman's stock in trade, the present was distinguishable from that case. We should not have mentioned this, but to apprise nur- serymen of the mischief that is stirring; for if that mis- chief fixes upon them, they need not be reminded that it will be a very serious annual chai'ge upon them. GARDENING GOSSIP. Cheltenham ^Monster Show — for such was the name given to tlie lirst attempt, and, as the good people of that celebrated town chose the name, we will not attempt to change it. Some exceedingly misinformed gentleman has ventured to announce that in our remarks upon this great enterprise " there is not. a single statement founded on fact'' Now we happen to have been one of the few writers who never liad to apologise for a false- hood, nor to retract a paragraph, and if we do so now it will be a novelty. We can endure anything, pardon anything, but falsehood, wilfully put forth to lower any one in public estimation; and we expect no mercy our- selves if we, by any chance, should be found tripping ; but, before we proceed to substantiate what we said, let us repeat the paragraph : " The inhabitants of Cheltenham had a chance of establish- ing one of the finest shows in England, having the advantage of a lieavy subscription. But they farmed the exhibition out to private speculators, who tm'ned out one of the worst schedules that was ever printed, promised the mostridiculous prizes, cut them down after they were faWy won, and were actually threatened with law proceedings before even some of these were paid. It may lie improved, but it will never be what it miglit liave been with good management." Now the statements here are exceedingly plain : — 1st. They farmed the exhibition out to private speculators. •2ndly. 'ihe private speculators turned out one of the worst schedules that was ever printed, and promised the most ridicidous prizes. Itrdly. Cut tlie prizes down after they were fairly won. And, -tthly, were actually threatened with law proceetlings before even some of these were paid. Now. //'«<, we have it on the authority of Mr. Glenny, who was consulted from the connnencement until it was turned over, that the lirst movers in the atliiir turned over i£200 subscriptions to the parties who engaged, on their own account, to carry it through. Let this be denied or evaded, as the case may be, yet the fact cannot lie denied. SecomUij, we refer to the schedule itself, the worst for a public show that was ever put forth, and so ridiculous that the judges were ashamed to award the prizes even to things shown fairly up to the point of exoelleitoei Jui.y 10.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 223 for example, six pounds for eiglitcon cut roses! Mr. Wilkinson, of the firiii of Curtis and Willdnsou, of Bristol, is one of our authorities for saying that tlie roses were shown quite up to the mark, und we deny the judges right to lessen the prize unless the roses had been shown in some point deficient. They had no riglit to talce upon themselves to correct the schedule. But there was just as stupid an engagement for the best bulbs, and the prizes for both roses and hulbs were eut down. We maintain, that if the managers had been absurd enough to promise five pounds for the best cabbage, and the best cabbage shown had been excellent, the judges had no right to curtail the prize. Judges may decide that unworthy subjects should not have first prizes; liut we entirely deny that they have any right to lessen a profered prize, unless the subjects shown were second instead of first-rate. Mr. Turner, of Slough, was one of the judges; lie might have felt ashamed to award six pounds to eighteen varieties of cut roses, but lie had no right to make the exhibitors, who came a hundred miles, perhaps, to show them, feel the penalty of tliatjustsliame. ilr.Turnerknewwell that the man wlvo oft'ered such jirizes must have been very ignorant, but having been ofi'ered, and people having come many miles tempted by the bait, the judges had no business with the amount. Wo happen to know that tlie best eighteen roses were as good as they could be shown, and that the shower ought to liave had three more pounds awarded. But roses were not the only things so curtailed of their due. We mention them because we happen to know their condition better than that of some other things, and because we can refer to an authority as good as any in the rose trade. We have now disposed of our second and third charges. As to the fourth, Mr. Mayle, of Birmingham, could not obtain the money for some of his prizes for a long time, and after in vain trying the committee and the judges, he asked ^Ir. Glenny's advice, which was tlmt ho should give them one more application, informimj them that he should put the matter into the handa of his solicitors. This was a long time after the prizes should have been paid; and this threat, we believe, brought the money; but if it did not, the prizes are still unpaid. We now leave it to the readers of The Cottage G.\nDENKr, to decide whether our charges arc founiled on fast or other- wise. We fancy that the wortliy defender of tlie Cheltenliaiu Show will liavo to convince tlie liorticnltural world, that the concooters of the first schedule — the speculators in the first show — the cutters down of the first prizes — are no longer concerned, before lie will create a confidence in the show. If those now cmicerned be not the parties cuncerned in the original show, the writer should have expressed as niuoli, and cou\'inced the public that, however true our charges were as against the originals, tlic present movers were not the same. The attempt t(j deny charges which we are prepared to subsfanliate was overstepping the mark. Ho encloses a schedule; is it in any one item like the schedule of the private speculators of last year ? Our whole paragraph related to facts indispuluble, to charges which cannot be denied, and wo repeat must emphatically, "It (the Show) may be improved, hut it will never be what it might have been with good management." ^\e refer, at once, to Mr. Glcnny for our aulliority as to the fact of the subscription, two luuidred pounds, being handed over to the proprietors of the gardens, who eiigiiged to cany out the show. We refer to Mr. Wilkinson, of Ealing (late of Bristol), as to the condition of the roses, and the cutting down of the prizes ; but there are plenty to confirm this. "We refer to the schedule itself as the most laughable proof of its folly ; and we refer to Mr. Mayle, of Binningliara, as to the difficulty of getting his prizes. But, if necessai-y, we think we can produce an actual correspondence to confirm all we have said. E. y. Since the above was in type we have received the following from Mr. W. Da\'idson, one of the judges of the Cheltenham Show : — " I observe in last week's Cottage GAnDENEH, some re- marks on the Horticultural Exhibition at Cheltenham, on Jnne lith, and, as one of the jnrhjes on the occasion, beg leave to inform you that you are misinformed on some points, and will thank you to do simple justice in the case. It is not my province to account for the formation of the schedule, with which myself and feUow-judges had no concern, ex- cepting in awarding or withholding the prizes according to the meHts or demerits of the subjects competing for them, and to do this the printed rules of the Society fully authorised us. The committee neither cut down the prizes, nor di- rected or influenced the judges in doing so ; but the latter simply did what they conceived to be their duty between the Society and the exhibitors. The prizes were high enough to have induced the best plant growers within one hundred miles to have competed, as I believe the Society pay exhi- bitors the expense of bringing plants from a tUstauce ; but owing to the show being fixed for the day after Re.] THE COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 229 place them behiud each, so as to be seen as little as possible ; tie a piece of broad soft bass mat to each stick, of sufHcieut length to embrace the leaf; bring it round tbe leaf, and tie it rather close ou the front of the leaf. These sticks will keep the plants steady till they make new roots, and take such hold of the compost, as will enable them to support themselves without the stick, which may then be removed. As soon as they are all potted and tied, give a good watering, and replace the plants in the orchid-house. Place them in such part of it as is not quite hot enough for the Jirides, Saccolabhtms, and similar plants, and yet warmer than will suit Cattlei/as, or plants from the hills of Guate- mala; there let them remain and grow strong till they show flower. Their treatment, when in that state, as well as the treatment of the second section, must be deferred till tlie next paper. T. Appleby. FLOEISTS' FLOWEKS. MR. GLENNY ON FLOEISTS' FLOWEES. At the Surrey Zoological Gardens tliere were four seedling Geeaniujis exhibited in fine condition. They were shown for the prizes given by Mr. Lookner, and also for cortiflcates ; and they were thus placed ; — Optima, first; Ariadne, second; Enchantress, thud; and Bubens, last; the first three had certificates. We have bad oc(;asi(jn to notice those flowers before, but they were in fine condition on this occasion. Optima, dark and crimson ; Ariadne, lighter ; Enchantress, more ap- proaching a red shade ; and Rubens, more purple in the tint. Anybody may safely grow all four, if they do not come out at too high a price. Rubens is of a good general form, but the upper petals crumple a good deal. A fancy Geranium, Ambrose's Richard Cobden, is not so new in colour as it is good in form ; but it is an im- provement, and was awarded a certificate. Pansies. — Of these there were several novelties ; Swansdonn, a white, and Black Diamond, a black, were awarded certificates. The former is a yellowish white, and no advance on White Sergeant, as a white ; if it gains a ti'ifle in fonn, it loses it in colour. Black Diamond is unquestionably the darkest self we have ; it was shown out of condition, and small, but there is eveiy chance of its being useful ou account of its colour, notwithstand- ing an indentation in the lower petal. National was exhibited. This is a noble flower, of excellent general character ; the field a straw colour, hut all alike. This will be among the most striking of show flowers ; for although we should prefer a pure white or a pure yellow, a cream colour, or pale straw colour, equally pure, has notliing to disqualify, except in class showing, where it must be excluded, because it is neither yellow nor white. A very striking pink Optima was exhibited in great numbers, perhaps thirty or forty blooms. It is a great acquisition, very full of petals, beautifully laced, and the form above the average. We should have liked the edges smoother and more obtuse, but there is too much good about it to reject it for a fault or two. It had a certifi- cate. A certificate was also granted to a flower not to be looked at the same day. A seedling Ran-uncdlus, called Madona, was shown among others. It was thin, but a very striking colour, and the petals were of the very best character. The edge was the brightest scarlet we know of. This had no cer- tificate. Some Verbenas were shown, the best of which was Ci/nthia, a large whitish variety, with a dull, rosy eye, but a very deep notch. Antirrhinums were shown in abundance, as coarse and ugly as can be imagined. This flower is becoming quite a weed — evei'y move seems for the worse ; not one in a thousand is so good as the old Pictum, which is bright red ou a white tube. National Flortcultural Society. — Mr. Hoj'le's Geranium, Optima, was distinguished on this occasion by a first class certificate; we have noticed this flower before. Rubens, Enchantress, and Ariadne, had certifi- cates, not of the first class, ami Attraction was com- mended. The distinctions are ; — The first class certifi- cate intended to be awarded to really fine novelties of good ju'operty ; certificates, without the words "first class," are given, or rather professed to be given, to good novelties that are worthy; and commendations to things having some one good point, which is mentioned in tbe award. Optima is, therefore, set down at the highest value that can be put on a flower by the society. Three otliers, at average good general character, and a fifth, is commended for its colour. We have no fault to find with these awards further than this remark conveys, what could they have awarded to Optima if it had been better? For, be it remembered, it is not without its faults. 'The Pansey, Kossuth, sent by Mr. Piogers, was shown in capital combtion, and received a certificate. It is, as we have stated, a self, and wo are glad we saw it sh(5wn without any indentation on the under petal. Richard Cobden, a fancij Geranium, which we liave already mentioned favourably, had a certificate. Tbe Pink, called Optima, had a iirst class certificate. This is a fine, full pink, which everybody will want to grow ; but we should have been better prepared for the highest award had the inner petals been more obtuse; a certificate, without the words "first class," would have pleased us better, unless the society have, in the background, a yet more distinguished honour for things that may come better. The Pink, Mrs. Maclean, is a remarkable colour and style, but it is too flat and thin ; nevertheless, if any flower is likely, from its novel appearance and tlie absence of any grievous fault, to have many buyers, Mrs. Maclean is that flower. The purple is new. It was not noticed, but it might safely have been commended for its novelty. The Pansey, Swansdown, a yellowish white, had a certi- ficate. We noticed this at the Surrey. Verbenas. — Of these Mr. Smith exhibited two; one, a well-formed blue, fine flower, with large truss, broad petals, and as good a form as we jiossess; tliis was called Orlando, and had a certificate, which it deserved ; the other was larger and brighter tlian St. Margaret's, but with all its size it was deeply notched, and the indentations conspicuous ; it was commended ; this was called Kooh-i-noor. Abun- dance of worthless Antirrhinums, Petunias, Calceolarias, fancy Geraniums, and other subjects, of no interest whatever. Pansies (Kossuth). — Three blooms of this Pansey, Kos- suth, received from Mr. Kogers, came in good order and in good time to compare it with all our best selfs, with which it may fairly range; but in all three of the flowers there is an indenture ou tlie under petal. This, however, may not be permanent. Seven Seedling Pansies (Oxford). — Not one worth naming. We cannot undertake to judge in the country at such short notice; we are fuU of engagements till the 7th of July. ( IF'.) — Send Advertisements direct to the office on or before every Thursday to appear the next Thursday. Calceolarias. — Many Calceolarias have reached us this week, but none at all approachiug a good one. One could easily fancy they were all from the same seed. Roses (A.D.). — No. 1 is Striped Unique, and a veij fine rose it is, but not new. Nos. -i, ;i, and 4, are too thin to do any good. Pansies {Emily).' — You must persevere. Numbers 3 and 0 ai-e good for nothing as varieties, but you will do I well to throw all the rest away immediately, and save 230 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [July 10. seed from those two; one is very round and very Hiuisy ; the other is an ill-shape, hut veiy thick. Let not another be near them. We do not mention the full name of a correspondent when our decision is unfavourable. G. G. FLORISTS' FLOWERS EXHIBITED AT THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, REGENT'S PARK, June lltli. In addition to those we noticed at Chiswick, it is only necessary to particularise the following : — Pinks. — A splendid stand of twenty-four cut blooms was exhibited by ]Mr. Wilmer, of Sndbmy, in fine condition. They consisted of Blacklicath Rival, Harrison's Jennij Liiid, Hooper's Meropc, Ken's Harriet, King of Piirplfs, LorilJuhn Russell, Lola Monies, iVornini/ Star, Smith's JJ'hipper-In, Wilmer's Laura, Wilmer's Surplice, Young's Lady Mild- may, etc., ttc. Ranunxuluses were exhibited, in fine condition, by Mr. Cai-ey Tyso, of WalUugford, 1st.; and Mr. Mitcbell, of Brighton, 2ud. The best varieties were: — Amasis, Apollo, Alexis, Berinus, Burns, Carouse, Coronation, Costar's Apollo, Dr. Channiny, Delectus, Dr. Niell, Exhibitor, Felix, Faustina, Fcslus, Gomer, Hephzihah, Hiyhlund T'enus, Irrcproachahlc, Kilgour's Queen, Lambton, Lady Dnrlmouth, Milo, Muryaret, Mrs. Nielson, Naxara, Olympia, Protector, Princess, Rcyent, 8aladin, Sabina, and Xerxes. ELORISTS' FLOWERS CULTURE. The Fcchsia. — The term " florists' flowers" has been defined as any species of flower that has been hybri- dized ; and the size, colour, and form thereby perma- nently improved. That this improvement has taken place with the fuchsia is manifestly true. We perfectly remember the delight with which we first cultivated the original species F. coccitiea, — how anxiously its first blossoms were waited for, and the pleasure they afforded when their scarlet sepals and purple corollas expanded to the view. This species is now very rare, so much so, that the present generation of fuchsia growers would scarcely recognise it, and would not tliink it worth gi-owing. Tlie story, and wc believe the true one, of its introduction, by a sailor bringing it to his mother, who lived somewhere in Wapping, and in whose cottage- window it bloomed for the first time in Britain, if not in Em'ope ; and of its being observed in that situation by the late Mr. Lee, who emptied his pocket of all its con- tents as its piu'cliase price, to the astonishment of the old lady, who, with some difficulty, even for such golden considerations, was tempted to part with it, has appeared in print before, but wc forget where ; and it will, no doubt, raise a smile on the face of such men as Smith, Storey, and others, who have brought the fuchsia to its present state of almost perfection, according to our present ideas. Propagation. — By Seed. — The great use of raising fuchsia from seed is to impi'ovo upon the varieties we at present possess. Now, in order to accomplish the end aimed at, it is necessary to adopt such methods as experience tells us have been successfully followed to produce that end. If we wish to improve the form of any flower capalile of being so improved, wc must save the seed from such as possess the best form at present in existence. If the colour or colours are to be im- proved, the pollen of some variety that comes nearest to the desired colour, should be placed ujion the stiguui of one that has the same desirabie colour also. Again, if size is the object aimed at, tlie largest-flowered, with the proper colour, should be the female ])arcnt, hybridized with pollen from another variety, with as large flowers as arc in existence. The fine fuschia named Spcctuhilis, is one very likely to allbrd pollen that will materially increase the size of our present race of fuchsia. Though shy to flower, yet, by applying its pollen to a more freely- flowering variety, no doubt a progeny would be raised as prolific in bloom as any already in existence. The seed thus raised by cross impregnation should he care- fully gathered when ripe. As tlie seeds are enveloped in a pulp, it is necessary, in order to preserve it, to cleanse it efl'ectually. This is easily done by washing; bruise the berries with the hand, and mix them with water ; as soon as the pulp is all washed ofl', pass the liquor through a hair-sieve fine enough to catch the seed, wash it repeatedly till it is quite clean, then dry it gradually ; put it up in brown paper, and keep it in a dry room till sjiring. Sow it early in March in a light sandy loam and peat, cover slightly, and place the pots in a gentle hotbed. When tlie seedlings are half an inch high, transplant them in rows across pots five inches wide ; these will hold about twenty or thirty plants each, and then replace them in the hotbed. In these pots they may remain for a mouth or six weeks, and then they will require potting off singly into o-inch pots. Place them for a few days in a cold frame, kept pretty close and shaded till fresh roots are foiined, and they are able to bear the full light, and a moderate admission of air. Give plenty of the latter as they ac quire strength, and when the pots are full of roots give another shift into 4-inch pots, and let them remain in these last till they flower. ^lauy of them will flower the first year, and then is the lime to make a selection, which naturally brings the considei'ation, of what are the desirable piroperties of a Jir.it-rate fuchsia. Commencing with the tube, a first-rate Fuchsia, should be well-proportioned, neither too thick, nor too short, nor too long ; one-and a-half inch is a fair length, but if it is stout in proportion, two niches might be allowed ; the sepals or flower-oups should stand at C(iual distances, and should be broad at the base, gradually tapering to the end ; they should be reflexed a little above the horizontal line, but not turned up so high as nearly to meet the tube ; the corolla should be large and well-rounded at the end, so that when the flower is turned up it may have the appearance of a little cup ; the stamens and anthers at the top of them should project well out of the corolla; and the filament bearing the stigma must project con- siderably lieyoud the anthers ; the stigma itself should be larger than the anthers, and should be of a clear white, so as to contrast well w^ith the purple or crimson corolla. The colours should be clear and bright ; the tube would he improved if of a waxy appearance, bright, and shining. If white, that wliite should be pine, not a wishy-washy, pinkish white, but clear as the driven snow. The corolla should be of the deejiest azure blue or purple, or if of darker colour, it should be a scarlet crimson, clear and shining. Some consideration, also, must be given to the flower-stalk, which should be long enough to allow each flower to be seen distinctly from amongst the leaves. The habit of the plant itself must be attended to ; it should be rather dwarf than tall, and should produce bloom when a foot high. Take all these properties into the mind's eye, and select swh out of the batch of seedlings as coiiie quite up to the desired standard, and the rest may either be cast away, or planted in the borders of the flower garden. The se- lected ones should be repotted, and grown on to the end of the season to jirovc them. Cuttings may be taken otf, and propagated of the best, and the whole kept in the coolest part of the greenhouse during the winter. Fuchsia culture to bo concluded next week. T. Appleby. Jdly 10.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 231 OUR VILLAGERS. By the Authoress of " My Flowers," £r. TftE farnipr who rented the hind which Farmer Steady now occupies is a very diflerent character, and it may be usefnl to sketch his history, and observe tlie resviUs of his way of bringing up liis son, and the sad and fatal conse quences of evil doing, both to himself, and those connected with him. It is an old, common saying, tliat " a man's sin will always And liim out;" and it is very true, scripturally true, tliat whenever we commit sin, the wrath of God will fall upon us. Farmer Wilful was an industiious, pains- taking man from liis youth, and by no means trying to appear a gentleman, and he is still a capital farmer of tlie old school, — his land always looked like a garden ; and he was a contented man, as regarded weatlier, never complaining or vexing liim- self about losses, wlien lie liad done his best, or rain or di'ought injured liira. He was also a good master, paying liis people regularly, and always on Friday niglits, tliat their wives might lay out tlie money on Saturday, instead of having to go to the sliop late at niglit, or being tempted to break tlie salibath. He was also a regular attendant at church, and his wife and children were the same. All this was well ; yet there was " one thing " lacking, and that one thing ruined liim. Farmer AVilful had three sons. The eldest was his more peculiar charge, and lie brought him up in his own way ; the two younger ones were given up to their sensible, right- minded mother. John, the eldest, was allowed to grow nj) in a way that is never right, even for gentlemen. He was allowed to amuse himself as he liked, — to hunt and shoot, and waste his pre- cious time in unprofitable amusements, instead of following the plovigh, and gaining an honest livehhood. His two brothers were busy on the farm; but he was a "gentleman," and did only what he liked to do. Farmer Wilful was a man of money, which he had carefully made ; he rented two contiguous farms, — one of them of considerable extent ; and when his eldest son choose to "settle," he rented another property at .