UMASS/AMHERST T^i , \ **~* jW^-** •*£ 'df-M A " •*" * t ST « iX <** ^.sr * ^ Apt r '$V* A^- S SrV^^ W* >^2 1U ij ^5f ^3l a/^ _> -- ^"* * - V J ^ '^# M*m ^ J*¥^* '•*** J * fcrr fc . V : TO ^^^r 3fc* 14 i \ THE JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE, COTTAGE GARDENEB, COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, BEE-KEEPER, AND POULTRY CHRONICLE, A JOURNAL OF GARDENING, RURAL AND DOMESTIC ECONOMY, BOTANY, AND NATURAL HISTORY. CONDUCTED BY GEORGE W. JOHNSON, E.R.H.S., and ROBERT HOGG, LL.D. THE FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDENS, by Mr. J. Robson, Gardener to Viscount Holmesdale, M.P., Linton Park; and Mr. E. Luckhurst, Old Lands, Busted, Sussex. THE FLOWER GARDEN, by Mr. G. Abbey; " Ayrshire Gardener ; " and Mr. T. Record, Gardener to the Marquis of Salisbury, Hatfield House. STOVE, GREENHOUSE, and WINDOW GARDEN, by Mr. R. Fish, Gardener, Putteridge Bury, near Luton. FLORISTS' FLOWERS AND FLORICULTURE, by the Rev. H. H. Dombrain. GARDENING CALENDAR, by Mr. William Keane. POULTRY-KEEPING, by Mr. J. Bally; E. Hewitt, Esq.; and L. Wright, Esq. PIGEON'S, AVIARY BIRDS, &c, by "Wiltshire Reotor;" W. A. Blakston, Esq., and others. BEE-KEEPING, by T. W. Woodbury, Esq.; "B. & W.;" and Mr, S. Bevan Fox. HOUSEHOLD AETS, by the Authoress ol "My Flowers,' others. and VOLUME XIX., NEW SERIES. VOL. XLIV., OLD SERIES. LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS, 171, FLEET STREET. 1870. "P" 11 LONDON : PRINTED AT THE JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE OFFICE, 171, FLEET STREET. TO OUR READERS. The pen had been dipped into the ink and we were hesitating how to commence our customary address, when the mournful cry of "Poor frozen-out Gardeners" reached us from the street. Wo looked out upon those thus wailing, hut felt no pity for them — they were unmistakeable impostors. The words " Frozen out," however, have summoned up many thoughts— thoughts of the plants and of their cultivators "frozen out" by the war-ravages now desolating France — thoughts of the wise forecast of those gardeners who reserved in-door employment for such times as these, when from out-door employment they are " frozen out " — thoughts of the " bonny blithe blink of their ain fireside," by which many a gardener, many a fancier of the pets within this Journal's province, has that fireside made more cheery by our pages. This last thought adds to our cheerincss, for there is no brighter pleasure than that beaming from a knowledge that we make others happier. That our pages do effect that, our hope and purpose, is no vain suggestion of self-complacency. We have the testimony before us in many letters, and those letters justify the still higher gratifica- tion arising from a certainty that we benefit as well as please. We could extract from many letters bearing this testimony, but a brief one must suffice — the letter is from a well-established seedsman and florist. " It may perhaps amuse you when I say that some years ago, when I was farming our own estate, a friend lent me a bound volume of your Journal, the reading of which had the effect of turning me into a florist, and I believe, had it not been for that, I should never have entered into this line of business, though always passionately fond of flowers." Such certificates that we minister something to the happiness and advantage of others makes our fireside blink more bonniely ; but it does not make us forget that the good we thus achieve is due chiefly to the kindly hearts, able heads, and ready pens which are combined to enrich our pages. That combination will be continued and strength- ened. This, we confidently hope, will secure to us your continued support, and then certainly we shall not be "Frozen out." INDEX. Abraxas grobsulariata, 516 Achimenes, culture, 519; propagation, 51 Actinia, the Strawberry, 413 Ada aurantiaca, 306 Adiantum, Feei, 240; pedatuni, 69 Agapanthus treatment, 815 Airaricus procerus, 328 Aldborough Poultry Show, 168 Algerian gardening, 290 Allamanda violacea and culture, 357 Allerton Poultry Show. Ill Alternanthera Lindeni, propagating, 273 Alton Towers, 287, 307 Amateur, or Florist ? 51 ; gardoner, the, 26, 163, 245 American blight, 334, 337 American winter garden, 812 Amorphophallus bulbiferua enltnre, 384 Ana?ctochilnsDawsonianu8 sickly, 273 Andalusians,820 Angra?cums, winter-blooming, 306 Annuals, for autumn sowing, 192; for greenhouse, 315 Anomatheca omenta, 1S8 Anthonomus pomorum, 413 Anthurium, ornatum, 26; Schersrerifl- num, temperature for, and propa- gating, 16 Antipodes, gardening at the, 310 Antirrhtnama, list of, 171 Ants, driving away, 103; to dostroy, )8E ; in dwelling-honae, 218 AphideB, tobacco and hitter aloes for destroying, 91 ; on Cabbageworts, 273 Apples— gathering fruit. 211; grafts, 243, 262 ; for small gardens, 322 ; py- ramids unfruitful, 212; select, 233; stocks, 243. 303, 846; training mina- ture, 171 ; for walls, 334 ; for north- west of England, and pyramids, 37T; Burr Knot, 282, 326; Ecklin- ville Seedling, 26S, 284, S24 ; Paradise Pippin, sowing, 437; on Pommier de Paradis, 293; on French Para- dise, 274; Jacques Lebel, 274; Sum- mer Thorle, 28* ; Whorle Pippin, 2S4 Appleton-le-Street Poultry Show, 93 ; Floral anil Agricultural Show, 104 Apricots, branches dving off. 90 ; pro- lific standard, 245 ; unfruitful, 293 Aralia Sieb.-ldi. is it hardy? 426 Arauc.iria imbricata, lichen on ; pro- ducing cones, 109 ; at Bicton, 1 Arbour, trees for, 316 Arbutus procera transplanting, 356 Aristolochia barbata, 393 Arkleton, 283 Arthrop tenses, climbing, SS6 Artichokes, 183 Artillery plant, "4 Arums in a pond, 315 Ash trees, insects attacking, 110 ; treatment of hollow, 336 Asimena triloba, 165 Asparagus, beds, salt for, 316; salting, 334 ; Kale, 457 ; management, 233 ; planting, 234 Asters, green flv on, 69 August, plants flowering in, 202 Auriculas, in 1870, 443 ; Alpine, S93 Australia, sending cuttings to, 148 Avenue planting, 252 Awards at poultry shows, 378, 398,495 Aykleyheads, 166 Aylesbury Poultry Show, 235 Aylesbury Ducks' bills yellow, 320 Ayr Pigeon and Bird Show, 401 Azaleas, leaves falling, 478; browned, 69; leaveB yellow, 457; out of doors, 51; select Indian, 357 Bacon, ixsfxt in, 238 Balsam culture, 59 Bamboo culture, 191 Bank, plant for sloping, 438 Bantams— dying, 424; breeding, 526; Game, colour of, 861: White, clean- legged 1T3; classes for 254, 840; feather-legged. 820; prizes for at Manchester, 499 Barkerias, winter-blooming, 30G Barleria Mackenii. 267 Barnst&BJLe Poultry Show, 18 Barrow, Mnplehurst i;<.ller, 47 Burton Poultry Show. 531 Baskets, armour-plated for poultry, 479; plants for, 197, 220 Battorsea Park, 142 li;iv. Sweet, pruning, 79 Beans, various, 1C9; Scarlet Runners, 189 Bedding plants in 187), 129, 147, 227; propagating, 151, 251 ; a few, 158; in thenorth, 200 ; gifts of, 283 Beech trees, insect on, 16; mast and funguB, 190; white substance on, 213: the Purple, 491 ; for chalky soil, 494 Bees— ants in hive, 56 ; attacking chickens, 17; bar frames v. early supers, 19; coal tarring bee house, 525; breeding late, 444; building outside of have. 175 ; carbolic acid, uses, 257 ; cells, structure, 277 ; driving, 55, 218; drones in Novem- ber, 422; drone slaughter, 20: egg- eating, 444; feeding. 362; feeding and strengthening, 176 ; foul brood, 463, 505, experiments with, 342, ex- periments with permanganate of potash, 403,423: remedy for, 524; glasses, remedying shape of, 319; eath pasturage, 38 ; in old hive, 56 ; hives frame, 138; large o. small hives, 55 ; at Liskeard" Show, 138 ; honey cheap, 278, insipid, 50R ; taking, 95; honey harvest, 137, de- ficient. 96, in Jersey, 94; commenc- ing to keep, 20, 95. 196 ; leaving their hive, 18; taking lime water, 38; Ligurians, queens introductions, 18, 95, in Jersey, 75, 94, second swarms, 423; at Manchester, 175; nadiring, 38: queens, contests, 277; controlling iertiliBation, 95. 155, 217, 218, 238, 297, 485; how long are queens and workers in their cells? 55. 115, 195. 297. 313; when do they commence e^g-laving. 115; intro- ducing Ligurian, IS, 95; removing, 116; robbing. 231; in Scotland, 175; stocks dwindling. 56, removing, 320, 506: in West Suffolk. 95, supers early, 18, removing. 278, supering. 20, swarms, artificial, 25, abnor- mally catty, 360, obtaining early. 258, hiving, 138, successful, 20, uniting, 126 ; swarming. 54, 237 ; not swarm- ing, SS ; wasps. 176 Beet— for a flower garden. 143, 179. 181, 200, 281 ; for spring gardening, 273 ; storing.281 "Beetroot Sugar Question," 470 Belfast notes, 222 Belfast Poultry Show, 18 Belladonna Lily culture, 33 Berberis Darwinii, 78 Berberries, the common, 180; keeping on bush, 356 Berkshire Root Show, 430 Berwick Ornithological Show, 4S3, 504 Beta Cicla ehilensis. 99 Beverley Poultry Show, 17 Bingley" Poultry Show, 194 ; Pigeon Show. 503, 522 Bird shows, management of. 216 Birmingham Poultrv Show of 1670,254, 274, 419, 438, 480; Philoperisteron So- ciety's Show, 841 Bishop Auckland Poultry Show, 36 Blackberrv wine, 258 Blackpool Poultry Show, 136 Bluebells and Harebells, 185 Boiler, 316; Foster's for small house, 253: for greenhouse. 478; heatintr from house, 255 ; proposed, 247 ; Weeks & Co.'s duplex, 161 Bone dust, 96 ; for chickens, 173, 526 Border, re-arranging, 377 Borecoles, 509 Borning rodB, 301 Boston Poultry Show, 35 Botanic (Royal) Society's Show, 5 Bougninvillea lateritia, 836 Bouquets, S51 ; lcavee for, 857 Rox, 79; edging, 347 ; replanting. 251 Bruhinas— chickens' legB weak, 116; cock's comb. 176; colour, 384; legs diseased, 861; cross-breeding, 29* ; eyes swollen, 3$3; exhibiting, 464; feeding for exhibition. 444 : twisted flight, 384 ; losing feathers, 464 ; history of, 296; foot swollen, 298; prize for Light, 319 ; cock's mark- ings, 95; moulting, 196,424: pullets and cock. 884; new standard for, 520; vulture hocks, 404; war on, 4f'3; weak-legged, 278; weight of, 361 Breconshire Poultry Show, 25G, 463, 186 Brewers' grains for fowls. 278 Brick dust for pasture, 856 Bricks, size. &c, 437 Brisbane Botanic Gardens, extracts from the Report of, 47, 67 British Museum, botanical depart- ment, 244 Broccoli, laying down, 354 Brodiaea cocclnea, 204 ; culture, 26 Brussels Sprouts, cutting, 293; early, 280 Bulb culture, 847 Bullfinch'* foot swollen, S62 Burnley Poultry Show, 17 Cabbages-- aphis on-, 109: cater- pillars, 110 ; culture, 250, 270 ; large, 13 ; planting, 315 Cactuses, pruning, 91 Caladium, culture, 519; esculentnm as a vegetable, 61; propagation, 51 Caladiums. wintering, 109 Calanthes, winter-flowering, 865 Calceolarias, for bedding, 90; culture of herbaceous. 118 California, everirreena of, 80 ; horticul- tural visit to. 245 Calochortus LciehtHnii, 267 Cambridgeshire Poultry Show, 36 Camellias — budding, 437: thinning buds, 232, 815 ; buds falling, 478; out of doors, 51 ; liquid manure for. 488 : leaves falling. 91; potting, 212 ; cool treatment. 469 Canada, poultry in. 17 Canaries, lice on, 96; not pairing, 96; pairing varions, 176 Canarina campanuiata, 128 Canary bng, 276 Canker, 377 Cannas— culture, 252; seed sowing, 51 ; seeds not germinating, 1'9 ; seedling treatment, 479; wintering, 83.315 Cupel Manor, 242 Carnations — abnormal, 151; Clove, and Picotee cuttings, 150; fertilis- ing. S3; and Picotees at Slough, 241 ; seedling, 104 Carter & Co.'s prizes for roots, Ac, 370 Cases for plants. 10 Cassia mimosoides, rar. Telfairiana, 471 Castle Howard. 372,353 Caterpillars, on Cabbages, 159; and grubs. 189 ; October, 327 ; Novem- ber. 391 ; in December, 470 Cauliflower, culture, 133, 210.250,855; maggoted, 336; planting, 89; plants, framing, 315 Celery, blanching, 409; culture, 170, 210; planting, 32; protecting, 455 Centaurea, candidissima culture, 416; propagation, 336 Cereus fulsridus, 20* Chalk bank, trees for, 478 Chapman's flower cases, 200 Charcoal and coke fumes, 898 Charring refuse, 162, 234 Chatsworth. 432. 452 Chaucer's Chanticleer, S83 Cherries— early, 91 ; varieties as pyra- mids, 2; for walls, 334; Late Duke, 497 Chickens— dying wholesale, 56; se- parating, 19 : not true-coloured, 461 ; watching the. 92 Chilwell Nurseries, 223 Chinchilla Rabbit, 37 Chippenham Poultry Show, 442 Christmas Rose, 234, 499 Christmas poultry niark't, 519 Christmas temperature in It- 60, 876 Chrvsantbemums — among the, 370 ; Anemone-flowered. 398 ; culture, 448, 472; at Liverpool, 468; mildewed, 816; retarding. 336; seedlings, 492; Belect, 897; Sensation for spring, 336; Show, 348; sowing, 458 Cider making. Jf.s Cinchona culture, 312 Cinerarias — failing, 357 : maritima culture, 233 ; not thriving, 293 *, oyster shell powder for, 458 Cle'ckheaton Poultry Show, 94 ClematiB— for north wall, 151 ; in pots, S3; select, 252 Clerodendron Balfourianum, pruning, 91 Cleveland Agricultural Society's Poul- try Show. 215 ClimberB, for a south-west wall, 213; for low wall. 273 ; for north wall, 357 Clitheroe Poultry Show, 111 Clusia odorata, 267 Coal ashes, 836 Cochin -Chin as— breeding, 257 ; comb white, 526 ; dying, 820 ; feathers pro- jecting, 298; feeding, 56; pullets dying, 3S4 ; unthriving. 444; vulture- hocked, 404; White, 93; weight of White, 361 Cockatoo feather-eating, 486 Cockchafer, 515 Cockerel for exhibition, 466 [384 Cock ppurleBe, 38; with toe mutilated, Ccelogynes, winter-blooming, 203 Cold, Intense, 514 Coleus, forbeddinr,171 ; losing colour, 51; Verschaffelti. 0o Colour in tree scenery of gardens, parks, and landscapes, 82 Columbarian Society, City, 175: the Scottish, 418; Show, 503; Northern Counties, 419 Combustion, slow. 321 Conifers. California^, 141 ; insects at- tacking. 70 Consi rv:itory, heating, 816, 357 plants for, 274 Copings for walla, 259 Corbridge, rambles about. 177 Corchorus japonicus pruning, 458 Cornwall, early produce from, 202 Correa leaves falling, 458 Cottage garden shows, sales at, 491, 512 Cottingham Poul'ry Show, 215 Cotton Beed for paper, 24 Covent Garden Market, 20, 31, 56. 196, 238,862,486,526 Cows, Ash leaves as provender for, 76 Crassulas, pruning, 91 Creeper for a bank, 398 Creve-Cceur, characteristics, 238 ; de- rivation, 254 ; comb and toes, 278, 404 ; gills, 404 Crop-bound chickens, 361, 384 Croton leggy. 457 Croydon Columbarian Society, 8S2; Poultry Show, 93 Crystal Palace, garden, 207; Metropo- litan Florists' Societv's Show, lr.l, 182 ; Poultry Show, 173, 194, 319. iiSS, 358, 382, 459, 500 : entries, 500 ; prizes, Ac, 506 Cucumbers— aphis on plants, 24; cul- ture, S2, 374; culture and disease, 231; damping-off, 69, 151; leaves injured, 477 ; leaves scorched, 69 ; notes on. 179; scabbed, 397 Currant. Black, 91; its culture nnd profitableness,, 16, 97; moth, 515; Red, planting, 498 Cuscnta genus, 269 Cuttings, managemen' of, 263 ; struck, 292; planting, 253 Cyclamen persicum,262. 514 ; seedlings blooming at ten months old, 498; blooming early, 514; after flowering, 519 Cymhidinm canslicnlatnm, 1C5 Cypripedium cartdidum, 165 I VI Dahlia tubers, storing, S15 Dalechampia Roezleana rosea cul- ture, 51 Dalkeith Palace Gardens, 320 ; Grapes at, 40S Damper, use of, 370 Damsons, 198,222 Darlington Canary Show, 382 Datura suaveolens flapping. 377 Deane and Bolton Poultry Show, 154 Deciduous trees for a lawn and shrub- bery, 294 Dcndrobium MacCarthia?, S9 Deodar cones, 816 Derby Canary Show, SCO. 331 ; Poultry Show, 276 Diarrhoea in fowls, 33 Dicksonia, antarctica culture, GO ; re- potting, 376 Diffusion of plants, 451 Dillistone, W.,225 Diea grandiflora not thriving, 488 Discolor, meaning of, 110 Dixon testimonial, 17 Dodders, 269 Dodecatheon Meadia var. frigiduin, 393 Dorking Poultry Show, 483 Dorkings— cock's comb discoloured, 298; dark, 464; earlobes, 506; feed- ing, 257; feet fiwollen, 176, 3G1 ; "White, 358; weak-legged, 361 Doves, food for, 362 Dracteria cylindrica, 2G Drainage, 90 Draining a garden, 836 Driffield Poultry Show, 94 Drighlington Poultry Show, 85 Drill, Le Butt's, 158 Drought, summer, 206 Dublin Poultry Show, 485 Ducklings cramped, 116 Ducks— fattening, 156; killing annu- ally, 424 ; Aylesbury bills black specked, 76; Rouen bills, 257; feed- ing,218; plumage, 342 Durham County Poultry Show, 136, 520 Dust from stove furnace, 478 Earwigs, 34 Eccleshill Poultry Show, 214, 275 Echeverias. wintering, 222 ; secunda glauca, 233 Echites Bplendens nut flowering, 315 Edinburgh Poultry Show, 482 Egerton House gardens, 29 Eggs — in autumn and winter, 362 ; early for hatching, 92; hatching ar- tificially, 76 ; hatching expected, 72 ; hatching troubles, 73 ; hens eating, 486; imported, 415; organs in- flamed. 20; poultry for laying, 526; purchased, 380; Bex, foretelling, 238; soft, 383 ; selling by weight, 275 Elders, 157 Elm trees, inject in, 91 Elms iu Scotland, 83 Elsham Hall, 510 Endive, blanching, 478; culture, 230; planting, 250 Entomological Society's Meetings, 26, 413, 494, 612 Epidendrums, winter-blooming, 365 Equisetum arvense eradication, 51 Eritrichium nanum, 165 EuchariB amazonica culture, 433 Eulopla helleborina, 471 Euphorbia, cross-fertilising, and law of sex, 11 ; prostrata spreading. 451 Evergreens, for screen, 437 ; on light soil, 213 ; sowing, 315 ; transplanting, 253 ; for tubs, 273 Everlasting flowers ? are Grasses dried, 151 Exhibition birds, unpacking, 254 Exhibition stands for Roses, Ac, 273 Fairv Rings, 315 Falkirk Poultry Show, 521 Fallacies, horticultural, 301 Farnworth Poultry Show, 194 FasciatioD.law of and its relation to Bex, 430 Feather-eating hen, 526 Feathers broken, 38 Fern cases, 299 Fern, Oak, not thriving, GO Ferns— climbing. 23(1, 345, 386, 453; Filmy, 416; Golden, Silver, and Hare's-foot, 171 ; insect on, 253 ; in a Lily house, 151; native, 23; list of hardy ; tree, 51 Fig, petrified, 91 ; and its culture, fruit setting, casting, ripening, 106 ; se- cond crop, 107 ; tree roots, 356 Fire, enduring, 321 ; reoulatintr, 519 Fish in glass globe, feeding, 444 Fitzroya patagonica, 446 Fleas in poultry house, 278 Fleche fowls at Birmingham, 479, 506 Flies, banishing, 218, 292 Flints round shrubs, 233 Floral criticism, 419 Florists' flowers — Metropolitan So- ciety's Exhibition, 131 Flower— bed arrangements, 185, 804; planting, 492; cases, Chapman's, 144 ; garden — site, 1 ; forming, the design, plants for, 28; arrangement of plants, accessories and surround- ing features, 60; market, new, 1G6; sermon, 225, 262 ; trade of St. Louis, 144 Flowers, and Grasses for drying, 144; arranging, 166 , drying, 190, 234 Flue heating, 284, 253 Foliage but no fruit, 5 Forest trees overgrown with grass, 274 Forget-me-nots for spring decoration, 60 Form v. weight, 338 Fountain, design for, 129 Fowls— with crop inactive, 404: ex- porting, 74; selecting for exhibition, 818 ; fattening for table, 444 ; for family use, 258; rearing large, 52; legs scaly, 404; poisoned, 463 ; white and black, 38 Fragments, 1G0 French breeds of fowls, 257 French fowls, cup for, 291} Frogmore fruit rooms, E63 Frosts, early, 30G Fruit— fruit trees, 376: dwarf pruning 458 ; for east and north aspects, 416 ; for exhibiting, 191; for small gar- dens, 385, 42:-;, 432 : gardens, arrange- ment, 416; houses, span-roofed, 16; as plant houses in 'winter, 412; judg- ing, 84 ; lists, 212, 218,253; naming, 324, 337; picking and marketing, 160; snags on trees. 258; storing, 252; trees unfruitful, 233 ; for walls, 834 Fuchsias, exhibiting, 91; for stand- ards, 478 : King of. 252; select, 336; shoots and leaves diseased, 83 Fuel, economy in, 321 ; for flueless stoves, 457; for garden structures, 212 Fulford Poultry Show, 112 Fulton Mr., testimonial to, 111 Funguses, eating, 246; show of, 265; foray among, 310 Funkia treatment, 479 Furze sowing, 336 Galvanising Plants, 16 Game fowls— baffling, 314; chickens, 156; dubbing, 156; judging cocks, 38; cock undubbed, 278; at Leeds, 620; moulting, 362: roupy, 257; Black Red, 464 ; Black-breasted Red moulting untrue to colour, 444; crossing Black Red andDuckwing, •124; legs of Piles. 156 Garden, plotting. levelling.Ac , 300, 823, 844, 364, 387. 407. 426, 446. 4S9; clean- ing neglected, 458; opening to the public, 4 Gardeners' difficulties, 371 ; advice to, 876; examinations, 328; growl of a young, 285; Royal Benevolent In- stitution, 6 Gardenia, propagation, 109 ; citriodora sickly, 273 Gardening, and gardeners, 476; as a recreation, 105 Gas, heating by, 212,234,272; stoves, terra cotta, 171 ; lime as manure, 234 Geese, breeding. 156 : keeping, 76 Geraniums-bedding. 17S, 221, 227, 2G0, 302; in 1870, 178, 199; caterpillars on, 233 ; cuttings in the open ground, 457; double, 121; leaves black, 836; list of good, 159 ; in rooms, heat for, 519 : protecting. 314 ; what thev may be. 141; wintering, 171, 213, 273.293; Confederate, 294; Crown Prince, 151; compost for Mrs. Pollock, 438 ; Mrs. Pollock failing, 191; Stella ab- normal, 376; iu pots, 376; growing Zonal for show, ISO ; Zonals in large pots, 232. See also Pelargoniums. Geissorhiza grandis. 471 Gesnera, splendens buds falling, 398; zebrina flowers falling, aphis on, 836 Gladioluses— bulbs, potting, 191; of 1870, 3*8; show, 101: at South Ken- sington, 140; taking up, 458; Saun* dersii, 471 Glasnevin, 387 Glazing, 498 : double, 510 : garden structures, 825 Glaziers' work, measuring, 15 Gleichenias. climbing, 345 Glon Morcean, name of. 377 Gloucestershire Poultry, 162 Glowworms. 34 Gloxinias, 471 ; after flowering;, 192 ; culture, 118 ; propagation, 51 ; bloom- ing seedlings, 160 Goldfinches, cock tapping the eggs, 20 Goniophlebium appendiculatum, 109 Gooseberries for preserving and des- sert, 834 Gooseberry Show, Bradford, 162 Grafting wax, substitute for, 391 Grapes— not colouring and shanking, 163; diseased, 16; for exhibition, 279; gathering, 232 ; for late hung- ing, 272 ; keeping, 456; not keeping, 356; mildewed, 16 ; new, 221 ; rine, 211 ; not ripening, 135 ; setting, 478, 609; shanking. 151; show of, 265; shrivelling, 211; spotted, 34; sul- phuring.16 : removing sulphur from, 293; various, 233; Alicante in grouDd vinery, 877; Alicante small and stoneleBs, 416: to prevent Chasselas Musque cracking, 107; Gros Col- man. 293; Madresfield Court, 816; Koyal As'-ot. 2H3. See alan Vines, Grass and Trifolium sowing, 2J4 Graves, flowers on, 217 Great Horton Poultry Show, 216 Greenhouse, blinds, 457 ; floor, 397 ; for a small income! 219 ; heating, 836, 478 ; heating a small, 33, 60, 110, 294: plants for, 478, 498 Greetland Poultry Show, 153 Grevillea Banksii, 893 Ground-nut pods, 472 GrubB destroying Cabbage plants, 192 Gueldres Rose berries, are they poisonous '? 850 Guernsev Lilies not flowering, 898 Guildford Poultry Show, 53, 504, 521 Guinea Fowl and Dorking hybrid, 38 Gym no gramma flexuosa, 240 ; sport, 251 Hamburgh, pronunciation of, 444 Hamburghs— BInck, points of, 257; chickeus, exhibiting, 88; Golden- pencilled, 95, 479, 486; legs and feathers, 95; legs and combs, .162; Pencilled, breeding, 361 ; tails, 505; earlobes, 384 ; Silver-spangled comb, 525; earlobes, 861, 525; earlobes scabby, 526; points, 278; swelling under eye, 342 ; throat rattling, 278 HaBlingden Poultry Show, 75 Hassard, Col.F. C, 138 Hatfield Ornithological Society's Show, 340, 402 Heating a removable house, 15; fail- ure, 15; with fermentine materials, 477; bv a Btove, 497; by hot water, 212, 498 Heckmondwike Poultry Show, 521 Hedge for market garden, 478 Heliotropes, dark, 498; leaves falling, 458 ; superior, 191 HenB— cros!-bred,diaeased,384: catch- ing, 214; egg-bound, 486: exhibiting. 862 : troth in throat, 404 ; nesting and not laying, 468; trespassing, 214 HesBle Poultrv Show, 94 Hinckley Poultry Show, 214 Hocks swelled, 76 Hollies, planting, 457; pruning, 69 Honeysuckle propagation, 357 Hopper for fowls' food, 464 Hornets' nest, destroying, 251 Horticultural exhibition, the French, 10 Horticultural (Roval) Socictv, Com- mittees, Shows, Ac, 84, 104, 126, 188, 22G, 265, 812, 450, 467; garden, 149; gardeners' examinations, 328 ; gar- deners' prizes for vegetables. 493; " Journal of Horticulture " prize, 33 ; Nottingham Show, 159, 201, 472: Ox- ford Show and Congress, 42, 62, 63, 68, 82, 101, 122; President's soiree, 12; sale of plants, 12 ; weeds, 31 Hot water, heating by, 453; circulat- ing downwards. 469, 519; not circu- lating in pipes, 417 Houdan chickens' weight, H2: and Dorkings, crossing, 196; toes, 486; coek, points, 526 Houdans almost feathcrless, hen with brood. 56 House for many things, 293 Hoya carnosa, fruiting, 233; Beed sowing, 185 Huraphrev's clock, 167 Hunslet Poultry Show, 153 Hyacinths — for a Rose border, 192: in pots. 416; Show of the Royal Horticultural Society, 241 Hvbridiiv. imperfect, 493 Hyde Park, 167 Hydrangea not flowering, 273 Ice— collecting, 517 : keeping. 431; houses, 16, constructing, 300, floral, in New York, 128 ; Btoring, 415 Imports, 418 Incrustation in boilers and hot-water pipes, 816 Indian Shot culture, 252 Inquiry, 859 Insects, enemies, 333 ; some injurious in gardens, 514 International Exhibition of 1971, 149 Ipswich Poultry Show, '-'05, 338,420 Ireland, notes in, S43, 387, 408, 473 Iresine amabilis, propagating, 273: Herbstii, 90 ; wintering, S3 IriseB, 25; iberica, 26; Spanish and English. 252 Irish Roval Agricultural Society's Poultry Show, 112 Japanese plants, export of, 451 Jasminum grandiflorum for late flow- ering, 321 Johnstone Poultry Show. 422 Judging, plants and flowers, 122; poultry. 378 July, plants flowering in, 120 June, plants flowering in, 25 Kales, 509 ; variegated. 486 Keigbley Poultrv Show, 154 Kenfield Hall and its Cunifers, 145 Kent (East) Poultry Show, 502 Kidney Bean culture, 876 Kilmarnock Ornithological Show, 481 Kirkcudbright Poultry Show, 521 Kitchen garden, size needed, 519 Labels, for fruit trees, 850, 429; zinc and ink for, 857 LreliaB, winter-blooming, 180 Land's End, about the, 164 Lapagcria rosea, culture, 91, 262; thrips on, 3J6 Lasiandra macrantha, 336 Laurels, dying, 897 ; hedges, trim- ming, 406; pruning, 295; pruning Portugal, 78 Laurustmus, pruning, 79 Lavender, distilling, 116 Lawn — burning in Bummer, 283 covered with Daisies, 16; forming. 110; MowerB, 47, 81, 120, 165, 200, Archimedean, 25 ; making and mending, 151; patphy, 498; rolling, 397 ; top-dresBing, 416 ; trees for Bloping, 274 ; weedy, 191 Layins, hastening, 486 Leaf, its work, 66 Leaves for hotbeds, &c, 493; with dung for manure, 498 Leeds Poultry Show, 502 Leghorn fowls, 380, 881 Leicestershire Bird Show, 53 Leigh Poultry Show, 215 LeptOBlphon rosuccus,267 Lettuce, culture, 490; planting, 250 Leyburn Poultry Show, 214 Libonia leaves falling, 519 Lice in hen houBe, 63 Lilies of the Valley, 51 Liliums, culture of, 252; anratum, culture, 16, 303, 347, large, 184, out of doors, 416, potting, 21* , winter- ing, 316 ; lancifolium culture, 16 ; after blooming, 191 Lily of the Valley, forcing, 232; bow ing, 273 Lime dressing, 313 Limerick Poultry Show, 195 Linaria Cymbalaria, 323 Linum seeds, cleaning, 251 Liquid manure, 192 ; applying, 233 Liskeard Ponltry Show, 186 LiBSochilus Krebsii, 267 LHtsea juncea,149 Littleborough Poultry Show, 276 Lobelia speciosa, propagating, 30 London Poultry Show, 404 Long Sutton Poultry Show, 295 Lowestoft Poultry Show, 524 Lucerne, sowing, 96 Luculia, gratissima leaves falling, 212; propagation, 69 Lygodictyon Forateri, 340 Lygodnuns, climbing, 239 Lythe Poultry Show, 175 Magnolia, soil. 416; transplanting large. 457 Maiden-hair browning. 357 Maidstone Gardeners' Improvement Association, 389 Maize, 511 Malays, 275. 384 Malope malacoides, 165 Mandcvilla suaveolens hardy, 201 Manures, ashes, &c, 15 ; preparing, 377 Manuring, the principles of, 64 Maranta leaveB browned, 815 Market gardening, nmateur,267 Marketing fruits, 272 Markets, 76, 156, 176, 958, 278, 208, 820, 342, 362, 884, 404, 424, 4t>4,506 Measures, boxes for holding, 164, 252 Medlars, gathering,212, 835 Meigle Poultry Show, 175 Melolontha vulgaris, 515 Melon »nd Cucumber house, 294 Melons— aphis on, 24 ; decaying, 91 ; going ofl, 83 ; in a ground vinery, 161; large, 218; out of doors, 261; plants, 24; small, 518; spot on, 211; treatment, 16 ; varieties, 253; Beech- wood, 91 ; Malvern Hall, 170 ; Vic- tory of Bath, 247 Mesembryanthemum culture, 162 Mesospiiiidium sanguineum, 489 Metropolitan Floral Society, 200, 201, 225 Mice, keeping from bulbs, 477 Middlesbrough Bird Show, 369 Middleton Poultry Show, 255 Mimetic analogy, 494 '■ Miniature Fruit Garden," 469 Mistletoe on the Oak, 225, 247 Moon's influence over rainfall, 304 Mnrley Poultry Show, 112 Mormons, horticulture among, 243 Morpeth Poultry Show, 214 Moulting this season, 417, 459 Moulton Poultry Show, 86 Mulberries, what to do with them, 802 Mulberry trees, transplanting, 135 Mulching, 50,68, 103 MiiBhrooms, abundance, 225; beds, 495, lasting, 52, making, 49, iron gratings for bottoms of, 495 : house management, 4S1 ; catsup, 96; cu ture, 69, 170, 291, 874; in Paris, 346; decaying and maggotty, 81, 293 ; in a London collar, 261 Myosotis dissitiflora for table decora- , tion, 59 Myrtles not flowering, 69 1KUEX. vu Kl.IL, DOUBTS ON FOWl^S tOE, 19.9 Napoleon's flower, 429 >fae tarines, cricket-oaten, 151 ; notes t»n,802; Rivers'a seedling, 2*3 ; Vie- toria. 217 ; withering, 11W Kephroleptaec, 454 ; dayallioides, 498 Keweftstl^upon-Tyuo Ornithological Society's Show, 420; post entries, New York Poultry Show, 380 Nightingales, food for young, 20 Night Boil aa manure, 393, i ] i Northampton Poultry Show, 285,443; Canary Show, 402 North border, plants for, 350 Noatrila of chiokens discharging, 190 November, oaterpillars, 391 ; planta flowering in, 469 \ Nurseries, rating, 498 OiK, A LABGE, 183 : EVERGBEKN, 46fl Oakham Poultry Show, 443 Oftta, ground, &c.. 150 October, plants flowering in, 369 Oenothera Wbituo\j,393 Oiling exhibited birds, 499 Obtfora Fitzpainc,61 Oleanders, climbing, 8S6 ; scale, 330 Oncidium cryptocopie, 204 Onions— at Okeford Fitzpaine, 100; culture, 89 ; crop, 141 ; manuring grouud for, 69 : preparing ground for, 457 Orange trees not fruiting, 51 Orchard, Gilbe/a gluaa, 63 Orchard-house, experience, 281, 288 ; management, 6; seduce, 147 Orchards, Kentish. 117 Orchid-bouse wall, ylant for, SS0 Orchida — importing from India, 619; winter-blooming, 180, 203, 228, 300, 805,488 " Ornamental-leaved Plants, Stove and Greenhouse,11 307 Orobanohe on Ciasns discolor, 4T8 Oswestry Poultry show, 270 Oundle Poultry Show, 54 Oxford botanists, 124 Oxfordshire Horticultural Society's Show, 81 Ozone, production of, 25 Painting, ohabob fob, 293 ; oaedem stbuotubes, 825 Pampas Grass, outting off leaves and protecting, 497 ; transplanting, 350 Pansies, Imperial Blue, 99; for Bum- mer, 273 ; replanting, 293 Papering damp ■* alls, 302 Parisian markets, 525 Parks, gardening in the London, 142 Parrot, breathing with difficulty, 90; dull, 298; feather-eating, 802 Parsley become brown and yellow, 15 Paaaiflora arborea, S67 ; quadrangu- laris for conaervatories,4GC Passion-flower, protecting, 336 Paullinia aorbiliB,891 Peaoh's (Rev. C. P.) garden, 809 PeacheB— and Nectarines, 241; Ame- rican trade, 432 ; budding, 135 ; in a eool house, 437; diseased, 152; double blossomed, 91; early, 252; early in the north, 9S ; falling early, 91 ; fruiting, 91; heading maiden trees. 518; house painting, 252, and ventilation, 877; keepi'-g ripe, 91; late, 457; leaves cutting. 28-1, 317; leaves Bcalded, 91; notes on, 171, 802 ; planting a house, 69; pruning, 885 ; not ripening, 2y3 ; Rivers' seed ling, 283; Bcale on, 458; select, 69* standard, 201 ; not swelling, 151 . training. 273; Dymond, 211, 222; Farlv York, 201; Marquis of Down; Bhire, 304 Pears — early, 231 ; fruiting irregularly, 252 ; gathering, 211 ; insects in- jurious to, 11, 27, 206. 411; leaves diseased, 171 ; for north of Ireland, 293; miniature trees training, 171; for N. YV. of England, 377 ; in pots, 488; for orchard, 416; orchard in California, 351; planting, 357; pro- fitable. 231; pyramid, 377; pyramid unfruitful. 212; for small gardens, 822; Beleot, 283; storing. 815; spur- less, 69; stocks for wall treeB,497; for walla, 335 ; Avocat Allard, 284, 828; Belle Kouennaise, 268, 228; Brockworth Park, 268 ; Heliote DundaB, 284, 828 ; Henri Nioaiae, 284; Marie LouiBe, 135; Melon de Namur, 993; Spina, 232 Peas in 1870, 324, 345, 367, 869 ; autumn, 183* culture, 77, 141; early, 14; early for market, 356; estimate of, 4hi7 ; grub on leaves, 51 ; late, 334, 514; Laxton's, 139; mildew on, 14; out of doors in December, 493 ; trials, 158, 304 ; trials at Seaham Ball, 366 Peat charcoal, 453 Pelargoniums— disqualified by judges, 162; double-flowered as bedders, 78, 105; for Easter, 356; large-flowered oulture, 39 ; leaves spotted, 457 : leaves yellow, 438; name- use of, 132; new, 425; potting Show, 151; President Reveil, 88 ; select, 171 ; sowing, 479; wintering, 356 Penietone Poultry Shuw, IH Perennials for a border, 330 Periateronic Society's meetings, 290 Pots, My live. 522 [252 Petunias, fading, 151 ; shoots dying, Phajus, 488 Pheasants, breeding, 150 PhiloperiBteron Society's Show, 230 Phlox, Drummondi culture, '232; seeds, cleaning, 251; list of, 171; select herbaoeous, 898 Phcanix Park. 408 Phamix Park Vice-Regal Lodge, 473 Physalis edulia, 69 PicoteeB. seedling, 104 Pie, the largest known, 156 Pigeons— A lmond Tumbler, IIS : Ant- werp, 234, 295, prizes for, 275, white* eyed, 320; Archangels1 eves, 156; Balds and Beards, 463; Barb, 839, eyes of, 384; at Birmingham, 462; not breeding, 183; canker in, 76. 138; Carrier, 480, diseased, 424, head, 464, measuring face, 3*1, plumage, 526, at Spalding, 20; dealers, ama* tears, professional fanciers, 419; diarrhoea in Pouters. 