£100(1 a year, and placed him in it. In the meantime, the motlier was bringing up her younger sons in a different manner. Her Uttle savings enabled lier to set apart .i''.iO for each of them, with which they began to traffic in sheep ; and, having no idle propensities, they went quietly on, until, in the course of time, when each wished to settle in life, tliey had made more than X'1'200 apiece. Their fondness for their mother was great. Her domestic trials were heavy, but tliey both stood by lier, and strove to show their sense of what slio had done for them. Farmer Wilful's day of prosperity closed sooner than he expected. His eldest son's extravagance, ui a few yeai's, led to his ruin ; and, to save himself from prison, he made all his effects over to his fatlier, and cheated his crecUtors, of course. This was the beginning of evils. He became de- pendant upon his parents, with a wife and several children ; could do nothing for liis own support, because no one would trust him, indulged in a mode of life far beyond what liis father, who had already suffered througli him, could meet, and was at length obliged to live as poorly as the labourers he formerly employed. Farmer Wilful's affairs grew worse and worse. He was a man whom no one liked or spoke well of, and he met, therefore, with little sympathy in his distress. Such nefai'ious transactions came to hght, tliat his landlord would not suffer him to retain his farm, and he quitted it under great disgrace. In fact, he became a bankrupt; and has since become, to use his afiiicted wife's expression, " the servant of his son," of one of the younger sons, whose little property arose from his mother's prudence, and wlio has now placed his father in a small farm to manage it for him. There was no fear of God before the eyes of Farmer Wilful. He kept up appearances well, but the " heart set aright" was not within him. At the very best of times, when he was a thriving man, his face was against him,. — it was heavy, sour; and sullen ; it betokened no comfort nor peace; and he looked as if he would rend any one who offended him. If people were civil to him, and treated him well, he would treat them well in return, but there it ended. Now, this is not scriptural conduct ; it does not spring from a scriptm'al root, and brings no blessing in its train. To obey the scriptural precept, we must love those who do not love us, and we must do good to those who do not always do good to us. If we only gratify our own feelings, and do kindly or unkindly according to our neighbour's deserts, " do not even the Publicans the same ? " I-'armer Wilfal always looked sullen and unhappy. When a man is not walking with God, he cannot be happy, and, therefore, cannot look so. Some persons have pleasanter countenances than others, better features, and milder tem- pers ; but look closely into them, study them, and there is, beneath the smile, an uneasy, anxious expression, which I cannot be mistaken, and which speaks of inward care. The world is so imsatisfying in its very Icindest words, that unless we have " a good hope through grace " of better things to come, it is impossible to find the commonest peace of mind. The contrast between the past and present tenant is very striking. The one dark, and stern, and sad; the other open, and bland, and happy, with a kindly word for all, and a kindly will besides. The latter sits peacefully and thankfully among his steady, middle-aged sons and daughters, all smiling round him, the very picture of green old age. No sounds are ever heard about the homestead, but those of lawful labour; and the only disturbance aiises from rats and a peacock, whose glittering throat is stretched out to dart at the poor little chickens, whenever he can catch them in a sly way. These are the simple troubles of this peaceful family. The quiet, honoured sabbath closes with " psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs," and the labours of the busy week seem to be greatly blessed. How dift'erent from the days of Farmer Wilful and his ruined son ! I have given my readers a second glance through the casement tliat nestles among thick, rich ivy, but I am sm'e they will not be displeased. Honest English comfort shines brightly and pleasantly among her honourable agriculturists; and all who follow the example of good Farmer Steady, and avoid the evils into which Farmer Wilful fell, will have great cause to sing hymns of praise to Him who has preserved them from many sorrows, and caused them to lie down and rise up in peace. ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION, REGENT'S P.\RK, .June 11th. As this exhibition followed so closely upon that at Cbis- wick, as might he expected, most of the plants were the same as were exhibited there ; but some additions were necessary, because the grand collection, both of orchids and miscellaneous plants, was lai-ger than at Chiswick. For instance, the lai-ge collection of orchids was increased from 20 at Chiswick to 2") at the Park; and tht- large collections of miscellaneous plants were increased from '20 at Chis- wick to 30 at the Park. These adchtions, with some little j changes, will be the extent of our report. Our readers must I remember that, though not mentioned liere, the fine plants described in our report of the Chiswick exhibition the Saturday before, were present here also. OECHIDACEOUS PLANTS. Ten collections, containing 170 plants. I Prizes. — Collections of 25 : first, Mr. Mylnm ; second, Mr. Franklin, gardener to Mrs. Lawrence ; and an equal prize to Mr. Williiims, gardenei- to C. B. Wanier, Esq., Hoddesdeu. ! Collections of 20 (Nm'seiymen) : first, Messrs. Teilch and Sun, Exeter ; second, scarcely inferior, Jlessrs. RoUison, Tooting. Collection of lo : first (the only competitor), Mr. Blake, gai'dcner to .T. Schroeder, Esq., Stratford. CoUec- , tions of 10: first, Mr. Barnes, gardener to R. Hanbury, Esq.^ 232 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. ;JtII.Y 10. of the Poles, near Wave; second, Mr. Cnrsmt, gardener to W. G. F. Farmer, Esq., Nonsuch Pai-k, Cheara ; third, Jlr. Woolley, gardener to H. B. Ker, Esq, Cheshnnt; fourth, Mr. Green, gardener to E. Antrobns, Esq., Cheam. Aehides macolosom ( Wi7/i(ims), three spikes. . ODORATUM MAJOR {WUUams), 30 spikes. ODORATUM [TT'oo//f;yl. — CRisptrM {Barnen). RosEUM fBrarHcs), one fine long spike. Barkeria spECTABiLis (BrjniM),si.^ beautiful spikes. Cattleva DiiLBOSA [Mtjlam), one fine high-coloured handsome flower. . INTERMEDIA purpurea [Franklin), four spikes. Chysis bractescens {Mytmn). 20 flowers. Cortanthes macrantua IRollison'a), with one large, singular, and beautiful flower. CvPRiPEDiDM SFECTABILIS {Bames), I? large handsome flowers, a noble specimen. CVRTOCniLUM STELLATUM (Eotli.wn), 12 spikcs. Dendeobihm Uevonianom {Veitch), grown on a basket, with nearly 100 drooping spikes. Daliiocsianum IRollison), four fine spikes. CALCEOLARIA [Cmson), a large finely-bloomed plant, with numerous rpikes. chrysanthe:mom {Green). ■ MosCHATDM {Roltison), numcpous spikes. EpiDENDRUM AROMATicuM (I'«7f/i.\ onc large droopiug much-branchcd spike. LffiLlA MAJALIS {Veitch), rarely seen, one flower, large and beautiful. lA-CASTE Deppei (Mi/tam), a mass of pretty flowers. MiLTONiA Karwinskii (Ml/lam), rare, an upright spike, much- branched, of beautiful flowers. OnCIDIOM ALTISSIMOM {GrecTt). Lanceanum (iriWiams), four spikes. , LEUCocHiLUM (Veitc/t), onc long much-branchcd Spike. Phal.inopsis GRANDiPLORA (Bames), seven spikes, a large healthy plant. Saccolabid:m gdttatum {Barnes), seven spikes. Stanhopea TiGRiNA supERBA (J?o//iSOH), eight large flowcrs. Vanda TERES {Barnes), four fine spikes. tricolor, true {Mylam), two spikes. KoxBUBGHii CERULEA {WiUiums), eight spikcs. {Woolley), three spikes. RUBRA {Franklin), four spikes. COLLSOTION OP MISCELLANEOUS, STOTE, AND GHEENHOUSE PLANTS. Ten collections, containing 200 plants ! ! Prizes. — Collections of 20 : first, Jf r. Mai/ ; second, Mr. Coles, gardener to IT. Collyer, Esq., Dartford ; third, i\Ir. Stanley, gardener to H. Berens, Esq., Sidcup, Kent. Col- lection of 20 ; first, Mr. Green ; second, Mr. Tnylor, gar- dener to J. Costar, Esq., Streatham, and Mr. Frnzer, equal ; third, Messrs. Pamplin and Son, Lea Bridge Eoad. Collec- tion of 10 : iirst, Mr. IJ'illiams, gardener to Miss Trail, Hayes, near Bromley ; second, Mr. Speed, Edmonton ; third, Mr. Cro.rford. MCUMEX FULGENS fSianlSJ/). Allamanda cathartica '(CoW, 6 ft by 3 ft. (rni/toiO, .■; ft by 3 ft. ' GRANDIPLORA {May), 6 ft by 4 ft, a large well-bloomed plant. Adenandra fragrans {Green), 2J ft by 2J ft. {Mail), 2i ft by 2 ft. Aphelexis spectabilis grandiflora {Taylor), 24 ft by 2 ft. macrantua rosea {Taylor), 2^ ft by 2 ft, covered with bloom, fully expanded. SESAMOiDES [Green), 2i ft by 2 ft, extra. PURPUREA grandiflora {WUHams), 3 ft by 2i ft. PoLYGALA ACUMINATA (Fraarer), 4 ft by 4 ft, R handsome plant. Dalmaisiana {Green), 2 ft by 24 ft. {May), 2 ft by 2 ft. RoNOSLBTiA BPEClosA MAJOR (ATfli/), 3 ft by 2^ ft. [Green), 2J f t by 2 ft. " ! Sphenotoma Gracile [Cole), 3 ft by 24 ft, many heads of pure | white fragrant flowers. {Fraxer), 3 ft by 24 ft, ditto. j ScHUBERTiA GRAVEOLENS {Speed), 4 ft by 3 ft, well-grown and full of flower. Stepoanotis floribunda {Taylor), 5 ft by 3ft, neatly trained and well-flowered. Tetratiieca verticillata [Green), 2i ft by 3 ft. Vinca rosea alba {Stanley), a neat prettily-flowered plant, 2 ft by 2 ft. CAPE HEATHS. Generally speaking, they were the same jilants as we noticed at Chiswicl;, but as there were two or three exhibitors who did not show there, we shall briefly describe tlieir plants, as well as a few others. Eleven collections, containing 112 plants. Phizes. — Collections of 15 : first, Mr. Smilh, gardener to W. Quitter, Esq., Nonvood ; second, Mr. Cole. Collections of 12 : first, Messi-s. Rollison ; second, Jlessrs. J. and J. Fiiirbnirn, Clapham ; third, Messrs. Frazer. Collections of six : first, Mr. May ; second, Jlr. yi'iUhims. gardener to Miss Trail ; thml, Mr. May, gardener to Mrs. Lawrence, and Mr. Taylor (equal) ; fourth, Mr. Ivison. Erica Beaumontii. Cavenoisiiii {leison), 2 ft by 2 ft, well-bloomed. Clusiana {Williams), 2 ft by IJ ft. DAPHNoiDES {May, gardener to E. Goodheart, Esq.l, 3ft by 3ft. denticulata moschata (JI/a,v), 24 ft by 3 ft. DEPKESSA {Willia7ns), 24 ft by 2 ft. jubata {Rollison), 24 ft by 2 ft, rare and beautiful. Massonii {May, gardener to E. Goodheart, Esq.), 2 ft by 2 ft, well bloomed. orbat.a {Iviaon), rare and beautiful, 14 ft by 14 ft. PERSPicuA nana {Williams), 2 ft by 2 ft. {May, gardener to E. Goodheart, Esq.), 3 ft by 24 ft. Sprengelii {luison), 14 ft by 14 ft, a beautiful variety. tricolor elegans (il/a^, gardener to E. Goodheart, Esq.), 24 ft by 2 ft. { Williams), 34 ft by 24 ft. AMABILIS (iinWison), 2i ft by 24 ft, a splendid variety. TRICOLOR {Williams), 3 ft by 3 ft, {May, gardener to Mrs. Law- rence), 3 ft by 24 ft. ■ VENTRICOSA GRANDIFLORA (lT'l7/((/7HS), 2 ft by 24 ft. MAGNIFICA {Rollison), 24 ft by 2 ft, the finest of all the vet}tricosas. BREVIFLORA {May, gardener to Mrs. Lawrence), SDPEEBA (ditto), 3 ft by 3 ft. {leison), 14 ft by 2i ft by 2 ft. Azalea Formosa elecans (Taj/(o>-), 3 ft. by 24 ft, splendidly bloomed. ■ LATERiTiA GRANDIFLORA [Frnjc^e?'), R fincly-bloomed plant. . OPTIMA {Stanley), a neat small plant. BoRONiA PINNATA {Taylor), 24 ft by 2 ft, fine. Chorozema biloba major {May), 2ft by 24 ft, a densely-flowered specimen. ( Williams), 2 ft by 2 ft. CoLEONEMA RUBRA {Cro.xford), 2 it by 24 ft, a gracefully-drooping plant. CniRoMA GLUTiNOSA {Cole), 3 ft by 3 ft, well flowered. DiPLADENiA CRASsiNODA {Speed), 4 ft by 24 ft, many brig-ht rosy flowers. DlLWYNlA CONFERTIFLORA (Jt/flT/), 2 ft by 2 ft. EpiPiivLLUM AcKERMANMi {Stanley), 14 flowers. — • .spECiosuM ELEGANS {Green), 3 ft by 2 ft, a beautiful variety, with deep rosy flowers. Erica Cavendisiiii {Croxford), 24 ft by 3 ft, well bloomed. Bergiana {Pamjilin), 24 ft by 2 ft, densely flowered. PLORinA {Taylor), 14 ft by 14 ft, covered with bloom. PERSPICUA NANA {May), 2 ft by 24 ft. {Frazer), 2 ft by 3 ft, an extra densely-flowered bush. TRICOLOR WiLSONll {Colc), 2} ft by 24 ft. Epacris miniata (Pf/Tji/v/m), 2 ft by 2 ft, highly coloured, Franciscea angusta {C'o/fJ, 24 ftby 2 ft. ACUMINATA {Williams), 24 ft by 2 ft. IxoRA Javanica {Green), 2 ft by 24 ft, a fine specimen, but scarcely in full bloom. ' ■ ' CRoCATA (Tn!//o/*), a low densely-flowered bush. XjBBCHenaultia BILOBA MAJOR {Williams^. ' poRsiosA (l^l7/lan^s), 2 ft by 24 ft, highly-coloured. PlHBLEA Hendersonii {Frazer), 3 ft by 3 ft, the best in the exhibi- tion. {Williams), 24 ft by 9 ft, a good plant. {Stanley), a ■mhll neat plant. 14 ft. New and Rare Plants appeared in considerable num- bers, and were very interesting ; Jlessrs. Veitch and Sons were tlie piincipal exhibitors. Tlie most remarkable and likely-to-be-useful plant Avas their new Canlna dependens, a shrub of graceful habit, witli pendant tnliular fiowers, four inches long, trumpet-shaped, and of a beautiful rose and orange colour. Tlie next was their Dendrobium J'eitcM- nnum ; but for the haljit of the jjlant, tliis would never be taken for a Dendrobium ; it is a valuable addition. Also, Calceolaria suiivenlens, quite a little bush, with sulphur- coloured, not very showy, flowers. Also, Gloxinia Marie I'an Haulte, a large well-shaped flower, something like Henderson's G. yrnndis, and Bolbopliytlnni Lobbii. Mr. Cole showed a small iilant of 7.i-o)-« salici/olia, not new, but rare ; a di^sirable orange-flowered species. Jlessrs. Henderson hail Gomjiholobinni cuncatum, a plant well suited for exhibi- tion purposes ; and G. intcrmcduim, with orange scarlet flowers. Mrs. Lawrence, Ealing Pari;, exliibited a new species ol Acinela, from New Grenada; the lip and petals are yellow, richly spotted with purple ; tlie spikes wore neai'ly a foot long. Messrs. Rollison exliibited a new Aphele.ii$, with large light rose-coloured flowers, and tlieir new heath E. e.vimea snperba. Mr. Green sent a splendid specimen of the new Epiphyllum crenaimn yrandiflornm. Jlr. Ingram, Royal Gardens, Frogmore, had Begonia Tngramii, witli ro.sy flowers. Mr. Mylam liad Saccolabiim speciosnm, witli short spilces of small flowers ; their beauty lies in tlic bright rose- coloured lip. Among plants of economical iutorcst, Messrs. Rollison sliowed a large plant of Schizolobiinn yintinosum, but what economical use it could be put to was not men- tioned. ROOM CHIMNEY-VENTILATOR. The great objection to Arnott's ventilator, otherwise a most useful and important invention, is, that if not very accurately adjusted, the smoke is apt to pass into the room tlirough the aperture. Another objection to it is, that in the 3VLY 10.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER 233 common sorts, the valves being very roughly made, anil not being provided with soft leather to deaden tlie noise, the clank-clanking of the valve shutting and opening con- tinually by the action of the oun-ents is very annoying. Tile design given in the present article, the invention of Mr. Bryan, of Kdinbui-gh, is one in every way worthy of general adoption. A recent writer on ventilation, Bnni's Practical Veiililntion, says, '' a more elegant (in piinciple), simple, and thoroughly efficient contrivance, could not he adopted for the ventilation of private apartments. It is decidedly by far the best we have yet seen or examined." Tlie way to make tlie ventilator is as follows : — Make a hole witliin a few inches of the ceiling, as near it as possible, in the cliimuey breast, or that part of the wall above tlie fire- place. For a room of twelve or fourteen feet square, a hole of six inches diameter will be sufficient : — suppose the thick- ness of wall to be twelve inches ; widen out the side nearest the room to a diameter of twelve inches outside, and sloping funnel-shaped, as show-n in the sketch ; so that half of tlie thickness of the chimney breast, or six inches, shall be left of the diameter of the original hole, or six inches. Make a zinc funnel to fit this funnel-shaped hole in the wall, and fasten it therein by good cement. At the lai-ge end in the apartment, fix a lid, or cover, hinged on one side, and fastened on the opposite side by a small knob. The whole of this lid must not be solid, but a centre piece of diameter larger than the small hole only ; — suppose the hole in the wall, nearest the chimney, to be six inches, the solid centre piece of the cover should be six-and-a-half inches diameter; and care should be taken to have this centre piece exactly opposite the hole. liound the sohd centre piece, pierce a number of small holes, or make this part of perforated zuic. Thus fitted up, the action is as follows : — By a reference to the figure, the bad air from the room is seen passing in by the dotted lines, thi ough the small apertm-es in the cover, and by the upward current in the chimney, pulled along the tube and delivered up the flue. If a blow down should take place, and force the smoke along the tube towards the room, it strikes against tlie solid centre piece, expands in the wide part of the funnel, and is carried back to the chimney by the force of the renewed draught. If the blow down is apt to bo continuous in any chimney in which this is fixed, a "top" must be placed at the outside of the chimney flue to prevent these down draughts. V,'e shall, in the present series, shew an admirable and cheap contrivance for this purpose. Where the chimney is what is called a " good drawing one," a better ventilator than the one we have de- scribed could not be adopted: there are no moving parts which are liable to be deranged, and once set up it continues working without further supervision. Where put up they have been eminently successful. B. *^ KILLING WEEDS ON GEAA-EL- WALKS. I riND the best thing to kill small weeds and lichen, on fine-rolled gravel-walks, is \itriolie acid; the common ma- terial used in manufactories, at about a shilling a gallon. Get an old thrum-mop, and dip it into a bucket of water infused with about a quart of the acid, or as much more a-s you chose to afiord ; lightly dab the wetted mop on the tops of the weeds in the walk, and the acid will effectually kill them. Avoid the box-edgings by using as little liquid as iiossible. But as ladies' dresses and shoos are in danger from the operation, the walk should be stopped up until a good shower of rain falls, or if you get a bucket of water the next day, infused with the common washing soda, and apply it in the same manner with a mop (but rather more plenti- fully) you neutralize and render harmless the acid; but not until after it has kiUed the weeds. I am not now referring to thoroughly untidy walks full of weeds, hut to neat walks partially infected with them. A Worcestershike Man. equal to that made from sheep's-dung, of which you could ohtain a supply from any butcher. Your garden having been long out of cultivation, should be for that reason more fertile than if hard cropped, but if still " poor," be assured nothing will ^row there satisfactorily until you have improved it by a good dressing ot slowly-decomposing manure, such as that from stables. The best " chemical liquid manure," is sulphate of ammonia, but it must be applied very weak, a quarter of an ounce to a a gallon of water, and this will not be a recompence for a deficiency of decomposing matters in the soil. Wild Flowers (//. M. B.). — There is no " cheap, yet illustrated and comprehensive work on English M'ild Flowers." Smith's English Flora is the best, but it is not illustrated ; Sowerby's Engliah Botftnt/ is highly illustrated, but very high priced ; Mrs. Loudon's British V'ild Flowers, is published in monthly parts, is illustrated, and tolerably comprehensive. You can buy a part and decide for yourself, whether it meets your wishes. Dublin (An Early Subscriber).— "Vns Cottage Gardener inva- riably leaves our office on Tuesday, per rail, to be ready for delivery on Thursday. When delay occurs, it must be in the steam-packets, over which we have no control, and we cannot send off earlier than Tuesday. Your Petunia is of good form, but not new in colour (straw-coloured self), and the petal is very thin. The great desideratum now in Petunias, is to get more substance into the petal. Form and size are already attained. Gas Lime {K.). — We should not mix gas lime with stable or other dung; but if mixed with earth it forms an excellent top-dressing for grass land, especially if spread just before rain. Taylor's Hives (W. Jebbett).—For the advantages of Taylor's Bar Hive, see The Cottage Gardener, vol. i., page 306, a figure of it is there also given. It would be less expense and trouble to make a Taylor's Bar Hive at once, than to convert a Nutt's into one ; indeed, it could not be done correctly. If guido-combs are placed upon the bars, as directed by Mr. Taylor, 'in his Bee-heepers' Manual, the bees will never work across the bars; cork may be used, if you please, for floating in your feeding-pan, but we have had the same piece of wood in use for this pur- pose for seven years, and it still keeps afloat. Bees. — A correspondent (S.) says: — "On a vigorous stock of bees I placed, during April, a super, which was not taken possession of until the 20th of May, but by the end of the month it was so nearly filled with comb, that I thought it best, on the 5th of .Tunc, to insert between the two boxes, a triplet. Since that time, nothing appears to have been done, but the combs, some of which are sealed, have gradually been deserted, that on the last bar remaining unfinished, and without honey. What is the cause of this cessation from labour? The openings to admit the slides, I found were large enough to admit the bees entrance and exit ; for a day or two ago, I saw numbers of bees going in laden with pollen, besides others. Does this prove that brood are in the super ? and havel done right to stop up these side entrances? Since doing so, i.e., this morning, I have observed new comb begun in the triplet, but not on the guide-comi. Perhaps, if the floor-board of the super had been removed, the delay would not have occurred? or would it not have been better to have deprived the bees of a comb or two, rather than have given the ad- ditional comb ? June 24th. On examining proceedings this morning, I find that there is a comb on every bar in the upper box, and that six out of the eight, are the entire length, and down to the tioor-board, the re- maining two are nearly completed, but most of the comb is empty, perhaps two combs are sealed. There is, what appears to me, a queen's cell there also, it is affixed to the back of the centre comb, and is nearly perpendicular. The bees are now building in the centre box, but not nearly so vigorously as they did in the first super. What would you advise ? " The cause of the cessation from labour you complain of, arose from your supplying the triplet too soon ; both boxes should have been filled with bees and honey, and signs of swarming shown by clustering at the mouth, before you added the triplet ; indeed, it is only to be used in such emergencies, when swarming is anticipated before the proprietor has opportunity to take out a box or two of honey. (Taylor's Bar Hive, we presume, you are speaking of.) Vou have done right in stoppingup the openings ; one is quite sufficient, and better than more, for any hive. If you can take out the leaf of comb having the queen's cell upon it, it will be as well, and if it contains brood, cut off the queen's cell, and return the bar with the brood. Bees (A Cotmtry IVcaf).— The bees of your " unusually large swarm " will not require feeding. If the "old hive" sends out a east (the pro- bability of which you may ascertain by the queen's piping) you can hive it into one of Taylor's Bar Hives, and in the autumn unite the bees from the old stock with it. It is probable, though not at all desirable, that your strong swarm will throw otf another ; if it does, by all means unite it to the cast in Taylor's hive. You did wrong in putting the cap upon the swarm, you should have waited eighteen or twenty days ; as it is, you will, in all probability, have it filled with brood, instead of fine honey, as it would otherwise have been. Bees (H. T.).