258; diseases in a loft, 320; exhibiting diseased, 20 ; eggs for sale, 20 ; eyes diseased, 362; food for, 112; Fantails' eggs not hatching, 842; pole house for, 3(2 ; commencing keeping, 238 ; leaving their cote, 362 ; manure in cote, 862; on the Nile, 360; points of Nuns, 116; Owls, 258. English and Foreign, 506 ; Pouters, H5S, 500, ma- nagement, 404; sick, 362; separat- ing, 258; with Rabbits, 424; roup In, 188, 4**4 ; trimming, 4S0 ; Trumpeter breeding, 298; Tumbler, the Flying, 523 ; Turblta, 486, 526 ; at Whitwortb, 195; wing diseased, BfiS Pimpernel, the Blue, 68 Pine Apples,446 ; fruit from variegated, 478; removing, 190; repotting, 234; starting, 458 ; suckers, 199 Pine sawdust manure, 170 Pinks, cuttings, 150 ; for forcing, 184 Pipes, fixing hot-water, on Vine border, 417; removing hot water, 830 ; valve of hot water, 488 Pitcher plants, culture, 108 ; leggy, 457 ; liquid in, 390 Pits, heating, 191; heating in parts, 253; brick, in forcing houses, 496 Plans, drawing. S23 Planting, 334. 468, 517 Plants. Linker's covers for, 107; neg- lected, 1X8 Platyloma flexuosa, 21* PlcioneB, winter-blooming, 228 Plumage defective, 278 Plum orchard, 101 Plums, early, 91; leaves injured, 185; for small gardens, 322; preserving without sugar. 842; heading-down young, trees, 377 ; spurless trees, 69 Plunging potB, 890 Plymouth Poultry Show, 500 ; cups at, 234 Pninsettia pulcherrima, culture, 437; leaves falling, 398 ; shading, 171 Points, breeding for, 295 "Poison in everything." 498 PolamU, feathers of Golden, 278; not laying, 90 Polybotryas, climbing, 386 Pnmetrranate pruning, 518 Pond for garden, 212 Pontefract Poultry Show, 75 Post, specimens uy. 24 Potatoes, 2>;li, *24; in 1870,387; Ame- rican, 0, 78. 180; crop, 100; culture, 222, 279, 405, 427, 448, 467 ; large. 478 ; in London market, 856; and Man- gold alternately, 376; notes on, 179; Onion-flavoured, 34; planting, 16, 989, an acre, 293, in autumn, 347, pre- paring fur, 277; produce, compara- tive, 282. large. 849; for seed, 192; select, 438; sets, 509; storing, 51; taking up, 271: varieties, 28; Bo- vinia,364, 409; Lapstone, large crop of. 287, 293 Pot-herbB, penn'orth of, 471 Potting, 14 " Poultry Chronicle, the Canadian," 72 Poultry — classes, revising, 275 : new market, 275 ; show reforms, 294, 317 ; show reports. 837; feeding. 444, 480, 526; fattening for table, 444 ; sticks and umbrellas at shows, 500 ; keep- ing, rational, 34; management, 70; dying suddenly, 70: trip into Glou- cestershire after, 172 ; and birds, 192; keeping as a business, 213: profit of, 218; in small Bpace, 238; preventing fraudulent practices at Shows, 110; feeding in France, 135; prizes, judging, reporting, buying, 357; for sale, 384; house floor, 404, 424; shows, care of birds at, 419; yard arrangements, 56 Preston Poultry Show, 93 Primula cortusoides, amcena, 91 ; va- rieties, 20t Primulas not thriving, 293 Privet edging, 272 Prizes, at poultry shows, 878; non- payment, 400; for poultry 418 Prize list, extraordinary, 504 Protection, 518 Pruning ornamental trees and shrubs, f, 21, 78, 445, 513 Pteris, argyrnea culture, 09 ; semilata varieties, 416 Pullets, preventing laying, 417 Pump for a garden, 15 Pyretnrum Golden Feather for bed- ding, 147; sowing, 151; wintering Golden, 833 Quinces, gathering, 251 Rabbits— breeding age, 298 ; at Cli- theroe. 111; feeding, 110; food for, 190, 29H; hutch oover, 298; manage- ment, 116; milk for, 298; with Pi- geonS) 124; points of Lop-eared, 258; reports on. 54; skins, dressing, varieties, 37 : at Ilablingileu, 70 ; at the York Show, 819, 359; Angora's fur matted, 29* ; Andalusian, 150; LopB, 156; Patogoman,156; Spanish, 156 Railway neglects. 493 Rainfall, varying, 68 Ranunculus planting, 293 Raspberry vinegar, 38 Rats, puzzling, 190 Red bud caterpillar, 11 '•Redcarre, a pour fyshor towne,""9, 101, 131 Red spider, 934 ; conservatory plants infested with, 135 Reigate Poultry Show, 501 Renanthera Lowii, 83, 109 Reports of poultry Bhowa, 379 Rhododendrons, beds, forming, 110; cocoa-nut fibre refuse for, 519; re- potting Sikkim, 252 Rhubarb, scarlet, 234; for market, 885 RhusCotinus culture, 518 Ribbon borders, early v. late plant- ing, 2, 40 Ribes, edible- fruited, 86 Richardia aHhiopica culture, 213 Rivers, portrait of Mr., 300, 328, 350, 370. 895, 413, 432. 473, 495, 514 Room, growing plants in, 408 Roosting-places for chickens, 172 Roots descending for moiBture, 13 Root-pruning, 292 ; fruit trees, 822 Roses, 22; aphis brush, 15 ; for cover- ing arches, 487 ; budding on Manetti stock, 497; charcoal for, 15; climb- ing, 33; culture, 22; cuttings. 417; cut'ing ont wood, 356; differences about, 159; different on the same utock, 85, 186; exhibiting, 109 : Rev. S. Reynolds Hole on, 65, 84 ; Hybrid Perpetuala of last four seasons, 171, for pots, 179 : Laurel screen for, 219 ; leaves almost black. 294; list of, 252; on Manetti stuck, 91, 193,497; manuring, 110,407; mildew on, 192, 232 : moving, 294 : moving newly- budded, 33; new, 7; new and old, 185 ; north and auuth, 144 ; notes on, 179 ; at Okefurd Fitzpaine, 61 ; pillar, 411; in pot*, 417, in puts weakly, 232; potted for show, 39; pruning, 273, 315; pruning long shoots, 109; to obtain on their own roots, 349 ; repotting, 850: at Salisbury, 98; near the sea, 232; select, 336, 417 ; Belect garden, 97, 119; select for standards, 109; at Southwell, 87; among the show. 58; showing, 135 ; standard, 47; and Btocks, 322; Briars as stocks, 417; not succeed- iug, 109; Tea-scented of last four seasons, 171; house for, 315; out of doors, 438, 487, 508; transplanting, 417; for high walls, 273; Alfred Colomb, 292 ; Boula de Nanteuil, 232 ; Felix Genero, 100, 109 : Isabella Gray. 203: Lady Suffield, 109; L'Enfant Trouve, 377; Marquise de Morteinart. 171 Rossendale Poultry Show, 53 Roup, cure f jr, 74, 235 ; symptoms, 33 Rubbish heap, 211 Rue as a poultry medicine, 464 Saccot.abiums. 481 Salad herbs, 162 Salsafy, leaving in bed, 457 Salt aa a manure, 234 Salvia, interrapta, 204; violacea and culture, 411 Sambucus genus, 157 Sand, from glass works, 477 ; silver, 376 Sandhoe, 177 Saxifraga aretioides, 20 Scale, S34; destroying, 316 Scales on fowl's legs, 196 Scarborough Canary Show, 290, S40 Scarborough Lily culture, 918 Scolytua destructor, 91 Scorzonera, cooking, 884 Screen, for building, 410 ; to hide a wall, 315 Scurf in fowls, 526 Sea, fruits for garden near, 232 Seal skin, moth in, 506 Seaside planting, 65 " Sea-side walks." 434 Season, eccentricities of, 408; lessons of the past. 490 Secretaries exhibiting, 01 ; liable for their mistakes, 274 Seeds, sowing, 315 Selsey Island, 07 ; manufactory, S Sempervivum ealifornicuni culture, 232 September, plants flowering in, 2S5 Serapias corJigera and lingua, $90 Sermon, the flower, 208 Sewage, 417 Sex in plants and nutrition, 240 Shade for flowers, 178 Shading to prevent evaporation. 63 Sheffield Ornithological Society's Show, 341 Shows, damaging fowls at,S5; prizes at country horticultural, 231 Shrubs, before cottage, 273; for low wall, 330 ; under trees, 310 Silenes, distinguishing, 273 Silkies' claws. 842 Silkworm, oak, 138 Skylarks, food for young, 20 Skaford Poultry Show, 94 Suaith Poultry Show, 35 Snowberry pruning, 458 Soap, soft, 91 ; for destroying iosccts, 23, 62 Sobralia macrantha, 330 SoUb, improving sandy, 09; their for- mation, 101 ; origin of, 513 Soot as a manure, 231 Southampton Poultry Show, 319, 359, B99, 101; going to, 879, 380 Sowing seeds, 293 Spalding Poultry Show, 10 Spanish, exhibiting, 444; fowls losing; their feathers, 110 Spilonota oynosbatella, 11 SpiroBa japonioa and ial!ias, Cinerarias, and potting and repotting Balsams. The Cinerarias, fresh potted in small pots, we placed under glass in a cold frame, with its high side to the south, as they will want less water than if they stood out of doors. Much has been done in repotting, and here wo met with several instances where the plants did not seem to be right, and yet the modes detailed the other week for knowing whether a plant was damp enough at the roots had been tried without avail. The surface and bottom of the ball were quite right as respects moisture, and so was the ball for about 2 inches deep all round ; therefore, though we had suspicions that part of the roots were dry, the suspicions were lulled by the dull sound that came from the pot when struck. The truth is that the outside of the ball was moist enough, and contained fine, healthy roots ; the inside of the ball was dry. To make it wet without repotting, it would have been necessary to have made small holes, or to have set the pot in water. In our case, .after getting rid of a lot of the old soil, the ball was set in water until the centre was thoroughly moistened. Very likely these plants had been potted last, when the ball was compara- tively dry. This would account for the surface and the out- sides of the ball being moist, whilst the centre was so dry. There is no more common error — none that ruins pot plants more than this — potting them afresh whilst the soil of the old ball is dry. No common watering will ever thoroughly wet that dry soil again ; the moisture given will always escape by the looser soil at the sides. Make sure, then, first of all, that the ball of a plant is sufficiently moist before placing it in a new and larger pot. And once more, in repotting use soil neither wet nor dry — wet enough to retain the marks of your fingers when you squeeze a handful tightly, dry enough that that handful will fall to pieces when you lay it down on the Ju'y 7. 1-TO 1 JOUBNAL OF HOBTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 15 potting-board. If wetter, it may be too compressed to allow water to percolate freely ; if drier, there is a great difiionHy in common watering to get the whole regularly moistened. — R. F. TO CORRESPONDENTS. ••• We request that no one will write privately to any of the correspondents of the " Journal of Horticulture, Cottage Gardener, and Country Gentleman." By so doing they are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All communications should therefore be addressed solely to The Editors of the Journal of Horticulture, <£*<;., 171, Fleet Street, London, E.G. We also request that correspondents will not mix up on the same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them an- swered promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate communications. Also never to send more than two or three questions at once. N.B. — Many questions must remain unanswered until next week. Books (./. W„ Liverpool). — "Fruit Gardening for the Many" con- tains all you require about Strawberry culture. Yon can have it from our office, post free, if you enclose five postage stamps with your address. Tenant Removing Shrubs (Yorkshire)*— Yon have no legal right to remove shrubs nt plants from the garden, although they were inserted and have been cultivated by yourself for seven years. Cannot you divide each plant, put one part in a pot, and leave the other part ? The potted portions you might take away. Measuring Glaziers' Work Li. IT.).— Unless specified to the con- trary, glazing by the foot is measured on the square— that is, the greatest length nnd breadth; at least that used to be the case. The trne measure- ment of angloB and triangles, as ends and corners, would only be half a square; but a glazier could not do it on such measurement, he would have such a waste of glass in the sharp angles. No doubt this makes the difference in the number of glazed feet. Circular-topped windows are measured the same way — by the square. Mistakes at Local Shows (B. G ). — We cannot spare space for record- ing such mistakes. You should write to the Committee. Galvanising Plants (A. D.). — The experiment with the two Pelar- goniums was too imperfect to merit reporting. The results fiom half a dozen galvanised, and half a dozen ungalvanised, with proper precautions, would be more worthy of confidence. Seeds for Arkansas (Pangbourne).— They will need no special pack- ing. In small paper packets will be the best form. Any seeds that will succeed in England will succeed there. Pelargonium— Lobelia (S. Ridley).— The box was smashed. There was no Lobelia, and only a few petals of the Pelargonium. Their colour and markings are not uncommon. Zonal Pelargoniums (Quarn St.).— We cannot recommend dealers. Any of the principal florists who advertise in this Journal could supply the varieties you name. Seedling Pelargoniums (IF. 0. B., Dublin).— The petals were nearly all shed, and the box smashed. There are many Pelargoniums with similarly coloured and marked petals. Seedling Tricolor Pelargonium (E. Shepaton).— It is handsome, but the leaf sont was precisely like Sophia Dnmaresque. Pansy Diseased (E. M.).— The cuttings of the Pansy reached us safely last week. The yellow spots are the fungus Oidium Viola?. A hybrid be- tween a Fern and Pansy is an impossibility, as cryptogamic and phaano- gamous plants have no affinity. We do not remember receiving Pansies previously. Rose La Seduibante {Centurion). — We do not know a Tea-scented Rose of that name, but there is an old Hybrid Perpetual as well as the Alba Rose. Most probably it is the Hybrid Perpetual that you have. Yon must wait for the fluwers. Charcoal for Roses (J. B.).— It is a good manure for Roses both in pots and in the open ground. One-Bixth of the compost is sufficient for Roees in pots ; and for giving colour to the flowers it may bo applied to the surface of the soil in the pots, and just scratched in with a piece of pointed wood. If the surface be covered about an eighth of an inch deep it is sufficient. For those in the open ground a dressing a quarter of an inch thick is not too much. Brush for Killing the Rose Aphis (iv. T. Dix).-We have used the brush you speak of to remove green fly from Roses, and find it useful but rather tedious. If Roses are well mulched and manured during the winter they will very seldom suffer much from aphis. We do not quite know whether your Rose plant which had its leaf perforated suffered from the weevil or the Rose Cutter beetle. If from the former, handpicking would be quite effectual ; if, as we suspect, it was the latter, you would have done no good by cutting down the plant, as the Rose Cutter beetle merely cuts the leaf to tahe it away to line the sides of its nest, and when the nest is complete will commit no more ravages. Singularly enough, these beetles generally confine their attacks to one plant ; they usually select a plant with stiff short foliage, and the nest will be found in a small hole in the ground near the tree. The Rose Cutter beetle always begins its perforation at the outside of the leaf, and cuts a semicircular piece out of th« side. Boilers (L. C. J , Dudley).— We never venture to commend any. Manures (H., Tunbridge Wells).— You do not quote accurately. We recommend dry earth and coal ashes to be used when saturated with sewage, which has to be stored. Coal ashes so employed would not be injurious to any soil ; and if the soil be tenacious they would be beneficial employed even in large quantities unsaturated with sewage. They would improve the soil's staple. Parsley Turning Brown and Yellow (" Idem ").— But for being brownish yellow, the specimens of Parsley sent seem to be a fairly good, curled, close kind. This turning yellow might be owing to the great dryness— most probably owing to some reason of which we are ignorant. As it is best to err on the safe side, and as defects are easily perpetuated, even if the plants would ripen their seed, we should not care to bow it, unless as an experiment, as such withered-looking Parsley would never be used in the kitchen. Heating a Removable House (T.M.L.). — Such a span-roofed house as you propose we would build entirely on the ground, with perhaps one course of bricks for the window-sill to rest on. The roof, &c, we would form of rafter sash-bars, say to receive glass 18 inches wide. These bars we would groove to receive the glass edge to edge without putty, and merely fasten the squares in their places with email list, soft Curd, or rope yarn, fixed in toe groove beneath the glass. Provided the groove is made deep enough to allow room for the gloss to expand, there will be no breakage from expansion, and if the glass is well cut there will be no leakage. The bottom square will require a pin to keep it from Bliding out. With the roof screwed, and these squares in grooves, you can take all your glaBs out, and the house to pieces, and pacx in little space. As to heating, for ease in moving, nothing could be better than a small gas etove ; but as, on the whole, you might not have gas at your next place, it would on the whole be best and cheapest to have a small iron stove fed at the Bide, the smoke-pipe coming from the opposite side, and rising with a bend through the roof, with a flat top to tha stove to receive a vessel of water. Supposing the stove stood in the centre of the house, the small smoke-pipe from It might go through the roof near the apex. A 3 or 4-inch pipe would answer if frequently cleaned. People cannot, or will not, see how easy it is to take such a pipe through a glass roof; all you have to do is to substitute a square of plate iron for a square of glass, with a suitable hole in the iron to let the pipe through. The pipe should have a cap over it outside, to prevent the rain and Bnow falling into it. If you prefer a gas stove — and there are good ones to be had with argand burners that consume almost the whole of the gas— even in such a case have a small pipe, if only from a quarter to half an inch, to take off the products of combustion into the open air. Raising Water (Edmonton).— The best reply we can give is to publish the following, for which we are indebted to our weekly contemporary, The English Mechanic and Mirror of Science . Tbe accompanying " draw- ing will explain a cheap method of making a force pump for watering. One has been in nse some time. A, common lead pipe; B, valve; C, solid plunge from pump; D, outlet pipe; E, small cask, or any suitable air- tight vessel holding about 6 gallons ; F, valve; G, outlet pipe, reaching to within about 2 inches of the bottom ; K, guide for plunge-rol. It can now be used as a common pump by having a union ; an india-rubber or any other pipe may be screwed on, and there would be sufficient force to carry a continual stream 60 feet high. The cask, or air-tight vessel may be placed at any distance from the pump; around hole in the bottom, with a piece of stout leather weighted, is all that is required for the valve." Failure in Heating (Inquirer). — We are glad you refer again to flue- heating, as instanced at page 191, No 467, for March 10th. It seems we were quite right in our surmises. No flue will draw regularly with the furnace-bars level with the middle of the flue, as respects its depth, and we wonder you were net smothered from the want of a regular ashpit below the fire-bars. Your proposal to let the present flue remain, but block it up ; let the fire-bars remain, but break a hole through the present flue at the end of the furnace ; and place a flue of hard-burned earthen- ware pipes of 9 inches in diameter on the top of the present flue, will, no doubt, answer much better. But even then your furnace-bars will scarcely be low enough, and instead of a foot you would require to build a brick fine from 1 to 2 yards in length on the top of the old flue before u&iog the pipes, as such pipes are apt to crack when too near the surface. We have a great sympathy with people wishing to carry out their own plans. We do not, therefore, repeat our advice, " Try toe flue again," for as it is, it will not answer, but as the flue is there, why not "try it again" with a little alteration ? Would it not be easier to dig down and sink your furnace-bars from 18 to 2i inches, instead of making this new flue on the top of the old one? Then, instead of the bar3 being in tho middle of the flue as now, your bars would be below the bottom of the flue. However, try your own plan if you like it best. 16 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 7, 1870. Ice House (J. D. Whitehead).— All ice houses, as a rule, keep ice best in proportion to the quantity of ice put in. A few loads, however pro- tected, will seldom last after midsummer. We know the plan of Cobbett's you have adopted answers well, but, of course, the smallest opening would be ruinous, and it would be of no use where rats or rabbits could burrow in the straw, as every hole made would let in the heated air. Ice stacks, if looked after, and from fifty to a hundred load3 put together, answer well, as described at the page in the "Gardeners' Dictionary" you refer to; but even in their case, holes from vermin must be looked after, and the covering must be put on so as not tn heat. We have ourselves n© doubt that a house on Cobbett's plnn, either above or below ground, with double walls and double roof, with a space, say of 6 inches between, would answer well, as if made of brick or stone there would be no air holes easily formed, as there is almost sure to be in most districts where gnawing and burrowing animals abound, and the walls are wood and straw. See article in No. 304, vol. xii., page 64. Span-roofed Fruit House (A Reader). — We have given plans and descriptions of cheap houses, and there are advertisements in our pages which may be referred to and depended on. You can do better for your- self, knowing the circumstances in your own neighbourhood, than we can do for you. For instance, a fixed roof could be put up for less than the half of one with sashes, and the netting for such a house will be very different, if you want Grapes ripe in May, than if you were satisfied to have them in July and onwards. Peach trees for the centre of the house you could purchase at Is. Gd. per plant, and yet it might be true economy to have plants at from 7s. Gd and onwards. In such a house, 20 feet wide, and glass all round, eight 4-inch pipes the length of the house would not be too many to have Grapes ripe in the beginning of May. The Grapes that would come in best then would be Black Ham- burgh, Sweetwater, and Royal Muscadine; and if you wish to give a chance to the Peaches in ihe centre, six or seven Vines on a side will be enough. An upright tubular boiler is rather the easiest to manage, but otherwise there is no great difference between that and a terminal saddle- back. The price of shelving and fitting up depends much on the material used, and altogether your case is one more for local inquiry and agree- ment than could be satisfactorily entered largely upon in our pages. Planting Whole Potatoes (Calcarea). — We approve of this practice Let us know the quan'ities produced by you and your neighbour, and we will publish them with some notes. Lawn Covered with Daisies (W. F.) — To destroy them you acted judiciously in top-dressing the whole lawn with a mixture of good loam and well-rutted dung, and in April Bowing the whole with a suitable mix- ture of grass seeds. If you let the grass grow long, in a season or two it will probably choke the Daisies. To prevent the Daisies ripening their seeds, take the flowers off with the Daisy rake. If you do this, and have the rootB of the survivorB scooped out with a knife in the autumn and spring, you will subdue tbem entirely. Anthurium ?cherzerianum, Temperature for (S. E.).~ This beau- tiful plant requires at this season a temperature of from 65° to 70° at night, and 75° by day without sun, and from 80° to 85° or 90° with sun and air. It does very well in the stove during the summer. Increasing Anthurium Scherzerianum (X. O.).— Yonr best plan of inducing your plant to form offsets will be to give it a more moist and warmer atmosphere, as well as every stimulus to growth, and thus, no doubt, you will have a larger plant, but not so many flowers. The taking out of the crown of the plant— just its centre— would be likely to afford an increase of the crowns. Melon Treatment iJ.F. S.).— The lights should not be covered after May. It is oDly so long as the nights are cold that coverings are needed. When the nights are becoming cold in autumn it is essential to cover the lights as in spring, but it will not be necessary to do so before the close of September. The bed should be lined as may be found necessary for maintaining the proper temperature. During the very bright weather we had a fhort time ago it was not necessary. If the temperature at 6 a.m. is 65- no linings are required ; with us it is often under 60° at night, and we have Melons now in beds made up but a short time before yours, and the beds have not been lined more than twice. Melons will endure a great amount of heat. 85° to 90°, however, with sun and abun- dance of air, is quite sufficient, but they will bear from 100° to 110° without injury if they have air. It must, however, be from sun heat. We would now line the bed with sweet dung, give a good watering, but without wetting the surface, by pouring water through a funnel or drain-pipe, and by giving plenty of air we think the fruit will set. The flower is all right. Culture of Black Currants (A Poor Lady).— We do not think it would answer to prune the bushes now, cutting them back in the hope of obtaining shoots for next year's bearing ; but it would be of great benefit to give liberal supplies of liquid manure in dry weather throughout the summer, thinning out the shoots now where too thick. Where very long and straggling they may be shortened, but take care to leave a sufficient number of shoots for bearing next year. The best manure is cow dung, as it is cool, but any kind will answer. Apply the manure in autumn, after the leaves fall, removing the soil down to the roots to the extent of about 2 feet all round the stem ; then give 2 or 3 inches thick of manure, and cover with about an inch of soil. The manure need not be more than half decayed. Road scrapings are not of much value; and guano, though it will do good, ought to be applied in moist weather only, and in small quantities at a time. Mildewed Vines (C. E.). — We do not see what you can do now, ex- cept to dust the mildewed parts with flowers of sulphur, to paint your walls with sulphur and lime, to use a little sulphur in your heating medium, and to give as much air as is compatible with the health of the Vines and other plants. A close moist atmosphere is the fertile source of mildew ; the reverse condition keeps it away or starves it. Mildew is often the result of many plants being kept close and damp beneath the Vines. If you do not allow the Vines to be too thick on the roof, we do not think the mildew will much affect them, but the more moisture and closeness there ib in the house, the more difficult will it be to eradi- cate the mildew. We see little use in cutting the Vines down if you mean to take fresh growth from them. Such mildew is, generally speak- ing, more owing to atmospheric than to root or earth causes. Grapes Small and Ill-coloured (J. F. H.).— We think very likely the smallness of the Grapes, and their colouring irregularly, are owing to the dryness and poorness of the border. If the previous watering is not enough, water again with manure water. Keep, as you say, a little heat in the house whilst you give air freely ; meanwhile, the mere irregular colouring is often no great drawback. When a few berries colour well, the others generally follow suit, if they are firm and perfect. Grapes Diseased (M. D. C.).— They are shanked and spotted also. Remove the soil from over the roots, replace it with some richer soil, and water copiously twice a-week with tepid weak liquid manure. The roots are unable to supply sufficient sap. Mildew on Grapes ( Vitis). — Dust them thoroughly with flowers of sulphur. After the sulphur has been on three or four days, syringe the Grapes. If after two more days the mildew is still apparent, apply the sulphur again, and continue repeating the treatment until the mildew is entirely removed. Sulphuring Grapes (Centurion), — It is not necessary to syringe the Grapes and Vines previous to dusting them with sulphur for destroying mildew. The sulphur will readily adhere to the Grapes and the leaves of the Vines. There is no necessity for washing off the sulphur ; it may remain until the mildew is destroyed, and then be syringed off with clean rain water. If this be done when the Grapes show colour it will be soon enough, though we usually wash off the sulphur within a week, but if the mildew reappear it is necessary to repeat the sulphur-dressing and the subsequent washing. Air should be admitted as usual ; if anything, more air should be given after than before the application. Your gardener is quite right in giving all the air possible in bright hot weather, but to do so in cold dull weather will lower the temperature needlessly, and unless fires are put on the warmth needful for ripening the Grapes cannot be maiutained. We advise you not to nail up the front and west sashes. It is very important that a greenhouse, and, indeed, every plant structure, should be well ventilated. LlLTUM AURATUM AND LANCIFOLIUM TREATMENT (C. M. Major).— We consider the best time to repot these plants is as soon as the stems turn yellow in autumn. Cut down the stems, remove all the old soil that comos away freely, and that above the crowns, along with any roots on the stem and offsets, but all the roots below the bulb should be pre- served. Drain the pot well, and pot in a mixture of light fibrous loam two parts, one part sandy peat or leaf soil, and one part old cow dung or well-rotted manure, with a free admixture of sharp sand. The plants should be so potted that a space of 2 or 3 inches above the bulbs will be left for top-dressing. They should have a gentle watering and be placed in a cool house, and kept there with but little water until they begin to grow in spring ; then water so as to keep the soil moist, increasing the supply with the growth. Abundance of air should be given, and if the plants be kept cool they will flower all the better, the top-dressing being given when they begin showing roots from the stem above the crown. The same compost as that used for potting will answer very well. The soil should be kept moderately moist in winter, but avoid souring it at any time by too frequent heavy waterings. Vallota purpurea Culture {Idem).— We presume your plants are growing freely, but you cannot get them to flower. Having now made a good growth, place them in a light airy position, and give no more water than enough to keep the leaves from flagging, with an inclination to dryness, and continue this treatment up to the end of August, when your plants Bhould be starting for flower; if they do not, continue them in the same pots, and give just enough water to keep the foliage fresh. In winter they merely require a light position in a house with a temperature of from 4(<° to 45°. In summer they need plenty of light, and a good supply of water when making their growth and until it is perfected, then dryness. An ordinary greenhouse will grow them well. Insects (C. E. E.).— Your " nigger " is the larva of one of the Carabidse, and as it feeds on other insects and worms, you cannot do better than preserve them if you find others. {J. T. S ).— The Beech leaves have been attacked by the minute black jumping weevil, Grcbestes Fagi, the larva of which lives within the leaf, eating the parenchyma, and making large blister-like blotches. When full-grown it spins a white silken cocoon of the size of a pea at the edge of the leaf. The little beetles are now making their appearance out of their cocoons. They also feed on the leaf, gnawing round holes. (E. Hazzard). — Your moth is the Humming- bird Hawk Moth, which has been somewhat common during the last two or three years. It is quite harmless to your flowers. (L. H.). — Your Cecropia moth survived the loss of its head on the same principle that the common daddy-long-legs seems so indifferent to the loss of its limbs. The nervous mass is, in fact, in insects not concentrated as in the higher animals into the brain, but is distributed in knots along the whole length of the body. The respiratory apertures along the whole length of the sides of the creature are not connected with the sense of feeling.— I. O. W. Names of Plants (South Devon).-— The commonest of Ferns, Poly- podium vulgare. POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. SPALDING POULTRY SHOW. In reply to Mr. Patrick's communication last week respecting the loss of sickle feathers in his birds after exhibition at this Show, permit me to assure him that the most careful investi- gation fails to discover any possibility of such a thing having occurred while they were in the custody of our Committee. Evidently the occurrence must have taken place in transit, and our Committee will gladly add another £5 to Mr. Patriok's to secure the conviction of the perpetrator of this spiteful aot, and will take care that the rewards are duly announced in Mr. Patrick's neighbourhood as well as our own. It seems rather strange if, as Mr. Patrick states, the same thing occurred to his birds last year, that he Bent them again, and neither at that time nor when sending them this year made any com- plaint nor remark on the subject. The perpetrator would seem July 7, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 17 to have been actuated by personal feeling against Mr. Patrick, as neither at our late nor any of the previous shows have we heard the slightest complaint of any other birds having been injured or tampered with. — Edmd. Cammack, Poultry Secretary, THE POULTRY FANCY IN CANADA. The other day I noticed the publication of the first number of a new poultry journal iu the United States, as an evidence of the growth of " the fancy " across the water. I have just received by mail the announcement of another journal to be published in Canada. The first number is to be published on the 1st of July, under the title of the Canadian Poultry Chronicle, but it will also be open to matter relating to Pigeons, birds, dogs, Rabbits, and similar subjects. The paper is to appear monthly, and the subscription price is one dollar-and-a- half per annum. I imagine that the readiest way of remitting subscriptions from England would be a money order for 6s. The address is Box 25, Post-office, Toronto. The embryo journal and its editors (whose names are not yet disclosed), are strongly recommended by several well-known Canadian fanciers, including Colonel Hassard, whose able address, or paper, read to some of the colonial breeders was reported in the Journal some time back. All eminent breeders should take in both of these trans- atlantic papers. Apart from all other considerations, I can assure them, from personal kuowledge, that the poultry fancy is making rapid strides across the water, and that the American market will offer a valuable and most lucrative channel for the disposal of good surplus stock. I say good, for the exportation of mere " screws " assuredly will not pay, but will entail both disgrace and loss.— L. Wright. TESTIMONIAL TO MR. DIXON. About two years ago a well-merited tribute was paid to one of oar leading poultry judges, and I think the present a well-timed oppor- tunity for a similar mark of esteem to be paid to another gentleman, who is well known as one of the founders of the fancy ; who for a great number of years was the leading exhibitor ; and who, at pre- sent, is one of our most accomplished judges. I think I need scarcely say I refer to James Dixon, Esq., of Bradford. Mr. Dixon being a gentleman of means, I think the testimonial ought to take some other shape than money, bat the exact form can be left for subsequent consideration, and under these circumstances the amount of subscription will be limited to 10s. 67?., bat smaller sums will, of course, be received. The amount is placed thus low to enable all classes of fanciers and exhibitors to show their appreciation of his services. — E. Hutton, Pudsey, Leeds. BEES ATTACKING CHICKENS. Your correspondent, Mr. J". Elcome, has inquired whether any of your readers has heard of bees attacking fowls. In 1845 I put a hen under a coop with a large brood of chickens near a bee hive, and thoy had not been near each other above a day when the bees made a most violent attack upon the chickens, and killed several of them ; in fact, I do not recollect whether any of them escaped. It was a warning to me never again to place chickens near a bee hive. — Senex. BURNLEY POULTRY SHOW. This was held on Juue 30th, and was well attended by exhibitors, there being upwards of 280 entries of Poultry, Pigeons, and Rabbits. The following are the awards : — Game. — Black or Brown-Reds. — 1 and he, C. "W. Brierlev, Middleton. 2, J. Bron«h. Carlisle. Cock.— 1 and 2, C. W. Brierlev. he, J. Broujrh. Any other Vancty.— Cock— \, C. W. Brierley. Hen.—1, C. W. Brierley. 2. R. Whittam, Burnley. Spanish. — 1, H. Wilkinson, Earby. 2, W. Bearpark, Ainderby Steeple. Dorking.— 1, J. Stott. Healey, Rochdale. % W. Bearpark. Cochin- China.— 1 and 2, J. G. Broxup, Burnley. Hamburgh.— Golden-spangled —1, H. Pickles, jun., Earby, Skipton. 2, W. Driver, Keighley. he, N. Marlor, Denton, Manchester. Golden-pencilled.— 1 and 2. H. Pickles, jun. he, W. Clayton, Keighley, c, F. S. Driver. 8ilver-y>an'jled.—l, J. Fielding, Newchurch, Rossen- dale. 2 and he, H. Pickles, jun. Silver-pencilled.— 1. F. & C. Haworth, New- field, Haslmguen. 2 and he, H. Pickles, jun. Black— 1, N. Marlor, Denton. 2, H. W. Illingvyorth, Idle, Leeds, he, D. Lord, Stacksteads. Manchester. Brahma Pootra.— 1. J. H. Pickles, Birkdale, Southport. 2, E. Leech, Rochdale. Bantam.— Game —Cock.— I, Harwood & Buckley. Accrin:d.—l, and 2, H. Beidon. Polish.—!. Cup, and 2, H. Beidon. he, J. Watts ; J. M. Proctor, Hull. French Fowls.— 1, Mrs. J. Cross. Br gg. 2, J. Elgar, Newark, he, H. Wynham, Wawne (2). c, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. Brahma.— 1, G. F. White- house, King's Heath. 2, J. Etear. he. H. Beidon ; H. Lingwood ; W. Gamon ; Dr. J. Holmes, Whitecoats, Chesterfield, c, J. H. Dawes, Moseley Hall. Any other Variety. — 1, R. Loft, Woodmansev (Sultans). 2, W. Collver, Dubb, Bingley (Black Hamburshs). he, H. W. iilingworth, Idle, Leeds; J. Smith. Selling Class.— 1, H. Wyndham (Creve-Cceur). 2, T. C. & E. Newbitt (Spanish fowls), he, W. A. Taylor, c, H. Beidon : G. Loft ; W. Boyes. Game Bantam.— 1, W. F. Entwisle, Westfield, Cleckbeaton. 2, J. Oldrovd, Wakefield. C, J. Stabler, Driffield. Cock.— 1, and Cup, W. Adams, Ipswich. 2, J. R. Robinson, Sunderland, he, W. F. Entwisle ; G. Shrimpton, Leiuhton Buzzard. Bantam. —1, T. C. & E. Newbitt (Black Bantams). 2, H. Beidon (Light Japanese). he, T.C. Harrison, Hull: J. Watts (Sebrights); S. & R. Ashton, Roe Cross, Mottram. c, J. Watts (Booted Bantams); S. S. Mossop, Long Sutton. Ducks. — Aylesbury.— 1, Mrs. Seamons. 2. W. Stonehouse. he, E. Leech; J.K. Fowler(2) ; Mrs. Seamons. Rouen.— 1, J. White. 2, J. K. Fowler, he, E. Leech. Any other Varietu.—l, R. W. Richardson (Carolinas). 2, T. C.Harrison (Bahamas). he, R. W. Richardson (Widgeon); T. C. Harrison (Mandarin), c, S. & R. Ashton (Garganeys) ; J. K, Fowler (Carolina). PIGEONS. Carrier— Cock.— 1, H. Yardlev. Birmingham. 2, J. F. White, Birmingham. S, and he, J. C Ord, Pimlico. c, W. R. & H. O. Blenkinsop, Newcastle. Hen.— 1 and 3, J. C. Ord 2, H. Yardley. he, H. Headley. Leicester, c, T. H. Frean, Liverpool. Pouter.— Coefc.— I, H. Yardley. 2, H. Beidon. 3, S. Robson, Brotherton. Hen.— 1, H. Beidon. 2, Withheld. 3. F Key. Almond.— Co c k.— 1, H. Adams. 2, F. Key. 3, J. Ford, c, J. Ford ; H. Adams ; H. Headley. Hen.— I, H. "Adams. 2 and 3, J. Ford. Tumrlers.— Cock.— 1 and 2, H. Adams. 3, H. Beidon. Hen.— 1, H. Beidon. 2 and 3. H. Adams. Barbs .— 1, H. Yardley. 2, H. Headley. 3, No comDetition. Foreign Owls.— 1 and extra, H. Adams. 2, F. Key. 3, H. Beidon. he, H. Yardlev; J. M Proctor. English Owls.— 1, A. Jackson, Heaton, Bolton-le-Moor. 2, J. Watts. R, Messrs. Blenkinsop. he, H. Yardley. Fantails.— 1, Mrs. H. Adams. 2 and 3, H. Yardlev. he, H. Bel- don, c, T. H. Frean. Jacobins.— 1, R. Bellamy, Leven. 2, R. Sanders, Leren. 8. H. Yardley. Trumpeters.— 1, S. Robson. 2. H. Beidon. 3, T. Statters, Hull. Turbits.— 1, Messrs. Blenkinsop. 2, R, W. Richardson. 3. F. W. Mertcali, Cambridge, he, A. A. Vander Meersch (Yellow); R. W. Richardson. Dba(JOON8. 18 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 7, 1870. — 1, H. Adams. 2, R. W. Richardson. 8, H. Yardley. c, H. Beldon: T. H. Frean. Antwerpb.— 1 and 2, H. Yardley. 3, T. Statters. he, H. Yardlev ; J. Watts. Nuns.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, E. O. Davis, Kingston-upon-Hull. 3, H. Adams, he, W. Charter, Driffield. Any other Variety.— 1, H. Beldon (Black Fairies). 2, H. Headley (Isabels). 3, G. H. "Within trton, Kersal Hill, Man- chester (Runts), he, J. Watts ; H Adams ; R. W. Richardson, c, T. H. Frean ; J. Watte ; Messrs. Hudson & Bunnip, Epworth ; H. Yardley. Selling Class. — 1, H. Adams (White Dragoons). 2, J. Watts (Mane Pigeons). 3, H. Yardley (Hyacinths), he, H. Beldon. c, G. H. Withington; H. Yardley; R. W. Richardson ; Mrs. H. Adams. CANARIES. Belgian.— 1. F. Tritschler, Beverley. 2 and c, W. Needier, Hull, he, J. Downs, Beverley. Half-bred.— 1, Mrs, Pierson, Beverley, he, J. Downs, c, 3. Powell, Beverley: Mrs. Grant, Beverley. Marked.— 1, — Jefferies, Market WeigMon. 2, W. Bielby, Willow Grove, he, J. S. Petch. c, — Widdall, Beverley. Ant other Variety.— 1, A. Lewis, Hull. 2, Miss Young, Driffield. he, MisB E. Campey, Beverley, c, Mrs. J. Powell, Beverley. Nest of Young. — Clear. — 1, T. Neall, Beverley. 2, J, Downs, he, Mrs. Pierson, Beverley, c, J. Campey, Beverley. Marked.— I, J. Sykes, Market Weighton. 2, Miss E. Brushy, he, Mrs. Pierson. c.T.Campey. Goldfinch. — 1, J. Campey. 2, Mrs. Pottage, Beverley. hct Miss A. Holmes, c. Miss L. Holmes. Goldfinch Mule. — Variegated.— 1 and 2, W. Needier, he, J. S. Petch. Dark.— 1, J. S. Petch. 2, Miss Widdall. he and e, T. Neall. Extra Stock. — he, Mrs. W. Dale, Beverley (Paroquet); W. Dale, Beverley (Waxbills); G. B. Holmes; Wilson and Sons, Hull; Mrs. Pierson (Cage of Birds). The whole class worthy of prizes. The Judge was Edward Hewitt, Esq., of Eden Cottage, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. BARNSTAPLE POULTRY SHOW. This was held on the 29th and 30th of Jane, in connection with a horticultural show. The prize list is as follows : — Cochin-China.— 1, F. Brewer. Lostwithiel. 2, W. L. Trewin, Barnstaple. Brahmab.— 1, J. Beard, St. Blazey. 2, Mrs. Smith, Camplebury, Tavistock. Malays, or Indian Game.— 1, A. Snell, Bishop's Tawton. 2 and c, H. Darch, Stratton. Game.— Black-breasted Reds.— 1, J. Boyle. Barnstaple. 2, J. Beard. Any otlier Variety— 1, Rev. G. S. Cruwys, Cruwys Morchard, Tiverton. 2, J. Westacott, Barnstaple. Dorkings.— Coloured.— 1, Mrs. Smith. 2, A. C. Thinne, Penstowe, Stratton, Spanish. — 1, G. Tonkin, Bristol. 2, S. K. Harris. Minorcas— 1, G. Britton. 2, H. Pearce, Barbican. Andalubian.— 1, J. PerriD, Barnstaple. 2. G. Parkin. French. — 1, Mrs. Smith. 2, T. K. Barnes, CattiBtock, Dorchester. Polands.— 1, T. Jacobs, Newton Abbot. 2 and c, J. Beard, he, Mrs. Smith. Hambcrghs.— Golden-pencilled— 1, S. R, Harris, Cus- parne. 2, N. Barter, Plymouth, c, J. Oliver, Bideford. Silver-pencilled.— I, S. R. Harris. 2, J. Walters, Bideford. Golden-sjmngled. — 1, W. J. Medwav, Newton Abbot. 2, S. R. Harris. Silver-spangled.— 1, S. R. Harris. 2, J. Woodley. Stratton. Any other Variety except Bantams.— 1, W. Littlejohns, Pilton. 2, W. L. Trewin, Kilkhainpton. 3, T. H. Shorston, Falmouth. 4, J. H. Nicholls. Bantams.— Game.— I, W. Mudge, Blagdon. 2, E. M. Webber, Exeter. S, J. Croote. Any other Variety.— 1 and 2, Rev. G. S. Cruwys. S, S. Woodman, Barnstaple, c, R. L. Hole, Hannaford. Turkeys.— 1, A. C. Thinne. 2, Mrs. Smith. Guinea Fowls.— 1, T. J. Dennis. 2, O. A. Young, Driffield. Geese. —Any Variety.— 1, L. Witheeombe, Buckland Brewer. 2, R. B. Molesworth, Bideford. Docks.— Rouen or Aylesbury.— I, S. R. Harris. Lostwithiel. 2, A. E. Hawken. 3. M. F. Macgregor. Bideford. Farmyard.— 1, Mies Webber, Exeter. 2, J. E. Hawken. Selling Class. — Cockerel.— 1, S. R, Harris. 2, J. E. Hawken. Hen or Pullet.— 1, T. Brewer. 2, G. H. Gregory, Taunton, he, J. Medway, Newton Abbot. PIGEONS. Carriers.— 1, Master C Bulpin. 2, H Yardley, Birmingham, he, Miss F. J. Bulpin, Bridge water. Pouters. — 1, Miss F. J. Bulpin. 2, Mrs. M. J. Bulpin. c, Master C. W. S. Bulpin. Tumblers.— 1, Master C. W. S. Bulpin, Bridge- water. 2, H. YaiMley. lie, W. Westacott, jun., Barnstaple. Barbs.— 1, H. Yardley. 2 and he, J. L. Smith Jacobins.— 1, W. Westacott, jun. 2, H. Yardley. he, Master C. W. S. Bulpin. Owls.— 1, J. L. Smith, Newport, Barn- staple. 2, W. Westacott, jun. Fantails.— 1, Master C. Bulpin. 2, J. S. Sleath, Barnstaple. Jut, Miss F.J. Buloiii ; H. Yardley. Trumpeters.— 1, Mrs. M. J, Bulpin. 2, W. Mudge. he, H. Yardley; G. H. Gregory, Taunton. Turbits.— 1, J. G. Price, Taunton. 2, C. Bulrun. Nuns.— 1, C. Bulpin. 2, Mrs. M. J. Bulpin. c, H. Yardley. Any other Variety. — 1, H. Yardley. 2, G. H. Gregory. British and Foreign Cage and other Birds.— 1, No. 231. 2, A. Nicholls, Newport, Barnstaple. Judges. — Dr. Scott and the Rev. G. F. Hodson. BELFAST POULTRY SHOW. The North-east of Ireland Agricultural Association held its annnal meeting at Belfast on June 23rd and 24th. The number of entries in nearly every department was greater than at any previous Show. Most of the poultry classes were well represented, and nearly all contained more or less good birds. The challenge cup, value ten guineas, was won by Mr. Mulligan, of Springfield, near Belfast. This gentleman showed some very good birds, and he took all the first prizes for Ducks and ducklings with birds which were very perfect both in plumage and bill. The Dorliiif/ class contained twelve pens, mostly Silver-Greys, and some of them very good and large. The prize pens in the Spanish class were good, but the rest of the class inferior. The Cochins were the best class, in the Show, and besides the three prize pens, four pens were highly commended, and one com- mended. The Brahmas were not a large class, bat the prize pens were above the average. The Hamburgh cfesses were not np to the mark, but we suppose they are a breed not much kept in Ireland. Some of the Game were very good ; the best hen in the clasB was in the second- prize pen, but she was matched with one of very middling quality. We would suggest in future shows, that in the Game classes only one hen should be required. The Geese and Ducks were good. Dorking (Any colour).— 1 and 3, G. Martin, Castlereagh (Silver Grey). 2, W. Charley, DHiimurrv. he, W. G. Mulligan. Chickens.—!, G. Martin ( Silver-Grey ). 2, F. H. Green, Belfast. Spanish— 1 and 3, W. G. Mulligan. 2, F. H. Green. Chiekem.— 1 and 2, W. G. Mulligan. S, G. Martin, he, G. Martin. Cochin- china.—!, F. H. Green (Lemon-coloured). 2 and S, W. G. Mulligan (Buff). he, F. H. Green (Partridge); S. T. Scott, Belfast; R. Long, Belfast (White) ; G. A. Perrin. Cliantillv, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin, c. R. Long. Brahma Pootra.— 1, F. H. Green (i)ark). 2 and 8, W. G. Mulligan (Dark). Scotch Greys.— 1, R. Long. 2, and 3, W. G. Mulligan, he, G. Martin. H*mburgh.— Silver-spangled.— 1, F. H Green. 2 and 8, W. J. Davison, Belfast. Silver- pencilled.— 1 and 2. C. E. M'Clintock, Glendaragh, Crumlin. 3. W. J. Davison. Golden-spangled.— 1,W. J. Davison. 2 and 3, F. H. Green. Golden-pencilled. 1, F. H. Green. 2, G. Martin. 8, W. J. Davison, e, E. M'Clintock. Game (Any colour).— 1, C. E. M'Clintock (Black-breasted Red). 2 and S, G. A. Perrin (Duck- wings and Brown Reds), he, C. E. M'Clintock (Black-breasted Reds); R. Long; G. A. Perrin (Black Red). Bantams (Any breed).—!, G. A. Perrin. 2, W. G. Mulligan (Black Red), c, F. H. Green; R. Long. Polands.— Silver^ crested Spangled.— I, and 3, F. H. Green. 2, G. A. Perrin. vhe, F. H. Green. Golden-crested Spangled— 1, F. H. Green. Chickens.— 1, W. G. Mulligan. 2, G. Martin. Turkeys.— 1, Marquis of Downshire, Hillsborough Castle (Cam- bridge). Geese— 1. G. A. Perrin. 2, W. G. Mulligan (Toulouse), he, G. A- Perrin. c, W. G. Mulligan (Toulouse). Ducks.— Aykshiiry.—l and 2, W. G. Mulligan. 8. R.N. Batt, Belfast. Ducklings.— 1 and 2, W. G. Mulligan. 8, W. Charley, Dunmurry. Rouen.— 1 and 3, W. G. Mulligan. 2, R. Long, he, G. Martin, c, G. Martin. Ducklings.^ 1, W. G. Mulligan. 2, G. Martin. Ulster Challenge Cup. — For the winner of the greatest number of points in the Poultry Classes. Points to be counted as follows :— viz, For each First Prize, four points ; Second, two points ; Third, one point.— W. G. Mulligan. Judges. — Mr. A. Paterson, Chapel Street, Airdrie, Scotland ; Mr* A. Glass, Ayr, Scotland ; and Mr. J. Dixon, North Park, Clayton Bradford. INTRODUCING LIGURIAN QUEENS. A few days previous to the receipt of two imported Liguriau queens, kindly obtained for me from Switzerland by Mr. Wood- bury, I made two artificial swarms from old stocks of black bees. I received the queens on the 2nd of Jane, and at once intro- duced them to their future subjects, taking the precaution, however, in accordance with Mr. Woodbury's suggestion, of imprisoning them, each in a little wire cage {a pipe cover), be- fore placing them between the brood combs. At the expiration of twenty-four hours I released the queens, and setting them free allowed them to run away and conceal themselves from view in a cluster of bees, each in her respective hive. Presum- ing that they were well received, and that they commenced laying eggs at once, it was to be expected that worker bees, the produce of the imported queens, would be hatched on or about June 23rd, and accordingly I have been upon the watch for them ever since that date. Yesterday (27th of June), I had the great satisfaction of observing young bees beautifully marked, and in considerable numbers, clustering upon the combs and contiguous to the glass back or door of the hives, thereby assuring me of the perfect success of this highly in- teresting experiment. To-day (28th of June) in the bright sunshine, as I write, these young bees are playing about at the entrance of the hives. Both of these stocks are so very strong that it is not improbable that they may send forth a natural swarm; and although the proverb speaks disparagingly of a July Bwarm, yet my expe- rience is that such a swarm, with a little careful nursing and feeding in the autumn and early spring, will form in the follow- ing year as thriving and populous a stock as does a swarm that has issued in May. I may add that up to the present time the honey season in this locality (Honiton) has been exceptionally favourable. I have a glass super, the capacity of which is about 2 cubic feet, and which is now completely filled with honeycomb. I esti- mate its weight at not less than 100 lbs. The stock of bees, of which this super is the produce, consists of an artificial swarm taken last year from a stock into which a Liguriau queen im- ported from Como was introduced in the previous year. — Re c tou. BEES LEAVING THEIR HIVE. Having purchased a beautiful Italian queen last autumn, guaranteed not more than a month old before importation, I successfully united her to a well-provisioned black stock of bees, and saw young Italians in December. They continued to increase until February, when they gradually decreased until the beginning of this month (June), when the few remaining bees, with the queen, left the hive and alighted close by. I immediately captured her majesty and restored her to the deserted hive, and the bees returned quietly, but the next day left again, flew away, and were entirely lost. They left two combs with brood in every stage of progress, also honey and pollen, but no drone brood, neither did they ever breed any drones. I hived a black swarm of bees the next day in the deserted hive and combs, and they are doing well. What was the cause ? The Italians did not do the same. Are the Italians better bees for breeding and gathering honey in this country than the common black bees? — A. A. [This appears a very inexplicable occurrence. From whom did you obtain the queen, and how was the vendor enabled to guarantee her exact age when imported ?] Early Supers. — With reference to recent letters on this subject in the Journal, it may interest some of your readers if I Jnly 7, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE! AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 19 give the result of my own experience. On the 7th May last, I placed a super box on a Stewarton hive. It had in it a small piece of last year's comb, and perhaps a pound of honey. I removed this super on the 28th May, exactly three weeks afterwards, and it contained 18J lbs. of honey, nett weight. — Richard Mills, Swanley, Kent. BAR FRAMES versus EARLY SUPERS. Referring to the account of an early super in Nos. 481 and 482, Journal of Horticulture, it might be interesting to some of your readers to learn that I have this year used no supers of any kind, and nearly all my hives are Pettitt's bar- frame hives, with the ten and the thirteen frames. On the 15th June I took from one of the ten-frame hives (which was a stock transferred from a straw hive this spring), six of the frames well filled with honey and well sealed over, the six combs weighing 39} lbs. In exchange for the fix fall frames I put in six empty ones, which I find on examination to-day are nearly all full, and will in a few days, I think, realise a similar weight ; but I shall not take more than five combs in this in- stance, leaving the bees five for their use during winter. I have generally considered five or six of these bar-frames suffi- cient for their consumption in winter, and they contain about donble the comb-building space that is found in some of the common straw hives. On the loth of June I went to the hive above referred to with the intention of forming from it an artificial colony, but found the combs so full of honey that there was no room left for brood, and in all this ten-frame hive there was none found, excepting on one comb about 3 inches square, which was oc- cupied by brood on either side, or about 18 square inches. I therefore thought it best to appropriate the bix combs to my own use, and try on the other six rather than to make a swarm with bo little brood in it. — Sudbury. VEGETABLES BETTER THAN NOTHING. [W SHOULD THINK SO ! EDS.] Undoubtedly great sustenance can be derived from vege- tables. Vegetarians can give us many examples to prove that not only will vegetable matter alone sustain life, but that meat is injurious. Without going so far, I limit myself to one or two instances, proving that we are not absolutely dependent on meat, and that in its absence, or a very small quantity of it, good health and strength can be secured. Yolney, a well-known though not a recent authority, describes the Wallachians in his travels as "tall, well-built, robust, and of a very wholesome complexion, diseases being rare .among them." Further on we are told, "the manners of the Wallachians, as far as I have been able to judge them, are simple, and neither embellished nor sullied by art. Temperate in their repasts, they prefer vegetables to fruit, and fruits to the most delicate meat." The miners in Belgium furnish another good example. They eat, according to a report made in the locality, 2 lbs. of bread per day, about 2 ozs. of butter, 1 oz. of coffee and chicory mixed, while for dinner they have in the evening a portion of vegetables mixed with potatoes, weighing at the most 1£ lb. They have meat on Sundays and festivals, but during the week they drink neither beer nor other fermented liquors. Coffee is their only beverage. Yet these workmen are hardy and healthy. It is not the coffee which sustains them, for it constitutes but l-35th of the nutri- tious property of their aliment, though M. de Gasparin, in a paper read some years ago before the French Academy of Sciences, attempted to prove, from certain tables, that the waste in liquid excretion is less when coffee is drunk than at other times. The miners' coffee is not like the French cafe ait lait, for it has but l-10th part of milk in it; he drinks several pints in a day, and eats only bread and butter until the vegetable meal of the evening. The albuminous substance which enters into the rations of the Belgian miner is thus reduced from 23 grammes to 15 grammes of azote. This is less nutritious even than the diet of the monks of La Trappe at Aiguebelle. Here is, there- fore, proof that life and health can exist throughout a whole population with less nutritive substance than is generally con- sidered necessary ; that meat can well be replaced by vegetable and farinaceous matter. But it will be argued, that the im- poverished British workman and pauper will object to the diet of the Belgian miner. In answer, however, might it not be suggested that the Belgian acts with greater wisdom when he preserves his health and spirits even on such a miserable diet, than the Englishman who, constantly aiming at nothing less than the sirloin, falls short of the goal, and consoles himself with spirituous liqours ? There is fortunately a medium course, and much despair might be avoided if our poor, and indeed some of the lower middle classes, knew better how to combine vegetable substances, and produce excellent meals, without any assistance at all from the butcher. Occasionally a good wholesome vege- table diet would be better than nothing; and, by refreshing the blood and assuaging thirst, would lessen the temptation of drink, always so great in moments of feverish anxiety, poverty, and want. Without adopting the miner's diet, many a good meal can he made for a few pence from vegetables, cooked with more heart than at present shown. It would take too long to analyse all the different vegetables at hand ; but I will, on a future occa- sion, return to the subject, and for the present content myself with a few practical examples illustrative of my meaning. For a cheap, yet tasty and substantial dish, let me suggest that the housewife grate two carrots, two turnips, one parsnip, a little beetroot and artichoke into one pint of split peas, boiled in two quarts of soft water for two hours. The whole might then he boiled with three teaspoonfuls of Indian, wheaten, or Scotch meal, mixed in cold water, leaving it to simmer together for two hours more; a little parsley, mint, and thyme will flavour the dish. More water might be added if necessary. This some- what complicated " hodge-podge" would well satisfy a middle- class family, and cost less, at any rate, than a joint. It would not do, perhaps every day, but might occasionally save the meat and avoid the horror at stinting at dinner. For a cheaper dish, why should not the lentil be introduced for everyday use in Eng- land as in France ? For instance let a pint of lentils be soaked in pure soft water for twenty-four hours, then put in a stewpan (earthen or enamelled is best), and boil for four hours. Then two onions, one parsnip, one carrot, a little parsley, thyme cut small, and a small quantity of boiled rice should be added. This, mixed and boiled a short time together, would produce a satisfying and savoury dish, somewhat better than tho diet of the Belgian miner, and yet very cheap. Lentils are about the most nutritious vege- table we possess. In 100 lbs. they contain 84 lbs. of solid matter, and 16 lbs. of water, of which 33 lbs. are flesh-forming, and 48 of heat-forming principle ; while butchers' meat, according to Baron Liebig's table, has but 21.5 lbs. per cent, of flesh-forming principle, and 14.3 that gives heat. The rice has 82 per cent, of the heat- forming principle. Compared with these, the other vegetables are more useful as giving water, flavour, and rendering the dish light and digestible. The celebrated Indian and Chinese dish called dahl, has also lentils for its chief ingredient, and is purely of vegetable matter. It is substantial and delicious, and is made as follows: — Stew a quart of split lentils till they form a thick soup ; have ready a pound of rice, well boiled in milk, and drained off as dry as possible. Shake the rice up loosely in a dish, and, after mixing an ounce of curry powder with the lentils, pour the lentil soup over the rice and serve it up. Dishes, cheaper even than these, may be made palatable. Before concluding, however, there is one important objection which has often been made, through ignorance of the first rule in cooking vegetables. It is observed that a meal from them is not satisfying. I have found it frequently happen that the person who thus objected, did not know even how to boil a vegetable. The rule is simple, but must never be forgotten. Every kind of vegetable intended to be served whole should, when put to boil, be placed at once in boiling water ; and this applies especially to potatoes, and vegetables from which the outer cover has been removed. Now it often happens that potatoes, &c, are, to save time placed in cold water and left to boil gradually. It is just this which allows the nutritious matter to escape, and renders the meai unsatisfying. When, on the contrary, the water boils from the moment the vegetable is immersed in it, the albumen is parti- ally coagulated near the surface, and serves to retain the virtue of the vegetable. The reverse is, of course, the rule for making soup, or any dish from which the water will not be drained. By placing the vegetables in cold water the albumen is slowly dissolved, and actually mixes with the water — a process most necessary for the production of nutritious soup. It is to be, hoped that the poor, who have a special need for the most their money can produce, will learn, in whatever haste they may be, not to boil all the albumen from their potatoes, reserving for their meal only the starchy matter. — (Food Journal.) OUR LETTER BOX. Separating Chickens (C.B.).— The time at which yon require to breed stock birds mast influence you in separating your chickeus. There is however, no fear if they are but two months old. As a role with birds of 20 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 7, 1870. that age, October will be soon enocgh. The cord was folly described in one of our early numbers of "Rational Poultry-keeping" (see page 365 of last volume). If you do not mean to breed again from the parent cock, the sooner he is removed the better. Inflamed Egg-organs (Ipstoick).— We cannot better answer your question than by giving the following quotation from the " Poultry- keepers' Manual" : — " bymptoms, the hen going on to the nest without laying ; having a straddling gait ; laying Bhell-less eggs ; dropping eggs from perch or elsewhere. Cause, overfeeding. Another cause is eating the seeds of grapes, or grain affected with ergot. We once knew a yard of Dorkings having an extensive grass run. They all laid shell-less eggs, and the pullets evidently had over-excited egg-organs, the eggs were distorted, and addled eggs, almost without exception, characterised every sitting. We believe the seeds of the grasses were affected with ergot. It may be necessary to explain to some of our readers that ergot is a fungoid substance, which completely changes the composition of the grass seed which it attacks." Eggs of Pigeons for Sale (Qls—pe).— We have only known Pigeons' eggs to be bought by boys at the bird shops, the dealers not wishing the Pigeons to breed in the cages. We should scarcely think valuable eggs are to be bought, as the bird laying but two, there are none to spare. Exhibiting Diseased Pigeons (Constant Reader). — We think that diseased birds, of whatsoever sort they be, ought not to be exhibited for many reasons, such as fear of contagion, unsightliness, &c. The Carrier alluded to must have been by far the best bird, so the judge acted rightly. It was for the committee to have interfered, as they make the rules. Carriers at Spalding.— Mr. Massey says we printed his notes erro- neously, and that the line commencing " I rather gave the preference, &c." refers to Mr. Ord's bird, and not, as it now reads in the printing, to Mr. Fulton's. Cock Carrier Pigeons at Spalding {An Exhibitor). — Perhaps it was a mere mistake of the printer of the prize catalogue, and it ought to have been printed thus — " three years," instead of " three months." Food for Young Skylarks Feeding Themselves (A Subscriber).— German paste, stale bread crumbs, and the yolk of hard-boiled egg, mixed together ; fresh water should be given separately, and as they grow larger, supply occasionally two or three mealworms and a few ants' eggs. Barley meal should not be given. Young Nightingales (Idem).— The yolk of hard-boiled egg, raw beef chopped fine, stale bread crumbs grated fine— the same as put on fried soles — mixed together, and about two mealworms a-day ; occasionally a few ants' eggs. As they grow older they will require more mealworms. There are very few British and foreign birds that will agree together in an aviary. Canaries not Singing (T. S. J.).