— Your proposed plan is quite correct, and will answer perfectly. Fuller reply next week. Watering (B le i?.).— You ask if and why "it is injurious to water during hot sunshine," and we reply that it is injurious because it excites the roots to increased absorption, and consequently, the leaves to increased transpiration of moisture ; then, immediately after, the surface of the earth becomes caked, and the root-moisture is evaporated; yet the excited leaves go on with their increased transpiring, and flag and parch worse than before. Naturally, abundance of water in the form of rain, never comes to the roots of plants, except when the air is saturated with moisture," so that though there is an increase of water to the roots, less is given off by the leaves. To imitate this dictate of nature as nearly as possible, "gardeners give water of an evening just as they are closing their glass, for this secures a damp atmosphere at the same time. TO CORRESPONDEIMTS. Yellow Rocket.— Will S, who offered slips of this, oblige us with hin a.ddres3. Liquid Manure {A Nomce), — No "chemical liquid manure" is London: Printed by Haery Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar ; and Published by William SoMERViLLE Obr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.— July 10th, 1B51. THE COTTAGE GARDENER— ADVERTISEMENTS. TMPORTANT WORKS on AGRI- X CULTURE, HORTICULTURE, &c., Published by JAMES RIDGWAY, idQ, Picca- dilly ; and to be had of all the Agents for the Farmera* Almanac, and of all Booksellers. By CUTHBERT W. JOHNSON, Esq , F.R.S. THE ENGLISH RURAL SPKLL- ING-BOOK, with Easy and Progressive Les- sons ; intended as an Introduction to the Spell- ing and Reading of the Entjlish Language, and to the First Principles of the Practical and Scientific Cultivation of the Soil. Is 6d, bound in cloth. Ninth Edition. THE READER ; intended to con- vey Useful Facts in Early Themes for Children. Is 6d, bound in cloth. " The same objects which the author of this little work endeavoured to promote in the ' Rural Spelling Book,' he has steadily aimed to pursue in the following pages, viz., to in- culcate useful every-day principles and facts, when teaching even very small words and sen- tences, keeping constantly in view the works of God in the phenomena of daily life, and of the animal and vegetable creation." — Author's Pre/ace. AGRICULTTRAL CHEMISTRY for YOUNG FARMERS. 13mo., Is. Fourth Edition. THE COTTAGE FARMERS' AS- SISTANT in the CULTIVATION of his LAND, and Book of the Household. l2mo., Is. Fourth Edition. CALENDAR FOR YOUNG FARM- ERS. 12mo.. Is. This contains Directions, with copious Notes, for the Business of the Farm during each month of the Year. THE FARMER'S MEDICAL DICTIONARY for the DISEASES of ANI- MALS. 12mo., 6s. THE MODERN DAIRY and CO^V- KEEPER. 12mo., 38 6d, plates. Contents. — The Cow, her Breed and Points — The Treatment of a Cow — Cleanliness — Pood — Land required for — Diseases of Rlilking — The SuckingCalf— The Dairy— The Cowhouse— Milk and Butter — Cheese Making : in Cheshire, Stilton Cheese, Sic, &c. ON THE COTTAGES OF AGRI- CULTURAL LABOURERS, with Economical Working Plans, and Estimates for their Im- proved Construction. By C. W. Johnson and E.Cressy. 12mo., Is. Dedicated to the Patrons and Patronesses of Village Schools. A CATECHISM OF GARDEN- ING. Intended for the Use of Village Schools and Cottagers, containing Plain and Brief Direc- tions for Cultivating every kind of Vegetable in common use. By an Old Peactitioner. Second Edition, enlarged, Is 6d. THE NATURE and PROPERTY of SOILS, and the Beat Means of Permanently Increasing their Productiveness; and on the Rent and Profits of Agriculture, with a full Account and Plan of the Proceedings at Whit- field Example Farm, ike. By John Mortox. 10.1. Fourth Edition, enlarged. B OTANICAL AND GARDEN- ING PERIODICALS. THE COTTAGE GARDENERS' DICTIONARY. Edited by G. W. Johnson, Esq., Editor of Tub Cottage Gardknee, ^c. ; aided by Messrs. Beaton, Erbington, Fisu, Appleuy, Barnes, and Weaver. In Weekly Numbers, price I^d, and in Monthly Parts, price 7d. THE MAGAZINE of ROTANY, HORTICULTURE, FLORICULTURE, and NATURAL SCIENCE. Conducted by T. MooRK, F.L.S., and W. P. Avres, CM. U.S. Botany — A. Henfrfy, E.s{|., K.L.S.,»\:c. The Literary Department contributed by the best Practical Gardem-r?* in the Country. Illustratcii with highly finished Platen and \Vaotlcuts, In Monthly Parts, price 28 6d. London: Wm. S. Orb & Co., Amen-Corner. BEE HIVES, as shown at the GREAT EXHIBITION of 1851, Ly GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SON, 127, High Holborn, London. No. I. Nutt's Collateral Hive. 2. Improved Single Box-Hive. 3. Taylor's Amateur's Bar-Hive. 5. Neighbour's Improved Cottaije Hive, working Three or Five Glasses, j. The Ladies' Observatory Hive, &c., &c. A Priced Cata- logue, with drawings and particulars, forwarded on receipt of Two Stamps. Agents. — Liverpool: Wm. Drurv, Castle-sstreet. Manchester: Hall and Wilson, 50, King-street. Glasgow: Austin and McAslin, 168, Trongate. nUTTA PER- cha pump for LIQUID MANURE, &c. The Gutta Percha Pump has the following advan- tages over metal ones. 1. Non-afFeetion by the acids in Manures. 2. The Valves are so constructed that they can be readily taken out and cleaned. 3. The Valves will not easily clog or get out of order. 4. The Pump is so re- markably light that it may be carried a considerable distance on the shoulder, if required. 5. More economicaL Manufactured by THE GUTTA PERCHA COM- PANY, Patentees, 18, Wharf Road, City Road, London, p LENNY'S GOLDEN KULES FOR GARDENERS, Professional and VJ Amateur; showing, in few words, what Gardeners ought to do and avoid. Price 6d. n LENNY'S HAND-BOOK TO THE FLOWER-GARDEN AND VJ GREENHOUSE; containing the Description, Culture, and Management of all the Popular Flowers and Plants grown in this country; with a Calendar of operations for every month. Price 5s 6d. nLENNY'S HAND-BOOK TO THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE VJ GARDEN; containing the Culture, Management, and Description of all the Fruits and Vegetables grown in this country ; with a Calendar of Operations for every month. Price "s 6d. nLENNY'S HAND-BOOK OF PRACTtCAL GARDENING; contain- VJ ing full instructions for performing every operation connected with the Practical Management of Gardens; and for the Culture of Florists* Flowers. Price 7s 6d. nLENNY'S PROPERTIES OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS; containing VJ the Description of all the Qualifications necessary to a Perfect Flower. Price Is. nLENNY'S CATECHISM OFGARDLNING; containing the Elements VJ of Practical Gardening, in Plain Questions and Answers. Price tt'l- C. Cos, 12, King William-street. IVrEW EDITIONS OF -1- » In post Svo., cloth, gilt, price 6s 6d, AVALKER'S MANLY EXEIICISES. Instructions in Riding, Hunting, Shooting, Walliing, Running, Leaping, Vaulting, Swim- ming, Rowing, Sailing, and Driving. Edited and enlarged by Craven. With numerous lUuiitrationii. POPULAR WORKS. I7i S7nalt ito., cloth, gilt, price 8s 6rf, CLAIiKS DlIAAVTNa AND PAINT- ING IN WATER COLOURS; containing examples of Drawing in Landscape, Flower Painting, Miniature and Historical Painting, in various stages of finish, with directions for imitating them. London : Wm. S. Orb k Co., Amen* Corner. July 17.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 235 M W D D _1 17TH IS'P 19 s 20 Son 21M 22 Tn 23 W JULY 17—23, 1851. Weather near London N 1850. j Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon R.&S. Moon's Age. Clock bef. Sun. Day of Year. Barometer. Thermo. Wind Rain in In. Apricots ripe. Yellow Centaury flowers. Sun's dedin. 20° 53' n. 5 Sunday after Trinity. Wheat harvest begins. jWild Cherries ripe. iHorchound flowers. 29.865 — 29.849i 80—54 29.991— 29.92 ll 76-59 29.941—29.921! 67-54 29.943-29.933 66—56 29.940- 29.938J 78-50 29.943—29.911' 85—60 '29.901— 29.8O9 88—55 N. S.W. W. R. S.E. S. 34 1 37 02 15 4 a. 4 5 6 s 9 10 12 7 a. 8 6 5 4 3 2 1 10 23 10 44 11 3 11 22 11 42 morn. n 4 18 19 20 21 23 24 5 45 5 60 5 54 5 59 6 2 6 5 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 If exterior circumstances and mental aceompliBhments could render a man supremely happy, Horace Walpole would have passed a blissful life, and Strawberry Hill would have been his terrestrial Paradise. Suffi- ciently learned, refined in taste, fond of literature, and the fine arts, of wealth wherewith to gratify his inclinations, and surrounded by gifted friends, who sliared and aided his enjoyments — what could forbid him saying : — " Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry ? " Vet it waH not 80 ; he was a discontented man. To account for this, we need but know that he was a Christian only in name, and destitute of the "sunshine from within," which that only can bestow, he could withdraw from all the blessings around him, and seated in the halU of his ancestors, write thus : — " Here I am at Houghton ! and alone ! In this spot, where (except two liours last month) I have not been for sixteen years ! Think, what a crowd of reflections ! No, Gray and forty church-yards could not furnish so many ; nay, I know one must feel them with greater indif- ference than I feel I possess to put them into verse. Here I am, probably for the last time of my lite, though not for the last time. Every clock that strikes tells me I am an hour nearer to yonder church — that church into which I have not the courage to enter, where lies the mother on whom I doated, and who doated on me ! There are the two rival mis- tresses of Houghton, neither of whom ever wished to enjoy it! There, too, lies he who founded its greatness, to contribute to whose fall Europe was embroiled. There he sleeps in quiet and dignity, while his friend and his foe, rather his false ally and his real enemy, arc exhausting the dregs of their pitiful lives in squabbles and pamphlets. \\'hen 1 had drunk tea, I strolled into the garden ; they told me it was now called ' the pleasure-ground.' What a dissonant idea of pleasure ! Those groves, those alleys, where I have passed so many charming moments, arc now stripped up or overgrown : many fond paths I could not unravel, though with a very exact clue in my memory. I met two gamekeepers and a thousand hares ! In the days when all my soul was turned to plea- sure and vivacity (and you will think, perhaps, it is far from being out of tune yet), I hated Houghton and its solitude. Yet I loved this garden — as now, with many regrets, I love Houghton — Houghton, I know not what to call it, a monument of grandeur or ruin. Howl wished this evening for Lord Bute : how I could preach to him ! For myself, I don't want to be preached to. The servants wanted to lay me in the great apartment :— what ! to make me pass my night as I had done my evening ! I C was like proposing to Rlargaret Roper to be a Duchess in the Court that cut off her father's head, and imagining it would please her. I have chosen to sit in my father's little dressing-room; and am now by his escritoire, where, in the height of his fortune, he used to receive the accounts of his farmers, and deceive himself, or us, with the thoughts of his economy. How wise a man at once, and how weak ! For what has he built Houghton ? For his grandson to annihilate, or for his son to mourn over." Poor Walpole, for this Tantalus, indeed, deserves our pity to be mingled with our applause of his aldlities, lingered on a martyr to the gout until he had entered his 80th year, and died as he had lived, in full possession of a frivolous intellect. Born in 1716, he died on the 2nd of Blarch, 17P7< and these boundaries of life must be all that we record here of the usual topics of his biography. What he achieved as a politician^ a conisseur, a romance writer, and a correspondent, must be sought for in other works, for we have only space to trace an outline of his sayings and doings in connection with gardening. His residence, Strawberry Hill, was originally a small tenement, built in IfiQS, by the Earl of Bradford's coachman, as a lodging-house. Colley Cibber was one of its tirst tenants ; and, after him, successively, Talbot, Bishop of Durham, the Marquis of Carnarvon, DIrs. Chenevix, the toy- woman, and Lord John Philip Sackville. Mr. W. purchased it, 1 "47, began to fit it up in Gothic style, 1753, and completed it, 1776. He per- mitted it to be shown, by tickets, to parties of four, from May to October, between the hours of 12 and 3, and only one party a-day. Writing to Mr. Conway, in June, 1747, Walpole says :— " You perceive by my date that I am got into a new camp, and have left my tub at Windsor ; it is a little plaything-house that I got out of Mrs. Chevenix's shop, and is the prettiest bauble you ever saw. It is set in enamelled meadows with phillagree hedges. A small Euphrates through the piece is rolled, And little fishes wave their wings in gold. Two delightful roads, that you would call dusty, supply me continually with coaches and chaises ; barges, as solemn as Barons of the Exchequer, move under my windows; Richmond Hill and Ham Walks bound my prospects ; but, thank God, the Thames is between me and the Duchess of Qucensbury. Dowagers as plenty as flounders inhabit all around, and Pope's ghost is just now skimming under my window by a most poetical moonlight. The Chevenix's had tricked the cottage up for themselves." The garden of about ten acres, was laid out chiefly as a fore-ground to a beautiful winding of the Thames, and M'alpole's surplus income was de- voted too deeply to antiquities, books, and pictures, for a margin to be left for high horticultural disbursements. Writing to Mr. Mason, early in the July of 1774, he says :—" I know nothing but that we have deplorable weather ; the sun like you has called but once at Strawberry. To make amends the cold has brought on the winter fruits so fast, that I had a codlin tart to-day, and expect pears and apples ripe before peaches and nectarines. I wish we had never imported those southern delicacies, unless we had brought their climate over too. We should have been very happy with our hips and haws and rainy days, and callntl it luxury, I cannot afford to have hot-houses, and glass-houses, and acres of tanner's bark, as every tradesman has at his villa, or at his mistress's villa b^4«« /\*>..^ ..<4-on.1rKn.-t.fnn ntii-l f*mnrY\ f\r\A /vnn film nn Hir^npr ' I kill my own strawberries and cream, and can aim no higher. In 1771, appended to the fourth volume of his " Anecdotes of Painting in England," he printed his Essay on Modern Gardening. In this he traces and applauds the gradual progress of Landscape Gardening, and concludes with rejoicing that the mantle of liridgeraan had then descended upon Brown. The latter he lost no opportunity to applaud, and he evidently liked him the better because he thwarted the wishes of George III. " Soon after the news of Brown's death," says Walpole, " had reached the royal car, he went over to Richmond Gardens, and in a tone of great satisfaction, said to the under gardener — ' Brown is dead : now, Mellicant, you and I can do here what we please.' " " Are you not concerned," he adds, " for the death of Brown ? I made a bad epitajjh for him, which if you please you may recolour with any tints that remain on your pallet, with which you repainted Frcsnoy ; here it is : — ^^'ith one lost Paradise the name Of our first ancestor is stained ; Brown shall enjoy unsullied fame For many a Paradise regained. I have a mind, should you (flir. RIason) approve it, to call designers of gardens, gardenists, to distinguish them from gardeners, or landscajjists. I wish you would coin a term for the art itself." Meteorology of the Week. — At Chiswick, from observations during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- peratures of these days are 72.6' and 52.2° respectively. The greatest heat, 94°, occurred on the 1/th in 1834, and the lowest cold, 41°, on the 19th in 1832. During the period 83 days were fine, and on 85 rain fell. The quesf.ion no longer is, Shall the Glass Pavilion remain in Hyde Patk? hut, Who will venture to recom- mend its removal? It has iulfilletl its purpose admi- rably ; it lias practically refuted nearly all its proplieeied defects ; the time is approaching when the World's Exhibition must be redistributed to the four quai-ters of the globe; and then, who will say that this most splendid, and most vast of glass structures should be torn piece-meal? There is one man — and only one man — who, mistaking obstinacy for consistency, may vote iu the House of Commons for such a Vaudal-like destruction; but by the hundreds of thousands who have visited this magnificent structure not one hand would be held up to sustain such an injurious dictate of folly. No right-hearted Englishman, who is conscious of the capabilities of the stnieture, would vote that his countrymen should be deprived of the vast benefits it is so easily capable of conferring upon them. If, indeed, there be any one who wishes that the invalid should be deprived of a health-restoring place of exercise, and that the metropolitan inhabitant, be he peer or artizan, should have dashed from him a garden from which no inclemency of season could exclude him ; if there be sucli a person, then he will vote for the removal of the Glass Pavilion ; and, if he succeeds, the bitterest punishment that his worst enemy could invoke upon him, woiild be. No. CXLVI., Vol. VI. 23G THE COTTAGE GAllDENEE. [July 17. that he might have, in n London winter, a siok house- hold, with life or death to it depending upon a change to a milder air. We will not, however, combat sueh phantom opposi- tion. The Glass Pa\dlion will remain where it is ; the surplus .£100,000 will be vested as a fund for its sup- port; the interior will bn converted into a winter- garden ; there will be certain high admittance days, but a greater number when the admittance will be low, and, on all occasions, every adult will be permitted to take in two children gratuitously — because, if this were not done, half the benefits would be cut off from large families. The establishment will bo self-supporting, and we cannot imagine a single opposition " grunt, growl, or grumble" that can be entitled to the slightest attention. We might leave the Glass Pavilion's claim to per- manency without any other support than it derives from its sanatory uses, but there are other benefits derivable from it that establish its claim still more immoveably. No other structure in the world is capable of enclosing such garden plants, and illustrating such garden culture. WhOst its galleries and side compartments are lofty enough, and yet low enough, for all the examples of vegetation aftbrded by the temperate regions of the earth, its nave and transept are beyond the reach of the topmost spray of the loftiest giants of tropic forests ; and we see tliere, with prophetic eye, the Banian and the Palms stretcliing their growth to their extremest mag- nitude without a check being required. There is no need for us to offer suggestions as to the details of the arrangement of such a garden, for we know that able heads and refined tastes are already at work upon the design ; yet, if we were inclined, we have before us letters showing tliat the gardening mind of England is busy upon the theme, and, as an example, we give the following from a thoroughly practical man : " Of course there are many men capable of undertaking and completing such a woik with taste and judgment ; still, as you liave given a general invitation, I hope gai'deners will make known their ideas upon the subject, and, perhaps, from tlie mass, some useful hints may be gleaned. I slioulj say tliat, to harmonise with tlio geometrical proportions of the building, it must be laid out geometrically ; if tlie land- scape or picturesque l)e adopted, it will interfere with tlie harmony tliat ouglit to exist between tlie two, i.e., tlie hiuld- ing and the garden. I have other reasons for suggesting the geometrical, in an economical point of view. In order to make the thing answer the purpose, it must be irarmerl, not healed. Now I liave an idea that statuary, placed in tlie opeu spaces wliere thu walk.i intersect eacl'i other, as they do at regular intervals in a geometrical design, would he an additional ornament, and at the same time nnght be placed on hallow pedestals of open work, within which might ho concealed coils of piping. Tlie cdciiinjs to the clumps, or beds, I would Ibrm of piping, rendered ornamental by being cast lluted instead of plain. No fi'ar of their scorching the foliage of the plants need he entertained, as there would never be occasion to heat them to tliat degree, hut merely sufficient to keep out iVost, and rendering the air sufficiently mild for groves of Uraiiiies, ijroves of Comvllias, Magnolias, Rhododeiirons, JIyrtles,'&c., etc., almost without end. As to the hoiler-houso for heating these pipes, I should think the present engine houses might answer. Again, if foun- tains and reservoirs aio judiciously introduced, what a splen- did efTect they will have I'rom the various avenues which a geometrical plan will furnish, especially if raised upon a series of platforms or terraces from which a view of the j whole garden might he obtained ; and the reservoirs, if cajjacious, would answer as aijiiariiims on a maynijicent aeale, as well as furnish the means of irrigating the clumps, sprinkling the paths, Ac, for which jiurpose small pipes should be laid beneath the surface, ilr. Beaton's concrete walks would he the most likely to bear the enormous traffic they would be subject to ; and grass, I think, wotdd only be admissible upon the fountain terraces." Before concluding, wo must express our most sincere hope never to see any horse or equipage within the structure; for the noise imavoidably tbeii- attendants, not only would be destructive of all quiet enjoyment, so desirable to be secured, but the dust occasioned would be fatally iujurious to the plants. AVe would rather have a space left vacant for flower shows and winter cricketing ! GARDENING GOSSIP. National Floiucultural Society. — June 2Cth, J. Fairbairn, Esq., in the chair. Eight new members were elected, and two more nominated to be elected at the next election. There was a good attendance, and a great number of seedlings exhibited. Of first class certificates, one was awarded to Mr. Foster, of Clewer Manor, near Windsor, for his Pelakoonium, Optima. Upper petals dark, edged with fiery crimson ; lower petal dark rose, slightly blotched with a still darker colour ; a first-rate variety, with trusses large and habit good. Another first-class certificate was awarded to Mr. Charles Turner, of Slough, for a stand of his seedling I'ink, named Optima. The flowers are of the largest size ; jietals well-rounded, and smooth at the edges, laying broad and even ; the white very clear. The fault we find with it is, that the dark colour of the edges and centre is rather muddy. The centre is well filled up, and the general form is good. Certificates were awarded to Mr. Foster for Pelabgonii'MS, Ariadne, Siichautress, and JRabens. Ariadne has dark upper petals, light rose edge ; lower petals light rose, with a clear white eye. Enchantress has also dark upper petals, edged with rose ; lower petals very fight, streaked with pink, with a good white eye. Huliens is a good useful flower, much resembling Optima, but witli smaller flowers ; the form is, perhaps, a shade better, and the stain on the lower petals more dense. Of the four that obtained rewards, we judge Optima and Ruhens to be the best by many degrees. In Fancy Pelargoniums, Mr. Ambrose bad about a dozen varieties, only one of which tlie censors thought worthy of distinction. It was named Richard Cobden. It resembled Slatuiska considerably, with more light colour ou the petals, scarcely distinct from many otliers, yet it is a desirabls variety. Mr. Lochner, of Paddington, had a seedUug named Laili/ Emma, very distinct in colour. It was of a beautiful rosy lilac ; flower large, and produced numerously. It re- ceived a recommendation. Mr. G. Rogers, of Uttoxeter, sent a splendid dark self Pansey, named Kossuth. This is an advance in the right way ; size above medium ; the form first-rate ; substance good ; eye clear yellow, surrounded with blue rays, upon the richest dark ground. It obtained a certificate. As a contrast to this rich, dark flower, Mr. Turner sent his pansey Saandoirn, a well-formed flower, of good sub- stance, with a dark centre, and clear yellow eye ; size me- dium. This, also, desen-edly had a certificate awarded. Mr. Hunt's Pniif/oj-a pansey was shown hy him in quan- tity, and the censors reiuarked that it fully kept i\\> its excellent character. Jlr. Smith, of Horusey, sent a A'srueka, Orlando, a good blue lilac, large trusses, and medium-sized flowers. This is an improvement upon Andre, and obtained a certificate. Mr. Turner's PELARaoxiuji, Attraction, received recom- mendation on account of the brightness of its colom'S. It will be pseful as a market variety, or as an ornament to the greenhouse. Amongst those that did not obtain rewards of July 17.