— The fact of the Canaries being placed so that they can see each other ought not to interfere with their singing. On the contrary, if they are in health and "fresh," they Bbould Bing one in opposition to the other, rather than maintain a prolonged silence. You can Bolve the question for yourself by altering the position of the cages ; or if that be inconvenient, nothing can be more simple than to cover one side of either cage so that the respective tenants cannot take stock of each other. In their privacy they might be induced to compare notes — that is very nearly a pun ! Discontinue the bread and milk, and boiled carrot and. egg — in fact, all messes. More birds are injured by over than by under-feeding Give only canary and rape, with Buch green food as may be in season. — W. A. Blakston. Cock Goldfinches Tapping the Eggs (C. S. De Witt). — The nest suggested by our transatlantic correspondent is a modification of one long in use among Mule-breeders here. I refer to what is known as a " drop- nest." It is simply an ordinary circular tin nest box, in the bottom of which there is a hole, and to the bottom is attached a tin box containing cotton wool, swan'B down, or any soft material, into which the egg falls. This box or canister is easily detached from the nest, and the egg can then be removed. I would not advise the substitution of a cloth recep- tacle, for both birds will be unceasing in their attacks on it, one in quest of a shred or two for her nest, and the other from sheer mischief. The first contrivance of the kind I attempted was a combination of a tin nest and the leg of one of " Jacky's" stockings, which I purloined for the purpose. I thought my apparatus was perfection : unique it certainly was. Next day I found my little Blocking hanging in threads eur- mounted by a very neat nest manufactured from the ruins, but no egg. My impression was then and is now, that the Goldfinch knew something about the disappearance of that egg. He was in fine voice that morning {of course, owing to the raw egg), and as he Bat on the edge of the nest, woven with infinitely more skill than the poor little stocking, he gave such sly looks and Buch whisks with his tail, that one was driven to the conclusion that he was crowing over the demolition of the bag and the abstraction of its contents. No one ought to attempt Mule-breeding without httviog his bead phrenologically examined, and if patience and hope be not largely developed, do not begin. Too mueh care cannot be taken of a Mul-j egg. Who knows what it may produce ? I never yet knew one to be broken but a prize bird was considered as lost. The hatching of each succeeding nest gives rise to the wildest surmises as to the value of its contents. Daily and hourly the faintest dark Bpeck is looked for, and I have even surprised an enthusiast in bis sanctum making microscopic investigations. But nothing can exceed the happi- ness of tint man who, after a fortnight or three weeks of most anxious suspense, can quietly compose himself in his arm-chair, coolly comb his beard, sip his coffee, and announce to eager inquirers " One even-marked and two clear in one nest!" And who shall toll the disappointment of the man who has— this season— bred fifty dark ones ? — W. A. Blakston. Commencing Bee-keeping (Marian). — Purchase from any neighbour- ing bee-keeper one or more first swarms which issued in May. It will, however, be best to defer their removal until autumn ; but if you are too impatient to wait, they should be tied up ia clothB of open texture (cheesecloth), and removed very carefully in the cool of the evening. If you can aeree with the vendor to do this at his own risk, so much the better, as the combs, being at thiB time new and heavy, are liable to fall if the hives are roughly handled. Supering at the Time of Hiving (A Regular Subscriber).— Much depends upon the size of the super. If it be but a small one, you have only followed the example of many apiarians, who adviBe its being pit on when the swarm is first hived. We, however, think it best in any case to defer it for a few days after hiving, so as to insure the new colony first commencing operations in the stock hive. The snp«r should be removed when full, or at any rate as Boon as the honey harvest is over, as it would do more harm than good to allow it to remain on during the winter. If, when a super is removed, the bees which it contains soon fall into confusion, and begin to return to the stock hive, all is probably right; but if, on the other hand, they remain quiet, whilst a commotion arises in the hive itself, the queen may be presumed to be in the super, which in this case should be returned, and the operation deferred until some more favourable opportunity. Artificial Swarm (T. Jacobs).— What we advised was to form an arti- ficial swarm by driving all the bees of one stock into an empty hive, and then to repeople the deserted hive by patting it in the place of another stock. What you appear to have done is to drive out a part, or, perhaps, nearly the whole of the bees, without taking any steps towards recruit- ing the exhausted population. Under these circumstances it is difficult to predict the ultimate result. From what you state, it seems most likely that the queen accompanied the expelled bees, and therefore if the remainder of the season be favourable, there seems no reason why the swarm should not do well. With regard to the old stock, the matter is far more uncertain. If sufficient bees remain to hatch out the brood, a queen will, probably, be reared, and all may be right. If, on the other hand, the remaining population is too scanty, most of the brood will become chilled, and the colony will be ruined. Should the stock survive until the autumn, it will, doubtless, be benefited by adding to it the bees of a condemned colony. Drone Slaughter (Dawlish), — A general massacre of drones shows that the honey harvest is now at a standstill, but it does not prove that the cessation is more than temporary. Successful Swarm (R. B. N).—A swarm hived on the 2nd of Junei and having gathered 24 lbs. of honey and wax by the 22nd, has done well. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS In the Suburbs of London for the week ending July 5th. THEBHOHETER. "Wind. Date BAROMETER. Air. Earth. Rain. Max. Min. Max. Min. lit. 2 ft. Wed... 29 29.991 29.971 76 43 62 58 N. .00 Thurs. . 80 29 977 29.961 72 41 62 58 N.W. .00 Fri. ... 1 29.945 29.936 68 86 61 58 N.W. .00 Sat. ... 2 29.937 29 896 72 87 59 57 N.W. .00 Sun. . . a 29B84 29.817 64 52 59 57 N.W. .04 Mon. . . i 29915 29.728 81 61 fit 57 W. .00 Tues. . 6 a.. 29.910 29.803 71 59 64 58 W. .10 Men 29.941 29.873 72.00 47.00 61.14 57.57 - 0.14 29.— Very fine ; cloudy but fine; clear Btarlight. SO. — Cloudy; fine, heavy clouds ; densely overcaBt. 1. — Fine, cloudy ; fine ; slight showers. 2.— Overcast ; cloudy but fine ; clear and fine. 3. — Densely overcast throughout; rain at night. 4. — Densely overcast ; damp ; cloudy ; overcast. 5. — Densely overcast ; drizzling rain ; overcast, Btrong wind. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— July 6. Markets are generally well attended, and a fair amount of business doing, the supply of Boft fruit having much improved during the past week. Hothouse produce ib ample, Pines and Grapes being largely sup- plied at lower prices. Continental goods comprise Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Melous, Cherries, and Figa. FRUIT. Apples J sieve 1 Apricots doz. 2 Cherries lb. 0 Chestnuts bushel 0 Currants i sieve 4 Blaok do. 0 Figs doz. 6 Filberts lb. 0 Cobs lb. 0 Gooseberries quart 0 Grapes, Hothouse.... lb. 3 Lemons ^100 8 Melons , each S Mulberries quart 0 Nectarines doz. 6 Oranges $* 100 7 Peaches doz. 10 Pears, kitchen doz. 0 dessert doz. 0 Pine Apples lb. S Plums 4 sieve 0 Quinces i doz. 0 Raspberries lb. 0 Strawberries ........lb. 0 Walnuts bushel 10 do -fcHOO 1 d. s. Otn 0 0 0 4 0 12 ii 14 0 IS (1 3 0 VEGETABLES. Artichokes doz. 3 Asparagus ^100 3 Beans, Kidney do. 1 Broad bushel S Beet, Red doz. 2 Broccoli bundle 0 Brussels Sprouts . . 4 sieve 0 Cabbage doz. 1 Capsicums ^ M0 0 Carrots bunch 0 Cauliflower doz. 2 Celery bundle 1 Coleworte..doz. bunches 3 Cucumbers each 0 pickling doz. 2 Endive doz. 2 Fennel bunch 0 Garlic lb. 0 Herbs bunch 0 i Horseradish .... bundle 8 d. s. 0to6 0 LeekB bunch Lettuce doz. Mushrooms pottle Mustard & CreBS. . punnet Onions bushel pickling quart ParBley sieve Parsnips doz. Peas quart Potatoes buBhel Kidney do. RadiBhee .. doz. bunches Rhubarb bundle Savoys doz. Sea-kale basket Shallots lb. Spinach bushel Tomatoes doz. Turnips buncb Vegetubl© Ifurs ws. .doz. 4 to 0 6 1 S 0 o a 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 6 July 14, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 21 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day Ol Month Day of Week. JULY 14—20, 1870. Average Tempera- tare near London. Rain in last 43 years. Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon RiseB. Moon Sets. Moon's Age. Clock before Sun. Day of Year. 14 15 IS 17 18 19 20 Th F S Son M Tu W Newcastle (Staffordshire) Horticultural St. Swithln's Day. [Show. 6 Sunday after Trinity. Royal Horticultural Seciety's Oxford Show [openB. Day. 74.5 76 6 76.0 74.3 74.7 73.2 73.2 Night. 60.5 50.7 50.1 51.3 50.2 49.9 50.2 Mean. 62.5 1*3.7 63.0 62.8 62.5 61.1 61.7 Days. lb 22 17 16 21 22 23 m. h. 1 :.f 1 2 4 8 4 4 4 5 4 6 4 7 4 m. h. 10 af 8 9 8 8 8 7 8 6 8 5 8 4 8 m. b. 31 af 9 0 10 24 10 43 10 3 11 19 11 39 11 m. h. 23 af 5 35 6 47 7 59 8 7 10 14 11 after. Days. 16 17 18 19 20 21 ( m. s. 5 32 6 88 5 44 5 49 5 54 5 59 6 2 195 1»6 197 198 199 200 201 From observations taken near London during the last forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 74.6", and its night temperature 50.4°. The greatest heat was 94', on the 17th, 1834; and the lowest oold 33', on the 17th, 1863. The greatest fall of ram was 1.60 inch. PRUNING ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. AVING in previous papers treated at con- siderable length on pruning Conifers and the forms most suitable, I have chosen for my third section the most serviceable of all evergreen shrubs. Section III. consists of Hollies, Laurels, Sweet Bay, Laurustinus, and Box. As spe- cimens on lawns or at the sides of walks I know of no equals to them. They can be pruned to any extent, and in a short time will be as green and well covered with foliage as ever; and they can be formed into cones, pyramids, round bushes, or any other shape, and be kept to it with the smallest possible increase in size : hence their adaptability for architectural gardens. The subjects comprised in this section are well worthy of separate note ; therefore I shall commence with the Holly, which admits of three dill'erent modes of pruning, or rather training, to secure — 1st, cones or pyramids ; '2nd, bushes ; :lrd. open natural trees. Hollies as ( 'ones or Pyramids. — Man can aid in pro- ducing more beautiful objects than Nature left to herself, but he cannot cause a subject Nature has decreed shall be a pyramid to become a handsome bush. Mr. Rivers, the father of close pruning or summer pinching, has found out that : some kinds of fruit trees, he tells us, are not adapted for bushes, but they form handsome pyramids, and the contrary also holds true ; and so it is with Hollies. All may be formed into cones, but it is by a very close crop- ping of the side shoots, and the subjects thus treated never have a natural appearance ; they are on a par with standai d Roses — the acme of ugliness. Good sorts of Hollies for cones are I. Aquifolium, Aquifolium fffimina, Aquifolium flava, altaclerensis, balea- rica, glabra, Hodginsi, maderensis, and Shepherdi. All except the first three have splendid broad leaves ; the best are Hodginsi, maderensis, and altaclerensis ; the first of these will form a fine avenue when planted by the sides of a broad walk. Of the variegated sorts, the gold and silver-edged are the best two ; then Handsworth New Silver, Gold and Silver- blotched, and the Gold and Silver Queen's, but none out- vie the two first-named and oldest. Cones or pyramids of any of the above are secured by, as might be expected, cutting in the sides and encouraging the top. The trees almost invariably grow more strongly at some distance from the ground than near it : hence the necessity of securing branches near the ground or base of the tree while it is young, for if not produced then they can- not be obtained after the tree is of good size. The greatest difficulty is in securing a good leader and keeping it per- pendicular. If the trees are required to form close pyra- mids, a strong growth in the leader is a disadvantage rather than a gain, as with a vigorous leader we have the side shoots considerably further apart than when the growth is not very strong. I consider it well to select for pyramids trees with straight stems, and with the branches No. 485.— Vol. XIX., New Series. set on near the ground, and the pruning of the side shoots should begin when these have extended about 1 foot from the stem. Then take off their points, and a string fastened to the end of the shoot, and extending upwards to a height of 3 feet, and brought to the centre of the tree, will show to what extent the side shoots are to be pruned, none being pruned closer to the main stem than :i inches ; the leader being ti inches above where the side branches are cut back to :( inches. This being done, we shall have trees about 4 feet high, half that through at the base, and gradually tapering upwards. Care should be taken to have the centre erect, the cone from the base tapering upwards all round. The best time to prune is just before the trees begin to grow, and they will not require any further pruning the same season than the stopping of any irregularity of growth, which it is better to do in time ; for by stopping a strong shoot during its period of growth we induce greater vigour in those shoots remaining un- stopped, and have a greater chance of obtaining in the stopped shoot growth of the character required. The following spring the tree will need to be gone over, and the side shoots cut in, or such of them as have ex- tended beyond an extent corresponding to the others ; and as we may in a vigorous, healthy tree calculate on about 4 inches of annual increase in the growth, we must shorten the lowest shoots to that length, and with a line from them, as before, to the apex or top of the leader or tree, it will be readily seen to what extent the side branches will require shortening. We have in this case a greater in- crease of the tree at its base than in its upper parts. The top will always be the strongest, therefore cut in the top most, and the lower part will become well furnished ; this effected, we can easily furnish the top. If the leader deviate from the perpendicular, either cut it away to the point where it is in the centre— and this is the best plan if the leader is very strong— or secure it in the centre with a stake, the latter mode being desirable when the tree is growing weak in the centre. The whole art in pruning Hollies in the form of cones is to cut them to that form every spring, and leave the rest to nature. The trees will sometimes put out strong shoots from the main stem or branches, and those having an upward tendency, or grow- ing over shoots they must enfeeble, should be rubbed or cut off close to the part whence they proceed. The trees will not have an equal amount of branches all round — some parts will be thick, others thin ; therefore, in pruning, thin out the most crowded parts of the tree, and cut the thin parts but little or not at all, only pruning enough to preserve the required shape. Open spaces or sunk parts should not have the shoots shortened, but be allowed to grow until the space is filled up. Bushes are formed by restraining the upper part or centre of the tree, the shoots there not being permitted to grow erect, except for the extension of the plant. To secure a- c'ose growth near the base it is necessary that the head be taken off at the height of 2 or :t feet from the ground, and the side shoots ought not to be stopped until they are distant from the stem half the height of the tree. This will afford the basis of a half sphere. All that is required No. 1137— Vol. XLIV., Old Ssbieb. 22 JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 14, 1870. beyond this is to cat off the irregular-growing shoots in spring, commencing with those near the base ; in fact, this ought to be done whenever there is a deficiency of vigour in the weak shoots, which, for the most part, are at the base of the tree. The pruning of those parts should be done about a fortnight or three weeks in advance of the pruning of the shoots in the upper part of the tree. This will cause the lower shoots to form buds, or, it may be, start them ere the shoots at the upper part are pruned, so that when the upper shoots are shortened the lower shoots will start freely, making more vigorous growths than if they were pruned at the same time as those at the upper part. Pruning is not necessary every year, so long as the form required and close growth are secured, and yet it is well to go over the bushes periodically and do whatever is necessary ; for nothing is so ugly as an irregular-growing bush Holly. Beyond restraining the growth upwards, the pruning of bushes is not materially different from that of pyramidal trees. Open natural-shaped Trees. — These are best with one leader, though it is not uncommon to see them with two or more, and in a state of nature they usually have several. Now, if the tree is young, there is no excuse for more than one leader, and being kept to that, the side shoots will only need to be short- ened where too long in proportion to those in another part, thinning them out where too crowded, in order to encourage growth in the weak and open parts of the tree. Care should also be taken to cut out all shoots or branches that cross each other, or which, from growing upright, are likely to interfere with the leader or with the vigour of the side branches. In case of two or more leaders having been formed it will be necessary to see to their vigour being equalised, which may be secured to a great extent by cutting in the strongest in spring after growth has commenced, and not pruning the weakest that season. It will also be necessary to prune the side branches so as to give an equal extension to them, and to preserve the balance between all the parts of the tree. Those having Hollies that are too spreading and too loose, taking up more space than is desired, and badly formed, will do well to have them pruned into shape. The end of March or beginning of April in a mild season, or a fortnight to three weeks later if the season is late and cold, is the most suitable time. Hollies will bear pruning to any extent, but of course break most freely from the smaller branches. The strongest shoots or branches should be cut back most, and the smallest least, for if they are all cut off to one length the strongest will push much more vigorously than the weak, and soon be more extended ; hence th«y should be cut well back, or say a loot more than a branch half their thickness. The small shoots should be cut back evenly, so that there may be as nearly as possible an equality in the growth the first season. The very weak branches, and those which cross each other or grow upright, should be cut well in, and, if need be, cut clean out. To secure good growth, well thin out the branches ; they do no good crossing and overlying each other. If the weather prove dry in May and the beginning of June give a good watering, and the growth before autumn will be good, and the following year handsome trees will be the result. I have cut Hollies that had a very large spread of head so closely in that there was little but sticks left, and have surprised those asking for their removal aB unsightly objects with the handsome pyramids or bushes secured by a judicious use of the saw and knife. I have seen old spreading open trees formed into pyramids and bushes so close that birds had to seek an entrance from beneath. — G. Abbey, NOTES ON ROSES, AND THEIR CULTURE. Me. Radclyffe has spoken in such glowing terms of Felix Genero that I think it right, in order that amateurs who have not seen the Rose may not be disappointed in ordering a great number, to say that I do not think the opinion of Rose-growers in general would bear out Mr. Radclyffe's estimate of it. It is, no doubt, a good grower, but the colour is dull (red, with too muoh of a violet tinge in it), and the shape by no means first- class. The outer petals are never large enough. It is more of the form of Prince Henri de Pays Bas, which, though I know it is admired by some Rose growers, does not approximate a high standard in shape. The only thing, in my mind, to recommend in the shape of Felix Genero is, that having incurved petals it hides its own deficiencies, as I have never yet picked a flower of it that was very full in the centre, if the incurved petals were pushed back to examine it. It would be interesting, I think if Rose-growers were to classify their Roses under their different forms, taking well-known Roses as standards of form — as, for instance, Alfred Colomb, Comtesse de Chabrillant, Baronne de Rothschild, Louise Margottin, La Ville de St. Denis, &c. I hope some of our best observers of Roses, as the Rev. S. R. Hole and the Rev. E. N. Pochin, will do so, and if new Roses, when they came out, were described in this way, as to their shape, it would very much help persons who wished to order some of the new sorts. While on the subject of Roses, I add, hardly any Rose has done so well or improved so much with me this year as Princess Mary of Cambridge. Fisher Holmes has also gained much in my estimation, and Madame la Baronne de Rothschild is almost perfection as a pink. La France has also been very fine, though too loose in the petal ; and Annie Wood has had some exceptionally fine flowers. I never remember to have seen dark Roses burn so much as this year. I can hardly get a Rose from Monsieur Boncenne, Lord Macaulay, Duke of Wellington, or Pierre Notting which is not burnt, and I am thinking another year of planting all very dark Roses by them- selves in a quarter in my kitchen garden, and fixing up some framework of laths, so as to be able to cover it over entirely with tiffany on very sunny days. Those that have no shade of purple in them, as Alfred Colomb, Marie Baumann, Le Rhone, La Brillante, &c, can stand the sun, and so do all the cerise, pink, and pure white Roses ; and it is one great point to recommend pink Roses, that they seem to last much longer than dark Roses, either crimson or scarlet. For instance, Princess Mary of Cambridge, Abel Grand, and Baronne de Rothschild keep their true colours and last longer than almost any Roses I am acquainted with. There are other Roses which ought to be grown in the shade as well as the dark ones ; for instance, Souvenir de Malmaison and Gloire de Dijon are both of them improved both in form and colojr in hot summer weather if they are well shaded. Souvenir de Malmaison, especially, should never be exposed to full sun. Miss Ingram, again, and Acidalie, also seem better for a slight shading. — C. P. Peach. TABLE DECORATIONS. If I refer to this subject again, it is not because I have seen any reason to alter my opinions, or that I can throw any fresh light on it, but because I have had the opportunity of seeing since I wrote last two examples of decoration, one showing how it ought to be done, and the other just the opposite. I allude to the arrangement made at the Rose Show at the Crystal Palace by W. Thomson, Esq., of Penge, and the other at the Royal Horticultural Society's Rose Show. The former was almost perfect in its way ; the latter, with the exception of that which obtained the first prize, as bad taste as it was possible to be. The exhibition which had been made by Mr. Thomson was in the large theatre, which had been altered for the purpose, and consisted of one large dining table and two smaller ones, the two smaller ones being arranged by professional artists, the centre one by amateurs. It is to this centre arrangement that I desire to draw attention, and although it is quite impos- sible to depcribe it, yet I shall endeavour to give a brief sketch of it. The table was large — probably would dine twenty people — and was a long oval. As the cloth is never removed now-a-days, the old tale of sitting under one's mahogany may be considered as exploded, and any kind of wood may be used. In this instance the top was of deal, and in it holes had been made to receive flower pots containing Palms ; instead of the ordi- nary tablecloths strips of damask are placed on, by this means thepctt are concealed, and the Palms look as if they spring from the tablecloth itself ; after they have been placed the cloths are ironed, and all looks perfectly smooth. Some seven Palms, I think, were placed on the table, the centre one being the tallest, and the others arranged according to height, the general height beiog about 3 feet. On either side of the tall Palm were very tall and graceful-looking glass vases, containing a few Fern fronds and some sprigs of the olimbing Fern. On the outside of the Palms were six glass vases filled with Fern fronds and Pelargoniums. In some of them were flowers of Hibiscus, and this was almost the only piece of coloured flower in the entire arrangement. To give colour, coloured wine glasses, two to each plate, were used, and coloured finger glasses. This seemed to me to fulfil all the conditions of good taste, and to fall in with the canons I have laid down ; for the arrangement was simple, there was no obstruction of the view, there were July 14, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. no highly scented flowers used, and there was but little colour, what there was being quite adapted for its purpose. No faults of deep blues and glaring yellows were to be found there, all being in quiet and sustained harmony, yet I heard numbers of people oomplaining of too much green, want of colour, &c. There was but one fault to my mind, and as it was candidly acknowledged by the exhibitor I feel less compunction in noticing it. There was a want of something round the base of the Palm stems, as they looked too formal and unnatural coming out directly from the tablecloth. I see some one has suggested allowing the rims of the pots to appear, but this would seriously interfere will) the tablecloth. It strikes me that semi- circular troughs of white ware, such as were used at the Palace, to encircle the base, and then to be filled with Lycopodium, would be a desirable nit: hod of getting rid of this objection. And now to the obverse of the medal. Prizes, liberal prizes, were offered by the Pi evident of the Royal Horticultural Society for table decorations, and yet there were only three competitors. The first deserved its piize; for although there was nothing original in it, it being, in fact, the arrangement that took second prize amongst amateurs at the Palace, yet there were no violations of taste. But why the Judges should ever have given anything to the second and third prize arrangements passes my comprehension. I can only explain it in one way — they were lady judges, and they leant to the side of mercy, and so would not disqualify ; but it was hardly, in my mind, possible to find anything so thoroughly violating all taste. It was a vase filled with a considerable mass of the common white Lily, and the base with the white Water Lily ; around it were placed some cardboard troughs containing single blooms of scarlet Pelargoniums. Imagine the faint and sickly smell of the Lilies in a heated atmosphere, and how utterly the white was lost on the white tablecloth, while the lumpiness of the arrangement would hinder, if there were more stands, any view that there might be across the table, and most certainly few people would desire to have such a stand before them for the length of a dinner. Let us hope — though giving prizes to such productions is liable to defeat it — that a more correct taste may lead people to copy better examples than the latter one. — ])., Deal. MORE ABOUT SOFT SOAP. I am glad the claims of this article as an insect destroyer are recognised in your number for June 30th by your able corre- spondents— " Annandale," page 460, and "R. F.," page 467 ; and I hope others who have tried it will report the result, whether satisfactory or not. As my former communication has evidently been misunderstood by " Annandale," and, on the other hand, I have since found I was led into an error about the price, to which " R. i\" very properly calls my attention, I will endeavour to explain both. In the first place I may say that the strength of the wash made from this material, as UBed by the Hop-growers, is not so great as "Annandale" himself advises — viz., 2 ozs. to the gallon, as 1 lb. to ten gallons (the Hop-grower's recipe) is little more than 1J oz. to the gallon. Whether this be too strong for Peaches or not I cannot with sufficient authority affirm, as in the cases where we used it sufficient attention to weights and measures was not paid to be depended on ; but if a less quantity of soft soap be required, so much the better, as it cheapens the solution, unless in sea- sons like the present, when twenty or thirty gallons of water may in some places be more costly thau the pound of soft soap. As, however, the price of the soap is the point to which general attention will be directed, I confess to having been led into an error through the imperfect formation of a figure, or other cause, by which the 2d. per pound should have been 3d., an important advance, which, probably, by the retail dealer will be considerably augmented. I have made further inquiries respecting the soft-soap trade, and have learnt from a friend keeping a shop in a country village (who, amongst his other manifold stores of food, clothing, and tools, also deals, or rather dealt extensively last year in this artiole), that it is usually made up into small casks, called firkins, weighing 64 lbs. each in the gross, being supposed to contain 56 lbs. of soft soap. These firkins he sold at from 14s. to 16s. each, and at the time the demand was for them, fifty or sixty firkins a-day were not an unusual sale, and this at a country shop. The con- sumption of soft soap in the neighbourhood during the months of June and the early part of July last year wa9, therefore, very extensive. Fortunately for all but the dealers in soft soap, none has been wanted this year, the plant being clean, or but little affected by insects. I may add that I believe an article oheaper than 14s. per firkin was often made use of, but at this price it is just 3d. per pound ; but even if it were twice as costly, it will favourably contrast with any other inseot- killing material in use if the sixpences so expended furnisk ten, twenty, or thirty gallons of solution as the discretion of the party using it may suggest. It would certainly be prudent not to make it too strong for delicate plants, but I am far from certain that it is so dangerous as is represented ; on the con- trary, I believe it to be more harmless to vegetation than many of the mixtures so much recommended. Of this I shall be able to write with more confidence later in the season. Mean- while I advise caution. I have no hope of being able to say much on the application of this insect-destroyer to the Hop plant in the present year, for the fly has not made its appearance in sufficient quantity te require the antidote. Other enemies the Hop has, which I hope to refer to in a future communication ; no plant that I know growing in the open air is so liable to misfortunes. I may here mention one other quality which soft soap is said to possess, although I do so on general repute rather than from any well-founded experiments of my own, and that is, that the solution is a manure, which certainly cannot be said of some of the mixtures used as insect-killers. Others, however, will probably give information on the subject, and a few experi- ments could be easily tried to test its value as a manure, ae well as to try the effects of solutions of different strengths oe the foliage of plants. — J. Robson. AERIAL ROOTS ON VINES. I differ from Mr. J. Douglas (see last volume, page 419), respecting some of the causes of air roots on Vines. A close moist atmosphere, which is generally an accompaniment ol early forcing, is what I consider to be their real cause. Vines exclusively planted in an inside border are those which the most frequently produce air roots, owing to the bottom heat driving the moisture upwards and causing a great density in the atmosphere of the house. This condition will produce air roots in abundance, if ventilation is not strictly attended to. I have seen Vines which were planted in an outside border only, and started about the 1st of January, with about 3 feet deep of horse manure mixed with leaves placed on the border, produce better Grapes than those which had the advantage of bottom heat, and yet scarcely an air root was to be seen. I have likewise notioed Vines that have had the advantage o£ both an inside and outside border produce air roots freely one season and the next scarcely any. Would Mr. J. Douglas say how he accounts for that ? Vines that are cropped late will produce air roots freely enough if the foregoing condition be afforded — that is, a close moist atmosphere ; but this state of things seldom exists, ae air can then be admitted without such discrimination as it required in early forcing. — Quo. OUR NATIVE FERNS. I have before me my friend Mr. E. J. Lowe's very beautiful work bearing the above title. I begin to think that " distinct varieties " are often made out of nothing at all. Two yeare ago I was watching a self-hunting dog ; about midnight I kindled a match under the shelter of a thick bush-where I wae concealed, and to my astonishment the blaze revealed a mag- nificent plant of the Crested Male Fern, by far the finest I ever saw. Mr. Dickenson, who has been a botanist all hie life, has, I believe, only once found it in Cumberland. This year it has come " bifid " and all manner of shapes. Miss M. Wright, of Keswick, gave me one found by herself, and pictured! in Lowe as Lastrea F.-mas abbreviata cristata. This yearit has come perfectly plain and run back to the normal form, have many similar communications to the same effect, whiclt tend to show that such Ferns are not varieties, but monstrosi- ties which sometimes recover. — Jackson Gillbanks. Potatoes. — In answer to a correspondent, the Pebble White Potato has a white blossom. Pebble White, Crystal Palace Kidney, Edgecote Second Early, Yorkshire Hero, BeaconsfieM Kidney, Huntingdonshire Kiduey — all strains of the old Cob- bler's Lapstone — I have growing by its side, and their blossome and foliage are almost identical to a shade. All the numerous strains of the old Lapstone can scarcely be distinguished from 24 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEK. [ July 14, 1870. each other during their early growth ; and, curiously enough, in my graft hybrids a change of foliage is now distinctly seen, excepting only in those of the grafted Lapstone family. I have about two hundred varieties of Potatoes growing here. — Robert Fenn, Woodstock Rectory. GREEN FLY ON CUCUMBER AND MELON PLANTS. I am sorry to hear that some correspondents have fumigated with tobacco and syringed with soft-soap water without any effect. I know of no better remedies for plants under glass, and when used in time I have always found them less or more effectual. No green fly will stand tobacco smoke when pre- sented to it strong enough, but smoke will not hurt those just hatching into life, and even very young green fly will stand a dose which older fly will not. Unlike what takes place in other departments of life, I have generally found that in insect life the vital powers are strongest in proportion to youth, or even infancy. If the plants are pretty good I should recommend a continuance of the smoking and the washing. Perhaps it may be as well to allude to a few of the essentials to success. 1, The smoke must be kept in the place for a considerable time. Hence, unless the glass roof is very close, it Bhould be covered, and litter or short grass placed at the top and bottom of the sashes, and then the glass and covering should be kept damp by syriDging outside, which will fill all laps of the glass, and prevent the smoke escaping. It is better to shade than give much air the following day. Smoking is best done in the evening. With these precautions, 2 ozs. of tobacco will do as well as, or even better than, a pound when the smoke is allowed to escape. 2, All plants smoked should be dry as respects their foliage ; not only is this necessary in order that the smoke may tell at once on the insects, but also that the smoking may be safe to the plants. The narcotic that kills the insects will also poison and destroy the plants if presented to them in excess, and more especially if the foliage is damp. I have a hazy con- ception in my own mind as to how this is, but it is not quite clear enough to myself to enable me to put it in black and white for the benefit of others. Would chemists, whom I have helped in days of yore, say how it is that tobacco smoke affects the leaves of plants so differently when they are wet and when they are dry ? 3, Tobacco smoke and all combinations of tobacco should ■come against the leaves cool. The different fumigators that ■work with a wheel, patented or otherwise, are very useful in this reBpect. To be used against plants I would recommend them to our amateur friends, just as I would use them mysell ; but they are of little use in the hands of common labourers, who soon make all such instruments worthless, and then, if we do not do the work ourselves, we see the folly of invest- ing in an instrument of from 10s. Gd. to 15s. that will so soon be unworkable. For common purposes I use a metal pot, or a common garden pot. Our consumption of tobacco is very small. I know smaller places where more pounds are spent for tobacco than we spend shillings. I am more anxious to keep insects away than to destroy them when they come. For more than one reason, though I think good shag tobacco the best, yet I generally use a little tobacco paper, and of all I have met with as yet, that manufactured by Griffiths & Avis, and sent out at 2s. per pound, I have found the safest and most effectual. The efficacy and safety will greatly depend in every case on the coolness of the smoke. If we me a pot, we therefore cover it with damp moss, and keep it as far from the leaves as possible. Besides presenting the smoke cool, it is always safest to give two or more moderate smokings instead of one heavy one. The more slowly the tobacco or its preparations are burned the more effectual the smoke will be. I have seen half a shovel- ful of red fuel used to light a pot of such smoking material. It is best in every way to use one red cinder or a piece of ignited charcoal, put just a little very dry straw, or slips of paper over it, and when burning add the tobacco, &c, and cover first lightly and then more heavily. Where moss is not to be had, a little short grass or damped litter answers equally well. If a garden pot is used, enough of air to support slow combustion will be obtained by the hole in the bottom, if the pot be elevated to leave the hole dear. My dislike to tobacco is chiefly owing to being obliged in my young days to have a hole in the sides of such pots, and then to blow away with a bellows in a house until it was full of smoke. There is not the least necessity for such barbarism, if a little care and pre- caution are used. When a fumigator is used, its pipe may pass through a hole whilst the operator remains outside. In all cases where a proper fumigator is used, and the possessor of a little garden is his own operator, nothing is better or even more economical than good shag tobacco. The instrument insures that the smoke, when it reaches the plants, shall be cool. Lastly, for the present. If you wish one or two smokings to be effectual, smoke as soon as you see the first insect. If you wait until the larger leaves are covered with them, one smoking and syringing will be of no use. In fact, if the bulk of the leaves are so infested, except as an experiment, it is next to labour and money thrown away to smoke at all. The cheapest remedy would be to clear all out and commence afresh. Leaves thus infested with inseots seldom recover the com- bined effects of the insects and the smoking. If only a few leaves are very bad, even if they suffer, the younger ones will come all right. But whenever leaves are much infested, several smokings at intervals of twenty-four and forty-eight hours will be necessary. On every such leaf there will be found several generations of insects, and the younger will escape what will destroy the older ones. Besides the myriads coming into life at once — that is, viviparous, there are myriads of eggs that the heat is continually hatching, and on these, until fairly established in existence, the smoke has no effect. Hence, late smoking, so as to give the insects the chance to propagate freely, involves the trouble of many smokings to get rid of them, as what destroys the older will leave the younger insects and the eggs untouched. Washing with soap water is more effectual after smoking than washing alone. Reference has lately been made to the strength. It is less effectual in frames and shallow pits than in houses or places where the plants are fastened to a trellis, so that the under sides of the leaves can be freely washed. The insects must have firm hold before they appear on the upper sides of the leaves. Washing is effectual in proportion as the under sides are freely reached. At the strength spoken of by Mr. Bobson, not only would the insects be killed and dislodged, but the eggs that were not dislodged would to a great extent be sealed-up from the action of air, and if so, the insects would never chip the shell. The wash is best applied the day after smoking. If the day, after smoking the previous evening, should be dull, or the glass shaded, and little or no air given, I would defer the washing to the second morning. Where this cannot be well done, I would syringe the following morning or afternoon. I am thus precise because the correspondents who have made the inquiry are only a few of many who say tobacco smoke and soap-water washing are powerless against the green fly. I am certain that both will kill, but they will not kill where there is not active life. The powers of reproduction in these insects, by eggs, &c, is wonderful. Never could there be a better ex- emplification of the old proverb, " A stitch in time saves nine." Put off one early smoking and you may have to smoke many times to get rid of the enemy, as fresh myriads come into existence between the smokings, which have no injurious effect on the eggs deposited. The washings are more injurious to them. — R. Fish. SPECIMENS IN BOXES BY POST. I am constantly noticing in your columns complaints made by yourself and various correspondents that articles sent in a box through the post are rendered useless, or completely de- stroyed, by the Post-office stampers. I send you by this post a small cardboard box tied round with string, to which a parchment direction label is attached, and upon which label the address is written and postage stamps affixed. If this system were generally adopted in forwarding articles through the post, I have no doubt, from my experience, that they would invariably reach their destination intact. — J. Walden. [Our correspondent is quite right. If the direction and stamps are on a parchment label tied to the box, the Post- office stampers punch the label, and not the box. This box from our correspondent was quite uninjured. — Eds.] Cotton Seed a Paper-maker's Fibre.— A Lancashire papers maker has succeeded in turning to profitable account particular kinds of Cotton seed as a material for the manufacture of the best kinds of paper. The seed is to be obtained in quantities July 14, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 25 large enough to supply the wants of all the paper-mills in the country ; and it produces a fibre of the finest quality, at a price that will bring it into lively competition with Esparto Grass. Of all the substances hitherto suggested as a substitute for rags, the best practical judges regard this as the most de- sirable. One important feature in its use is that it necessitates little alteration in the ordinary machinery of paper-mills, while it will in a great measure overcome the difficulty of our river pollution caused by Esparto. — (Bookseller.) STRAWBERRIES NOT FRUITING. In reference to the article at pages 7 and 8 of the Journal of July 7ih, and the invitation of "K. F.," the author, to others to give their experience, I can attest and endorse his observa- tions throughout. After many failures and close attention I arrived at exactly " R. F.'s " conclusions. It is nonsense to buy or plant the runners of any variety of Strawberry indis- criminately if fruit is expected. The runners, to make fertile plants, must be the progeny of fertile and bearing stools or parents. My practice is to plant thinly, never nearer than 13 or 15 inches asunder, unless for drawing and thinning-out in the spring to that distance, as some plants will necessarily fail during winter ; but ultimately I allow only one plant to every 12 or 15 inches square. Always in the blooming season, May and June, I root out any sterile plant I find, lest a barren stool should go unobserved and produce barren runners. Thus I am sure in the planting season, early in August, in taking runners, to have them off fertile stools. I plant in strong brown soil, trenched and manured as Potato land, and top- dress any standing beds every autumn with rotten litter, after having cleared off runners and weeds, just as with meadow land. I renovate my beds by trenching and planting runners about every third or fourth year, just as I fanoy the stools are exhausted or scrubby. This treatment brings fair crops, though seasons vary — as spring and summer are mild, showery, and bright with sun, or chill, dry, and dull ; and varieties differ too, though suitable sorts are by patience ascertained and alone grown. That, every Strawberry-grower must find out as he may be located — north, south, east, or west. — Reader. IRIS GERMANICA AND THE ENGLISH AND SPANISH IRISES. In No. 483 I see a notice of English and Spanish Irises which were sent you by Messrs. Barr & Sugden. I purchased a number of varieties of the English Iris of the same firm last autumn, which are now in full bloom, and very beautiful they are and much admired, but, although fine, I think they are surpassed by Iris germanica. I have a collection of these, numbering in all about eighty or ninety varieties, and nothing could be more lovely than they were during the month of May. I consider this a neglected flower in one sense, for go where you will you seldom find it grown, or, if at all, not to any extent, and why I cannot tell, as for elegance of form and brilliancy of colour there is, in my opinion, nothing to excel it at the time of year that it is in flower, and when done flowering, its sword-like leaves make a telling variety of form in the mixed border. I was very pleased to see a dozen or so of flowers of excellent colours exhibited at one of the May shows at the Crystal Palace, and still more pleased to see that they attracted much and deserved attention. Let my brother amateurs get a few, and I feel certain that after blooming them one season they will try and enlarge their collection, not only of them — the Iris germanica, but the English. Spanish, and the many other hardy sorts.— Hakeison Weie, Weirleigh, Kent. The Production of Ozone.— We have heard so much of late years about the beneficial influence exerted by the presence of ozone in the atmosphere, that even nonscientific readers may like to know how it can be artificially produced. Hitherto, electricity, phosphorus, and permanganate of potash have been the recognised sources of production, but Professor Mante- gazza has discovered that it is developed by certain odorous flowers in a still greater amount. A writer in Nature states that most of the strong-smelling vegetable essences, such as Mint, Cloves, Lavender, Lemon, and Cherry Laurel, develope a very large quantity of ozone, when in oontact with atmospheric oxygen in light. Flowers destitute of perfume do not develope it, and generally the amount of ozone seems to be in propor- tion to the strength of the perfume emanated. Professor Mantegazza recommends that, in marshy distriots and in places infested with noxious exhalations, strong-smelling flowers should be planted around the house, in order that the ozone emitted from them may exert its powerful oxidising influence. So pleasant a plan for making a malarious district salubrious only requires to be known to be put in practice. PLANTS FLOWERING IN JUNE. i 2. Mimulus capreus luteus maculosua moschatus cardinalis Oxalia corniculata rubra Chelone barbata coccinea Achillea agyptiaca aurea Ptarinica serrata ti.-pl. tomentosa Lithospermum fruticosum Dianthus Caryopbyllua carina deltoides barbatus Marie Pare Heddewigi flmbriatua Aconitum Napellua versicolor G. Catananche crcrulea Lin urn perenne Lewisii narbonense alp in am Centranthus ruber Myoaotis alpeatris paluatris sylvatica Agatham ca^lestis Clematis integrifolia Acttea spioata Camasataeseulenta Campanula grandis latifolia glomerata carpatica garganica muralis nitida pe re ici folia coronata alba Hedychium coronarium Lathyrus grandirlorus Nepeta violacea LUium candidum cha'cedonicum Martagon tigrinum Oenothera yumil.t Fraaeri Lychnis coronaria Heracleum giganteum Lupinus albua polyphyllua 9. Heliuntbemum vulgarc Linaria Cymbalaria Orchis foliosa maculata pyramiduli3 ustulata Pentstemon glabrom ovatiim Scouleri procerum venustum gentianoules Phlomis Russelliana Hemerocallia fulva graminea Convallaria bifolia ATithericum Liliago Hieracium aurantiacam Pilosella Inula glanduloaa Polemonium caruleum grand iflorum Richard 3 on i IS. Physalis Alkekengi Saxif raga Cotyledon Geum pyramidalis robiilaria Stenactis speciosa June 13. Veronica frutioulosa gentianoides variegata in<- in ► glauca multifida Thymua vulgaris lanuginoaus Serpyllum albU3 Alchemilla alpina Crucianclla stylosa Tritoma Uvana Tmlliua americauus Allium Moly Iris, various „ 16. Epilobium angustifoliura Corydalia glauca Delphinium Barlowii for mo Bum Hendersoni AlyBsum maritimum Ruscus Hypoglossnm Genista sagitalia tine tori a Aju^a genoveneis reptans ,« 20. Spiraea Filipendula japonica speciosa Aquilegia vulgaris Skinneri glanduloBa Alystfum saxatile Ruta graveolena Tradeacantia cxralea virginica Erigeron Villarsii Helianthemum valgare Aster alpinus Sagina procumbens Sedum grandifloram kamtscnaticum monstrosum neglectum reflexum „ 22. Erinus alpinus Sempervivum montanum tectorum Solidago cambrica Campanula Medium Tra ehelium Menyanthos trifoliata Aubrietia grreca Mooreana „ 25. Sedum acre aizoideam dasyphyllum Forsterianum glaucum Ligustrum vulgare Ilex Aquif olium Salvia bicolor Viola tricolor cornuta i lutea Lychnis Githago m 7. Sehizoatylis coccinea Hesperia inatronalis Stachys lanata Sambucus nigra AnchuBa italica Convolvulus mauritanicu3 Potentilla atrosanguinea Hopwoodiana aulphurea Geum coccineum montanum „ SO. Campanula pulla HoBtii Hottonia paluatris Oenothera Sellovii macrocarpa Verbascum pbceuiceum Lychnis Haageana Antirrhinum majus Iberia Tenoreana Polygala Chaemsebuxua Gypsophila elegans Lupinus nanus -M. H., Acklam Hall, Middlesbrough-on-Tees. ARCHIMEDEAN LAWN MOWER. I hate read with interest all that has been paid in the Jour- nal about the Archimedean lawn mower; and now I wish to say a few words concerning that machine, having had one in use here all this season. "D. A.," Norfolk, writing in praise of the Archimedean, says, "I approve of the machine for the following reasons: — First, that it will do more work and do it with far greater ease than any other I have seen." I imagine " D. A." has not used many mowers, if he had I am quite sure he would not say the 26 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. t July 14, 1870. Archimedean was so easy and so very perfect. Secondly. "D. A." says, "It will cut any length of grass with ease." Now, as I have used it on short and long grass, I say it will not cut it with ease. I can truthfully say tbe Archimedean is not to be compared with Green's machine for excellence. It is very inferior to that very excellent machine. An Archimedean that cuts only 14 inches requires two strong men to work it, and it is then hard work, for it must be worked with great speed to get it to cut at all, for if worked slowly it slips over the grass, and leaves it uncut. Again, it quickly gets clogged, through the cut grass working itself through the rollers and getting in between the driving gear. It frequently occurs that I am compelled to stop mowing on purpose to take the machine to pieces to clean it before I can go on mowing, and the smallest stick or stone coming in contact with the cutters leaves a large notch in them ; then, of course, it cuts in such places no more. The blades of my machine are notched and look like a saw. It ribs the grass badly, and it does not cut nearly so evenly as Green's or Shanks's machines, while it slips over and leaves uncut such things as Daisy and Clover flowers. Then you cannot cut close to any path or flower bed, or cut verges at all, while you can do so with all tbe other machines that 1 know. If there is the smallest breeze it scatters the grass all over the beds and flowers. In conclusion, I say, putting together the time it takes to clean and grind the Archimedean, and that Bpent in sweeping the lawn, which you do not want to do with Green's and Shanks's machines, the mowing occupies double the length of time. — Vitis, Higltgate. PORTRAITS OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND FRUITS. Vanda Cathcarti (Mr. Cathcart's Vanda). Nat. ord., Orchid- aeeae. Linn., Gynandria Monandria. — "By far the noblest species of the noble genus." Flowers large, yellow ground, barred very numerously with bright brownish red. Native of the Himalayas.— (Bot. Mag., t. 5845.) Dracjsna cylindrica (Cylindric-spiked Dracaena). Nat. ord., Asparaginaceae. Linn., Hexandria Monogynia. — Native of the banks of the Old Calabar River, West Africa. Flowers white, bracts brownish purple. — (Ibid., t. 5846.) Iris Ieerica (Iberian Iris). Nat. ord., Iridaceae. Linn., Triandria Trigynia. — A gigantic-flowered dwarf. Outer perianth leaves white ; inner perianth, yellow ground densely barred with purple, humped bases of stigmas dark purple. Native of the Iberian provinces of the Caucasus. — (Ibid., t. 5847.) Anthurium ornatcm (White-spathed Anthurinm). Nat. ord., Orontiacere. Linn., Tetrandria Monogynia. — Native ef Vene- zuela. Spadix dark purple, dotted with white ; spathe large and white.— (Ibid., t. 5848.) Saxifraga aretioides (Aretia-like Saxifrage). Nat. ord., Saxifragaceie. Linn., Decandria Digynia. — Native of rock- crevices in the Pyrenees. It is hardy. Flowers yellow. — (Ibid., t., 5849). Brodijea coccinea. — " A beautiful new hardy bulb imported by Mr. W. Thompson, of Ipswich, from the Trinity Mountains, California, and by whom it was exhibited at South Kensington on the 8th ult., when it received the well-merited reward of a first-class certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society's Floral Committee. " This Brodisea coccinea produces a flower-scape of from 2 to 3 feet in height, and accompanied by channeled leaves of nearly the same length. The flowers are nodding, and borne in a terminal umbel of from five to twelve, or even fifteen to twenty, when established and vigorous. The flowers themselves are about 1J inch long, on pedicels nearly an inch in length, and are ventricosely cylindraceous and obscurely ribbed, the tube for about an inch at its base being of a rich magenta-crimson, while the upper part and the six recurved limb segments are externally pea-green, somewhat paler internally. The three exterior petaloid stamens are greenish white, much broader than the perianth segments, and forming a kind of coronet at the mouth of the tube. The three perfect stamens and the trifid stigma are about as long as the perianth. " As regards its cultivation, we learn from Mr. Thompson that it appears to be perfectly hardy when planted deep enough to be beyond the reaoh of frost, and, moreover, that when planted in a clump of five or six roots it has a most striking appearance. With him it has hitherto been grown with very good success in loamy soil, but it should be well drained. The flowering season is May and June. It promises to increase freely, and unlike some of the allied genera, its bulbs do not dwindle, but with ordinary care increase in vigour annually." — (Florist and Pomologist, 3 s., iii., 145.) ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S MEETING. The last meeting of the present season was held on the 4th inBt., the President, Mr. A. R. Wallace, in the chair. The Secretary an- nounced that the second part of the Transactions of the Society for the present year was ready for delivery to members. Mr. Meek exhibited specimens of Noctuida?, Dianthcecia conspersa and allied species, from Ireland and the Isle of Man, together with what appeared to be a very remarkable variety of Gluppisia crenata from the latter locality. The Hon. T. De Grey exhibited Oxyptilus lsetus from Suffolk ; and Mr. Moore a portion of the stem of a creeper, Cocculus microcarpus, from Bombay, deformed with a large swelling, within which was a cavity containing three contiguous cases or cocoons enclosing the perfect beetles of a species of the curious thick-legged genus Sagra. Mr. Blackmore exhibited several boxes of insects collected by himself during the past winter and spring in Tangiers, amongst which were a series of specimens of Anthocharis Eupheno, and a monstrous speci- men of Pimelia scabrosa with one of the antennae bifurcate from the second joint. Mr. J. J. Weir sent some further observations on the relation between the colour and edibility of Moths and their larvse. Thus the remarkably coloured caterpillars of Cucnllia Verbasci, one of the Spark Moths, were not only eaten as soon as their colour was developed, hut the perfect moths were eaten. Hairy larva were avoided by birds, but other coloured larvse appeared to enjoy immunity on account of their colour. The President read an extract from a letter from Borneo detailing instances of protective mimicry in two species of Spiders, one of which closely resembled the dropping of a bird. The Hon. T. De Grey stated that he had observed that the caterpillar of the Cinxia Fritillary not only resembled the leaf of the Narrow-leaved Plantain, on which it feeds, but the chrysalis is just Like the seed of the same plant. Mr. Albert Miiller exhibited some imbricated galls on Ammophila arnndinacea from Aberdeen, made by an unknown insect. Mr. Teget- meier exhibited some impressions of Lepidopterous insects, made by transferring the scales to paper and colouring the body, and which had been sold as a new species of lithographic printing. Professor Westwood made some observations on some minute Acari found in the unopened bnds of Black Currant trees, with an elon- gated cylindrical body and only four legs, and another species which forms small pustules on the leaves of Pear trees ; these, with a third species which inhabits galls on the leaves of Lime trees, described some years since in France, he regarded as constituting a distinct tribe in the Acaridte, and for which he proposed the name of Acarellus. [The Professor has, however, subsequently ascertained that Du Jardin (not Dejean, as stated by Mr. A. Miiller), has formed these insects into the genus Phytoptus, regarding them as full-grown animalB, whilst a still more recent writer has described them as the larva of an 8-legged genus of Mites named Typhlodromus.] The Secretary exhibited the woolly Oak galls of Cynips Ramnli, with the Gall-flies bred therefrom, communicated by Sir J. C. Jervoise from Horndean. Mr. Bates commnnicated a memoir, being the continuation of his " Enumeration of the Longicorn Beetles of the Amazons, containing the family Cerambycidse." There were also read a memoir " On a Col- lection of Butterflies Bent by Mr. Ansell from Sonth-westem Africa," by Mr. A. G. Butler ; and " A List of the Hymenoptera captured by Mr. J. K. Lord in Egypt and Arabia, with descriptions of the new species," by Mr. F. Walker. THE AMATEUR GARDENER. (CHAPTERS NOT IN WALTON.) No. 3. Rosticus. — See here, Civis, these poles and festoons of Ivy have an admirable effect ; they are quite a new feature to me in garden decoration. Hortator. — Nothing can be more simple. The poles, you see, are made of Larch wood, with the bark upon them. Before their insertion in the earth they should be partially burnt at the bottom, and have a painting of gas tar to prevent their rotting in the ground. A slender iron chain, whioh can be purchased at any ironmonger's, is then fastened upon them, letting it hang down in festoons between the poles, which should be about 10 or 12 feet apart. Plant your Ivy against them— prefer strong plants of the Irish— in good rich loam, and supply them during the growing season with plenty of water; if a little quano be added to it twice a-week all the better. The Ivy will then soon run up the poles, and can be trained and tied to the chains. Sylvia.— Should you be tempted to imitate such an orna- ment, Civis, I would venture to suggest an improvement by July 14, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 27 planting some Wistaria sinensis, with which even yon, towns- man as yon are, must be well acquainted. I cannot imagine a more elegant, ornamental design than these festoons of Ivy, gracefully interwoven with the Wistaria's lovely pendulous racemes of flowers lightly tied-in with the Ivy. Rusticus. — But are you sure of its being hardy? I have never seen it except when growing on a wall. Sylvia. — I am quite sure of its hardiness, for I have known it growing as a standard in most exposed situations with per- fect immunity. Let me remind you that the success of this ornament depends greatly upon its being placed in an appro- priate position. Cms.— But is not the flower of the Wistaria very short- lived ? I only remember to have seen it for a very brief tirne in spring. Hortator. — Sylvia's idea is an excellent one, and your objec- tion is plausible ; but the Wistaria does flower to a certain extent a second time in the autumn, and by a judicious thin- ing-out of the flowers in the spring, and especially by their removal when faded, this second flowering season might be considerably increased and lengthened ; but the foliage is in itself very elegant, and its peculiar green would well comport the Ivy. Rusticus. — Permit me to make a suggestion. As the Ivy, even with careful attention, must take some time to run up the poles and cover the chains, might not some of the elegant Clematises, of which there is now such a variety, be used ? Hortatok. — Undoubtedly, and any of the rapid-growing annual climbers might also be employed. One root of Ivy only need be planted, so that the other side of the pole might be used as suggested. Richard.— Will you permit me to say, gentlemen, how we keep the Ivy so well regulated, and the leaves so fresh and green? Cms. — The very inquiry I was about to make. Richa-rd. — Well, then, I simply take a pair of garden shears in March and cut off nearly every leaf, and as that is the sea- son in which it begins to grow, it only remains bare a very short time, and is quickly again covered with new green leaves, and is not permitted to grow too heavy or cumbrous-looking for the chains. Sylvia. — But there is a slight shower of rain ; I, at least, must take shelter a moment in this evergreen arbour. Civis. — What music there is in the sound of those rain drops falling so gently on these Laurels, suggesting thoughts of in- vigorating freshnesB ! Bat see ! what is that thrush about on that gravel walk, thumping his beak so violently upon a stone ? Sylvia. — As the rain has a little abated, let us approach a little nearer and see. Nay, friend Civis, you will not alarm him, birds are so accustomed to be well treated in our garden, that they are not the same timid, shrinking creatures that they are in many. Rusticus. — See, he is breaking the shell of a snail by re- peated thumps on the stone, and is preparing a rich feast for his hungry nestlings. Hortator. — And thus relieving us of one of the worst of the many enemies of which gardeners have to complain. I have had to fight many a hard battle with Richard, until I appeased his wrath by purchasing some netting to protect the Straw- berries ; but even now I believe he would gladly extirpate their nests did he not know that such a robbery would involve his dismissal. Civis. — And is the netting expensive ? Rusticus. — That is a question which I can answer, having just purchased an ample supply at one penny the square yard, cheap enough you will acknowledge, and readily obtained. Cms. — How beautiful that ray of sun light, now that the shower is over, slants between the branches of that elegant shrub, with its pendulous branches sweeping the lawn with its kirtle of green like a fairy queen on the day of her coronation ! What is its name ? Hortator. — That is the Cedrus Deodara, a native of Nepaul, introduced into England in 1822. Rusticus. — And which I believe not many years hence is destined to effect a wonderful change in the English landscape, for I am greatly mistaken if it will not supersede the Larch and Fir, being much better suited to England from its freedom from disease and perfect hardihood, except in very draughty situations. Sylvia. — And what an elegant contrast it forms to its brother of Lebanon ; the one light, pendulous, and drooping, the other dark, solemn, and majestic. Rusticus. — The rays of the setting sun remind me that it is time that Civis and I must say farewell, and thank you for this delicious stroll. — Hortator. INSECTS INJUKIOUS TO THE PEAR TREE. , No. i. Zeuzera .esculi, Wood Leopard Moth. It has been called by entomologists Phal.ena noctua .esculi, P. noctua pyrina, Bombyx .esculus, B. pyrinus, Phal^na cossus, P. bombyx .esculi, and Cossus .esculi. We have just received the following communication : — " I am sorry to say we are much infested here (Ilford, Essex) with a tree-boring grub. I have just cut out six of these grubs from as many Pear trees in Mr. Thompson's young orchard plantation of pyramids. They also attack the Apple and Quince trees as well as the Pear. In the course of last year 1 cut out as many as twelve or fourteen from the three sorts of trees mentioned. They usually attack the main stem of the tree, and are, as you are doubtless aware, very destructive, fre- quently eating away almost the entire substance of the wood, so that a high wind breaks it completely off, perhaps not more than 9 inches or 1 foot from the ground, and sometimes 3 or 4 feet from the bottom. " Mr. Thompson wrote me in 1868 saying that you had pro- mised to pay a visit here to view the young orchard. 