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 237 merit, we were pleased with JIi'. Hunt's Pansey, Rotiimhi, \ and Mr. Turner's Black Diamond, both good, but rather de- I iicient in size. Messrs. Henderson, of Pine-appleplace, sent a new, clear white, large-flowered Gloxixia, named Alha iiranrliflora; an example of the noble-flowp.red Glo.rinin t/rundix ; a plant ol' I a New Anni;al, named Enrhntzia nlbn, neat and useful, and I some other plants. Mr. E. G. Henderson sent again, in a I better condition, liis new bedding, shruliby, bright yellow i C.iLOEOLARiA, named JVellimjton Hero. The censors were ' Messrs. Fairbairn, Gatleugh, Ambrose, Robinson, Neville, Keynes, Newhall, Norman, Lidgard, Ivery, Lochner, Turner, and Parsons. ' The Victoria regin, at ^Messrs. Weeks and Co.'s Xiir- serj', in the King's-road, is now fairly growing and i flowering in the open air, for the temi)orary covering I wliich was used at night has been remoyed these three weeks. i Tlie plant looks extremely healthy, is interesting from its peculiar situation, and is growing and flowering beautifully; there ai-e Ivi leaves on the plant, which, mtli the petioles, are II feet in length, and completely fill tlie pond, which is 22 feet in diameter. Messrs. Knight and Perry's Exotic Nursery, King's- | road, is attractive just now, for they have an aquarium ' well stocked witli several lieautiful water-lilies, and among them Victoria regia; in fact, the great tank is richly furnished with lilies of various hues, in full bloom. Turner's Nursery, at Sloiigli, is in fine order; pinlis and geraniums, abundant and fine ; carnations and picotces, rapidly approaching perfection; pansies, though past their time, still brightening the scene ; and dahlias, as strong as young oaks, form a perfect forest in embryo- The recommendation of Jlr. Paxton, as to the future use of The Cnjstal Palace, is not new : Jlr. Glenny stated before the building was completed, that the conversion to a winter garden was the only thing that could be entertained, and that the poorest man in the country would hold up his hand for it, if it wei-e to be open, as it undoubtedly ought to lie, to all classes, with no restric- tion but cleanliness and order. We are certain that a building wliich is tlie pride of the whole world, will never be deraolislied witli the consent of the English people. Mr. Paxton estimates the expense of keeping it up at £12,000 per annum, a sum which, considering it will go in labom- and be expended among a useful class, ought not to weigh a moment against the important, the all-im- portant object of finding rational enjoyment for the million. In short, if Saturdays were made shilling days, and the profits, after paying expenses, were to be devoted to other means of providing amusement and instruction for the mil- lion, there would be no small balance arising from it; gi- gantic flower-shows, and various other exhibitions requiring room, might be held with advantage. The Rose Exhibition at the Botanic Society, in the Regent's Park, bas, as we predicted, proved a complete failure ; there is liardly a single variety which is, in size or colour, a fair representation of its kind. The Oxford Horticultural Exhibition being lield at the same time as the oomenimoration, was attended by all the fashionables witiiin a wide circle, and it was remarkable for a splendid sluiw of fuchsias, wliich were never grown better, and of roses, which were exhibited in great style. Tlie cottagers tent gave splendid proof of the growing intelligence of a class in whose welfare everybody must take great interest. Oxford encourages tire cottager as growing those subjects whicli are useful and profitable, and fritters away no prizes for trumpery flowers and useless fruits. Two incidents occurred worth recording as lessons : — A young exhibitor, prompted by one of those mischief- making people who delight in " setting people by the ears," complained, under rule eight, that the pansies were wrongly judged, paid five shilhngs to appeal against the judgment, and the judges and committee were re-summoned to the tent four hours after the judgment. He was heard, he insisted that the stand above him was disqualified, because there were two flowers with split petals. 'J'he judges pro- tested against any change, on tlie ground of the alterations which occur in four hours of scorching winds and in broil- ing hot weather. One of the judges added — " Every stand was disqualified, but as it would have been mortifying to all, they are judged upon their general merits, and placed accordingly; and as the young gentleman has courted this inquiiy, he must take thi! consequences ; as all were dis- qualified, we passed over in that young gentleman's stand tiro flowers of a sorf." Those were pointed out to the satis- faction of the committee, whereupon, one of the members moved, that as tlie fact of there being only twenty-three varieties was brought before them, and tlieir prize was only for twenty-four, tlie complainant be deprived of his prize, and forfeit his five shillings, for bringing forward a frivolous and vexatious complaint. After some discussion, however, it was considered tlie forfeiture of the five sbilUngs woiUd be punishment enough, and he was let off with that and a caution. Another instance, arising out of the same injudicious rule, occun-ed immediately after. Five shillings and an appeal against the judgment were sent up by one of the officers of the Society. The cut I'oses having been in the tent four hours and a half, on going to tlie tent it was seen that the first stand which was nearest the entrance Iiad withered most ruinously, and the second and third had sufi'ered in pro- portion. The judges protested against the slightest change ; when they awarded the prizes every stand was very carefully placed according to their merits, and it was absurd to re- examine cut roses after four hours-and-a-lialf exposure. In this case the committee fell in with the views of the judges; but certainly the first, and by far the best, stand had become like so many rags, even the green leaves had flagged. All we have to say upon the rose aft'air is, that any cultivator ought to have known better than at four o'clock to disturb a judgment given on cut roses at eleven or twelve, and that too in melting weatlier, on single blooms, exposed all over. Tlie first stand was found, in addition to other evils, to have sufi'ered for want of water in one of the tubes. These two incidents will do much good to the Oxford Society, for, if such complaints were encouraged, no rightly- constituted judge, with a reputation to sustain, would ever condescend to act for it. Two seedling pinks and two ranun- culuses were commended, but there being only one bloom of each, we can only say tliey are well worth gro\riug. The rixfurd Horticultural Society is generally «•<■?/ managed, and on enquiry, as to how the rule encouraging appeals against the judgments came to be adopted, we were inforaied that previous to the rule which enacted that five shillings were to be deposited witli the complaints, such complaints were numerous, but since it was adopted, the present was the first that had been lodged. The Metropohtan Society's rule was better — " Any complaint, by word or deed, against the decision of the censors shall be considered a resignation, and the name be struck out acordingly." E. Y. THE FRUIT-GAEDEN. SuMMK.n KP.fiT miESSiNG. — {Continued from page 230.) The Plum. — A little more remains to be said on this useful fruit. It is much to be feared that the crop is very scanty indeed in most parts this year, and the greengages, &c. will be mucb missed, forming as they 3o sucli a handsome and valuable preserve. And setting aside the delicious flavour of some of our best plums, when well ripened, in the dessert, who but admires the delightful aroma the plum produces, re- minding one of the enchanting and fabled perfumes of the East. Now, the failure of a fruit crop of any kind is, generally, tlie signal for the production of a super- 238 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [July 17. abundance of wood, and the trees are but too apt to require double attention at the very period when they promise the least return. However, to be daunted is not the way to progress. Hope beckons us on, pointing to the many triumphs that have been achieved in her name. Trained plums do not produce their young wood in so continuous a way as the pear, for the most part they make a fitful growth during the month of June, and thenceforward seem almost stationary. Young trees indeed, will continue producing much wood up to the middle of July, when they even speedily attain the position of the older ones. Trained ]dums generally produce some coarse breast-shoots at those points of the brambles where, from training circumstances, the branch is made to assume an angle or bond. Such shoots are mostly of the class technically termed " rob- bers," and, as we have before observed, should be treated as such betimes, stripping all such away, or finishing oft' their points if eligibly situated for the production of useful succession wood. Beyond such points, nevertheless, healthy trees will produce occasionally such robber-shoots ; the main stems, therefore, must be traced through, and this practice carried to the very e.x:tremity of the branches. Next to these there will generally arise an order of spray, tolerably eligible for future bearing purposes, but by far too much crowded, such, therefore, may be pinched back a Httle while after the "robbers" ai-e removed, to within about three inches of the base, in the hopes of inducing them to form natural spurs around their base, which not unfrequently becomes a nucleus of spurs. If, however, such does not take place, all such should be cut clear away at the next winters' pruning. After these things ai-e carried out, the trees will present an equal and moderated ap- pearance, and if care has been taken to thin out or " stop " duly, light will be equally admitted to all parts of the tree. One thing may here be observed, if the trees are old and exhausted, much of tlie strongest young wood must be reserved, espcciidly if towards the e.x- tremities of the branches, but if 'the tree is growing wild it becomes expedient to remove or shorten the coarser slioots, in order to tame the tree. AU yoiuig plums in course of ti-aining on esjialier rails, walls, &c., must have leading shoots laid in with care and accuracy, according to the principles of training chalked out. Another point — if the trees are infested with aphides still, let not a moment be lost in cleansing them; the injury they are capable of in- flicting at a late period is greater than even that at an earlier; they now devour the highly-prepared aliment of both the present and the future crop, rendering tlie in-esent unsatisfactory in flower, and laying the founda- tion of a lean development of blossoms in the ensuing spring. Cherrtks. — After dealing somewhat largely with the plum, there is no occasion to run the risk of being proli.x with the cherry ; the treatment being nearly identical, at least us to principle. Here, again, surplus shoots may be pinched back, for we would rub scarcely any away with the cherry, on account of tlicir very pointed tendency to form a nucleus of natural blossom-spurs around the base of every ])iuchod-back shoot. Tlie cherry, moreover, has not such a tendency to produce supernumerary shoots, especially the larger- habited kinds. The Morello class, indeed, as young and liealthy trees, produces young fwig-s in abundance, but tlicso arc capable of being laid in very close as compared with most other fruits. Let, therefore, all shoots that are considered unnecessary be shortened back to (iljout four or five inches, thus leaving three oi' four liealtliy leaves at the lower end of each shoot. The cherry not being classed with such tender ft-iiits as the 2)Bach, does not by any means require, nor enjoy, that intensity of solar light and heat; a moderate amount of shade is, therefore, not only permissible but requisite, especially in hot periods. liere, again, let all aphides be at once exterminated ; we need hardly repeat the arguments applied to the plum, or remark on the ethciency of tobacco-water to accomplish this. The Double-bearing Raspberry. — If the useless suckers have not been cleared away before, let it be done immediately. A selection of shoots may be now carefully made; for those which are to produce the autumnal crop may be readily distinguished ; indeed, they will be near blossoming. The shoots must be kept thin, not above half so thick as the other rasp- berries ; and they should be carefully trained to stakes or lines immediately. As soon as this is done, it is well to apply a coating of midch, and water should be frequently administered : this is very important. Let, therefore, every useless sucker be drawn away, and see that no other crop shades them. They will never prove satisfactory unless they enjoy a full exposiu'e to the southern sky. The Fastolff Raspberry not unusually produces late blooming shoots of the habit of the double-bear- ing ; when such is the case they shoidd receive a sejiarate stake about this period, leaving the stake out- wards. The Alpine Strawberries. — Let us again remind our readers of the necessity of keeping the waterpot in use in dry weather ; and of stripping away all limners not wanted for the futiu-e crops. Early blossoms, too, which had escaped notice, may be cut away, and every means taken by high culture and free circulation of air, with full exposure to sunshine, to force a good show of late bloom. As the Eltons will be in ftdl bearing all through August there will be no occasion for those to come in until September. Gooseberries. — Let all suckers be cleared away, and means taken to retard some for late purposes. About this we must ofler advice of a special character shortly. Currants (Reil and IVIiitc). — If the watery spray and breast-wood has not been cut back, let it be done forth- with, leaving a nice degree of shading for the fmit. The first stage of retardation should take place with these as with the gooseberry, which, in our practice, consists in applying some mats in a loose way for a week or two, just when about to tm'n colour. Plenty of adviee, in detail, will be foimd in back numbers. Cdrrants (Blacli). — The fruit, of comse, all gath- ered ; if time permits, let them have an occasional drenching with the soap-suds of the laundry, even sous- ing their leaves well in the liquor. This will drive or extirpate the aphides, and give the currants a very sujjerior chance next spring. Root-pruning. — It may seem strange to introduce this portion of fruit-culture at tliis period, but we still adhere to the opinion- — albeit not based on much expe- rience at this season — that it would be wise to root- prune, in degree, many immanageable subjects, provid- ing they have little or no fruit. We would not, how- ever, be by any means severe in the operation just at present; it will suffice merely to detach a few of the extreme points of the rambling fibres. If the trench or excavation can be conveniently left out, so much the better; if not, it may bo filled again; and, in extreme cases, another and ratlier more severe ojieration of the kind performed in the last week of October, providing it is deemed necessary. The efi'ect of a trifling check of the kind now will be to cause a much greater solidi- fication of the wood than heretofore : in other words, better rijii'ued wood. This, however, will concern more irruiiodiatcly the wood of [ho present year : but, in order to operate ctiectually on the whole system of a gross tree, July ir.] THE COTTAGE GAEDENER 239 ill a permanent way, a more severe operation is requisite than can, with prudence, be advised at tliis time. R. EnRINGTON. THE FLOWER-GARDEN. Roses. — Of all the roses vehich I lelt unpruned last winter, and which tiu'ned out so well, I think Barron Prevost, Mrs. Elliot, the Duchess of Sutherland, and Ful- gore ai-e the best. No one could make out any ditterence in most of the flowers of Fuhjore, before they were quite expanded, from tliose of the old Cabbage-rose, and they were fully as sweet. It is an old variety of the new breed of hybrid porpetuals ; the habit of it is very bad indeed, and it does worse on the dog-rose than on its own roots. It always makes one or two good shoots at the expense of all the rest ; and sometimes, when you prune it close, it either dies outright, or gets so irregular in the head that no one can bear to see it. Like the Oloirc de Rosamene it does best on its own roots ; and, with all its faults of habit, no one who has ever admired the old cabbage-rose — the best of them all — should be without it. In October, and as long as the frost will allow it, you may cut abumlauce of roses as good and as sweet from Fulgore as any one can get in June. It is also the only rose I know of that will grow well for more than a few years on the Ayrshire roses, such as Ruga. I have had it now eight years on three climbers of the Ayrshire breed, and doing as well as I could desire ; and I am strongly of opinion that it should not be worked on the dog-rose at all ; and I am also of opinion, that having had the same attention as to summer-pruning as the climbers on which it is budded has had some influence on it, and caused it to do better than if it had been treated in the usual way of dwarf roses. At any rate, one thing is quite certain, which is, that this, the sweetest and the latest-flowering of our perpetual bloomers, will bud and do v^'ell on a class of popular climbing roses, on which no other rose will live more than a few year's. Barron Prerost is certainly the most splendid rose, and the largest we have of all the perpetuals ; under the plan of not pruning it in winter, the size of the flowers, with me, was immense. C'omte de Montalivct has a larger and wider face than the Barron, but then it is only a very thin rose, semi-double as it is termed, and is best to be looked at from a little distance ; it will not bear a close inspection. Neverthe- less, from its enormous size, and having a tint which is rare in roses, it should be grown in quantities, as we do the Gloire de Rosamene. It is the only i-ose I know wliich hides its only fault, that is, its want of double- ness : instead of opening a full face like Qloire de Rosa- mene, and showing the " evil eye," the petals actually fold inwards towards the eye, and hide it completely ; and you might suppose, at a little distance from it, that you saw the largest and the most double rose in England, when, if this Comte opened back like other roses, it would look as mueli like a half-double holly- hock as anything else I can think of. il/cs. Elliot should certainly never be close pruned. It made shoots more than four feet long with mc last year, the very top buds of wliich produced the finest sample of the variety I ever saw. This, and William Jesse, looked as if tliey were varnished with that rich metallic lustre which they alone, of all the roses, exhibit in the most perfect degi'ee. La Reine never does well on our light soil; and on the no-pruning system it was worse than before. Prince Albert, with Earl Talbot, and two or three other line roses which require a very favourable season to open them finely with us here, did not answer better by not being pruned. Therefore, I am led to this conclusion, with respect to the experiment — as far as it has gone — that it does not help natural defects in a rose, unless, indeed, it may turn out this autumn that the shy openers may imfold themselves more freely under the next stage of the experiment, which I last week pro- mised to allude to ; but before I do so, and whilst I think of it, I must tell how I managed to make a hedge of perpetual roses without laying down a regular foun- dation for one. Ever since our hedges of the Oloire de Rosamene began to draw the attention of visitors to that style of exhibiting them in pleasure-grounds, my worthy em- ployers were desirous that others, including the Moss and old Cahbaye roses, should be tried in hedges also; and I am not very sure that this earnest request was not at the bottom of my experiment of not pruning in winter: at all events, it has ended in part of the trial. Four years since I planted one or two specimens of all our best roses in a row, from the door of my cottage down in front of a peach-border, and only eighteen inches from the side of the walk. They were all budded on six-inch stocks of the BoursauU, the best stock for our light land, were it not the bother it gives one to keep down suckers. These were intended to " kill two birds with one stone ; " first, for cut flowers ; aud, when they got too large aud encroaclied on the walk, to be potted for forcing, or to be sent to the " rosary," fuU- growu, and still in the prime of youth. Well, as soon as the experiment of letting a great number of roses go unpruned was determined on, this row in front of my house was fixed on to make a hedge of at once, and such a hedge I never saw before. With- out any romance, it was literally hung with roses as you would see onions tied on ropes for a country fair. Last winter the row was turned into a hedge in two days ; a row of stakes were set a yard or so apai't down the middle of tlie row, and then straight hazel rods put in horizontally and tied to the upright stakes ; the un- pruned slioots of the roses were trained at full length, right and left, against the rods, aud the whole was kept as low as we could, so as not to shade the peach border too much. It is only a little better than a yard high, and shall he kept to that height. Now to do this pro- perly, will explain what I mean to do with all the un- pruned roses for the rest of the season. We have trained raspberry canes in various ways time out of mind, some upright, some slanting to one side, and others arched over between stool and stool ; and as soon as the crop was over, in my younger days, the canes which produced it were cut out, no matter how green their leaves might be at the time ; this was told me to be for letting in more light and air to the canes which were to bear next year, and that cutting away the bearing canes as above would give all the benefit of the roots to those for the next year's bearing. But whether all this was right or wrong, or partly both ways, is not for me to say. Mr. Errington must know all about it, and can explain it better than is necessary for me to try on this occasion. But 1 well recollect that under that system, for years and years, I used to see the best crops of raspberries; and, therefore, I intend to try the same plan with these roses, with only a little variation. ludeed, I am doing so just now, and I think it will answer capitally. The rasp- berry canes were allowed to ripen the fruit, and no more ; the rose shoots will be allowed only time to ripen their flowers, and not even that in some cases; for I see that as soon as the top rose on a long shoot is full blown, and so will not allow the shoot to extend any more in tliat direction, tlio eyes on the bare part of this shoot begin to grow away in earnest, and exhibit that impatience at restraint which caused people to give up the plan of training down roses in the rose beds. Now there is a philosophical knot on this shoot, just between the flower-bearing top part and that portion of it just breaking into new shoots, which, if I had the necessary time to discuss, I should like very much to cut, if only half-way through, as they do for layering rose shoots ; 2i0 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [July 17. as it is, I must be content with saying, that throughout the season, that is, througli ■Tuly, August, and September, the floweriug shoots will be cut down from time to time, as the first roses on tliem are past their best, without waiting for all the buds on ever}' little side shoot to open. Some early-flowering shoots that have been so cut at the very end of June, are now in Ijloom from the next succession of shoots from below ; and if all the eyes, down to the very bottom of the last year's wood, do not break out into flowering branches at this first succession, the shoots will be cut down in August still lower, and then be in the same shape as they would have been at a winter pruning; that is, iu efi:ect, but not so in reality, as the shoots on any given plant are not to be all cut down at one time, but in succession. If this system docs not injure the plants in the long run, and I do not think it will if the plants are kept well fed, the advantages I expect from it are flowers a week or ten days earlier in Way, and four times as many flowers, at least, from the same plants iu the course of one season. I think I can see conclusively, through this experiment, the utter folly and the unscientific bearing of the common practice of pruning roses in the spring iu our climate, at least ; aud not only roses, but all other bushes or trees which cast their leaves in the autumn. As soon as the leaves are down is the proper time to prune, except in special cases ; and such cases do occur every season, and on both sides of what may be called the meridian time in jniming. On this side of the line, we all know that weak growing trees, or other plants, can be improved both in health and vigour by being pruned six weeks' before the fall of the leaf, as had been long since proved on scientific grounds by Mr. Knight, and Mr. Williams, of Pitmaston, in the case of some fruit trees ; and on the other side of the line, we are equally certain that it is right to put ofl" the pruning season of some fruit aud flowering plants, roses among the rest, till late in tlie spring; still, such exceptional cases do not weaken the general rule, or the principle of the practice. New Trees. — It may be interesting to the lovers of fine evergreen trees to hear that His Royal Highness Prince Albert planted the largest saleable plant in England, of the Chilian Arbor-vitfe [Lihocedrus Ghilen- sis), in the gardens here, to commemorate his first visit to Shrubland Park ; that this noble evergreen tree attains the height of from GO to lUO feet on the Andes of Chili; and that, altliough it has been known to bota- nists for some time, from the accounts of travellers aud dried specimens, and also with Lihucednis tetnujoim, as the celebrated Alcrce of Chili, so much valued for the excellence of its timber, it was only last season that the first seeds of it were procured in quantity by Mr. Low, nurseryman, at Clapton, near London — the only importer of it — and tliat through the exertions of a once Sufiblk gardener, itr. Thomas Bridges, to whose memory Sir W. Hooker dedicated the genus Liidgesia. It thus turns out, singularly enough, that the first plant from these seeds should be planted iu Mr. Bridges' native county ; and that, too, by the most distinguished patron of science in this or in any other country. Mr. Bridges advises that this splendid tree should be planted over u dry bottom, aud [ can vouch for that condition having been fulfilled here to the letter. He also advises that very young plants of it should be slightly protected for the first winter or two, and, of course, wo shall attend to his instructions. But IJr. Lindley and Sir W. Hooker agree in considering it as hardy as the Araucaria imhrl- cata from the same country. Lr. Mndley, writing on this and the other Chilian Spruce, Lihocedrus teliaijotia, says of them:— "Xo doubt they aro among the iinest Conifers in the world." After planting the Chilian Libocedar under the royal standard, which waved over our heads from the summit of the Albert Tower, a recent pile ei'ected from the designs of Mr. Barry, His Royal Highness opened a conversation on the recent divisions into which the Conifers have been arranged by Endlicher and other botanists, and evinced such a thorough knowledge of the dift'ereut sections as surprised even an old gardener, to say nothing of the workman-like manner in which he handled the silver-mounted spade in the act of planting this fine tree, a biography of which had been prepared for his perusal. It turned out that His Royal Highness had little need of such aid respecting any of the recently- introduced trees to this country. A gentleman present- having expressed a wisli that His Royal Highness might live to see the tree he had ])lanted rear its head as high as the top of the flag-staS' close by, he imme- diately instanced, in reply, tlie rapid growth of several species of CiJiiresses, and, among the rest, an avenue of Cypress near the city of Mexico, where some of the trees have attained the enormous height of nearly DUO feet. Altogether His Royal Highness's remarks, conversation, and questions about our craft, have put some of ns here to tlie blush; and 1 only wish that i could say or write in the same strain, so as to induce our I'ising race of gardeners to study, more than they usually do, the geography of the plants they cultivate, and also their botanical arrangement, according to the best authors. Dejiend upon it, a young gardener has only put his foot on the first step of the ladder when he has received his gold medal for a collection of well-grown specimens. l). Beaton. GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW GARDENING. Altering Pits and Houses. — AVhen in other sciences a new fact or principle is clearly demonstrated, tlie mind is often satisfied with contemjilating it, and a sort of sluggish repose is apt to creep over it. Different, to a gi'eat extent, is it in gardening ; and that difl'erence seen in all, is most strikingly apparent in those who are just commenciug their exiierimeutal aquaintance with it. Delightful it is to contemplate a beautiful flower in any case ; but the fact that we have reared and tended that lovely plant with our own hands, imparts a deliglit that the mere spectator admirer never can share. One of the charms of our art is, that the incitements to activity and progression are identical with motives to realize fresh and liitherto imtasted delights. The man who cultivates, with zest, his potatoes and cabbages, will, every season, be adding a fresli vegetable to his lists. 'The rigid amateur, who at first can only see beauty in the perfected form of a kvr florists' flowers, will, almost imperceptibly to himself, be ever and anon taking fresh protegees under his care. The mechanic, who tries his cucumbers out-ofdoors, will first obtain calico and paper coverings, then a hand-light or small box, and then even the two-light box probably will not be the last of liis achievements. To supply their windowii, to decorate their flower-garden, our friends have provided themselves with pots, lesser and larger; but will they be satisfied with these? No; the desire to grow things better and larger, and to have them to look at as specimens in pots, instead of having a more limited collection in the flower- b(n-ders, oppresses them like a dream of fairy-land, and they resolve that such visions shall be realities, by con- structing greenhouses afresh, or turning the pits they already possess, with, a little alteration, into such de- sirable recejitacles. Hence, notwithstanding ,'ill that has been said re- specting the formation of i)its, and the heating and Imilding of houses, many queries from some of our frieuds continue to bo presented ; and, as likely to be generally interesting, one or two will bo selected as the Jolt It.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 241 matter for this week's article : — V. presents us with a pit, f) feet deep in front, and 8 feet at back, — it being 18 inclies above tlie ground level in front, and 3 feet at back, — and, we suppose, 12 feet wide, though it is not mentioned, and 21 feet in length. This pit is heated by a flue, which traverses the front and both ends, and he proposes to alter it so as to make it " a good fuchsia house ; " gives a section, witli which we have no fault to find, only that it does not seem to be drawn on the same scale as the section of the pit, aud ueitlier are figures of dimensions given, both great requisites when advice is asked, but the prominent features of which appear to be — the raising of the liouse, or pit, so as to have upright glass in front, say 18 inches or 2 feet in height ; the placing a stage or floor a few inches below the level of this front glass; the bringing of the flue back along the middle of the pit, in what woidd tluis be an enclosed chamber, and returning it again by the back wall, giving thus three lengths of flue instead of one; and widening the house by building another wall, two or three feet distant from the back wall of the pit, in order that a path may thus be obtained, that will afibrd walking and working room inside, — the door to the pathway being througli this back new wall. Opinion is asked as to the angle of elevation to suit fuschias'.' the propriety of so managing the flue? the depth from the' glass at which the flooring should be to suit fuschias? the covering for the additional roof over the path '.' whether pots should be plunged in sand on the floor, or set on boards, &o. '.' Conditional answers to which will be found in our, perhaps, too hasty reply. 1st. Flues. — So far as fuschias are concerned and greenhouse plants in general, we see no necessity for building two new lengths, one in the middle and tlie other at the back of the present pit; as a good working flue along the front and both ends, though these ends as proposed shoidd be almost wholly of glass, will be amply sufficient. Though fuschias will bear forcing, nay, even a certain amount of bottom-heat when starting, the plants are never so fine, and robust, and bushy, as when grown in a comparatively cool, airy atmosphere, and this flue, as it at present exists, if in good condition, we would consider rpiite sufficient for getting them into bloom in June and July, and earlier if wanted ; but then flowering plants must be ob- tained at the sacrifice of dispensing with close, sturdy growth. 2nd. Inclination of the roof. — Tliis for fuschias will answer admirably, and for greenhouse plants in general, intended to bloom and ripen their wood in summer. For early blooming and early flowering it would be better to raise the glass at the back 18 inches higher, which woifld thus give you the command of more rays of the sun in the early months of the year. 3rd. Covering over the hock path. — Wood, asphalt, &c., may bo used; but where you did not mind the raising of the back wall, we would raise it so high as to enable you to put an additional short glass sash in the same slope as the rest of the roof If this was objectionable, wo would build the new wall 18 inches or two feet lower than the height of the proposed roof over the pit, and from that point to the wall-plate over the back wall we would have a sloping narrow roof of glass. Tn this case a longitudinal rafter must bo provided, to which both the long front rafters and the short back ones shoidd be fi.\ed. Stout, neat, oak or iron supports, from the back wall of the pit would keep the longitudinal rafter in its place, and be a capital place for nice creepers; glass over the place, in whatever way applied, will lie little more expense in the long run than any opaijue material, while you will have all the advantage of the light conferred, and thus may use the new back wall for holding small plants on narrow sliclves, for' growing creepers and twiners, for training camellias or oranges, or by building it rough and rustic for growing the hardier ferns, mosses and lichens. ith. Position of the floor, distance from glass, dx. — These must be regulated by your desires. Some ai-e satisfied with a fuchsia, or any other greenhouse plant, when it is from three to five feet in height ; others grumble if they do not get them giants, ranging from eight feet to as much more. If the latter is your wish, you will want little or no flooring. If you intend having a fixed floor, calculate upon having one foot more from the floor to the glass, than the height you woidd wish your plant to arrive at. Where the plant is small, it may be elevated upon a pot, or a series of pots. Strong slate is the best material for flooring, where expense is no object, as, if well laid down, the water lost in water- ing in summer is retained to produce a moist atmo- sphere. In such a case as that before us, where a raised floor was deemed necessary, we should employ earth or rubbish of any kind, covered first with cinders and salt, and then with gravel and sand. The sand, &c., would absorb the moisture and give it out again. t)n this ac- count, a wood platform, suggested by our correspondent, is the worst in summer, because the moisture escapes from the pots so freely ; but it is very useful for many plants in winter, just because the moisture drains ofl' so readily, and thei'e is, therefore, little danger of damping. There is no difficulty in fixing the bottom of a stage, or the flooring of a house, when plants simil.ar in size are to be grown there ; but the difficulty is to decide when one house is to contain plants in all stages of growth, from somany inches to so many feet. If our euquii'er ( IT.) had not finished tlie walls of his pit, or house, I would advise him to do as wo ourselves have done, or rather improve upon it. All round a pit, at a certatn distance from the glass, so as to be on the same level, back and front, a brick is left out one inch past the perpendicular, aud the following layers are put above it in the usual way. These inch projections serve admirably for placing strong boai-ds across as a flooring for the reception of dwarf plants, aud when they become too tall for their place out they come, and the boards too, and then they ai'e replaced as far from the glass as you please. Where there is limited space, there may he three or four such means of moveable flooring instead of one, and thus full indulgence given, in the same pit, to jdauts a few inches in height, as well as those of several feet. By such means, the same pit that has had French beans in winter, and strawberries in spring, has had fuchsias, bego- nias, &c., of good size in summer and autumn. If, how- ever, a fixed stage or flooring on a level is desirable, wo recommend slate, for neatness ; and earth, &.<•., covered with sand, for utility and economy. In this, pits of small size, say a foot si]uare, may be enclosed lor the growth of the best creepers. 5th. Width of floor, or stage platform for the plants, conveniences of natcring them, d-c. — V. shows his intended floor or stage running from the back wall to the front wall of his pit, and enclosing his contemplated series of flues. Thero is, therefore, no pathway in front, no opportunity of getting at the plants there except by the front glass, and this would riui counter to his desires to have the work performed within. Whether' his pit be nine feet or twelve feet in width, he cannot attend to his plants from the path behind, and what is more he will never be able to see them to advantage if his house faces the south, as the best side will always be turned from him. To keep them in good condition in such circum- stances, he will often have to sprawl among them all- foui's. And what is the remedy? Widen or not widen the house as you think proper ; but if it is twelve feet iioir, it will make no bad place for fuschias, or other things either; elevate it undoubtedly. Retain the flues if you like, but save a place, or sink a part at one end of the house, or have room for a path by the side of it. 242 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [Jdly 17. Have the door at the back if you wish it ; but let the path from it lead not aloug the back, but to the centre of the house, or have tlie door in the end facing the centre, and thence take a path lengthwise along the middle of the house, and have a platform for your plants on each side, on which you can easily reach your plants for everything desirable. The next best, would be to keep so far to your proposed arrangements; but instead of taking your platform riglit on to the front wall, to have a narrow trellis of shelf over your flue there, six inches below the level of the front glass, and inside of your flue a pathway, so that you may examine your plants in front. I have furnished matter for consideration ; J should hesitate to do more without more definite information. Another friend sends a section of a span-roofed house, glass all lound, with the e.^ceptiou of the low side and end walls. It seems narrow, not wider apparently than your pit, as the two side shelves are each the same width as the path aloug the middle ; and a most useful place it will be botli for growing and showing ofi' to the best advantage. As much more width as would have fur- nished room for a flat stage or pit in the centre, with walk round it for general purposes, would have rendered it com])lete. The proprietors of such houses will soon send us lean-to gentlemen to the right about. WHliam K. inquires respecting it, whether the stage should be level, or in the gradation of two steps, the lowest next the path, and, therefore, farthest from the glass. Level, in such circumstances, undoubtedly ; use topsy-turned pots to make slarers if you like; but, instead of having that level equal with or rather above the base of the front glass, we would place it six inches below it, and then, though the top of yom- ))lants would receive all necessary light, the jiots would not be so much scorched in bright sunsliiue. R. Fish. HOTHOUSE DEPAETMENT. EXOTIC STOVE PLANTS. GENER.ti. Hints. — This department of the garden will now be quite gay with bloom. The numerous branches of the Gesnerwofts should be in the greatest beauty, Aclihnenes, Olnxinia, Oesnera, Sinning'ia, it'c, showing, if well-managed, a galaxy of floral beauty, such as our fathers in gardening never dreamt of The permauput inhaliitauls of tlie stove will, generally, be out of bloom, cut down, repotted, and placed in deep cold pits, kept close at nights to cause tliem to grow stout and bushy, and laying >ip a store of robust health to enable them, when the summer occupants are at rest and ]ilaoed out of sight, U) render the stove an interesting and pleasant place to visit, when all out-of-doors are wrapt in tlie sleep of winter. Considei'able labour, care, and foresight, is now the portion of the best cultivators of stove plants. Very diflbrent was the management even twenty years ago. Tlie plant stove was then a recejitacle for as many plants as could possibly be crammed into it, and long-legged, unsightly objects they were. Now that the manugoment of the best old plants, and the immense number of newly introduced ones, is hotter understood, since the industry and skill of the growers are brought into active operation, tlio stove plants are cultivated with such suc- cess, as regards form, size, and bloom, as would astonish, could they see them, the cultivators of hal fa-century back. And why should we not |irngress and attain to aTU)th('.r advance as great by the end of this century, as we have accomplished since its commencement'.' We see, every year, an improvement, a decided imiu'ovemeut, in the plants exhibited at the various horticultural exbiliitions tlu-ougbout the length and breadth of the land. 'J'he vi-sitors to these shows must observe that advance, and go home with a determination to try to produce such plants in their own stoves. Some, indeed, seem desirous to continue in the " good old way," as they term it, and cry out against such exhibitions, because they point out, with a loud voice, that it is time to be up and doing, and actively too, in order to keep pace with the march of gardening in the culture of ornamental stove plants. These deprecators of improve- ments are happily few, and fast departing from amongst us (if not in body) in spirit. The grand cry with such is now, " 1 have no time to grow a collection of stove plants," or " I have not space to grow them." Then why attempt it? Do not grow a collection at all. Aim at a selection. Tlu'ow away, courageously, all such as ai'o not highly ornamental. Gi'ow twenty plants well, and not a hundred badly. This was the grand mistake of our forefathei-s, and it is high time we aroused ourselves to cast oft' the trammels of ancient practices, and enter into a new and improved mode of both cultivating and selecting objects of cultivation to render the plant stove attractive. By a judicious selection of plants, and a pit or two to grow them, tlie stove may be kept constantly filled with plants in bloom. Now, at this season, we have plenty of objects to flower. The tribe mentioned at tlie head of these remarks has, by fresh importation, and the art of hybridising, become sufficiently numerous to fill the largest stove. In winter we have iXw.Justicias, the Erantliemums, the Aphelandran, the Rogieriis, some Salcias, besides forced flowers, to ornament the stove. In spring we have the sweet-scented Oardenian, the Eiqihorhias, the Poincettias ; and in the early summer mouths there is the Stejihanolis, the Allumundras, the Ixoras, &c. All these, as our skilful brethren are aware, require a prejiaration, a growth, and a rest, to render tliem worthy to fill during their season, in a creditable manner, the place, the honourable place, of the first rank in the scale of perfection in the stove. This preparation is a test of the skill of the cultivator. Unless done in season, and in the right manner, the attempt will be a failure ; and, if not eventually success- ful, a disgrace. We delight to observe attempts, even if mistaken ones, they show a desire to improve and excel. " What man has done, man can do," ought to be the motto of the young beginner; and "what man has done, I can improve," ought to be the motto of the more experienced cultivator. But this improvement cannot be achieved without exertion. Every power of the mind, a constant study of the physiology of plants, the circumstances of heat and food for them must be dili- gently studied, the situations in which they flourish in their native clime be learnt and acted upon, and, lastly, a large .stock of persevering industry, aud patient appli- cation of all the means at command, should be acquired. All these are indispensably necessary to become a suc- cessful improver in the art of cultivating all plants, whether hardy greenhouse or stove. T. Api'leuy, FLORISTS' ELOWEES. MR. GLENNY ON FLOMSTS' FLOWERS. The Botanic Societi/s Show was not remarkable for seedlings. Optima and I'myle Standnid i/ertiniiims received certificates. Mr. Turner exhibited many seed- ling Ptinsics in his stand, and wo must see some of these again. It is dangerous to give an opinion on a single bloom. He also exhibited a light Fuchsia, called Oon- spiciia : we must see it grown better befoi-e wo pronounce upon it. The higlily-improjicr mode of allowing seed- lings to be shown in stands, places a raiser over the heads of all the most liberal buyers. Imagine the ad- vantage of turning to a seedling-bed to make up a stand, and resorting to it for eleven lilooms out of twenty-four ; or rather imagine a Soi)° by night; let them stand pretty close to the glass to cause a stout growth. Now is the time to determine upon the form the plants are to take when fully grown ; there are two, the Jiyra- midal aud the mere hush,— we think the first the best and most elegant. To furnish side-shoots it will be necessary to nip oft" the tojis when the plants are six inches higli ; side-slioots will then bo produced, and these shiiuld be lied out liori/ontally ; the uppermost shoot should be tied tipright, to be stopped again when eight or nitjo inches have been added to its stature, liy the time this has taken jilaco a fresh shift will ho neces- sary ; the diameter of the ]iot this time sboidd be seven inches. This shift should take place about the middle of April. Replace them in the house again, as near the glass as their shoots will allow. Give them now every attention, to cause strong, quick development, by water- ing freely at the roots, by syringing them overhead morning and evening, especially in sunny weather, and shutting up early in the afternoon, at the time the syringing is done ; this will create a most stimulating atmosphere, and the plants will show they are thankful for such care by growing fast, and producing broad, healthy foliage. Stop them again, and tie the side- shoots out in such a way as will furnish every side of the plant with hoiizoutal branches equally distributed. If the house is a lean-to it will be necessary to turn the plant round every three or four days, to cause every side to be well proportioned and equally furnished ; but if the house is in the best form, a span roof, this trouble will be avoided. Continue this training till the plants have attained the requisite height, and begin to show bloom ; the supports shoitld then be removed, and the branches will droo|) downwai'ds iu that elegant manner for which this tribe is so much admired. Repot twice more, first into 9-iuch pots in May, and into 11-inch pots in June. In this last size they may be allowed to flower, and will then be jjerfeet sjiecimens of elegance and beauty. They should then be removed into the green- house, and have abundance of air night and day. They will adorn the greenhouse when there are few other of its proper inhabitants within, they being now set out of doors to enjoy the summer breeze. T. Arpi.BiiY. THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. RouTiNE-woEK. — Brocolis, Borecoles, Brussels sprouts, Sariii/s, Coleworts, kc, should be planted out, if not already done, in full crop. If room can be spared, plant again a few Duarf Beans aud Scarlet Runners ; and, about the middle of the month, sow early varieties for coming in in Auttunn. See that a good succession of Caulijlovcrs are put out ; any piece of warm bolder, from which Peas or Straiiberries have been cleared, should be broken up as rough as possible with a strong digging fork, and be occasionally well-turned over aud sweetened, in time for the principal Spinach sowing for winter's use. Garlic, Shalots, and Underground Onions should ha taken up and stored. Autumn-sown Onions should have their tops bent down, and a few more should now bo sown, for a supply of young onions in autumn. Tunxii's. — To get a crop of quick-grown well-flavoured tiu'uips, the soil should first he well-pulverized, and a small portion of some kind of manure drilled in with the seed, to encourage a kindly start. Wood, turf, or peat-ashes saved dry, or charred materials of any kind, are all well-knowu as excellent fertilizers for the turnip ; and so is guano, as well as sulphur, bone-dust, and uuiny other articles which cost money to purchase, but the Ibrmer articles may, in many places, be saved or procured almost free of expense; and so may night- soil, ouo of the richest of all fertilizers, and which may be modified to any extent, by properly mixing it with charred or burnt earth, dust of any kind, charred wood-dust, or charred old tan, &c. It is astonishing what may be accomplished by economizing the various little articles that are often found to be wasted about almost all dwellings and pieces of laud. If dry weather continues to prevail, mulching the siu'face'of the earth amongst the crops will be very advantageous, and liberal soakhigs of water should be applied to free-growing crops. James ii.vRNiss. July IT.