1 trust such visit has not been abandoned, as I think you would be pleased with the trees, of which we have now about 2050, all pyramids, and of which this is the fifth summer. The Apples have hitherto borne but little, but the Pears have done so for several years, and we have this year a very fair crop of Louise Bonne of Jersey and Beurre d'Amanlis Pears." Tue grub enclosed was the caterpillar of the Wood Leopard moth, Zeuzera aDSCuli. From the end of June to the commencement of August, according to the temperature of the season, this moth may be found clinging to trees, especially the Lime. Its specific name, from iEaculus, a Horsechettnut, is singularly inapplicable, as it frequents that tree less than any other. It is white, covered with bluish-black spots, as represented in our drawing; the antennae short, tapering to a fine point. The female is fully twice as large, as the male, often measuring nearly 3 inches across the expanded fore-wings. She is also easily distinguished from the male by having her antenna; only woolly at their base, but at the upper part simple ; whereas the antennas of the male are feathered at the base on each side. The thorax is white and woolly, marked by six blue-black spots. She is furnished with a long ovipositor, or egg-depositor, admirably adapted for inserting her eggs in the cracks of the bark of trees, on the wood of which the caterpillar feeds. To the Pear, Apple, Hazel, Walnut, Elm, Lime, and other trees, even the Holly, it is most destructive, burrowing holes into them, destroying their sap vessels, and forming reservoirB for wet to lodge in and promote decay. The caterpillar is white, tinged with yellow, and spotted with black ; its head being horny, with black patches upon it, and on the segment of the body next to it. Its length is about 2 inches when full grown. It is hatched in August, and attains its full size in the June following. It then enters the pupa state, becoming a reddish-brown chrysalis, in a cocoon formed of the dust of the wood which, as a caterpillar, it gnawed down in working its passage. From this cocoon, as already stated, the moth comes forth, either at the end of June or some time between that and the beginning of August. The chrysalis is of a reddish-brown colour, and has a cylin- drical longish body, the abdominal segments with transverse rows of small points directed backwards, by which it is enabled to push itself forward to the outlet when ready to assume its imago or moth form. The head of the chrysalis is armed also with a short hard point, by which it opens a way to escape from the cocoon. Oar jiff. 3, for which, as well as for the other cuts, we are indebted to Professor Westwood's drawing in the " Gar- deners' Magazine of Botany," represents a chrysalis case from which the moth has escaped by a slit down the front part of the upper side, and by the head-piece becoming detached. In making its attacks, the caterpillar generally perforates a hole in the side of a branch, and eats its way upwards in a perpendicular direction, following the course of the pith ; bnt in a case we have seen exhibited by F. J. Graham, Esq., of Cranford, the insect, instead of taking at once a perpendicular course, ate its way all round a branch, keeping just under the 28 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 14, 1870. surface of the bark, and devouring the wood to such a depth that the limb was weakened and blown off by the wind. After making its horizontal circuit it then worked its way perpendi- cularly in the ordinary way. Fig. 1.— The female moth, life-size, with her ovipositor protruded. The way generally recommended for the destruction of this devastator, is to blow tobacco smoke into the holes. This might do very well in cases where the insect is near the orifice, and the burrow is shallow ; but in cases where it extends to the length of 1, 2, or 3 feet, it will be impossible to reach it by this Fir,. 3. Fig. 3.— The skin of the chrysalis. Fig. 2. — The caterpillar within the tunnel it works in the tree. The roundish mass beneath the caterpillar is the woody du 8t it leaves behind, and of which it forms its cocoon. mode. The only sure course which suggests itself is to wait till the period in June, when the grub has gone into the chry- salis state, and its powers of further destructiveness have ceased, and then to plug up the holes. This will either suffocate it, or it will effectually prevent it from emerging, as in the imago state it is incapable of eating its way out. In this way the reproduction of that individual at least would be prevented. The common house sparrow is a great enemy of this moth. FORMING A FLOWER GARDEN.— No. 2. THE DESIGN. F Very, complicated geometrical patterns are, as a rule, to be avoided, for nnless the resources of a garden are fully equal to its requirements such designs are rarely to be seen without Borne flaw in the colouring, or some bed whose ragged appear- ance tells of a failure in the supply of plants in spring. It is well, therefore, when deciding upon a design, to bear in mind the means which the gardens afford of filling the beds satis- factorily. A few well-filled beds are far preferable to the most elegant design to which the gardener is unable to do full justice from insufficient means. Moreover, the design of a flower garden should be strictly in keeping with its surroundings ; for instance, a terrace garden with its formal accessories should certainly be severely geometrical, while in a shrubbery garden a somewhat more irregular style might be adopted with advan- tage. As a fair example of this style I give the plan of the flower garden at Egerton House. It is about half an acre in extent, and is in the centre of the shrubbery. The centre of the garden is traversed by a wide walk leading from the house to the bottom of the pleasure grounds, and when the garden was made, a circular space 60 yards in diameter was allowed, but the walk was to be retained, as well as the two large Oaks, one on each side of it, so that a suitable design had to be worked out in such a manner that the shade of the Oaks might be avoided as much as possible. In practice I have found the accompanying plan answer very well ; and it is worthy of note here that the plants in the large circular beds 17 and 42 are invariably of the kinds known as fine-foliaged plants. A line of Christine Pelargonium between the inner band of Gnaphalium and the Farfugium has been tried, but was not very successful. From my experience of these beds, I would never depend on anything but fine-foliaged plants in beds at all shaded by trees. Another important point is the maintenance of a sufficient proportion of turf among the beds, which should not be crowded, but should have a sufficient breadth of nature's green around them to afford an agreeable relief, whereby the brilliancy of their colours will be much enhanced. To no style does this principle more forcibly apply than to those large single beds from 50 to 100 feet in diameter which are occasionally to be met with ; such beds are a flower garden in themselves, and when skilfully managed are very beautiful, but to be effective they require a wide expanse of turf around them ; for if large beds, like these, are placed in a confined position, surrounded by shrubs or narrow walks, they are far more likely to strike the eye as huge blots than as masses of floral beauty. With regard to the shape of flower beds, sharp angular forms are to be avoided as far as practicable, as they are difficult to fill well, and their hard abrupt outlines stand out boldly and uncompromisingly. Very different from this is the soft flow of a scroll partaking of the character of Hogarth's line of beauty, or the graceful sweep of a circle, pleasant to look upon from whatever side it is viewed. Scroll patterns, however, though very beautiful, must be adopted with caution, as in most in- stances, to do full justice to their graceful outlines, more space is required than for any other style ; for if the curves of the scrolls approach each other so closely as to leave but little Bpace for turf or gravel, the colouring is apt to appear crowded and confused. THE PLANTS. In a selection of the most suitable plants for flower beds, many kinds grown entirely for the beauty of their foliage justly claim a leading position, and from their undoubted excellence and great utility we gladly accept and welcome them as almost indispensable aids in enabling us to carry out our designs. Their excellencies are many. They offer to the artist many shades of colour not to be obtained from blossom ; some soft and subdued charming neutral tints which are most useful to tone down or divide the glowing brightness of their more showy neighbours ; while others, by their bright and gorgeous colour- ing, not only rival the gayest flowers, but owing to their greater stability and immunity from many of those evils to which the blooms from their frailty are liable, not unfrequently take the place of flowering plants, and in some gardens to a much greater extent than I like to see ; for, after all, the blossoms of flowers possess a soft and refined beauty unapproached by foliage, and therefore the more flowering plants we can intro- duce with safety the more general will be the appreciation of the entire design. Grey-leaved Plants. — To our old friend Cerastium tomen- tosum must be awarded the leading position as the best dwarf plant of its colour for an edging or front row. When well managed nothing can surpass it, as it makes a dense growth, yet is prevented by its multitudinous leaves and shoots from appearing at all heavy, and it becomes a neat compact mass of pearly grey, which is most effective next to turf. Ceras- tium should always be transplanted once a-year ; it strikes root freely from cuttings in the open air in spring and autumn, and such young plants are best, as they quickly meet if planted an inch or two apart, but if old plants are retained July 14, 1870. 1 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 29 tley Bhould be lifted early in March, and the soil either re- newed, or renovated with leaf mould or rotten dung. Planted in his, the old plants grow throughout the summer with re- newed vigour ; but if this is not done, and they are kept in the toil for two successive seasons, they suffer very much from the heat during the seoond summer, and brown leaves and a starved appearance are the results. Cerastium Biebersteini I do not like so well, though it is useful for an edging to large beds or bold masses of foliage ; but even for such a purpose it is surpassed in the opinion of FLOWER GARDEN AT EGERTON HOUSE. 1, 16, 8, 9. Heliotrope Beauty of the Boudoir. 2, 15, 7, 10. The diamonds are marked out with Vinca major elegant- issima. Inside the Vinca in the diamonds is a row of Iresine Herbstii, and the centre of each diamond is filled with Pelargonium Crystal Palace Gem. The four central half-diamonds contain Lobelia 6peciosa, and the remaining three at each end are filled with Pelargonium Adonis or Little David. 3, 14, 60, 6, 11, 35. Cerastium tomentosum nest the turf, Pelargonium ChriBtine in the centre. 4, 5, 12, 13. A row of Centaurea ragnsina down the centre, a row of Colons Verschaffelti on each Bide of the Centaurea, with a row of Lobelia speciosa outside of both rows of the Coleus, making five rows in all. 34, 36, 59, 61. Three rows of Pelargonium Mrs. Pollock, forming a broad band along the centre of each bed, with Lobelia speciesa on each side. 39. Pelargonium Stella. 64. Pelargonium CyMster. 37, 41, 62, 66. Pelargonium Minimum Nosegay. 38, 40, 63, 65. Pelargonium Flower of Spring (silver variegated). 17, 42. These beds are shaded very much by the large Oak trees, 67 and 68, they are therefore always filled with fine-foliaged plants in the follow- ing way. — A broad band of Gnaphalium lanatum nest the turf, next this is an equally broad hand of Iresine Herbstii, then comes a narrow band of Gnaphalium lanatum surrounding the central mass of Farfugium grande. 33, 58. Mixed Verbenas. 32, 57. These beds have a large mass of Gladiolus Brenchleyensis in the centre, surrounded by a row of variegated Ageratum ; next this is a row of Coleus Verschaffelti, with a row of Pelargonium Mrs. Pollock nest the turf. 22, 47. In these beds is a broad band of Pelargonium Golden Chain at A, not taken all round, but narrowing off, as shown in the plan, and the remainder of the beds, b, contains a bold mass of scarlet Lobelia. 25, 50. Silver-variegated Pelargonium Perfection, 24, 26, 49, 51. Veibena Purple King. 23, 27, 4^, 52. Variegated Pelargonium Manglesii. 20, 54. Calceolaria Aurea Floribunda. 29, 46. Calceolaria Prince of Orange. Vi. Pelargonium Amy Hogg. 21. Waltham Seedling Pelargonium. 28. Pelargonium Rebecca. 3), Pelargonium Provost. 53. Pelargonium Black Dwarf. 55. Pelargonium Lady Constanco Grosvenor. 44. Pelargonium Sir J, Paxton. 45. Pelargonium Le Grand. The side beds 18, 31, 43. 56 have tbree rows in front, the first of Cen- taurea ragusina, the second Perilla, and the third either a yellow or orange Calceolaria. These three rows stretch from end to end of the beds, jnst filling the narrow parts, and in the remaining spaces are grouped scarlet and crimson varieties of Pelargoniums. 30 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 14, 1870. many by Gnaphalivm lanatum, a strong-growing but most useful plant, as, owing to the trailing recumbent character of its long flexible growth, by close attention to pinching and pegging it becomes one of our neatest bedders. Its handsome foliage, of a peculiar soft grey tint, is very telling next deep crimson or pink. One other grey-leaved plant, Centaurea ragu- sina, will complete my selection. It is the best plant of its class for a central, or third or fourth row. It is quite hardy, but as neat young plants are altogether preferable for bedding purposes, an annual supply must either be raised from cuttings or seed. By making cuttings as early in July as possible, and keeping them in a moderate even temperature, they will strike root as freely as a Pelargonium. If the stock is obtained from seed it must be sown in January, as the seedlings are very green at first, and require a considerable time before they equal in appearance plants raised from cuttings. For my own part, I very much prefer cuttings, for when once well rooted they may be wintered with the greatest ease in a dry cold pit. Cuttings of this plant also root in a brisk moist heat in spring. I have selected these plants as being decidedly the best of all in their section ; they are of the highest excellence, their merits having been thoroughly tried and their stability proved in a variety of seasons. Ckimson-leaved Plants I shall take next. Coleus Ver- schaffelti worthily comes first, for now the excitement caused by the much-vaunted splendour of its descendants has subsided, our old favourite remains master of the field, the splendour of its rich-coloured foliage never having been approached, much less equalled by any of them. And here I would observe, that my experience of this class of plants leads me to the conclusion, that no fine-foliaged plant possessing maculated leaves is ever so useful as those of a rich self-colour for bedding purposes. 1 have tried most of the new varieties of Coleus, and find that while Yerschaffelti is undoubtedly the best for forming rich masses, or as lines in a ribbon border, yet nearly all the newer kinds are useful if grown in pots, trained in a conical shape 2 or 3 feet high, and then turned out into beds to form mixed groups, or as a background for brighter colours. Of the Iresines, acuminata has fine, broad, handsome foliage, and will very likely supersede Herbstii, but of this I am by no means certain, as Herbstii is a fine plant when grown in a deep, rich, cool soil. It is most effective when next foliage of a similar character, such as that of Vinca major elegantissima, or Gnaphalium lanatum. Of Lindeni I must not yet venture to offer an opinion ; if its very elegant foliage only prove bright enough in colour it is likely to be a great acquisition. Ama- ranthus melanchoUcus ruber grown in a warm, sheltered situ- ation, and pegged closely, makes a fine crimson mass, and is very telling next bright yellow. Perilla nankinensis with its rich, dark, chocolate leaves, often changing to a fine bronze in autumn, is a first-clas3 bedding plant ; its young stems are very flexible, so that it may either be pegged closely and kept pinched to form a dwarf edging, or it may be had of any height up to a foot. Gold and Silvee Variegated Plants. — Among these we have in the very elegant Arabia lucida variegata a perfect gem, not more than 2 or 3 inches high, and quite hardy. Arabis alpina variegata is also useful. It is a stronger grower than the former. Cuttings made in October and wintered in a cold pit, make useful plants for the following summer. Next these comes Polemonium catruleum variegatum, a beautiful silvery- variegated hardy plant, with elegant Fern-like foliage. This is one of the most useful plants in its section ; it is best pro- pagated by division of the crowns in spring, and in order to •increase the stock quickly the plants should be potted in autumn, and wintered in a cold pit. Another useful plant is Koniga variegata. I have frequently used this between plantB of Lady Plymouth Pelargonium ; it grows quickly and has the appearance of a fringe of lace around the Pelargoniums, and is easily cut away as the Pelargoniums make growth. Vinca ■major elegantissima is a valuable bedding plant, which by judicious pinching and pegging becomes a sheet of pale yellow a few inches high. It requires constant attention, as it grows quickly, but it well repays one for all the care bestowed upon it. Chrysanthemum Sensation and Ageratum variegatum are alike useful ; both are easily propagated, and both bear pegging and pinching well. The Variegated Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera aureo-reticulata) also makes an elegant bedding plant, if propagated in spring, potted singly in 3-inch pots, and kept in heat and with the growth constantly pinched, so as to form the plants into neat, compact, little bushes. These do admirably for a line in a ribbon border, but they require c»n- stant pinching throughout the summer. All plants of 'his kind possessing a long trailing habit should never be suffered to produce long shoots when planted in flower beds, but sh-iuld, by pinching-off the tips of the young growth, be brougat as near to the appearance of a regular bedding plant as possible. Miscellaneous Plants. — Of these, Heliotrope Beaut% of the Boudoir, with its very dark foliage and abundance of grey flowers, forms charming neutral beds. To have this in bloom early, the plants must be propagated the previous autumn and wintered singly in thumb pots. Spring-struck plants are fre- quently as large when planted in the beds, but they are much later in coming into flower. The tall Scarlet Lobelias are good in groups, or for back rows in ribbon borders ; they do not open their flowers, it is true, till late in the season, but their dark stems and foliage are very effective, and when the spikes of deep rich scarlet flowers do expand, nothing can be finer, and yet how seldom are they seen. Their culture is most simple; pack the old stools closely in pans or boxes in autumn, winter in a cold pit, avoiding much damp, and early in March divide the old plants, potting the offsets singly in small pots. These, placed in any position under glass where they can have abundance of light and air, as in a pit, frame, or cool house, become nice plants by May. Care must be taken to guard them from the ravages of snails, which are very fond of the young succulent shoots. Another useful member of this family, of more lowly growth, is Lobelia speciosa. Coming early into bloom, and continuing in great beauty throughout summer, it forms a dense even mass of deep blue, and is everywhere welcomed and admired. It may be useful to some if I advert to two or three different methods of culture. The simplest way of all to obtain a stock is to sow a bed on a wsrm border early in September. The young seedlings are protected in winter with a frame having glass lights, which are covered with mats and litter in hard frosts ; the plants are slightly thinned, but nothing more is done till they are taken up with a trowel and planted in the flower beds in May. This plan answers very well for gardens in which an early display is not required, otherwise the usual plan of sowing seed in pans placed in heat in March is prefer- able. In gardens having very poor soil, where strong plants are required, I know no better way than to place a glazed frame on a mild hotbed, fill it to within 3 inches of the glass with light, rich, sandy soil, settle this gently down with the back of a spade, and prick out the young seedlings 2 inches apart. Wash the glass lights with a thin mixture of lime and water for shading, sprinkle the plants twice a-day with warm water, and give a thorough watering when necessary, and a little air on hot days. When the plants are growing freely, more and more air may be given, till the lights are drawn en- tirely off, care being taken that the tender foliage is not scorched by the sun. Seedlings so treated grow with amazing rapidity, and some care has to be exercised that the plants do not become too robust, and so, when removed to the flower beds, continue to grow too strongly. The method I prefer to all others is to select a dozen or two of plants from a late batch of seedlings or cuttings, to pot them singly in 3-inch pots, and plunge them in the open gar- den till the end of August, when they are taken up and shifted into 5 -inch pots, and then plunged to thrc rim in coal ashes till October ; they are then taken into the houses along with the other bedding stock. In the following February they are fur- nished with a good crop of cuttings, and the required quantity of young plants is raised with the greatest ease. By shifting the stock plants in the end of August, ample time is afforded for them to become thoroughly established in the 5-inch pots before they are housed. I lay some stress on this, because Lobelias shifted late in autumn are very liable to damp off. Viola cornuta is another very useful plant of most easy culture. In order to insure a lasting summer display, cuttings must be taken in March, and the young plants planted in the flower beds in a deep rich soil at the same time as the other bedding plants. It grows freely, and soon becomes a mass of bloom of a peculiarly fresh arwl pleasing appearance. This selection of plants may be thought a small one, but if to these are added the splendid varieties of bedding Pelargo- niums now in cultivation, together with Verbenas and Calceo- larias, ample materials of all shades of colour may be had in sufficient variety to fill a design, however large, in the most satisfactory manner. Of the relative merits of Pelargoniums, Verbenas, and Calceolarias I shall say nothing, as they have been fully treated of in former papers, but will next proceed to July 14, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTOBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 31 consider the arrangement of the plants. — Edward Lcckhubst, Egerton House Gardens, Kent. NOTES AND GLEANINGS. The third Show this year of the Royal Oxfordshire Horti- cultural Society, will be held on Tuesday, July 19th, and three following days, in the Observatory grounds, Oxford, by Mnd permission of the Badcliffe Observer, and the amonnts in prizes offered are as follows — viz., for Plants, £35 7s. Sd. ; Cnt Flowers, £26 3s.; Fruit and Vegetables, £12 12s.; Cot- tagers' prizes, £36 17s. 6d. ; in all £120 10s. The Royal Horticultural Society will hold their fourth provincial Show at the same time and place, and prizes amounting to nearly £800 will be given away. The band of the Royal Artillery from Woolwich will play daily under the direction of Mr. J. Smythe, as well as the band of the Oxfordshire Militia. The following railway companies have kindly consented to convey plants from the Exhibition free of charge, providing they re- main the property of the person who transmitted them to the Exhibition — viz., Great Northern, Great Western, London and North Western, London and South Western, and Midland. The Exhibition will be open on Tuesday, the 19th July, at 2 o'clock p.m., and on the three following days at 10 o'clock a.m. The terms of admission are — for the first day, 3s. 6d. (if purchased on or before Monday, July 18th) ; on the days of Exhibition, first day, 5s. ; second day, 2s. 6<2., third and fourth days, Is. Gardeners can obtain admission as follows— on pro- ducing their masters' cards — viz., first day, 2s. 6d. ; second day Is. The Fruit Committee of the Rotal Horticultural Society will meet at Oxford on Wednesday next, July 20th, at 11 o'Clock a.m., to examine such fruits and vegetables as may be sent for their opinion, The drought has been so great about London, and forage so scarce, that cow-keepers are eagerly purchasing the weeds grown in the Royal Horticultural Society's garden at Chiswick, for cattle food. The weeds are unusually fine, certainly, having been undisturbed for the last year or two ; and it is gratifying to see how even its misfortunes can be turned to good account for the Society's benefit. The " German village " trees have again made their appearance in Trafalgar Square, dotted about much in the way children do their mimic toys. Is it solicitude for the beauties of the National Gallery that these terrace trees are not placed on the only public terrace London possesses ? or is it that those in authority do not know how to make the best use of the objects they are entrusted with ? Last year we suggested that some of these trees should be placed on the terrace above, where they would form an effective line of green in front of the National Gallery ; but we presume some arbiter of taste directs the decorative department of the metropolis who knows better. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDES. See that in this department weeds are not allowed to seed amongst growing crops, such as Potatoes and Asparagus, where, from the luxuriance that surrounds them, they are apt to elude detection till they have deposited their seeds ; at- tention in proper time to such matters entails not one-tenth of the labour that neglect ultimately does. As soon as cater- pillars attack any of the Cabbage tribe, give a slight dredging with white hellebore powder in the morning. Make a sow- ing of East Ham Cabbage for early spring use, and a late sowing of Coleworts. Pay strict attention to early crops of Celery ; let them be gone over wi*h the hand, and all offsets taken off, and where practicable let it have a thorough drench- ing with dung water, after which, on the following day, give a slight earthing-up to prevent evaporation. Plant out suc- cession crops of it. People sometimes complain of their Celery " running ;" Celery plants removed in a gross state need little moro than drought to bring on the flowering habit. Sow another bed of Endive forthwith. Make a small sowing of Early Frame Peas. If the autumn be fine, they may be useful. Make a sowing of White Stone Turnips. FRUIT GARDEN. Attend to previous directions in regard to thinning and stopping the yonng shoots of all trained fruit trees, and now make the final thinning of Peaches and Nectarines, of course leaving the heaviest orop on the most vigorous trees and strongest branches. As a general rule no two fruit should be left together. Plums of the large kinds, as well as the finer sorts of Pears, should also be thinned if the crop is too heavy. Young Peach and Apricot treeB when making over-vigorous leaders should have the points of the branches shortened to encourage them to make other shoots less vigorous, and of a fruitful character, which will obviate the necessity of shorten- ing them back at the winter pruning. Strawberries will require frequent waterings in this dry weather: Place netting over the plants to protect them from birds, and it will also be very beneficial in partially shading the fruit from the midday sun. Layer the runners in 3-inch pots. For this purpose prepare a compost of two parts of friable yellow loam and one part of well-decomposed dung, with the addition of a tenth part of the whole of charred material. Take care that the pots are well drained, and have them placed on a south aspect, and on boards or slates raised a few inches above the surface of the ground, to prevent the worms getting into them. All spare runners may be cut away, and keep the plants free from weeds. Thin and stop Bhoots of Figs a3 soon as they have made a growth of about 6 inches ; and remove all useless growth from Vines, keep the fruit close to the wall, and shaded by the foliage from the sun. FLOWER GARDEN. The Roses are the great attraction here at present, and these should be frequently looked over, removing decaying flowers, &c, which, if allowed to hang on the plants, have a very un- sightly appearance. Now is the best season for observing the effect of the arrangement of colours, &c, aDd if any alteration is deemed necessary it should be carefully noted. This will greatly facilitate its execution at the proper season. Proceed with the propagation of favourite sorts which it may be desir- able to increase either by budding or cuttings. The Hybrid Perpetuals, TeaB, Chinas, and Bourbons are generally preferred on their own roots, and firm, 6hort-jointed shoots of these root very freely at this season ; but to insure success they should be afforded a slight bottom heat, be carefully shaded, and not kept too warm until they emit roots. They will, however, root under a hand-glass on a shady border. Remove suckers from worked plants. Cut-back the shoots of the autumn-flowering varieties to the most promising eye, as soon as all the flowers are ex- panded and begin to fade. If manure water cannot conveniently be giveD, stir the surface soil with a fork and apply a good sprinkling of guano, the strength of which will be washed down to the roots, and will serve the same purpose as manure water. Slugs must be sharply looked after, otherwise plants to which they are partial will be very likely to be injured, The propagation of flowers for masses is a most important matter, and much depends on its being performed in due time. If stove plants for the ensuing year are propagated and potted- off too late, they will not be easily preserved during the winter. A bed should be prepared in an open situation where constant attention can be given. The soil should be free and rather sandy, and should be made somewhat fine, as is usual for cut- tingB, and a canvas screen should be always at hand to ward off continued sunshine. After the bed is made particularly level in order to equalise the moisture by watering or other- wise, a number of striking-glasses should be placed ready to cover the cuttings as they come to hand, for after all it must be progressive work. Choice Verbenas, Calceolarias, Pelar- goniums, Petunias, Heliotropes, Fuchsias, Pentstemons, Mule Pinks, Picotees, double Wallflowers, with numerous other mass or border flowers may be successively put in, as cuttings of a proper character can be obtained. They should be slightly watered when put in, and should receive a slight shading in sunshine for the first month, after which they may be gradu- ally inured both to sunshine and air. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. Follow up shifting with such of the hardwooded tribes as require it. A turfy compost of three parts sandy heath soil of a fibrous and rather lumpy character, and one part sound loam of a similar texture, will suit the majority. The more tender kinds will require lumps of charcoal, stone, or crocks introduced occasionally until near the surface of the pot. Let every at- tention possible be paid to the most thorough drainage ; this cannot be too complete, taking care especially to use very hollow crocks at the bottom, for if these lie too flat and be- come closed up, it matters little how much depth of drainage material is upon them, all will be stagnation. Some of the stove plants that have recently been brought into the conser- vatory will require attention to prevent their being injured by damp if cloudy weather should occur, and ii will probably be 32 JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 14, 1870. necessary to nse slight fires occasionally for the purpose of drying the atmosphere of the house. The propriety of this will, however, greatly depend upon circumstances, for in small well- ventilated houses damp will hardly be troublesome, whereas in lofty houses with but little ventilation, and the roofs over- grown with climbers, it may be so to a very great extent. But at this season there is nothing to fear from cold, and air should be freely admitted at every favourable opportunity, using every care to keep the atmosphere of the house as dry as possible, and keeping the plants clear of decaying flowers. Considerable care will also be necessary in watering recently repotted specimens, whether of the soft or hard wooded class, as in the case of cloudy weather they will require very little water, and will be speedily injured by a careless supply. Con- tinue to carefully regulate the growth of twiners, but avoid tying them too closely, and allow them to grow according to their natural habits as much as circumstances will permit. Examine the border plants frequently for insects, which, if allowed their own way at this season, soon injure the young tender growth. The Luculias are matchless subjects for the conservatory borders and are deserving of every care, but they are very subject to black thrips. Tobacco smoke is the most effectual remedy for this pest. — W. Keane. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. On the evening of this, the 9th inst., we have had thunder, but little rain, though it has fallen heavily in some places in the neighbourhood. In summer, especially, we often notice that the cloud breaks on the height, and sheds its contents in the valleys. In winter, the heights get their share more regu- larly. However, the showers which we have had, though as yet doing little to fill reservoirs, have refreshed vegetation, and even the lawn, beginning to be brown, is putting on its bright green livery. As a commencement, we are having trough piping placed round our pits, that the water from them, as well as houses, may be conveyed to a clean-water tank. The water from these pits was not lost formerly, as it fell on firm ground, so sloping that the rains ran to cesspools, whence it was con- veyed in pipes to a pond concealed from view. We thus from roadways, &c, obtained a quantity of water, but it required to stand some time to become clear. We shall now have more clean water, and will just have so much less iu the pond. Celery. — The cloudy days, helped by occasional drizzles, enabled us to plant out a good deal in beds, generally three rows in a 4-feet bed. As some of our coadjutors say, there is no difficulty in earthing it up by placing light boards between the rows, and moving the boards as the earthing-up proceeds. We have long dispensed with the boards, even when we have had from four to six rows across a bed, and, provided each plant is nicely cleaned at the base, and then loosely tied, the earth can be easily applied without the help of boards. The earth is merely well pulverised and squeezed to the plants a little by the hand. In stiff soils, and where slugs and worms are apt to be troublesome, it is a good plan to have semicircular pieces of old spouting, say 18 inches long, of tin or zinc, made on purpose, two to be placed round and pretty close to each plant, the interior to be filled with ashes, and then the space between with earth, drawing up the pieces of pipe as you go along. This plan is one of the best for preventing slugs and snails marking the Celery. Our Celery beds have been filled until now with bedding plants, dwarf Peas, and Potatoes, and now they have had an addition of very rotten dung, made moderately firm before planting. For large Celery, rather rank dung may be used. When sweet, crisp Celery is desired, all rank dung should be mixed with the soil at the bottom, if used at all, and sweet dung mixed with soil near the surface. On the ridges we have had rows of Peas, but the dry weather has oaused some of them to come to maturity earlier than we wished, and as some rows were removed we used branches laid across the bed to give a flickering shade until the air became cooler, and the clouds gave a little more shade. After one good watering at planting, we must be satisfied with a few surface sprinklings. Our plants would not have required the latter if they had been better established with good balls before turning out, as we generally have them ; but in the press of matters only part of what is planted received the usual attention, and therefore they feel the moving more at first. Our later crops will be more independent in this respect, and where water is scarce it will ever be easier to water a bed somewhat thickly planted than the same plants spread over a large spaoe. Such plants forming good balls, with young fibres bristling all round them like a wig, when well watered some hours before lifting, will re- quire comparatively little watering when transferred to sunk beds or trenches. Cucumbers. — Our earliest, in a pit heated by hot water, have been all that could be desired, but twice they have had a little fly, and what was worse, they were attacked with red spider. The latter was mostly our own fault, as three times suc- cessively we put a row of Strawberry plants on a shelf close to the apex, and thus got Strawberries to ripen and colour well some days earlier than we could have ripened them elsewhere. The dryness, so necessary to full flavour, prevented us syringing near the top of the pit — in fact, we could syringe but little, hence the presence of the red spider. These Strawberry pots were taken there merely to hasten the swelling of the fruit, as it was all set and swelling previously. On taking away the Strawberry- shelf we cut off the leaves of the Cucumbers most affected with the spider, and then two or three smokings with tobacco paper and syringings with clear soft-soap water, removed all trace of the insects, and the plants now look as healthy and vigorous as they did at first. We had planted out a few more in case the plants had shown signs of exhaustion. A few of the details of treatment may be given. The pit is nearly 6 feet wide, with a space shut off inside of about half that width. As we wanted Cucumbers soon after planting out in spring, we considered that width too much. We there- fore kept our plants in rather large pots, banked-up all round with sweet hot dung to within an inch of the rims of the pots. When fairly established the bed was surfaced all over so as to be level with, and frequently to cover the rim of the pot, the pot itself being filled with rich compost. Roots now come from the top of the bed and run along the surface of the bed, and a sprinkling of fresh rich compost has been spread over them two or three times. The curbing of the roots by the pots caused the early fruit to swell better, and prevented over- luxuriance, and the pots, though now concealed, do something still to secure fruitfulness and moderate growth in such little space. With elevated span-roofed or lean-to houses with a good length of roof, we should consider such oramping of the roots unnecessary, unless where early results were wanted. We can produce Cucumbers plentifully enough in the usual low pits and frames, but in general, and especially for all large, vigorous-growing kinds, the pit and the frame are poor sub- stitutes for the house with the more elevated roof, and where the most of the work can be done by the operator standing beneath the stems and foliage of the plants. In such circum- stances, with even soft-soap water at command, we should give little chance to red spider, thrips, or green fly to do much more than make their appearance. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. Here we pass other matters to chronicle a disappointment. A Peach tree on the back wall of our orchard house, beautifully supplied with fruit, and looking pretty well until within a few days, is going to bid us good-bye. Although we knew it had a trial to go through, we did not expect we should lose it. About Fobruary or March the stem of the tree had been nibbled all round by mice, every bit of outer and inner bark being removed to the depth, perpendicularly, all round the stem, of from 6 to 7 inches. The alburnum, or last season's layer of wood, was also eaten into in various places, but a good portion seemed to be untouched. We covered over the place with a mixture of clay and cow dung, tying it up securely with a cotton cloth, so aB to exclude air, and when examined once or twice we found fresh bark freely forming from the upper and under sides of the large wounded or barked part. As we had often wit- nessed the heavy crops carried to completion on the branches of fruit trees, where, owing to canker, there were open spaces all round destitute of bark and alburnum, we were in hopes that our tree, and the crop on it for this year, would not have suffered, and more especially as fresh bark was forming on both sides of the wound. We have noticed Plum, Pear, and Apple trees living and fruiting for years with more than double that space of stem destitute of bark. We have been astonished to find, on removing Peach trees becoming ex- hausted, how very small a space of living wood sufficed to keep up the circulation. We felt annoyed at the mice thus olearing away the bark from the stem of a favourite tree, but after covering the wound over we were in hopes that our tree would eventually suffer no more than it would do from a rather severe ringing. Something there may be in the very nibbling of the mice, as we have often seen hundreds of Laurels die upwards, even though the nibbling did not go July 14, 1870. I JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 33 right round the stem. We have not examined nor removed our tree, but we snspect we shall find that the internal wood of the stem is decayed, so that the mice did not leave enough of wood for the sap to pass freely. In other cases we have found that large wounds and openings would be healed over in a year or two, especially when covered up from the sun and air. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. The work was much the same as in the previous week, diversified with much labour in fresh arranging the corridors and conservatory, and in potting plants, pricking off Chinese Primulas, Cinerarias, planting out old Cinerarias to get suckers from them, and sowing the seed of herbaceous and semi- ehrubby Calceolarias blooming for next spring.— R. F. TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED. James Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic Nnrsery, King's Road, Chelsea, S.W. — Catalogue of New and Beautiful Plants/or 1870. TO CORRESPONDENTS. The Journal of Horticulture Pbjze (Competitor). —There is no limit as to the number of diahes of fruit for this prize to be awarded at Oxford on the 19th, and flowers may be used in any way in arranging the diahes artistically. Elm Seeds (A. McCallum).— The seeds you enclosed were not of the Ulmns campestris, English Elm, bat of U. montana, the Mountain Elm. Royal Botanic Society's Show.— Messrs. Weeks & Co. inform us that they received a first-class certificate of merit for their patent duplex boiler and conservatory designs. If the Society advertised their awards in our columns as the Royal Horticultural Society does it would be satis- factory to the prizetakers, and omissions would not occur. Fruiting Vines (Reader).— In reference to the Vines alluded to at page 466, if you resolve to fruit the Vines from the sill up the upright glass, then leaving the newly-turned-out plants 6 feet in length was right enough. This plan may be well followed when the house is devoted to Vines only, but when other plants are grown in the centre of the house the light from the front is too much obstructed. You may, as you propose, try more heat and moisture to get the Vines to grow and break, but in our opinion the coolness of the house was rather in favour of the Vines breaking. After the treatment you have given them we are at a loss to account for the buds not breaking. No doubt the check given to the root* would be considerable, but treated as stated the buds ought to have broken. Vine Shoots Dying at the Tip (J.M. Stott).— Your Vine shoots perish through scorching, caused by a too hot dry atmosphere, the roots in the meantime being plentifully supplied with moisture and making succulent shoots. Give more air, and keep a moister atmosphere during the day. Diseased Shoots and Leaves of Vines and Fuchsias (J. £.).— The shoots and leaves were rather far gone to enable us to judge surely ; but they had signs of scalding from hot vapour, if these signs wer6 not the result of sweating in your letter. Besides that there were marks of thrips, and we are almost sure of red spider as well. For the latter, sulphur and syringing with soft-soap water would be the simplest remedies, the sul- phur beiDg placed on a hot-water pipe or on the wall where the sun shines. If mixed with soft soap it will adhere tolerably well. The soft- soap water should be applied as stated the other week, clear, and of the strength of 1 lb. of soap to about thirty gallons of water. The thrips is a little narrow insect that jumps as yon approach it. The best remedy is smoking with tobacco at night when the leaves are all dry, and syringing the next day with soap water. Tho only remedy you have— of cutting Fuchsias down and getting them to grow afresh in a mild dung heat— is effectual, because the moist heat is hated by red spider and thrips. Heating a Small Greenhouse (A. Dou-nex).— There is no doubt but vou may keep up a temperature of from 50° to 60° in your small glass house heated by gas, hot water, and otherwise ; but we are doubtful if you can get all this done, except with the lightest materials, for £5. If you refer to cur No. 841, pages 278 and 279, you will find all we can state about gas-heating. Dirty Rain Water (Idem).— It would not hurt the roots of plants unless muddy ; but it would be easy to make it clear by passing it through a barrel or reservoir with pebbles at the bottom, and rough clean gravel and charcoal above these. A layer altogether from a foot to 18 inches thick would do if frequently cleaned and replaced. The New River water we should use without hesitation or preparation. Melons Going Off (G. A. N.).— We see nothing wrong with the bottom heat, nor in the time of admitting air and shutting up, only we should like to give a little air before 8 a.m., and not shut up altogether at 4 p.m. We think the gangrene on the shoots arises from condensation of moisture on the glass, and consequent drip on the Btems or principal branches; but we have suffered more from the disease this year than during any one of the past twenty years, and lost whole framefuls of plants. We have reverted to a practice now little in vogue, that of growing the plants from cuttings. We have plants propagated in this way with fruit set and swelling in six weeks, and none of the damping tendencies of their parents. Fruit 17 inches in circumference is a good size, it will weigh 2 lbs. and more, but we have manv larger fruit of the same sort (Beechwood), although there are three and four on each plant -—perfect spheres, and netted all over. They will weigh 4 lbs., and are larger than we like, but if they net well we shall not care how large they may he, for with good netting there ib flavour. It is very unusual for Melon seeds to germinate inside the fruit, and especially before it is ripe. Watering Pot Vines with Liquid Manure (Idem).— The liquid manure should be continued until the Grapes are fully swelled and properly coloured, and then it is well to give Clearwater; but no more than sufficient to keep the foliage fresh. Fifteen bunches on a Vine in an 11-inch pot are good, indeed more than can be coloured well ; and the size— 1 lb. each— is also good, but all depends on how they finish. It is easy to obtain a quantity of bunches, bat quite another matter to have them perfect in size, colour, and flavour. Clematis Treatment in Pots (Subscriber). — The plants when in pots require to have the necessary potting early in spring, or after they have been pruned ; all the soil that comes away freely may be removed, but avoid breaking the roots, though the sides of the ball should be loosened, and do not give a large shift but allow a moderate space be- tween the sides of the pot and the ball. A compost of two parts sandy fibrous loam and one part leaf soil or old cow dung, with free drainage, will grow them. They will not need much water until they are growing freely, then copious supplies will be required, especially when they are in flower. When the growth is complete the plants should be kept rather drier, but not much so until the leaves turn yellow, and then the water- ing should be reduced to a minimum, only a little water being given occasionally when the plants are at rest to keep the wood from shrivelling. Before they begin to grow, or in December or January, they should be pruned, cutting out the old, long, bare shoots, leaving as many of those of the previous year as possible. The summer pruning is simply a matter of slopping any straggling shoots, and training so as to cover the trellis equally in every part, but not too thickly. They should have a light airy position in a cool house, otherwise their flowering is not satisfactory. The form of trellis is immaterial. Belladonna Lily Culture (Idem).— Pot the bulbs now, or as soon as the foliage docays, in a rather strong yellow loam, providing good drain- age, and placing from five to seven bulbs in a 6-inch pot. Set the pots in a saucer filled with sand, which at no time should be allowed to become dry. They may stand constantly on a shelf in a greenhouse. No water will be required until they begin to grow, and then the soil should be kept moist, and when growing freely a good supply of water must be given, continuing it until the growth is complete, lessening it with the decay of the leaves, and leaving it off altogether when that 13 complete, still keeping the *and moist. Do not repot for the next year at least, but the drainage must be kept clear. In the open ground they require to be planted in front of a greenhouse, or in some other warm aspect. The bulbs should be planted about 3 inches deep, and be mulched every autumn with a layer of partially decayed leaves an inch or two deep, protecting the foliage also in very severe weather with mats. Strawberries (W. G.).— It is very difficult to name Strawberries unless one sees them growing, and even then the number of sorts has so much increased that there is much uncertainty about them. No. 1 ap- pears to be Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury ; 2, Keens' Seedling; 3, is like Myatt's Eliza, well grown. Your fruit of Dr. Hogg, 3 inches iu diameter, are very fine. Mr. Radclyffe is also excellent. Cutting off Strawberry Leaves (ff.).— No practice is worse than cutting off Strawberry leaves after the fruit has been gathered. The leaves have to digest "the sap, and help to provide for the next year's producing. Fertilising Carnations (Tyro).— With a pincers pluck out the petals and cut out the stamens of the flower you wish to fertilise; secure the pollen from the flower you wish to fertilise with, apply it to the stigma of the flower from which the stamens have been removed, and enclose the flower in a fine gauze bag. A camel-hair pencil is beBt for removing the pollen and applying it. Moving Newly-budded Roses [J. IF. C.).— Roses budded now may safely be moved in November next. With regard to the new Roses of the current year, we have no doubt " D., Deal," will give us some particulars in due course. Wintering Iresine and Cannas (Idem).— The former is best wintered from cuttings put in early in August in light, sandy, poor soil, and when rooted potted-off singly in small pots, and kept rather dry in a house with a temperature of 50-. If well established in pot3 before winter, the plants are not difficult to keep, except in a low, moist atmosphere, but they must be kept dry. If the foliage remains fresh they have enough of water, and none should be given as long as it remains so, but it must not be allowed to flag. The cuttings may remain in the pots in which they were struck, and be potted off in spring; the chief thing to guard against is damp. Cannas should be taken up in autumn after the first frost, be placed in pots large enough to hold the roots, and in sandy loam, placing them in on airy greenhouse, and keeping them there until the growth is ripened off ; then cut them down and put them in a dry place, from which frost is excluded. No water, except a watering after potting, will be required. Return them to the greenhouse in March, but if they can be placed in a gentle hotbed for two or three weeks, so as to give them a start, all the better. Diffebent Roses on the Same Stock (Lang).— H one proves to be a Tea Rose, and the other a Hybrid Perpetual, we fear the latter will be too strong for the former. You can let both grow till you prove the kind, and save whichever your think the more valuable to you. Hybrid Perpetuals will do mixed on the same stock, provided care be taken to choose those of similar vigour of growth. We do not think, however, there is much to commend the practice. Madame Froissart Rose (A. M. Jackson).— We do not know of any Rose called Madame Froissart, neither is there, we believe, a Madame Andre Leroy, a distinct Rose from Andre Leroy, generally called Andre Leroy d' Angers. Climbing Roses (W. E. J.).— Nearly all the most rapid climbing Roses, as the Ayrshire and Multi flora Roses, Ac, are white or blush. The old Boursault Amadis will, perhaps, cover a wall with red Roses more quickly than any other ; but we should not plant Amadis only, but Gloire de Dijon, which is the finest of all climbing Roses. Climbing Devoniensis, and Celine Forestier, likewise General Jacqueminot, and Madame Charles Crapelet, which, though they will not grow as high as the last three named, will fill up the lower part of the wall for 7 or 8 feet, allowing Gloire de Dijon and Climbing Devoniensis to cover the upper part, which can be done by judicious training. If the soil is light and dry, put plenty of good farmyard manure and cow dung in the border previous to planting. Erratum.— In my last paper on new Roses, near the bottom of the first column of page 7, "Dear to us by Francois Lacharme," ought to have been by " Charles Lefebvre."— D., Deal. English Elm in Scotland— Altering a Tree's Habit (A Subscriber). —The English Elm (Ulmus campestris), will grow near Aberdeen. We do not know in what way you will induce trees naturally of weeping habit 34 JOUENAL OF HOBTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 14, 1SW. to grow upright, but you may make those which are stunted grow more freely by cutting oft' the strongest of the side branches, thus throwing the main support into the upright-growing Bhoots. This should be done in winter when the trees are leafless, and if persisted iu a few years will give you a greater height of tree, and, of course, length of stem. Grapes Spotted (A. M. Callum). — The " black spot that appears on the side of the berries and causes an indentation," is the spot. It is mostly attributable to a deficiency of foliage, and neglectiDg to give a proper amount of air, also by the roots being in a cold wet border. There is little doubt of the scorched appearance of the foliage, which is arrested by sulphur, arisiDg from mildew, but we cannot say conclusively without seeing a specimen. It is most likely the small white insect of the same size and appearance as thrips, but in a yourjg state. The white or young thrips do not jump about, but the mature insect does so freely. It may be you have the white aphis, which is the most difficult of all to ex- terminate. Thrips varies considerably on different subjects. Vine Lea ves— Aerial Roots { W. T. ).— Do not remove the leaves ; they are absolutely necessary to secure Bize, colour, and flavour to the Grapes. Aerial roots are not injurious to the Vines, but are evidence that they are vigorous. The roots may be removed and will not appear again so soon, as you can have the air of the vinery drier when the Grapes are ripening. Opening Gaedens to the Pdelic [J. Wise).— Yon are altogether wrong, and your letter must not be published. PLANTIN3 Strawberries (J. Walker). — Your old pasture trenched 2 feet deep, and a liberal quantity of manure worked in, ought to grow Strawberries well. Being a very strong clay, the addition of road scrap- ings will be beneficial. Five varieties for succession — Sir Joseph Paxton, Keens' Seedling, Rivera's Eliza, Dr. Hogg, and Frogmore Late Pine. Mdbhrooms Decaying and Maggotty (F. K. Betchworth).— We could make nothing of the Mushroom sent, as it was altogether rotten — top and stalk. As you say that the small oneB are the same when they appoar through the ground, we come to one of two conclusions: either the surface soil is too light for summer, or the place wht*re the Mushrooms grow is too hot for them. We used to have some trouble with Mush- rooms in July and August when we depended upon a lean-to house facing the north. With all our care they would be maggotty there and poor at times. This led us to growing them in summer in an open shed— that is, with a wall to the east, open to the west, and a thatched roof, and shaded by trees. Singularly enough we did not commence so soon as usual this year in the shed, and though we suffered a little from ricketty platforms that gave way in the house referred to, the last piece in the house has yielded fine Mushrooms up to the present time, notwithstanding the heat, and is doing so still. Our last piece in the open shed of last year, Bome 15 inches deep.hasalso borne profusely. After being dry and pretty well exposed from November last year, we thought it too good to be dug out in the beginning of April. We gave it a good manure watering, and covered it with litter, and nobly has the bed rewarded us. We think most failures are owiDg to mistaken kindness. In a house, at this season we should damp walls, paths, &c, to promote coolness. In a shed, or in the open air, we should cover, and do cover, for the sime purpose — to keep the beds cool. The best Mushrooms are produced at a temperature rather under than above 60°; hence sheds, cellars, and cool places are better than common houses in summer. After all, Mushrooms are often a fickle crop. For many years no have not known what it is to have a failure, and yet it is possible we may soon have an unproductive bed, and scarcely be able to assign the reason why. We have entered into details several times, telling how to vary the treatment according to the material. As to the material, we are not at all particular, provided we can get a few horse droppings for the purpose. If you told us exactly how you managed your bed, we might be able to find out where tbe error is. Meanwhile, we attribute the " going off" to too close and too warm an atmosphere. Artillery Plant (J. E. B.). — The botanical name is Pilea muscosa Formerly it was called Urtica microphylla, but never Thelygonnm oynocrambe, which is quite a different plant, though belonging to the same natural order. Weeks's One-boiler System {Clericus).— The beBt example we know is at Manley Hall, near Manchester. If you write to Messrs. Weeks, King's Road, Chelsea, they would send you a drawing of what they have done at Manley Hall. There are three boilers, and these heat houses of all kinds requiring 14,417 feet of piping. Potatoes Onion-flavoured (Cornwall). — The flavour could not arise from the sets being stored with Onions, nor from being grown in a soil where Onions were the preceding crop. The saucepan or the water, or some contact after boiling, we think, must originate the disagreeable flavour. Earwigs (A. S. L. M.). — We do not know of any better traps than pots stuffed with moss. They may be poisoned, but care must be taken to keep the baits from other animals. Equal proportions of honey and arsenic will destroy all that partake of it. Blight (Aphis). — When the composition is ready for the public and advertised, will be tbe fairest time to publish testimonials in its favour. Glowworms (Poplar). — The glowworm is the fully developed, although wingless, female of a species of beetle of which the male is winged. Insect6 when arrived at the fully-developed state only live till they have paired, and the females deposited their eggs. Hence the chances are very slight that you could keep glowworms on a lawn for more than a short time, certainly not during the winter. They feed both in the larva and full-grown state upon snails and other soft-bodied creatures.— I. O. W. Insects (Q. J.). — There was not any leaf in your letter when it reached us. Send again. (W. B. B.).~ The insect injuring your Vines is Curculio picipes, the clay-coloured weevil. The only remedy is to go at night with alight, hold a sieve beneath each branch with one hand, and shake the branch gently with the other hand ; the weevils that may be on the branch immediately drop. POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. RATIONAL POULTRY-KEEPING.— No. 5. There are few places that are not within reach of a market town, and in all markets there is a Bale for poultry. Where no sale exists, either it has been given up beoarjs® it was seldom any poultry was to be had, and more frequently still, because when bought the chickens (?) were so hard tbey -were uneatable. The first reason is unavoidable, because at some seasons of the year there is little spare poultry, but the seeond is the result of such false calculation and management that it savours of folly. It was pardonable only in the days when the cost of carriage by stage coach was so great that it did not pay to send a couple or two of chickens, and the time consumed in the journey made the waggon more than useless, and whea there were no men who made it a business to collect foiris, or where a sale could be had for one or two couples weekly and no more. They were then killed as they were wanted, and if the stock was large, by ' he time the last were sent to market they had attained an n_- that rather fitted them for continuing their breed than for . lpplying food in their own persons. Now, however, it is ufferent. In almost every village in England, if near a i vay station, there is a man who makes it his business to coli ot poultry of all kinds, eggs, butter, &c, to send either to some county capital or to the metropolis. He will buy the surplus stock, and, mind, it ia more valuable to him and more profitable to you if it is young. But we may be met with the answer, " We do not lavs Dear a town. There is no man who collects. We have no means of selling. We will not be bothered with fattening in any shape. We do not know what to do with them. Drat the fowls, we wish we had never seen them." He has a bad counsellor who iistens to his anger, and many a possessor of good birds has had his momentary fit taken advantage of, and has so3d for a trifle a lot of birds that in cooler moments he wonld, bnt for shame's sake, have bought back at a large increase. These fits of anger with the birds are generally caused by an un- usually heavy bill for food, or a demand for an increased quantity, or a complaint of the damage they do in tlse garden, or a fit of the " blues." Now, it is undeniably true that the fewer fowls jou Ibave on the ground the better they will thrive. The beat will make a good return for all your food and painstaking, the Janily can make no other return than to appear on your table, and that is where all this verbiage is to lead us. It is in every way a saving to kill them young, and we will admit they are too small either to roast or boil — as cook says, " Lor, there aini nothin on 'em, what will they be when they're roasted?"' True, good cook ; but if you had been a Sussex woman you would hava said, " Two of them would make a beautiful pudding." Say you have some chickens so faulty that there is no hope of their getting right, so ugly they will never be pretty, so crooked they will never be straight. You have so msmy yon look on them every day with an evil eye ; and when your man tells you the fox visited Dame Partlett's brood last night, you say in your bitterness you wish he would visit yours. Take some, according to the size of the pudding you require, of the least promising or most offending of your chickens, put them away to fast during six or seven hours, kill them, have them picked quite clean, hang them in a cool larder for a day and night, and then proceed to cut them up, but do it properly. We have heard the cut of a coat criticised by its being said it looked as though it was chopped out with a spade, and we have seen chickens cut up as though the operation had been per- formed with a hatchet. First take out the crop, tben take out all the inside ; cut off the feet, and put them in nearly boiling water — all the skin will then easily peel off ; put them, the neck, the gizzard (having first taken out the inside), the liver, and heart, in a small quantity of water, and let them boil for gravy. Put the chicken on a table on its back with the crop towards you ; take a sharp knife, and cut from tbe point of the breast- bone to the wing, being careful to keep the edge of the knife against the bone all the time, that no meat may remain on the carcase ; raise the meat that is divided, and remove it wherever it adheres to the bone. This gives you a delicious wing. One of these will come from each side of the breastbone, and will leave it denuded of meat. These are the two choicest pieces. Next remove the two legs and divide each at the j Ant, making thigh and drumstick of each ; then the wings, cut them off, and divide at the principal joint. You will then have a small merrythought and two small side bones. Lay the carcase on its side, and chop it in half lengthwise. If you have followed our instructions closely there will be little or nothing left on the breastbone; nevertheless, put it in the saucepan that is already turning water into gravy. Then divide the backbone just below the oyster-pieces, and flatten them with a good blow i of the flat side of the chopper. Jaly U, 1870. 