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 24D MB. TAYLOR'S BOXES Mr. Taylor's observations in your 143rcl number call for a few remarks from me, wliieli I bope may find a place in your paper. Willi reference to his biir-Iiii'es, wlietlier single or double, I have little to say. I can only state my con- viction— a conviction which grows with my experience — that boxes uncased, or with a shell or covering of wood titting to them almost closely, ought not to be exposed to the sun under itiii/ circumstances. If Mr. Taylor objects to the old- fashioned bar-shed, that it " retained the sun's heat as In an oven," which was yet " open in front," with liow much greater reason may the snine olijectiou be raised against his double j bar-hives, which ha^•e but the interspace for air of an inch all round I The bees are inconvenienced, tlie delicacy of the honey-comb spoiled, and the bee-owner's profit dimi- nished, in proportion to tlie exposure of a hive to the sun's influence. Mr. Taylor will aclaiowledge this as much as I do ; and does he not know how poor a remedy against these evils is even IJ-incli stuff, as a material for the boxes ? Jly remarks on his hives (the construction aud plan of which is admirable, as I have allowed) have been made with no other : object than by way of caution to tlie apiarian ; and I have | seen no reason to alter my opinion, unless it be that I am disposed more strongly to reiterate my advice, under no circumstances to locate boxes in the opeu air unjirolected 1>y a substantial roof. Under a veranda ( as the boxes are to the rii/hl of the frontispiece in "The Bee-keeper's Manual"), or beneath a thatched covering, or overhanging tree, no hives will do better than Mr. Taylor's ; but let them not stand exposed, as they are seen to the le/t of the same frontispiece. With respect to the winter protection of bee-hives from the sun's influence, to whicli allusion is made, let the public decide between the method proposed by me and that so strongly advocated by Jlr. Taylor. I allow, tliat if my screen were loosely tlxed, and badly arranged, it would want but a faint gust to blow it down ; but, really, Mr. Taylor must be joking to suppose that I suggested auy arrangement of this Ivind ! However, let him wlio cauuot fix my screens properly by all meaus adopt Mr. Taylor's. Only let him place them at such a respectable distance from the hives, that, should the wind mistake them for weathercocks, they may not in their gyrations strike the hives, and alarm the bees diu-iug their winter's rest. Should anybody, however, deem my method not so bad after all, 1 would advise the screen to be erected about a yard distant from the liives, to be constructed of stout posts, not too far apart, well fixed in tlie ground, to wliicli strong lines of cord are secured ; on tliis, by the simplest contrivance, the matting, or sail-cloth, may be fastened ; and I defy the stroiigest wind, short of a hurricane, to knoclc it over. It need not stand very high, especially if the hives are well-covered and roofed over, but just suflicient to ward off the suu from the lower part of the hives throughout the short winter day, wlien it is low on the liorizon. As to its proving a hindrance to the bees in returning home ■when so placed, Jlr. Taylor must permit me to say the objection is puerile. Let it be fixed on a mild day early in November, wlien the bees are about, and they will soon accustom themselves to the sliglit obstruction. But let the apiarian public accept or reject the suggestion as they please ; it is a matter not worth contending about. Again, does Mr. Taylor, alias "An Old Bee-master" (for, apiarian reader, are they not one and the same person '?), sneer at our hive-burying experiment during the past winter. Had he advanced any facts based on his own experience which made against it, to counterbalance the success of Drs. Bevan aud Uunbar (not to mention other cases), and the remarkable experience of Dr. Lindley's " ti'ustworthy " correspondent (alas ! for the accuracy of the Old Bee-master's " investigation," whicli resulted in proving fact to be "fiction" — See The Cottage Gardener, vol. v., pages 118 and '234:), we sliould, probably, not have now to be laughed at for our simidicity. However, as it is, I am glad to tliinl; that a doubtful matter is set at rest. Mr. Taylor may ridicule as he pleases ; but, fellow-victims of credulity, we may console ourselves with the thought that posterity SCEEENS, AND BURYING BEES. will do us justice — that they will laud the magnanimous sacrifice we have made of so much hope of golden sweets out of a pure love for scientific truth! No Bonner, or Bevan, or Richardson, will now, even hesitatingly, suggest that bees have been buried and disinterred, safe and sound, after a five-months' imprisonment, and so half-recommend a trial of the same. We have tlie satisfaction of knowing that a step of some importance has been gained in ajiiarian lore : we have done for ever with under-ground and leaf- burying, either with or without a ventilating apparatus ; let us now see if we cannot discover some other plan of wintering bees better than that which our " ignorance " still adlieres to as the best. ilr. Pnyne, in the same number which contains Mr. Taylor's critique, has stated his belief that our bee knowledge is still !« its infancy ; and though I have not yet dared to say so, I believe it also. I esteem it fortunate that the winter of 1831 was of so mild and damp a character, for it has tested to its utmost the interment of bees. Had it been severe, we might in general have succeeded, and an erroneous impression in favour of it might have gone forth to the world ; whereas, now we ai'e assured, that whosoever buries his bees does so at their peril. — A Covniry Curate. S.VYINGS. We all know how diflicult it is to save money, and the poor especially feel this. The husband may be as hard- working as he likes, and the wife as saving as it is possible to be, and yet, when the end of the week has anived, the wages are all gone, and there is nothing put by for the rent, or for that day of sickness which must some day overtake us all, even the healthiest and strongest in our parishes. There are many who live merely for the present hour, enjoying that as much as they can, but never preparing themselves against a "rainy-day." This (as all thinking people will agree), is not as it should be, aud I hope those who liave not thought about the matter, will be glad to hear of a few plans, in order to lay by a little hoard for sickness and for health, for happiness aud for misery, for old age and for death. There are two ways of proceeding in order to secure this " little hoard ; " but these two ways must be followed together, or my plan would not be completed. I mean, you must lay up a store of holiness, " without which no man can see the Lord," and you must put by your money for your bodily wants. The holiness that will be of comfort to you in sickness, in misery, in old age, and in death, is not merely that of works, but that holiness of thought, wliioli enables us to say in all our (hstresses, " It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth liim good." Of ourselves we are unable to obtain tliis, and thus we are shown that there is another duty to be performed — which is prayer. Nothing can be had without asking. If you want worl;, do you not seek for it ? If you require assistance from a rich neighbour, do you not ask it ? and surely you cannot imagine God will bestow his precious gifts to tliosc who do not seek tlieni ; " ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find," is his own counsel and promise. You may, for a time, appear prosperous and happy, without ha\ing sought God's assistance, but depend upon it the day will come when you will see llie weakness of your own fancied strength, and the " vanity and vexation of spirit" of your former life. Uod grant tliat you may not see it too late ! And now, liaving advised you to " seek first the kingdom of God," I will tell you a few plans for saving your money. Tliere are very few cottagers, I suspect, wlio do not dread rent-day coming round. Now, as it is not pleasant to live witli a weight on one's mind, I always recommend two additions to their gardens, which prove " friends in need." These are a piy and tiees. You can get the former up to a very fair size, by feeding him regularly on the produce of your garden, and the wash from the house. Do not, as so many do, begin by giving meal and pollard, but keep the "hard feeding" until lie is more than half fat ; and then buy some oats (the quantity, of course, must depeiid on the 246 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [Jdly 17. size of your pigl, and give him those whole, instead of barley -meal ; you will find that you are able to fat him for much less than you could do, if he had been fed according to the usual plan ; and the flesh will be as good, if not better. If you know any farmer who grows oats, they will generally let you have them, on the promise of being paid when your pig is killed. Do not try and sell yoiu- pig till it is killed, you can, generally speaking, get more for it cut up, than when it is alive ; besides, you get a couple or three days' dinner from the inside. Directly you have sold it, pay for your oats, and then put the remainder of your money into a drawer, making a promis(i to yourself not to touch it till your landlord calls. Sees, in a good season,' are vei-j' profitable, and as they cost a mere nothing to keep, every cottager should own some hives. Having eased your minds of the burden of the rent, I will tell you how to get a new gown for Chiistmas ! You all know how easy it is to give a penny a-week, but how hard it is to keep it; therefore, belong to a clothing club, — pay in regularly from a Id to '-id a-week, and, at the end of the year you will receive your own 4s 4d, besides the addi- tional money which the charitably-disposed people about you may add. If any of my readers live in or near towns, many charities are open to them by the payment of a Id per week. In the coimtry there are fewer ; but there are few districts, I suspect, where the cottager could not belong to a club of some sort, or a Provident Society. This latter charity is a most admirable one : by the payment of a small weekly sum you are enabled, when ill, and unable to work, to support your family without appl}'iug to the parish, which, I know, goes to the heart of many a poor man to be obliged to do; and yet, unless you belong to a society of this sort, how can you help yourself when ill ? Before joining any club examine the rules well, and see who has the ma- nagement of it, for sometimes clubs are estabUshed con- taining rules which oblige a man to spend money in the public-house, and are otherwise improperly conducted. There is one other way of laying out your money, which, although it does not bring you in money in return, yet pays you ample, aye, more interest, than all the other places I have mentioned, — -I mean pennies expended in schooling. Our children are lent to us by the Lord for a little season, and it is in youth that lasting impressions are made. In a short tine, we shall have to render up our account, and if we have neglected om- children, what excuse shall we have to offer ? In all our Knglish schools children are taught tlie value of their souls. This consideration alone should make you only too glad to send them ; but when, added to this, you know that they are taught to read, write, and work, and are forming habits of industry and neatness, does it not seem madness to neglect the opportunity. Think, when laid upon a sick bed, perhaps for weeks together, what a comfort it will be to them, to be able to pass away pleasantly a few hours liy reading ; think how much more comfortably they will get on in after life, by having in youth learnt habits of order and study. God has given us His Holy Word, and is it not shameful for us not to insist on our children's learning to read it? A child can scarcely be too young to go to school. If an infant school is in your parish, directly yom- child can walk it ought to be sent there. Depend upon it, it is hap- pier there than it would be at home, left to itself, whilst the mother is attending to her duties. AVhen your children are obliged to leave school, in order to earn their bread, make them attend regularly their Sunday school. A bless- ing will attend these means of bringing your little ones to Christ; but, remember, that our children ought to be like Samuel, — " Children of many prayers." A Friend. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Bres (H. T,). — Your plan is perfectly practicable. As to the swarm which 80 mysteriouily di»ap]iearcd, the wherefure is not difticult to divine. No doubt the queen was not hived with the awarm ; eitiier she did not issue from the hive at all, or she returned thither at the moment the swarm was hived, or she escaped somewhere else, and the bees not being cognisant of her absence in the confusion, but discovering it afterwards, left their new hive one by one, and returned home. One of these reasons will surely explain the mystery, unless, indeed, the swarm was not care- fuU't *' watched till r> p.m.," and so escaped in a body to some previously explored locality. If either of these conjectures is right, you will pro- bably by this time have had the swarm you drove out of the same hive, with, perhaps, the double advantage of its being a larger one, and having a young ^«ecH— and these united advantages are a grand secret in success- ful bee-keeping. If, however, from circumstances you have to carry out your proposal, of uniting your hives, do it as follows : — Hive cast No. 1 from the old liive, as intended in the new hive. As soon as a cast from No. 2, issues (and should it not issue, it were better, if a permanent stock is wanted, to purchase another, and to add to it, as soon as pos- sible), hive it temporarily, and let it stand till dark. Now lift No. 1 gently off its stand, and set it on the ground in an open space at hand, taking care to elevate it on sticks or stones about an inch from the ground on every side. This done, after a short interval of time (say half an hour) bring No. 2 gently to the spot, and with a smart blow dash the bees out of it, close to No. 1. Where there are two assistants, this operation might be better reversed, i.e., after duly arranging the stocks on which No. I is to rest, let one person dash out the bees from No. 2, on the space of ground between them, while the other instantly, but gent!}/, sets No. 1 over them. All jars must be avoided, if there is to be no lighting, but this will not be. The bees of No. 2 thus rudely handled, will march with alacrity to their new hive ; the queens will settle their dilfercnce during the night, and the swarms be peaceably domiciliated together long before morning, especially if the night has been cool. Nothing then remains to be done, save to restore No. l to its stand as early in the morning as possible — say about 4 or 5 o'clock. This plan is perfectly safe and easy. No lights should be used. For the treatment of the old hive, will not the following suggestion be found a good one ? A fortnight after the issue of the prime swarm, or a little later, it will generally be found that most of the brood left by the old queen, has been hatched out, while few, if any, eggs will have been laid by the new one. Let tlie bees then be all forced out, either by driving or fumigation, and the swarm thus made he joined to the hive which stands nearest to it. It is of little advantage to join it to any other hive (and, therefore, to No. 1, if it stand at a distance), as many Ijees will lose themselves in their certain return to their old ijuarters, and, attempting to enter the neighbouring stocks, will pay for their in- vasion with their lives ; and this will entail the sacrifice of as many bees of the invaded stocks. If nntnh brood still remains in the old hive, it may be treated in the manner explained in The English Bee-Keeper (Riving- ton's), page 102. Should the old hive not cast, all the bees might be driven out at the end of three weeks, and put into the new hive, as a new swarm, but they must be fed liberally later in the season, if it is resolved to keep them as a permanent stock. {A Country Curate.) Climbers {Julius). — All the climbers you name are hardy enough for the wall, except the common Passion-flower, which will require some little protection for a few years. The reason why you do not find out the names in the dictionary is that you have been taught to spell them wrong. There never was such a name as Amelopsis ; look for Ampelopsis, and if you do not find out all you want to know about it let us hear from you again. MoEPiioLOGV {Ibid). — Your cauliflower exhibits a strong case of morphology, such as we have never seen. Changing Pits into Greenhouses {W.). — Your case has met with attention. See Mr. Fish's paper to-day. If not definite enough, write again. Shelves of Greenhouses {William iiT.).— In such circumstances have them level. See Mr. Fish's paper. Cape Shrubs [O. Y.). — Those named, or most of them, will be killed in winter. The subject will receive further attention. Warts {Constant Reader, London). — Touch them with nitric acid. Their tops will become yellow, and, in a day or two, dry ; scratch off this stained portion, and touch them again with the acid, repeating the process until the warts are removed. Mossy Walks {Ibid). — Sow salt over them thickly, then water them, and when quite dry frequently sweep them with a ling or heath broom. Netting {Georgius). — We know of no book teaching how to make garden nets, but almost any village housewife could teach the boyto net, and you can have them netted to any width and length you require. If employment for the boy is not a paramount object, you had better buy the netting. Training Out-door Vines {Nanette).— I! what Mr. Errington says at page 225 does not give you sutlieient information, please to put a defi- nite question ; but do not ask us to write an essay on Wall Vine-culture. Mills for Crushing Corn.— ir. N, W. begs to inform Incubator that the mills mentioned in The Cottage Gardener for May 23 may be obtained of Barnes and Co., Fenchureh-atreet, London ; lleane. Dray, and Deane, King William-street, London Bridge ; or of any respectable outfitting ironmonger fur emigrants. The price is from three or four shillings and upwards. Uses.— Roger of Monmouth writes to us thus :—" May 22,— Got a swarm of bees home ; hived this day. Description of hive— straw, flat wood top, three one-inch holes in it. June u— Fed twice before this date, weather being cold and wet. .tune 21— Put on a small bell-glass, seeing them crowded, which was as soon as any appearance of the least crowding. June 27- Seeing glass full, and much clustering at the mouth, put on one of Mr. Payne's glasses, the former one on the top of it. All seemed to go on very well ; they worked well in both glasses, when, owing to the very hot weather, and their clustering so much at the mouth of the hive, being afraid of swarming, which I much wished to prevent, I on the 29th moved the hive half-way round, and gave them a side hive, taking both glasses of the stock hive, and putting them on the side hive. However, I was obliged in about two hours after to move them back again, the bees being in such commotion. Then all seemed to go on well again. I must here remark, I ventilated both hives well. July 1— Fancied I would make the bees work the glasses on the side hive again. Tried them— found it would not do. Removed them back again, and things seemed to go in the old course. At half-past four P.M. looked at the glasses. They were nearly empty. They had swarmed, and hung in a cluster from the bass matting in front of the house, used in shading it. An immense cluster it was— as much, apparently, as would till a hat. I then hived it into the empty side hive, and placed it by itselt in the bee- house, and put the largest glass on it. The smaller I let slay on the stock hive, as the height between the shelves would not allow me to place it in its original position. Did I do right? July 2— This day the July 17.] THE COTTAGE GARDENEB. 94T new swarm doing little. Both have left oflF working in the glasses, and seem to be carrying away the honey from them. I must say I annoyed them a good deal in putting to the side hive, and could nut avoid killing many of them. Will you oblige me by saying why they swarmed. Should a second swarm come I purpose hiving it, and joining it to the first, and before winter returning both to the old stock. Shall I do right ':' Could I prevent swarming merely by placing on such hives Mr. Payne's glasses, and ventilating ? if so, I should prefer that plan to the side boxes." You have managed your bees very well, except in altering the position of the hive, and removing the glasses, both which tended to induce swarming: they were going on well, and why not let them continue to do so ? Should a second swarm come, hive it, and unite to the first ; but returning both to the parent hive in the autumn is a questionable matter, if each one has collected a sufficient store for winter let them remain separate, or even if they require only a few pounds of food. You get finer honey by Btorifying, and less probability of swarming. Bees (A>i Incumhent), — You say, *'0n a very strong stock, I have placed threp supers, one above the other, like a Chinese Pagoda ; have ventilated between each adapting board, and have the stock hive an inch from tlie bottom board, and still the bees hang in a cluster to the edge of the bottom board at the back of the hive, and crowd listlessly all round the bottom of the hive. Some are at work finishing the top super, which is very nearly full of honey. I am only waiting till the cells are sealed. Work is al-so going on in the middle 3U|>er, but still many of the bees remain apparently inactive throughout tlie day. The first super I put on in the last week of April. I should also mention tliat I have given about the third of an inch betwixt the adapting boards, just so that a bee might struggle through, were he to try hard. Do they require more ventilation yet? niy second strong stock, united last autumn, has, much to my surprise, swarmed, and left a super half full of comb, partially filled with honey, notwithstanding prettv fair ventilation had been given by raising the hive. I fancy though that the bees of the next adjoining hive, which were very weak, had joined them, having, perhaps, lost their queen, or from some other cause. M'ould not a super twice the size of those men- tioned by Rlr. Payne, be more suitable for the honey season ? they would be so much more readily ventilated, and less trouble of ascent for the working bees ? " You have managed your ventilation remarkably well, nothing more could be done but shading them from the sun. It was the extreme heat of the few days previous to the date of your application, that caused the clustering, which of course subsided when the heat abated. The union of your weak stock with No. 2, was very probably the cause of its swarming. A super twice the size would not afford honey of so pure a quality, which is the only objection. Bees {W. A. E.). — Put on the glass, as a condenser, in September' and let it remain on till the end of February. It will be found better no*: to put on the glasses till the hives are quite full of bees, and give signs of mconvenience for want of room ; the strength of the stocks and the season must determine the time. Sprinkling youv hive inside with beer and sugar did nmch in preventing the hees going up. Bbe8 (K. B.). — If economy is an object, use Mr. Payne*8 cottage hives ; but if not, Mr. Taylor's amateur bar hive. Hen Eating Eggs (Mi/tua). — Feeding her upon egg-shella, was an ingenious mode of teaching her the practice. We know of no remedy but to kill her. That all your hens do not do the same, can only be ex- plained upon the general fact that some animals are more easily taught to do evil than others. Strawberries for Forcing (J. L. B.).—Yox very early production, employ the Rnsebei^ri/ and Grove-end Srarlrt, to be followed by the Keen^s Seedling, ^nABritiih Queen, for later production. As you find "Princess Alire one of the finest, best-flavoured, and best bearers," why not continue to employ it? We never forced either that or the Elton. The Hnutbois has some plants which bear only male, or barren blossoms, if you remove all these you will have no fruit. About one out of five should be left. Bees {Apiphilus). — The shrub you mention, " bearing small yellow flowers in the shape of a ball," is probably Budlea globoHa, it flowers in June, and is generally t-nnered with bees ; but there are some yellow- flowered shrubs of the genus YAzyphus, though not known to us as hee- j flowers. We believe that I\Ir. Payne, if applied to, will obtain for you a " Kitchener's ventilated passage,^* if you send him a post-office order for five shillings. Campanula carpatica {Verax). — Aa soon as the Beedlings were fit to handle— say about the middle of last May— they ought to have been hardened by exposure to the open air, except when very cold, and before the end of the month they would be fit to plant out in little patches, on a nursery-bed in the open air, from which they would be fit to be removed by the middle of August, when showing flower-buds. Plant out your seedlings immediately, on a spare corner, three inches apart every way, either in single plants or little patches. No frost will hurt them next winter; and in April plant tliem out where they arc to flower. Rose Cuttings [Linda). — Cuttings of all roses may be put in for the next six weeka under a north wall, without glasses, with every prospect of success. The moss round the balls of your bedding plants should have been well wetted, and also the halls ; then, if the whole had been kept moist for the first three weeks, retaining the moss would have been advantageous, but the very reverse if once allowed to get dry till the roots spread through it ; because, if once dry, the moba would drain oft' the water, so that the plants must have perished. The Potato Diskase {Alfred). —We have not seen a symptom of it, but flir. Bowman, of Penzance, says — " It is making rapid progress here, and has become very general both on the hills and in the vales. In many fields the leaves and stems are quite destroyed. I have been obliged to draw the tops, as the only chance of saving the produce. The only manure used waa a light dressing of aoot and sea-sand. Whole jiotatoes were planted in January." Now, we think Mr. Bowman was somewhat hasty in his proceedings, for we are quite sure that black leaves and stems occur yearly, without the tubers below them being at all diseased. Bees (Clericus, £e(/.?).— You say—" I purchased a stock at the begin- ning of April; at the end of that month, according to Tuk Cottage Gardeners* directions, I cut a four-inch hole in the top of the hive, and put on one of Blr. Payne's small hives. This super the bees never visited, in spite of the guide-comb, except to eat barley-sugar, which I placed for them within it, on the adapting-board. during the unfavourable weather that followed. They never visited it until the ipth Jiinr ' when they immediately began to build to the piece of guide-comb. The very next day. I perceived the super to be so crammed with bees, that I thought more ronni must be wanted ; I, therefore, lifted the super, and put be- tween it and the stock-hive a small box (Rfr. Payne's size and descrip- tion). The bees filled both box and super at once, and the next day swarmed.' I have four swarms ; on one (of the 31st IMay), is a super, in which the bees began to work on the 27th or 28th June. On another (of the 1-ith June), I placed a box on the 28th June (too early you will say, but they being out so thickly then, I thought they must need room), and they are working away famously in it to-day, the 30th June, — they took to it at once." In the first-place (as the season proved so cold), you placed the small hive upon your stock too soon ; it is always better to wait till the bees in the stock-hive are somewhat inconvenienced for room before putting on the small hive, then they will take possession and commence working in it immediately. And, again, your bees should have been well-established in the small hive, and have nearly filled it, and shown evident signs of want of room by clustering at the mouth before supplying the bnx. You placed your box upon the swarm of the nth June too soon, however, your swarms appear to be doing well. Garden Bonnet {An7ie B.). — The best answer we can give you is this, from another corrtwpondent who signs herself " Marian." — *' I beg to send you a description of a most cool and comfortable garden bonnet, as you have before published articles on gardening costume. Take a piece of lining muslin, or coloured print, i long by 4^ wide ; fold down a quarter of a yard, the long way, inside out, to form the front, which run together at the ends; turn "it right, and make two more runnings parallel to the former ones, e(iui-distant from the middle, and about 19 or 20 inches apart; fold it together, the two front corners together, and the two back corners together ; run up the hack, and hem the back of the curtain. Now take another strip of the material, or anything else, and run it on to make a drawing behind — the lower running should be a continuation of those in the front; go from one to the other, draw up the hack from the curtain to the top with strong thread; slip a well- fitting piece of pastebuard into the front, and tack it in ; sow on the strings, and your bonnet is complete. If your lover does not like it, and you in it, it is not my fault. These bonnets are almost universal in some parts of the west of England, where they are called milking or sun bonnets ; and much rustic taste is frequently displayed in their make and trimming." New Iris [Marian). — Your French white Iris, with a yellow flame, and purple dotting in centre of each petal, we consider very handsome, and an acquisition. Name of Plant (T. S., Clonmei). — Your plant is Campanula specu- lum, or Venus's Looking-glass, a very pretty annual, not so much grown as it ought. NniiiT-soiL (Julius). — This mixed with ashes and other refuse is a very powerful manure. It must be put in very small quantities upon flower-borders ; and is best suited for heavy soils. For cabbages, aspa- ragus, rhubarb, and other kitchen-garden crops cultivated for their leaves, it is best suited. Answers to other queries next week. Book on Roses (Clericus). — The best work giving coloured illustra- tions of choice Roses, is by Mr. Curtis, the rose cultivator, near Bristol. It came out periodically, but we do not know whether it is still publishing. Buds (Ibid). — We know of no nurseryman or florist who will sell these so that you might have them by post. The first one who advertizes his willingness to sell cuttings ami buds, will reap a good harvest. The only objection to planting a rose-stock where you wish the future tree to remain, is that if your buds fail it is an unsightly object ; and so, indeed, it is if they succeed, until after a year or two's growth. The Cottage Gar- deners* Dictionary is published by Messrs. W. S. Orr and Co., Amen- corner, and may be had in three-halfpenny weekly numbers or in seven- penny monthly parts. Silver-spangled Fowls (/v. 0. T.). — Our correspondent wishes to know where he can obtain a cock of this breed ; a last year's bird would be preferred. Artichoke (G. 5. P.). — We cannot answer your query better than by giving the following extract from our Cottage Gardeners' Dictionary: — " Winter Dres.^ting. — As soon as a stem is cleared of all its heads in the summer, it should be broken down close to the root ; and early in No- vember the beds should be dressed for the winter. Cut away the old leaves close to the gruund, but without injuring the centre or side shoots. Fork over the bed, throwing the earth in a ridge about eight inches high, over each row ; putting it close round each plant, but being careful to keep the heart free from the crumbs of soil. Alter this has been done, pile round every plant some long litter or pea-haulm, three or fuur inches thick ; and to keep this from blowing away, as well as to help in pre- serving the roots from severe frosts, cover over the litter, or haulm, two inches deep with coal-ashes. The ashes may be turned into the soil in the spring, being a manure much liked by the artichoke." Your British Queen Strawberrien dying olf whilst other varieties, their neighbours, are 111 perfect health, is no uncommon occurrence. The British Queen is one of the most delicate and uncertain of our strawberries. Frosts injure it which would not be felt by other varieties, and it is liable to root-decay, as in your case, without any apparent cause. Names ok Insects (E. P , Exeter). — The small brown beetles arc the AnolAiim striatum, the grubs of which destroy furniture in houses. They should be destroyed whenever they appear in any numbers. The Cierculio found on the elm, bramble, &c., is the Otiorhynchtts sulcatus, and is a great enemy of the gardener. The bee is the Chelostoma flori- somnis ; and the Cassida is C. rubiginosa^ of llliger (C. viridis, of Latreille). London: Printed by Harry Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William Somerville Orr, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.— July 17th, I85I. THE COTTAGE GARDENEK— ADVERTISEMENTS. a^ IKORGE GLENNY, F.H.S., VJ Horticultural Agent, having formed con- , nectiona with some of the leading Florists, Seedsmen, and Nurserymen, distinguished for particular subjects, will undertake to procure for Amateurs, the best that can be hail in the trade of all the Plants, Fruit-trees, Flowers, and Seeds recommended by him in his Garden Almanac and Glenny''s Journal, the first quar- terly part of which was published at Christmas, ' price Is 6d. Mr. Glenny may be consulted on ' the most economical and effective mode of I building and heating houses, laying out or im- I proving gardens, &c. Letters and New Flowers, &c., for opinion, to be addressed 2, Amen- , corner, Paternoster-row, whence he will receive them daily, in whatever part of the country he may be. Mr. Glenny will also undertake for advertisers to insert their favours in the most elVective papers and periodicals, by which the greatest pulilicity will be secured among the class which Buch advertistements may concern the most. IMPORTANT WORKS on AGRI- 1 CULTURE, HORTICULTURE, &c., Published by JAMES RIDGWAY, IfiQ, Pieca- dilly ; and to be had of all the Agents for the I Farmers' Almanac, and of all Booksellers. ' By CUTHBERT \V. JOHNSON, Esq., F.R.S. THE ENGLISH RURAL SPELL- ! ING-BOOK, with Easy and Progressive Les- sons ; intended as an Introduction to the Spell- ' ing and Reading of the English Language, and to the First Principles of the Practical and Scientific Cultivation of the Soil. Is 6d, bound in cloth. Ninth Edition. THE READER; intended to cou- ■ vey Useful Facts in Early Themes for Children. Is 6d, bound in cloth. *' The same objects which the author of this little work endeavoured to promote in the •Rural Spelling Book,' he has steadily aimed to pursue in the following pages, viz., to in- ! culcate useful every-day principles and facts, . when teaching even very small words and sen- tences, keeping constantly in view the works of God in the phenomena of daily life, and of the animal and vegetable creation." — Attfhor's Preface. AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY for YOUNG FARMERS. 12mo., Is. Fourth Edition. | THE COTTAGE FARMERS' AS- \ SISTANT in the CULTIVATION of his LAND, and Book of the Household. 12rao., ' la. Fourth Edition. ' CALENDAR FOR YOUNG FARM- ! ERS. 12mo., Is. This contains Directions, j with copious Notes, for the Business of the Farm during each month of the Year. , THE FARMER'S MEDICAL DICTIONARY for the DISEASES of ANI- ! MALS. 12mo., 6s. THE MODERN DAIRY and COW- , KEEPER. I2mo., 36 6d, plates. ' Contents. — The Cow, her Breed and Points — Tiie Treatment of a Cow — Cleanliness — Food — Land required for — Diseases of I\Iilking — The Sucking Calf — The Dairy — The Cowhouse — Milk and Butter — CheeseMaking : inChcshirCj Stilton Cheese, ike, Sec. OX THE COTTAGES OF AGRI- CULTURAL LABOURERS, with Economical Working Plans, and Estimates for their Im- proved Construction. By C. W. Johnson and E. Cbbssy. 12mo., Is. Dedicated to the Patrons and Patronesses of Village Schools. A CATECHISM OF GARDEN- IN(i. Intended for the I'rc of \'illage Schools and Cottagers, containing Plain and Brief Direc- tions for Cultivating every kind of Vegetable in common use. By an Old Practitioner. Second Edition, enlarged, la 6d. THE NATURE and PROrKRTY of SOILS, and the Be&t Meanji of Permanently Increasing thuir Productiscncss; and on the Kent and Profits of Agriculture, with a full Account and Plan of the Proceedings at Whit- field Example Farm, ike. By Joun Morton. lOw. Fourth Edition, enlarged. G LASS ]\IILK PANS, PROPAGATING GLASSES, &c. JAMES PHILLIPS and CO. beg to hand their Prices of sundry articles for the Dairy and Garden. MILK PANS, inches diameter. . . . Carefully packed in baskets and sent to any part of the kingdom. CREAM POTS. 6 inches diameter 2 0 10 ,, 3 12 „ 4 PROPAGATING DKE GLASSES. 2 in. diam. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 U 15 2 ditto 0 S 0 3 0 10 CUCUMIiER TUBES. 24 inches long 3 LACTOMETE RS, for trying the quality of Dlilk, 6s each. LonD Camoy's BIILIC' SYPHONS. GLASS PRESERVE JARS. With top. 3 in. diam. 4 „ 0 3 0 5 0 7 0 9 1 0 1 3 1 6 2 0 0 4i 0 7 0 9 1 0 1 3 1 7 2 0 2 6 PASTRY SLABS, of Strong Plate Glass, fitted in Wood Frames. 20 inches by 14 inches . 14 in. long 15 ,, 15 ,, 13 ,, 21 ,, 24 „ 16 „ 18 „ . „ 20 „ ,. 24 „ . ,. 24 „ . PASTRY PINS. Glass. 0 0 .. 2 0 0 0 2 3 2 6 3 0 13 0 16 0 19 6 23 6 30 0 32 6 Opal. 3 3 0 0 3 6 4 3 0 0 0 0 sist nature in our cold climate" The fruit grows to a larger size, and its richness is increased. JAMES PHILLIPS & CO. beg to say they have purchased theaboTC Registry of Mr. Hal- liman, and caution all persons from making or sellmg the same without their consent. FERN SHADES. JAMES PHILLIPS & CO. have succeeded in making a very neat style of Shade, with glass bottom (or stand;, ex- pressly for the growth of Ferns, which will be found much more ornamental than any previously made for the same description of plant. WASP TRAPS, 3b fid per doz. GLASS TILES. Rough Plate. l-8th inch thick 0 10 3-l6ths i i l6 oz. 21 ,. Sheet. 0 6 I 26 oz. 0 S 32 „ GLASSES FOR WALL FRUIT. Halliman's Fruit Protec- tor, registered Mar. 22, 1850. Peach & Grape Glasses. These Glasses, placed over Fruit on the common wall, as- HAND GLASSES. 1 2 inches .... 30 glazed 6 0 14 „ 3 6 „ 7 0 16 „ 4 0 „ 8 0 18 , 4 6 „ 9 0 20 5 0 „ 10 0 24 ,, 6 0 ,, 12 0 Painted and Glazed, with l6oz. Sheet Glass. If Open Tops, at Is extra. GLASS SLATES, with drilled holes . Size. Rough Plate. Sheet. 1 iinch thick. i inch thick. 1 inch thick. iinch thick. I6 oz. 21 oz. 1 26 oz. 1 32 oz. 24 inches by 12.. 20 „ 14.. 22 „ 12.. 20 „ 10.. s. d. 1 6 1 6J 1 5 1 li 8. d. 2 0 1 11 1 10 1 6 s. d. 2 8 2 7 2 6 2 0 s. d. 5 0 4 10 4 8 3 8 s. d. 0 11 0 10.J 0 10 0 8J s. d. 1 3 1 2i 1 2 1 0 s. d. I 9 1 Si 1 8 1 5 s. d. 2 0 1 11 1 10 1 6 Full List of Prices, and every information, may be had by apijlying to JAMES PHILLIPS and CO., Horticultural Glass Merchants, ll6, Bishopsgate-Street- Without. London. TNBUSTRY aud HUMANITY, versus PLUNDER and MURDER.— X MARRIOTT'S NEW BEE-HIVE for the humane management of honey bees is the best for real practical utility, each hoop finely worked upon straw, the hoop of the top, or cover hive, fits over the hoop of the nether, or stock hive, which has three glass windows, ventilator, and thermo- meter for regulating the temperature, and cither three or four bell-glasses, for taking the finest quality of the fruit of industry at the height of honey gathering without the least injury to the bees. Taylor's new Shallow B'o.v Hives, with or without bars, two adapting boards, &c. Taylor's Amateur Bar Hive, Nutt's Collateral aud other Hives. A Descriptive Engraving, with Priced Catalogue, posted for two penny stamps. MARRIOTT'S Humane Bee-Hive Factory, 74, Grace- cliureh Street. ^_ ^___^_^_^. PORI'ABLE ECONOMICAL VAPOUR BATH, for Eamilies, Travellers, -[ &c. At all seasons of the year, but more particularly in the winter, when the prevalence of cold, attended with inlluenza, rheumatics, and fever, to which most persons are subject, it must be a pleasing desideratum— under all circumstances, on land, at sea, in towns, and in the remotest villages — to be enabled to command an alleviation, and in most cases a certain cure, by this simple but efficacious Vapour Bath. Complete, with large Cloak, ^'1 1 Is 6d. PORTABLE ICE BOXES, REFRIGERATORS, &c., and FOREIGN BLOCK ICE, 6s per 100 pounds. Packed for the country without c.\tra charge. SYPHON AIR VENT BEER and WINE TAPS, 3a and 33 6d. ELECTRO-PLATED, 53 6d. B.VfHSof every description. SWAN NASH, Furnishing Ironmonger, &c., 253, Oxford Street; City Depit, 119, Newgate Street. pLENNY'S GOLDEN~RULES FOE GARDENERS, Professional and vJ Amateur; showing, in few words, what Gardeners ought to do and avoid. Price 6d. n LENNY'S HAND-BOOK TO THE ELOWER GARDEN AND vJ GREENHOUSE! containing the Description, Culture, and Management of all the Popular Flowers and Plants grown in this country; with a Calendar of operations tor every mouth. Price 53 6d. „ „ „ .„ p LENNY'S HAND-BOOK TO THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE Ur GARDEN; containing the Culture, Management, and Description of all the Fruits and Vegetables grown in this country ; w ith a Calend:ir of Operations for every month. Price "3 6d. pLIiNNV'S HAND-BOOK OF PRACTICAL GARDENING; coutaiu- \J ing full instructions for performing every operation connected with the Practical Management of Gardens ; and for the Culture of Florists' Flowers. Price 7s 6d. pLENNY'S PROPERTIES OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS ; containing vJ the Description of all the Qualilications necessary to a Perfect Flower. Price Is. GLENN Y'H CATECHISM OF GARDENING: contiiiniug the Elements of Practical Gardening, in Plain (Questions and Answers. Price 9d. C. Cox, 12, King William-strcct. July 24..] THE COTTxVGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. 219 1 ■ M, W D D 24 Th 25; P 26 S 27 Son 28M 29'To 30 W JULY 24—30, 1851. Weather nkae London in 1S50. Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon R.&S. Moon's Age. Clock bef. Sun. Davol Year. Barometer. Thermo. Wind. Rain in In. S^vallow-tail Moth seen. St. Jambs. Ds. Camb. b. 1797. Wild Marjor.am flowers. 6 Sunday after TaiN. Swifts depart. Everlasting Pea flowers. Smaller Skipper Butterfly seen. Chamomile flowers. 29.035 — 29.909 7S—i9 29.S13 — 29.6281 65—50 29.716 — 29.0661 69-54 29.807-29.729 62—62 29.939 — 29.904 65—51 I30.109 — 30.066 72—52 30.197 — 30.150 74—54 S. S. W. W. N. N.E. N.E. 15 10 1 06 26 01 13 a. 4 15 16 17 19 20 23 59 a. 7 53 57 55 54 52 51 0 31 1 5 1 19 2 4.1 sets. 8a41 _9 11 25 26 27 23 @ 2 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 9 11 11 11 10 8 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 An author giving us an enlarged and accurate view of the gardening of this country, did not appear until the reign of Charles I., and then in the person of John Parkinson. He, like his literary prede- cessors in the art, Gerarde and Johnson, was a botanist and man of me- dicine, ns well as a gardener ; an union of scientific pursuits naturally occurring in an age when physic derived its remedies chietly from plants ; when to be an apothecary, was to be " a culler of simples," and when he necessarily was best provided with these, and with a knowledge of them, who, like Gerarde and Parkinson, had " a Physic Garden." John Parkinson, was born in 15fi7t according to the date on his por- trait prefixed to his " Paradisus," and was by profession an apothecary, and so eminent as to act in that capacity to James I. Yet he does not appear to have held it as more than an honorary appointment, for when the death of the king was announced to be the result of murderous treat- ment, a Dutch apothecary only is named. Thus Dr. Goodman says : — " Truly 1 think that King James every autumn did feed a little more than moderately upon fruits : he had his grapes, his nectarines, and other fruits in his own keeping ; besides, we did see that he fed very plentifully on them from abroad. I remember that fllr, French of the Spicery, who sometimes did present him with the first strawberries, cherries, and other fruits, and kneeling to the king, had some speech to use to him, — that he did desire his majesty to accept them, and that he was sorry they were no better — with such like complimental words; but the king never had the patience to hear him one word, but his hand was in the basket. After this eating of fruit in the springtime, his body fell into a great looseness, which although while he was young did tend to preserve his health, yet now, being grown toward sixty, it did a little weaken his body, and going to Theobalds, to Newmarket, and stirring abroad when as the coldness of the year was not yet past almost, it could not be prevented but he must fall into a riuartan ague, for recovery whereof the physicians taking one course, ana the plaister another, I fear the king was wronged between both : and I wonder why the king's surgeons, as I take it, mr. Watson and others who opened the body, had not been examined, as likewise ftlr. Woolphengus Banger, the king's Dutch apothecary, a very honest man, who did there daily attend ; yet I confess, in my own particular, I had some informations both from him and from the surgeons, and in truth I was not well persuaded of the death of the king, nor of the iVIarnuis Hamilton." Parkinson was also a distinguished horticulturist and botanist, his *' Theatre of Plants " obtaining for him, from Charles the I-, the title of " IJotanicus Regius Primarius." His knowledge of plants was not ob- tained merely from books, for he spent nearly forty years in travelling (Paradisus p. 63.), and was proprietor of a garden well-stocked with scarce plants. The time of his death is not ascertained, but it occurred between 1640 and 1606. His first publication was — ^^ Paradisi in sole Parndisux teiTestris, or a garden of uU sorts 0/ pleasant flowers ivhich our English ayre will permitt to be noursed up, ivith a kitchen-garden of all inanner of herbes, rootes, and fruites for vieate or satise, used with iiSy and an orchard of all sorte of fruit bearing trees and shrubbes fit for our land ; together with the right orderinge, planting, and pre' seri'ing of them, and their uses and vertnes. 1629." This folio has an engraved title page representing the garden of Kdcn, a portrait of the author, and 109 woodcuts of fruits and flowers. The deilication is to the Queen. A second edition appeared corrected and enlarged, after his death, in 16.56. In 1640 appeared his " Theatrum liotannicum, or Theatre of Plants, or an Herbal of large extent, &c." — The most extenbive bo- tanical work then extant. The first portion of the title of his work to which we shall confine our attention, was intended to convey, in Latin, that it described the contents of his own garden — " The Terrestrial Paradise, Paradisi af a Park, in sole, m (the) sun." This "Paradisus," we learn from the dedication, was written long before it was published. — " Some through an evil disposition" having charged him with having obtained the work from some other person — a charge we may believe to be without foundation, as we have no mention of it but in his own preface. In the first chapter he considers, " The situation of a garden of pleasure, (1. e. a flower-garden.) with the nature of soyles, and how to mend the defects, &c." Sheltered from the north ; and not on the east, or on the west side of the house, not on moorish ground, or near any manufactory, that may taint the air with smoke, " especially of sea coals which of all others is the worst, as our City of London can give proof sufficient, wherein neither herb nor tree will long prosper, nor hath done ever since the use of sea coals began to be frequent therein." Black mould he thought the best soil for it, and stiff clay the worst. In " The frame or forme of a garden of delight or pleasure," his plans are thcvery quintessence of regularity and formality, yet one remark is judicious — " The fairer and larger your allies and walks be, the more grace your garden shall have." In speaking of the herl)s, &c., of which the borders of the beds may be formed, he says that germander used before his time to be employed for this purpose, as thrift was cbierty then, germander, however, was still in use, because "the cuttings are much used as a strawing herbe for houses." Hyssop, marjory, savory, and thyme, were employed for the purpose, but lavender cotton was in greater request " of late daies, being rare, novel, and for the most part but in the gardens of great persons." Juniper and yew were also used, but he recommends above all the box, though it was " only received into the gardens of the curious." Of dead materials for edgings, sheet lead, oak boards, shank bones of sheep, tiles, round whitish pebbles, are severally admired, but especially the last " for durability, beauty of the sight, handsomeness in the work, and case in the working and charge,"— but jaw bones, "used in the Low Countries, are too gross and base." In writing '" Of the nature and names of divers outlandish flowers. Sec," he mentions ot Daffodils "almost an hundred iorts," including our Narcissus, Jonquil, &c., and of Fritillaria, "half a score." Hyacinths above 50— of the Crocus 20, spring and autumn-flowering, tkc, IMcadow Saffron many varieties. Lilies 20, including Crown Imperials, and Rlartagons. Of Tulips, " which arc the pride of delight. almost infinite," he had iGO in his own possession, yet he doubted not there were ten times as many. So generally was this flower admired, that he says scarce any lady of worth but was a delighter in them. Anemonies (Lobel, gives a list of 3S varieties). Bear's Ears or French Cowslips, Flower-de-luces, Hepaticas, Cyclamen, Leucoium, Qlusk Grape flower. Star flowers, Spiderwort, Wolf's Bane, Christmas flower, Bell flower, Vellow Lark-spur, Flower- gentle, Flower of the Sun, Marvel of Peru, Double Marsh, and French Marigold, double Red Ranunculus, Jasmines, double Honeysuckles, Ladies Bower, Roses, Bay Cherry, Oleander, Syringas, Pyracantha, Laurustinus, and Mezereon, conclude his list of flowers, &c., " to be planted in gardens of pleasure for delight." " Of such flowers as being cultivated in this country for a great length of period, were considered as English flowers," he mentions Primroses and Cowslips, yellow and green, both double and single— Single Hose Campions, white, red, and blush— double red Rose Campion— Nonsuch white, blush orange, and double orange— Batchelor's Buttons, white and red— Wall-flowers, double and single— Stock Gilliflowers— the single " in every woman's garden "— " the double possessed by few."— Queen or Winter Gilliflowers— Violets — Snapdragon — Columbines, many varieties, single and double— " Larkcs heefes, or spurres, or toes" — many single and double, " the double rare" — Pansies— Double Poppies— Double Daisies, many varieties— Double and French Marigolds.- Carnations and Gilliflowers many, they being '• the queen of delights and of flowers," " and that because Carnations and Gilliflowers be the chiefe&t flowers of account in all our English gardens " he treats more largely here of the " true manner and order to increase and preserve them." Propagating them by layers he says is "of later invention." To protect the Carnations from earwigs, some persons place them in cups with a rim full of water round— a totally mefficient remedy, as these vermin are gifted with wings. The whole chapter contains as judicious directions for the culture of this flower as any that modern times have produced— the only point on which he does not afford instruction, being the nature of the soil best suited to them. IModern ingenuity has improved the arrangement, and conveniences fur sheltering them— but Parkinson's mode of culture is little altered to this day. Pinks— Sweet Williams— Sweet Johns, many— Pieonies, single and double— Hollihocks many, single and double— Roses many, " the white, the red, and the damaske are the most ancient standards in England." In speaking of "The Ordering of the Kitchen-garden," he says:— English seed of the following kinds was esteemed more than any that were imported, viz.. Radish, Lettuce, Carrots, Parsnips, Turnips, Cab- bages, and Leeks, yet to raise Cabbage seed was very difficult in our climate, the stocks being spoiled by the severe winters, to obviate which " they bring^them into the house, and there wTap them either in cloths, or other things to defend thera from the cold, and hang them up in a dry place until the beginning of the March following, &c." But little Onion seed was grown by gardeners here, and that "for their own, or their private friends spending." His observations on Melon growing demon- strate the ignorance \\hich existed as to forcing ; for though he directs the seed to be sown in a hotbed, it was not to be done until April, and the plants were to be moved out into very rich soil without bottom-heat, and to " cover them with straw, (some do use great hollow glasses like unto bell heads) or some such other things to defend them from cold evenings or days, and the heat of the sun while they are young and new planted." The Mi^lon he says was eaten with pepper, salt, and wine. Speaking of Sallet Herbs, he commences with Asparagus, " a principal and delectable sallet herbe," which was boiled and eaten with butter and vinegar. Of its cultivation he is cursory, and nothing nearly so correct as Cato in his " De Re Rustica." Lettuces, (eleven sorts) Cabbage and "open Lettuces " that were to be tied together that the inner leaves may become whitish." Spinach " a sallet that hath little or no taste, and, therefore, cooks know how to make many a good dish of meat with it, by putting sugar and spice thereto." Cabbages and Coleworta (eleven sorts) were almost confined to the poorer sort of people, yet some might be dressed so as "to delight a curious palate." The mid-ribs of the leaves were boiled and eaten cold with vinegar and oil. Cauliflowers "are to be had in this country but very seldom, for that it is hard to meet with good seed." Endive, plain, and curled. His mode of bleaching in sand, is still the best that can be practised. Clove Gilliflowers, mixed with sugar and vinegar " make a sallet now-a-days in the highest esteem with gentles and ladies of the greatest note." Rhubarb (Rhearapon- ticum) was introduced by Parkinson, being sent to him " from beyond sea " by " Mr. Dr. Matth. Lister." Artichokes (eight kinds), but of these "our English red Artichoke is in our country the most delicate meat of any of the other, therefore divers thinking it to be a several kind, have sent them into Italy, France, and the Low Countries," where they always degenerated in two years. The Chardon " we cannot find the true manner of dressing, that our coulitry tnay take a delight therein." No. CXLVIL, Vol,. VI, 250 THE COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [Jdly 24. Kidney-beans " almost infinite sorts and colours," " more oftentimes at rich nien's tables than at the poore." Melons (three kinds). The best seed from Spain, formerly " only eaten by great personages," " but now divers others that have skill and convenience of ground for them, do plant them, and make them more common.'* His directions for grafting are generally correct, and in accordance with our present practice. He especially insists upon budding, in preference to grafting, for all stone fruit, "but though sufficiently known in many places of this land, yet as I understand, good gardeners in the north parts, and likewise in some other places, can scarce tell what it meaneth ." He recommends vinegar to be applied to the canker of trees, a practice chemistry supports, since Vauquelin has demonstrated the disease arises from the 'alkaline state of the sap. His plan of preventing ants ascending trees by tarring the steins, and of preventing Ihe attacks of hares and rabbits', by smearing the trunks with a mixture of cow-dung and urine, are practices still in use. The Vine, he says, is a fruit-tree formerly grown in abundance in vineviirds, especially by the Monks, the wme of which supplied them year by year ; " but they have long since been de- stroyed, and the knowledge how to order a vineyard is also utterly perished with them." He mentions many gentlemen having tried to have them, bringing Frenchmen over to attend them, but the produce was uniformly " small and heartless ; " and the Vine in his time was scarcely attended to, even when grown against a wall. — Oranges, he says, were grown in large boxes, to be pulled into the house, or under a wall, covered with a sear cloth, and " some comfort in the colder times" was given them by a stove. This is the first rude attempt that we have notice of by an English writer, approaching to the idea of a hothouse or con- servatory, and which with the notice we have before of bell-glasses, was evidently leaiUng to their construction ; no tent or mean provision, he continues, will preserve them. Meteorology of the Week. — At Chiswick, from observations during the last twenty-four years, the average highest and lowest tem- peratures of these days are 74.4^ and .51.8° respectively. The greatest heat, 92^, occurred on the 25th in lt>14, and the lowest cold, 4(1^, on the 24th in 1838. During the period 102 days were fine, and on 66 rain fell. Never was a saying more true thau that " man is a bundle of habits," and it is equally true that no practice is so absurd that habit cannot render it agreeable. "SVhat but habit could reconcile a New Zealander to a long bone thrust through his nose? and upon what other plea could the Irish defend attaching their horses to the plough by their tails ? Habit is, indeed, second natui-e ; and it is only upon the plea of habit that we find that we can defend our adherence to the old form of our Hoes, without any suspicion that that form might be advantageously modified, according to the purpose for which the hoe is intended. For loosening the sur- face, or destroying the weeds of hard soils, our common hoes, or theii- modification, the Guernsey prong, are very efficient implements ; and as we have mentioned this prong of the Channel Islands, and it is not so generally used as it deserves, we will make it known to all our ] readers. It was thus delineated and described in the pages of the Gardeners Chronicle . — " It is something iu the shape of a hammer, the head flattened into a chisel an inch wide, and the fork the same. The whole length of this prong is nine inches, and it is 0 attached to a staff five feet long. Such an implement is light and easy to use, it requhes no stooping, and ;vill tear up tlie deepest-rooted weeds." Now no one will argue that this implement is not a more efficient tool for weeding our hard surfaces than our common hoes ; nor is Oidnei/'s Improved Prussian any reservation, that it is the best weeding implement for garden borders, beds, and smooth side paths, that we ever employed. The blade is set at such an angle that it shaves down the weeds, just below the surface, and leaves them uncovered ; whereas the old hoe covers up the faUeu weeds, and thus aids them to root afresh. The Improved Prussian Hoe reduces the amount of labour, being worked with tlie greatest ease, and from the position of the blade keeps itself shai-p ; and is in this also superior to the common hoe, which is worked at an angle constantly rounding off its edge. 'We have restricted our praise to the Prussian Hoe's employment upon soft beds and smooth paths, and for working upon them no one, whether a professional, , amateur, or lady gardener, but will thank us for inducing ! them to try it; but for weeding harder soils, for earthing I up, for drawing drills, &c., the old hoe is not yet super- 1 seded, but it may be improved ; and one of its deficien- cies, which all must have noticed, is the usual mode of ' fijdng it to its handle, by wedging this through an eye welded to the blade. In wet weather, such an imple- I ment becomes clogged by adhesions in the angle between 1 the blade and the handle ; and in dry weather, the blade becomes loose, thus decreasing its efficiency, and often I sepai'ating from the handle entirely. To remedy this in Norfolk, they employ the Bloomfleld Hoe, which, as represented in this sketch, is fastened into the handle Hoe less superior for weeding on loose surfaces. Its manufacturer thus speaks of it : — "It is an exceedingly useful hand-tool, both for the flo\ver and kitcheu-garden ; it will do twice the work witli lialf the laboiu- of any description of hoe now in use ; and it not only cuts nnd destroys the weeds, but leaves tlie ground perfectly level without the use of the rake. To the fanner it will prove of great utility, not only in eradicating all kinds of weeds from crops, but in clearing grass-lands of tliistles, i'c." Now we can say of this report, what cannot always be said of a proprietor's laudatory statement, every word of it is truth. We have tried the hoe, and we say, without by a strong spike, having a long narrow neck terminat- ing in a broad head, to which the steel blade is attached by three rivets, whilst the handle is kept from sphtting by a deep ferule. Of this lioe Mr. Gidney, who is an ironmonger at East Dereliam, in Norfolk, thus speaks: — "It has been in use in this part of the county for some few years, and I believe has not been introduced into any other county. It is called by us the Bloom- field Hoe, after the inventor, who resides in this part of July 24.] THE COTTAGE GARDENER 251 the county. You will observe it is capable of doing all tbe work of the common hoe, with the advantage of keeping itself clear of mould at the neck, and is gene- rally used by gardeners, cottagers, and labourers on fanns ; in fact, many fai'mers would rather present their labourers with one than that they should use the com- mon hoe of their own, particulai'ly in hoeing turnips or carrots, as the workmen are enabled to see the pilants so much more clearly, and, of course, are not so liable to cut out those plants required to stand." These implements we strongly recommend to our readers, but we would have the implements, at the same time, speak a ksson to them — we would liave these ; simple tools suggest that no iinplement is so common, or so time-hallowed, as to be exempted from, or un- worthy of, improvements. Oun readers will remember that at page 209 we printed a letter from a gentleman, in which he stated that " there is not a single statement founded in fact," in what was narrated in our " (iardening Gossip " about the Chelten- ham Floricultural Show. The writer of that narration showed that every word of it was correct, and we now, at the request of the gentleman who denied its truth, 23ublish the following : — " I regret exceedingly to fiml, that through an uninten tional mistake on my part, I have impugned tlie veracity of your journal, aud given you the trouble of answering my letter. I thought that your strictures applied to the Ghel- fenluwi HorlicitUnral Society and its Shoir, and if you will read my former letter over, you will see at onee that such was my impression ; the cause of my liaving made such a mistake is easily explained. A friend of mine called on me, and said, ' Have you seen the charges brought against the Horticultural Society in The CoTT.iiJE G-.4rdexer ? I wisli you would read them, for I think they ought to be answered, as I hear it much talked of, aud it will be a great injury to the society if left uucoutradicted.' I was lea\ing Cheltenham next morning for some days, but I got your paper, and in the limited time I could give to the suliject, I did uot per- ceive that the charges you brought were against tlie inha- bitants of Clieltenham and the so-called ' monster show,' aud not against the Horticultiu-al Society. Witli regard to those charges, I believe from what I have heard they are quite correct, aud I regret that such is the case ; and hoping that this explanation will be a sufficient apology, &o." GARDENING GOSSIP. The approaching Dahlia Shows in September begin to excite attention. All, or nearly all, of them will have a class for new flowers ; and those who grow most will win them, unless those who grow but few have made choice of tbe best. We place Shaeldewell first among the Metropolitan Shows, although it may not be the largest. The South Lonilon will be next, although the judgment has generally been vicious. The seedling certificates here are totally wortiiless, because, with a view of getting a greater variety, they only require three blooms of a dahlia growing the second year ; this leads to scores being shown which could not be exhibited if .six blooms were demanded, and certificates being given for varieties so uncertain, are utterly worthless. The next show of importaiice will probably be at Netting Hill, where preparations are making upon a gi-eat scale. under two or three experienced growers and well-known amateurs. There has generally been a good exhibition at Cremorne Oardens, but last year the show was ill- managed, and the proprietor's liberality was all but thrown away. There was nobody who understood the manage- ment, aud the amount of prizes was a good deal regu- lated by the advice of the people who meant to win them. We think the sooner everybody concerned with these things advertise the days and the prizes, the better it will be fur tlie shows. Three-fourths of the shows are com- parative faihu'es for want of advertising in time and enough. The Cremorne Sliow last year was scarcely known in time to give auybody a chance, except those who had tlie getting up of the affair, aud their immediate acquaintances, and the same may be said of some others; not a week should be lost in advertising any that are to be " open to aU England." The use of Sulphate of Ammonia as a fertilizer was strongly recommended some years ago in the Oardeners' Oazetto. iNIr. Groom, of Clapham Rise, spoke to its efficacy on several occasions, and from a highly distin- guished amateur, at Staines, we have the following testimony ; — " Sulphate of Ammonia, in the proportion of half-an-ounce to a gallon of soft water, lias been used by me with uniform success to geraniums, fuchsias, aud other florists' flowers. It must be used liberally once in four or five days." We have acted on this, and used it the same as we have on other days used ordinary water. It is of the greatest service when those things have filled their pots with roots, and require shifting ; for the use of this fertiUzer, instead of plain water, about eveij fom-th watering, gives, as it were, new life, and vigour, and colour, to foliage that begins to look pale. Sometimes it excites almost too vigorous a growth. The gossip of tbe London circles rather points at a mutiny in the ranks of Tlie South London Florists. That they a,re a little involved is true enough, but not more so than the committee could square by a small contribution among themselves, or than could be easily paid off if members in ai-rear would pay their subscrip- tions. Surely it has been a laxity in tbe management to allow some of those in arrear to use their privileges of free tickets. Some members are for a break up, and others decline continu- ing their subscription ; but the sti'aightforward, upright leaders have proposed a subscription to pay off incumbrances. Many people wonder at the state of aftairs, seeing that the proprietor of the Surrey Cardens, liesides providing them with tents, bands, and entertainment'^, and admitting tbe members and exhibitors, and two friends to eacli member, free, gives the Society forty pounds each show towards their prizes. If tbe proprietor gave the same amount, and allowed everybody to show without paying a fee of 7s. (id. per article, or a pound a-year for tbe privilege, lie would liave far better shows, and every exhibitor would pay the shilling admission money with pleasiu'e. Greatly to the credit of the proprietor of ^'auxball Gardens, be has paid one hundred and fifty pounds in prizes, although the reeeipts did not pay the ordinary expenses; so that be is at present out of pocket all the prize money, aud tlie extra cost of fitting up tables, &c. He gives one more show notwithstanding. It has been suggested, and with some show of con- sistency, that as the best fruit shows at Cbiswick and the Regent's Park fall very short of the display in the middle-row of Covent Garden market, the Horticultural 252 THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [July 24. Society should carry out tlieir system of mauagemeut for pot culture, by having /nfii shown in pots or tubs. Those who have seen the dwarf cherry trees that used to be grown in pots at Hamjiton Court, and know what is to be done with vaiious fruit trees, will acknowledge that the market-looking assemblage of fruit at horticultural shows is so inferior as to insphe disgust. Let the pine bo shown on its plant, forced fruit on their trees, grapes on their vines, and strawberries in pots. Skill would be then fahly represented ; and as to the effect, it will not bear a com- paiison. E. Y. NEW PLANTS. IHEIR PORTIiAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES. Hairy Didymooarp {Dhhjmocarpus cr'mita). — Botanical Magazine, t. 455-i. — This genus belongs to a large group of plants (Cyrtandraoeae) which inhabit many parts of the world, but chiefly India and the Eastern Archipelago. For a long time they were regarded as a natural group, distinct from all others ; but Dr. Brown iniited them to Gesmriiorts, of which they now form a section, distinguished cliiefly by their double revolute or twisted seed-cords (placentie), a conformation which is well explained by the name of the genus Streptocarpus, which name signifles a tn-isted pod, and also by this, which furnislies the subject of our present biography, Didi/inocarj/us, from didijmof:, double or twin, and carpos, a fruit or seed-pod, a name to which some objections have been made on account of its not expressing the real stale of the seed-vessel ; which is not double, b>it having double placent