5 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 35 Thus (from each chicken you have two slices of breast, two thighs, two drumsticks, a merrythought, two side bones, the winge, and two succulent pieces of back. Next take three or four thin slices of salted pork and put with them. It is a wondarfal improvement to cut up two sheep's kidneys and add to it. Luxurious people put ham instead of pork, and some " go the whole hog " by adding mushroom and a few oysters. As we are not writing for them, we will return to our ptsin dissected chicken and our slices of pork. Season them to your ta6te. Then make a nice suet crust. Take a basin according to the size you desire, line it well with the crust, and then dispose your pieces artistically as though you were making mosaic work — do not throw them in. Pour in your gravy, tie the basin with a cloth, and boil loDg and gently. It oar description is correct, and you like it as well as we do, your chickens will be benefactors instead of plagues, and you will often ask yourself whether they are large enough for a chicken pudding. DAMAGING FOWLS AT SHOWS. Last year I exhibited at Spalding a very good pen of Duck- wings; they having during the few previous months won cups at Bristol, King's Lynn, Hull, Beverley, and Thorne, besides first prizes at Leeds, Ulverston, Sea. Thorne Show took place just a week before Spalding, and this pen had only been left about a quarter of an hour, during which time one of the cock' ' sickles was broken. Happening to arrive at Thorne just befoiv the Game classes were judged, I took the bird out of the pen and arranged the broken feather so that it kept its place duriD^ the Sliow, and the pen won the cup. Feeling convinced that the feather had been wilfully broken, I wrote to the Secretary of the Spalding Show explaining the matter, and asked him as a favour to let special attention be paid to this pen, yet this did not prevent the cock coming back with the other sickle broken. As it was, the birds were first in their own claps, and had they not met with foul play would most probably have won the cup for the best pen of Game fowls in the Show. I have been an exhibitor of Game fowls for upwards of a dozen years, during which time I have had several Game cocks returned with the sickles broken or out entirely, and this never happened to any but my very best fowls, proving to my mind that the majority of these cases are the work of unprincipled exhibitors, who take advantage of any chance to get rid of a troublesome pen. — H. M. JuLiiX, Hull. Any other Variety.— Cup and 1. H. Beldon. 2, J. S. Snowdon, Adwalton. Cock.—\, W. Fell. 2, H. Beldon. S, C. Sidgwick. he, H. Beanland. Bantam. —Game.— I. W. F. ISntwisle, Cleckheaton. 2. W. Greaves, Rradford. he, W. F. EntwiBle; .T. Walker, Adwalton. Any other Variety.— \, H. Beldon. 2, T.E.Har- rison, Hull. Geese lanv breed).— 1, J, White. Netherton. 2, J. Ward, Prigh- lington. Duoss.— Aylesbury.— \, T. Wilson, Crossbill. Rouen. — 1, J. While. 2.C. Sidgwick. PIGEONS. Carriers.— 1, E. Horner. Harewood. 2. H. TartUey, Birmingham, he, J. Hawlev, Binpclev; E. Homer. Pouters.— 1. J. Hawk-y. 2. E. Horner, he, H. Y;u-'11< v. ruKBtZRB.— Abnonds— 1, E. Horner. 2, H. Yardley. Any other Vorirtu.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, J. Hawley. Barbs-— 1 and he, E. Homer. 2, H. Yardlev. Antv.-erps.-1, J. Cropland, Wakefield. 2. E. Hoi-ner. Extra 2, J. Hawley. he, H. Yardley ; J. Crosland (2). Turbits— 1, II. Yardley. 2, T. Hollidav, Idle. he. E. Horner (2 1. Fantails.—I. H. Yardley. 2. E. Homer. he, J. Hawk-v; E. Horner. Jacobins.— 1 and 2. E. Homer, he, H. Yardley. Trbmreters— I.E. Homer. 2, J. Hawley. he, J. Hawley; W. Tetley. Birken- shaw. Maopies.—I. E. Homer. 2. H. Yardley. fcc, T. Huliday. Any other Variety.— 1. H. Yardley. 2, E. Horner, he, J. Hawley. Medal for greatest number of points in Pigeon classes, E. Horner. The Judge was Mr. E. Hutton, Pudsey, Leeds. DRIGHLINGTON AND ADWALTON POULTRY SHOW. The animal Show of the Drighlington and Adwalton Agricultural Society took place on the 9th inst., and the weather beiug very tine the visitors were numerous. In the poultry department the numbers were not large, in consequence of so many shows having been held daring the few preceding days, and the fact that a similar show was held simultaneously about two miles off. SpanisJt, wero iirst on the list, but these, the Dorkings, and the Cochins, were bat moderate in quality. The only pen of Brahmae was very good, and of Red Game the birds were excellent and close- feathered. The first-prize winners were Brown Keds, and the cap for the best pen was awarded to these. The second prize went to Black Keds. All the Hamburghs were good, but the Black were especially noteworthy. The Crcve-Coeurs in the French classes were of extra- ordinary merit. The cup for the best pen except Game was won with Palands 6f the Golden variety. For single cocks Game was first, a Poland secoud, aud a Cochin third. Of Game Bantams, a pretty pen of Duokwings was first, and Brown Keds of capital style and colour were second. Ducks and Geese were large and good in all points. The Pigeons were more numerous than the poultry, and the birds shown were of high merit. In Carriers, Mr. Horner won with a good pair of Black, closely pressed by a neat pair from Mr. Yardley. In the class for Pouters, Red were first and Blue second. Almond Tumblers wero well shown, and the competition close. The Black Barbs in the first-prize pen were extraordinary birds, especially the cock, which is about the best we have seen. Antwerps were in large numbers, and good in head, beak, and feather. In the Turbit class Bine were first and Red second, and the winning Red Jacobins were good in all points. The Trumpeters were fine, well- feathered birds, and good in rose and size. Spanish.— 1, H. Beldon, Goitstock, Binglev. 2, W. Schofield, Gildersome- Dorkings,— 1, H. Beldon. Cochins.— 1, J. White. Whitelev, NethertoD. 2- C. Sidgwick, Keighley. Brahma Pootra.— 1, EL Beldon." Game.— Black' breanted or other lied— Cap and 1, H. Beanland, Westgate Hill. 2, T. Bot- tomley, Shelf, he, H.Walker. Drub, Gomersal; J. Fell, Adwalton. Duek- winged or other Grey or Blue.—l, J. Fell. Any other Variety —1, R. Walker. Gomersal. 2, J. Clayton, Gomeraal. Hamburghs — Golden-spannled.— 1, H- Beldon. Silver-spangled.— 1, H. Beldon. Golden-pcnc tiled.— 1," A. Smith. Northowrani, 2, H- Beldon. Silver-penc tiled. -1, H. Beldon. Black.— 1 and 2, H. W. Hlingworth, Idle, he, H. Beldon; C. Sidgwick. French.— 1, H. Beldon. SNA1TH POULTRY SHOW. The sixteenth annual Show of the Snaith Agricultural Society took place in the grounds of Mrs. Sbearbnrn on the 7th inst. This park is well studded with trees, and the pens were well sheltered from the sun, which was a great boon, as the day was excessively hot. The Game in the class for Reds was very good, and the competition keen. The second-prize pen was only so placed through the cock being slightly crooked in the breast. In the class for any other variety of Game Mr. Sales showed a first-rate Pile cock. The Spanish class contained some of the best birds in the country, and the timepiece awarded to the best pen in the Show was won by birds of this variety. The Cochins belonging to Mr. W. A. Taylor were Partridges of high quality. The winning Hamburghs were good in all classes. Of Game if a handsome pair of Black-breasted Reds were first ; the second and third-prize birds were also good in style, but in bad con- dition. For Bantams of any other variety Blacks were first, Japanese second, and Sebrights third. Cnjve-Copurs were first in the "Variety" class, Polands second, and Dorkings third. Mr. Brierley was first in the single-cock class with a splendid Black-breasted Red Game, which was one of the best birds we have seen for some time. Of Pigeons, the winning Jacobins were good in hood and chain, and the Fantails were also in good order. There was, in addition, a good but small show of cage birds. Game— Black OT other Red — 1, E. Ackroyd. Eccleshill. 2 and he, F. Sales' Crowie. 3. J. Brierlev, Middleton. Any other V«ri't>,.—\, F. Sales. 2, J" Stabler. Driffield. 3. C. Brierley. he, E. Ackroyd. Spanish.— Black.— Time* pieceand 1, H. Beldon, Bingley. 2. Rev J. Price, Haddlesey. 3, T. C. Newbitt- Epworth. Cociiin-China.— 1fW. A. Taylor, Manchester. 2, C. Brierley. S' , Wakefield, he. J. Turton, Ackworth. Hamburghs.— Golden-spangled.— 1. H. Beldon. 2, G. Holmes, Driffield. Btfoer-spangletL— 1, H. Beldon. Gulden- d .— 1. H. Beldon. 2, G. Holmes. 3. D.White Silrer-peticiUed.— 1, H. Beldon. 2, W. A. Taylor. 3, T. Dawson. Bantams.— Game— J, J. Oldroyd, Id, 2andStJ. K. rM>inson. Any other Variety.— i, T. C. Newbitt. 3, H. Beldon. 3, T. C. Harrison, Hull. Ant other Variety. -1 and 2, H. Beldon. 3, W. Purdon. Driffield, he, H. Beldon; W. D. White, Driffield. Cock.— 1, C. Brierley. 2, W. A. Taylor. S, H. Beldon. Ducks.— 1, , Wake- field. J. T. C. Harrison. Gotnka Fowls.— 1, T. C. Harrison. 2, Mrs. W. Broadley. 3,0. A. Young, Driffield. PIGEONS. Tumblers— 2, R. Simpson. Selbv. Jacobins.— 1, W. White. 2 and he, T. C. Newbitt. Turbits.— 1, T. C. Newbitt. 2, E. Harrison. Fantails.— 1, T. C. Newbitt. 2, E. Harrison. Owls.— 1, S. Robinson. Any Variety.— 1 and 2, S. Robinson. Extra 2, T. C. Newbitt. Canary.— 1, T. W. Dickinson, Doncaster. 2, A. J. Wells. Hatfield, he, T. Fosbrooke: A. J. Wells (2). Any other Variety of Bird.— 1, G. Trimming- ham. 2, F. Higgins. The Judge was Mr. E. Hutton, Pudsey, Leeds. BOSTON POULTRY SHOW. The first Show of this kind held at Boston took place on the 5th inst., and, as regards the number of entries and the attendance of visitors, it was a great success. Being a first attempt, the arrange- ments were scarcely so perfect as in all probability the experience now obtained will make those of future years. Of Dorkings, the majority were, unfortunately, much deformed in the feet, though otherwise excellent birds. Coehms, though not numerous, were good. Spanish-, though first-rate, were mostly very deficient in condition. The Dark Brahmas were an excellent class, and as regards Game fowls, it is very unusual to meet with such ex- cellent classes, the birds shown by Mr. C. Chaloner in the various Game classes being such as to excite the admiration of all who saw them ; these, together with the prize Game Pantams, were shown in the most perfect condition possible. Hamburghs were throughout well shown, but the season now tells much against the beauty of the adult birds, and the whole of their plumage is fast becoming faded and shabby, their annual moulting time being at hand. The Water Fowls were decidedly good, and the show of Pigeons was such as might b6 envied by the managers of much larger and long- established shows. There was also a very interesting and popular display of Parrots, CanarieB, fancy song birds, both English and Foreign, and Rabbits. The poultry were exhibited in the well-known pens of Mr. Turner, of Sheffield. Dorkings.— 1, J. Watts, Kins's Heath, Birmingham. 2, G. Andrews, Tuxford. c, R. Wood, Clapton, near Thrapstone. Cochin-China.— Cinnamon anrf^ Buff.— 1 and Cup, J. Cattell, Birmingham. 2, W. Gamon, Chester, he, W. Harvey, Sheffield, c. Rev. J. Spencer, Attleborough. Any otlier Variety. -1, H. H. Blets- 36 JOUENAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 14, 1870. toe, Barnwell, Onndle. 2, Mrs. E. Barker, Leverton. Brahmas.— Dark— 1, C. Ctaaloner, Whitwell, Chesterfield. 2, J. H. Dawes, Birmingham, he, J. Watts, King's Heath, Birmingham ; W. Gamon. Spanish.— 1 and Medal, T. & C. Newbitt, Epworth. 2, J. Dixon, Cotgrave. Nottingham. Game.— Black-breasted Red. — 1 and Cup, C. Chaloner. 2, — Hales, Crowle. he, J. Laming, Cowhurn, Spald- ing ; H. M. Julian, Hull. Brown-breasted Red.—l, C. Chaloner. 2, J. Laming. Any other Variety— 1, J. Laming. 2, T. Matthew, Stowmarket. he, H. M. Julian, c, C. Chaloner. Hambdrghs. — Golden-pencilled. — I and Cup, H. Pickles, Earby. Skipton. 2, J. Laming. Silver-pencilled.— 1, J. Laming. 2, H. Pickles. Golden-spangled— \, H. Pickles. 2, W. Driver, Keighley. he, J. Laming, c, R. D. Berne, Boston; — Loversidge, Newark. Silver-spangled. — 1, H. J. Pickles. 2, J. Laming, lie, S. & R. Ashton, Mottram. Bantams.— Oame.—l and Medal, C. Chaloner. 2, H. Snushal], Wisbeach. c, F. Entwisle, Westfield, Cleckheaton. Any Variety.— 1, S. & R. Ashton. 2, T. C. Harrison. he, S. S. Mossop, Long Sutton, c, J. Watts, King's Heath, Birmingham {2); J. Laming ; T. & C. Newbitt ; A. Storrar. Peterborough. Heaviest.— 1, Withheld. 2, G. Bonner, Boston. Ducks.— Any Variety.— 1, R. W. Riohardson, Beverley. 2, T. C. Harrison, he, S. & R. Ashton. Selling. Class.— 1, W. Harvey. 2, J. T.;Dixon. PIGEONS. Caebiees.— 1 and Medal, H. Yardley, Birmingham. 2 and c, R. Fulton, Dept- ford. Pootehs— 1 and 2, R. Fulton, c, W. Harvey. Tumblers.— Almond — 1 and 2, R. Fulton, he, J. Ford ; W. Harvey. Tumblers — 1 and 2, R. Fulton. c, W. WoodhouBe, West Wynch, Lynn. Barbs.— 1, Medal, and 2, R. Fulton, c, H. Harvey. Fantails.— 1, T. & C. Newbitt. 2, — Loversidge. c, W. Harvey. Turbits. — 1, — Newbitt. 2. H. Yardlev, Birmingham, c, R. Fulton; W. Harvey. Antwerps— 1,H. Yardlev. 2, J. WattB. Any Variety— 1 and Medal, R. Fulton. 2. H. Yardley. lie, J. Watts ; J. Fielding, jun., Rochdale ; W. Harvey (2). c, Hudson & Co., Epworth ; T. & C. Newbitt ; R. W. Richardson, Beverley. Selling Class.— 1, Rev. C. Spencer. 2, W. Harvey. CAGE BIRDS. Canaby.— Belgian.— 1, 2, and he, W. E. Smith, Boston. Norwich.— 1, W. E. Smith. 2, — AUardyce, Boston. Mule.— 1 and 2, W. Woodhouse. he. MaBter Arkvmgbt, Sutton Scarsdale ; A. Bothamley, Wisbeach. Linnet, Goldfinch, &c.— 1, — Woodhouse. 2, M. Crowden. Boston, he, H. J. Waite, Boston ; E. S. Smith, Boston (2) : M. Crowden ; G. W. Thomas, Boston ; T. Howden, Boston. Lark.— 1 and Clock, C. H. Muschamp, Boston. 2, E. S. Smith, he, J. H. Eaves, Boston ; C. H. Muschamp. Thrush.— 1, R. D. Borne. 2, E. S. Smith Blach- bibd.— 1, C. Huggins. 2, R. D. Borne, he, E. S. Smith Parrot.-1, Mrs. T. Goodacre. Boston. 2, — AUardyce. lie, J. H. Thomas, Boston. Variegated Pabbot. &c. — 1 and Clock, Miss M. Jenkins, Billinghay Vicarage. 2. G. E. Storr, Spalding, he, G. W. Thomas. Small Birds— 1, Mrs. Illenklfrn. 2, B. Storr, Boston, he, T. Elmore. RABBITS. Any Puee Beeed.— 1, E. Vaughan. Birmingham. 2, J. Quick, St. John's Wood, London, he, H. J. Tomlinson. Barton-on-Humber ; J. Quick, c. W. Tiffery, Long Sutton; S. G.Hudson, Hull. Heaviest— 1, Master Arkwright. 2, J. Quick, c, W. Taylor, Boston. Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Birmingham, was the Judge for Poultry, and Mr. Massey, of Spalding, for Pigeons and Babbits. CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND ISLE OP ELY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S POULTRY SHOW. This Society has now for a long succession of years added poultry to the varied objects of the annual Show, and experience proves that the display of poultry and Pigeons is perhaps one of the most attractive parts to the public c-norally. It is also now well known that the valu- able specimens entrusted to the care of the Committee are treated with the greatest attention, and from this cause only few shows enjoy a larger amount of support. Grey Dorkings at the Show held at Royston on the 6th inst. were very good, the chickens more especially so, several pens of the latter being unusually well-grown for the present season. It is well to mention as a guide to intending exhibitors, that such malformations as gouty feet, deformed legs, or spurs set on the outside of the legs, are to be especially avoided as fatal objections in the choice of pens of Dorking chickens for exhibition. Singularly enough not a pen of White Dorkings was shown. As most poultry fanciers would anticipate, the collection of Game fowls was good, Messrs. Matthew and Hall being close competitors. The display of French fowls was far better than ordinary, though many of the best specimens were fast falling into deep moult. Of Cochins and Brahmas the classes were good, but the birds not in the best of plumage. The SamburgJis and Polaiuh, for the neighbourhood, were better than usual. Still more worthy of mention were the Game Bantams: here Mr. Jeffries, of Ipswich, with two pens of his best birds secured both prizes. The class open to chickens of all breeds except Dorkings was a most interesting feature of this Show, and augurs well for a speedy entry at most of our coming meetings of a display of well-grown birds of the current year. Turkeys and Ducks were unmistakeably excellent, and many of our agricultural friends appeared quite astounded at the size and perfection of the majority of the pens that were comprised in these classes. The entry of Ornamental Water Folds was also remarkably good. Pigeons formed an interesting portion of the display, and Mr. Fulton, of Deptford, though the chief prizetaker, with birds so well known, had a very close competition with other exhibitors in many of the classes. The shedding in which the Show was held was excellent ; and that such was provided, as it always is, was fortunate, as an extraordinarily heavy rain fell throughout the night preceding the Show, although the day of opening was as fine as could be wished, the result being an attendance of visitors almost unprecedented at any previous meeting of this Society. Dorkings.— 1, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. 2, Rev. C. H. Crosse. Cambridge. he, Lord Dacre, Welwyn. Single Cocks. — 1, H. Yardlev. Market Hall, Birmingham. 2, Lord Dacre. he, G. S. Hall, Elv. c, A. B. Simpson. Truinp- ington. Chickens.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, F. Parlett. Great Baddow. he, Lord Dacre. Qua*— Black-breasted or other Beds. — l, S. Matthew, Stowmarket. 2, F. R. Hall, Cambridge, he, F. R, Hall ; S. Matthew. Stowmarket. c, F. R. Hall. Any other Variety— 1 and 2. S. Matthew, he, F. R. Hall ; W. Bullen, Cambridge. Houdans.— 1 and 2. W. O. Quibell, Newark, he, Lord Dacre. c, W. Driug, Faversham ; J. P. Nunn, Royston. Any other Fbenoh Variety.— 1, W. O. Quibell. 2, J. J. Maiden, c, J. K. Fowler, AyleBbury. Spanish.— 1 and 2, F. James, he, F. Waller, Wood Green c, G. S. Hall. Cochin-China.— LH.Lingwood. 2, Mrs.Burrell. he, J. K. Fowler; R. W. Smith (Partridge); S. Felgate, Ipswich. Bbahma Pootra. — 1, H. Dowsett, Pleshey, Chelmsford. 2, H. Lingwood. he, Mrs. Burrell. c, J. S. Dew ; J. P. Nunn, Royston ; O. Steed, Baldock. Polish. — 1 and c, W. K. Patrick. 2, Mrs. Burrell. Ham- bueghs.— Golde n or Silver-spangled.— 1, Miss C. E. Palmer. 2, J. T. Loversidge, Newark-on-Trent. Golden or Silver-pencilled. — 1, W. K. Tickner, Ipswich. 2, Mrs. Burrell. c, T. H. Court, Royston. Bantams.— Game, any Variety — 1 and 2, W. B. Jeffries, Ipswich, lie, Rev. C. H. Crosse ; H. Dowsett. Chelms- ford, c, Miss E. M. Thurnall, Royston; J. Pring, Royston. Sebrights, Gold or Silver— 1, G. S. Hall. 2, T. C. Harrison, Hull. Any other Variety— 1, T. C. Harrison. 2, G. S. Hall, he. Miss E. Nash, Carlton Grange, c, Miss M. Sandys, Royston ; G. S. Hall. Any otheb Variety.— 1, S. Stanley. 2, Mrs. Burrell. Chickens (Any variety except Dorkings). — 1, S. Matthew. 2, C. Layland. he, J. K. Fowler; J. J. Maiden, Biggleswade; Hon. Miss Jervis, Royston. Tubkeys (Any Variety).— 1, E. Leech, Rochdale. 2, G. S. Hall. he, E. Arnold, Whittlesford ; T. Morton. Cambridgeshire. Ducks.— Rouen.— 1, E. Leech. 2, J. K. Fowler, c, G. S. Hall. Aylesbury.— 1, Mrs. M. Seamons. 2, J. K. Fowler, lie, J. K. Fowler ; Mrs. Burrell. Any other Variety. — 1, J. K. Fowler. 2, T. C. Harrison, c, S. Stanley, Longstowe Hall. Extba.— c, Rev. C. H. Crosse ; T. H. Court. PIGEONS. Carriers— 1, R. Fulton, Deptford. 2, H. Yardley. he, R. Fulton; F. W. Metcalfe, Cambridge ; Mrs. J. F. White, Birmingham. Tumblers.— 1 and 2, R. Fulton, he, J. M. Braid, Cambridge ; H. Yardley. Owls.— 1, G. S. Hall. 2, No competition. Pouters.— 1 and 2, R. Fulton, he, R. F. Payling, Peterborough; H. Yardley. c, R. RuBton, jun, Chatteris. Barbs.— 1 and 2, R. Fulton, he, H. Yardley. Fantails. — 1 and 2, H. Yardley. Any other Variety.— 1 and 2, H. Yardley. c, G. S. Hall (Jacobins). Edward Hewitt, Esq., of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, officiated as Judge. MOULTON POULTRY SHOW. This Show was held on the 6th inst., in the beautiful grounds of H. J. Little, Esq., The Thorpelands. The first-prize Darlings, also the cup Spanish, Brahmas, and Game were very good, and would not have disgraced any Show. Among the Pigeons were some passable birds. Dorkings.— 1 and 2, J. Longland, Grendon. Spanish.— 1 and Cup for beBt pen in Show, H. M. Cooper, Walsall. 2, C. Wright, Northampton. Game. — 1 and 2, B. Cox, Moulton. Cochins. — 1, J. H. DaweB, Mosele y Hall, Birmingham. 2, W. F. Checkley, Moulton. Brahma.— 1, G. F. Whitehouse. Birmingham, 2, W. Birch, Barnacle, Coventry. Hamburghs.— 1, W. Nottage, Northampton. 2, B. Cox. he, R. Knight, Mear's Ashby ; W. Collver, Dubb, Bindley (2) : P. Collins, Daventry. Bantams.— 1, T. Rogers, Walsall. 2. Mrs. F. Worley. North- ampton. Selling Class — 1, J. Browo, Moulton (Dorking). 2, T. Rogers, Walsall (Bantams), he, B. Cox (Game). Ducks.— Aylesbury. — Priz*, Miss Merry, Moulton. Prize, J. Dove, Moulton. Any other Variety.— 1, H.J. Hop- kins, Moulton Grange Farm. 2, J. Brown. PIGEONS. Carriers.— 1 and 2. J. Spence, Kettering, he, T. Adams, Northampton. Tumblebs. — 1, C. Smith, Northampton. 2, G. Johnson. Pouters. — 1, G. John- son. 2, W. Nottage. Owls.— 1, W. Lepper, Northampton. 2, A. Bonsor, North- ampton. Any other Varietj. — 1 and 2, W. Nottage. he, G. Johnson (Jacobins), c, W. Lepper (White Dragoons) : T. Adams, Northampton. Three Pairs Distinct.— Cup, T. Adams. Barbs (Three Pairs).— 1, W. Lepper. Mr. H. Yardley, Market Hall, Birmingham, was the Judge. BISHOP AUCKLAND POULTRY SHOW. The second annual Show took place on the Sth inst. Turner's pens were used, and were arranged in single tiers round the sides and through the middle of the marquee in which the Show was held. The arrangements were excellent, and great credit is due to the Committee. One gold cup, one silver cup, and two handsome gold medals, in addi- tion to money prizes, were given, and the entries were numerous, while the quality of the birds was excellent in most of the classes. Dorkings were in no respect noteworthy, but the Cochins very fine. The pen of White shown by Mr. Proctor was quite perfect, if we except the comb of the cock, which is rather plain. Of Brahma Pootras there were some fine specimens, a cock shown by Mr. Stalker being of striking size, shape, and colour. Spanish were as good as could be desired, and the first-prize pen in this class won the gold cup for the best pen in the Show, and was claimed at £20 immediately on the opening of the Show to the visitors. Poltinds were a very good class, perhaps one of the best we ever saw considering the time of year. In the class for Game, Brown Reds were first and Black Red3 second. The Duckwings in the class for any variety of Game were wanting in condition and feather, and with the exception of the winner in the single Game cock class there was no tird worthy of notice. There were several good pens of flamburghs in bad order, and not at all fit for exhibition, though those noticed in the prize list were in nice bloom and well shown. In the ''Variety" class the first were Grrre-Cceurs of extraordinary proportions, and the second a fine pen of that almost extinct variety the Malays. The Game Bantams showed signs of moulting, and, as a whole, they were not a good lot, though the pair to which the first prize was awarded, also the local medal, were good Brown Reds. A neat pair of Blacks were first in the next class for Bantams, closely pressed by another pen of the same variety. For Ducks the Rev. J. Milner was first and second with good birds, and the single Turkey cocks were of large size and handsome colour. Brahmas were first in the selling class, Buff Cochin chickens second, and Duckwing Game third. The show of Pigeons was a complete success, and the classes well filled with good birds. Of Carriers the first-prize birds were in fine order, good in style, beak, and eye, though perhaps not so loug in beak as the second-prize birds, which, though young, were very large and long in beak. Pouters were good, especially the first-prize Whites, which were in fine showing order, of great size, and good in style and girth. Tumblers were shown in one class, and were mostly Almonds. The cock in the first-prize pen has an extraordinary skull, and the hen is also good. The second-prize birds are exceedingly small and July 14, 1870. ) JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 37 well broken in feather. The Barbs were good and in fine condition, bnt we did not consider the Owls good. Trumpeters were as good as we could wish for, although some were partly broken in feet feathers. The silver cup for the best pen in the Show was given to the first-prize pair in this class. These were Light Mottles, and, though rather smaller than some of the rest, they were very good in rose and leg- feathering. Fantails were rather broken in feather, bnt good in car- riage. The winning Jacobins were Whites and Reds of good properties, and the local medal for the best Pigeons was awarded to the former pair. In the " Variety class " Red Magpies were first, Blue Bruns- wicks second, and Black Swallows third. Dorkings— 1, J. White, Warlaby. 2, W. Bearpark, Ainderby Steeple, North, allerton. he, J. ShorthoBe, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Cochins.— 1 and 2, G. H. Proctor, Durham, he, J. Shorthose. c, W. Canney. Bishop Auckland ; W. Barnes. Tbirsk. Brahma Pootkas.— 1. J. Stalker. West Sleekburn, Morpeth. 2, H. Beldon, Binglev. he, J. Shorthose. c, G. Richmond, Barningham. Spanish.— I nnd Gold Cup, H. Beldon. 2. H. Wilkinson, Earbv, Skipton. /tc,E. Brown, Sheffield, e, W. Bcarpark. Polish.— 1 and 2. H. Beldon. 3, H. Pickles, jun., Skipton. 4, R. Moor, East Rainton. he, G. Todd, Monkwear- mouth ; R. Parsons, Sleekburn Cottage. Game. — Black-breasted or other Reds. —1, F.. Ai'kri'yd. EeoleBbiH. Leeds. 2, J. Watson, Knaresborongh. he, SI. My- croft, Bedlington. c, W. Bcarpark ; T. Home, Towlaw. Any Variety.—!, J. Robson. Bishop Auckland. 2, W. Bearpark, Ainderby Steeple. Cock.— 1, Buglass and Williamson, Garville, Durham. 2, E. Arkroyd. c. T. Metcalfe, Bishop Auckland. Hamborghs.— Golden-spangled. — 1, Gr. Holmes, Great Driffield. 2, H. Beldon. /n\ H. Pickles, jun., Skipton; W. Bearpark. Sileer^iiaiifjled.— 1. H. Beldon. 2, H. Pickles, jun. he, D. Cheque, Northumberland, c. G. Arm- strong, Bedlington. (hddcii-prnrilled. — 1, W. Hall, West Sleekburn, Morpeth. 9, H. Beldon. he, G. Holmes. Sileer-ncncilled.—l, H. Beldon. 2, H. Pickles, jun. he, W. Hall, c, W. Bcarpark. Any other Variety.— 1, H. Beldon. 2, R. Hawkins, Seaham. he, Mrs. W. Wharton, Barningham. Bantams.— Game.— 1 and Local Medal, T. Robson, Bishop Auckland. 2, Buglass & Williamson, he, R. & J. F. Baldwin. Newcastle ; R. Pennington. Tbirsk. Any other Variety. 1, H. Pickles, jun. 2, S. & R. Ashton, Mottram. he. H. Beldon ; G. Atkinson, Croft. Ducks (Any variety). — 1 and 2, Rev. J. G. Milner, Leyburn. Turkey Cock. — 1, J. T. Proud, Bishop Auckland. 2, — Johnson, High Beaumont, Darlington, lie, Mrs. Spencer. Helmington Hall. Gani»er.— 1, J. T. Proud, Bishop Auckland. Selling Class.— 1. W. Atkinson, Bishop Auckland. 2, G. H. Proctor. Durham. 8, J. Robson. he, J. Robson; J.T. Proud; R. Moore, East Rainton. c, C. Marshall, Durham. PIGEONS. Carriers.— 1. B. Thompson, Sunnybrow, near Willington : W. R. & H. O. Blenkinsopp, Newcastle, lie, H. Yardley Birmingham, c, J. W. Towerson, Egremont; E.Brown, Sheffield: T. W. Kilburn, Bishop Auckland Pouters. —1, H. Hawley. Bingby. 2. J. W. Towerson, Whitehaven, he, H. Yardley; T. W. Kilburn, Bishop Auckland; J. &. W. Rowell, Tanrield, Newcastle, c, H. Cockton, Middlesbrough. Tumblers (Any variety).— 1, W. R. & H. O. Blenkin- sopp. 2, J. Hawley. he, J. i W. Rowell. c, J. W. Towerson; T. Coundon, Sunderland. Bakos. — 1,H. Yardley. 2, J. Adamson, Low Beeehburn. lie, W. R. & H. O. Blenkinsopp ; T. W. Kilbnrn. Owls— 1. W. R. 4 H. O. Blenkinsopp. 2. J. Hawley. he, T. % Kilburn ; W. R. & H. O. Blenkinsopp ; R. Wilson : R. Thompson. Trumpeters.— 1 and Silver Cup, W. B. Van Haanshergen, New- castle. 2, -T. Hawley. he, T. Rule, Durham; R. Wilson, Tbirsk; R.Thompson. e, H. W. Bruno, Richmond; J. Cundale, Ripon. Fantails. — 1, H. Yardley. 2, T. C. Taylor, Middlesbrough, he, W. B. Van Haansbergen; T. Rule (2). Jacobins. -1 and Local Medal, T. W. Kilburn. 2. W. R. & H. O. Blenkinsopp. he, J. W. Towerson ; H. Yardley ; T. Rule ; G. Adamson : R. Wilson; W. R. and H. O. Blenkinsopp. Turuits— 1. W. R. & H. O. Blenkinsopp. 2, H. Yardley. he, T. Rule, e, K. Wilson. Nuns.— 1,W. B. Van Haansbergen. 2, R. Wilson, he, H. Yardley ; W. Bearpark. Dragoons or Antwerps.— 1, R. Brown. 2, H Yardley. hc,U. Yardley : J. Cundale : G. Sadler, Boroughhridge \ J. & W. Rowell. Any other Variety.— 1, Hudson & Burnip. 3, W Bearpark' he, J. Hawley ; J. Cundale ; R. Wilson ; T. W. Kilburn. Selling Class.— 1, W' B. Van Haansbergen. 2, T. W. Kilburn. 3, R. & J. F. Baldwin, he, H. Brown ' T. Coundon : T. C. Taylor, e, J. Hawley ; J. Cundale ; W. B. Van Haansbergen (2) Mr. E. Hutton, of Pudsey, was the Judge. RABBITS AND THEIR VARIETIES. Since my removal from Prestwich my time has been so very fully occupied and so much of it spent from home, that our " furry friends" have not had the attention devoted to them I could have wished ; but now I hope to see more of them, and shall be able to say a word or two on their behalf when required and opportunity presents. And the fact of my ceasing to exhibit, as for the past three or four years so successfully, must not be considered by my fellow exhibitors as a proof that I lack the interest I once had in this portion of our great shows, for I still keep up the excellent prize-winning stock in every variety as before. I have now eighty specimens of all ages in my rabbitry, and I always anxiously look over the returns of the prize- winners as given in " our Journal" (and I regret they are not more detailed) to see who is the fortunate owner of the speci- men so perfect as to secure the high honour awarded by the judge in attendance. SILVER-GREY OR CHINCHILLA. Respecting this lively creature much may be said in its favour, its glossy silky hair being so prized by the furrier. In Siam (Indo-China) this animal is found in the greatest numbers and state of perfection. A variety of shades are now found in this country as the result of our colder temperature, and the experi- ments of re-crossing with darker or almost black specimens ; and I know of few, if any, kindB where a greater variety of shade may be produced. I have long experimented in producing this variety, and have arrived at the conclusion that the more silver- like the specimen is marked all over, the more perfect. Black feet, ears, and faces generally are objectionable, and as a hint to all breeders, I would say, Pair two that are perfectly silvered all over, and you need not fear the result. This animal is not generally large ; if of the true kind it is about the weight of the Himalayan. A strong large animal called the " Lincolnshire Silver-Grey," or " Miller " by the furriers, with only a small sprinkling of the silvery hair, and at times also designated the " Silver Sprig," may be seen, and I have known them weigh 10 lbs. or more, but they are very dark in shade compared to the Chinchilla, which the real Silver-Grey Rabbit resembles, hence the term as applied to this mercurial little fellow. Of all the cute (to borrow a term from our transatlantic friends) creatures of the Rabbit family this is one, and generally not so docile nor so easy to tame as other varieties, as the Dutch or Angora, which if treated kindly are always ready to be petted. Yet with kindness it is wonderful what may be done, and the law of kindness should be strictly enforced in every rabbitry if your stock is to afford pleasure. I think the active manner and cheerful temperament of this Rabbit always render it a favourite. All breeders know the young are born quite black, and when about six weeks old they present a greyish shade under the body, and this change extends over from five to seven months, according to the temperature of the hutch ; if warm, the process of silvering is sooner completed, the ears, neck, and head generally retaining the black shade longest. I have noticed the more jet black the young are at a month old, the more perfectly silvered they become at say eight months, so that I would not have young fancier^ be afraid lest the jet black appearance be too great, and to lose hopes of the true silver shade appearing, but, in the words of a once popular song, I would say, " wait a little longer." Warmth for all hutch Rabbits is of great importance, and this variety is by |no means an exception, yet a hardy Rabbit generally, and with the requisite care by no means difficult to rear with success. I have generally had from fifty to seventy of this variety alone born in my rabbitry every year, and I suppose that during the last three years and a half from eleven to twelve hundred have been born of the seven varieties I keep. The doe is rather shy, especially when about to have young, and seems very much afraid, when the nest is made, that it may be interfered with. She watches with an anxious eye every motion of the hand when placed inside the hutch, to see if her private domain is to be intruded upon, and I have known any such intrusion punished by the total neglect of the litter. The does seem to prefer, when about to litter, a rather dark but clean corner of the hutch, and Bhould have plenty of fresh hay and water, or if milk and bread all the better to quench the intense thirst experienced at that time. In fact, milk and bread are no objectionable breakfast at all times for the first two or three weeks, if to be had. The Belgian Hare Rabbit is rather an exception to some of the other varieties, especially the one in question, for I have known does make their nests quite opposite the wire door, as though not in the least ashamed for the lookers-on to Bee what a important event has happened since the last visit. The Silver-Grey doe generally brings forth from five to eight at each litter, but should not be allowed to pair until nine months old at the earliest, if fine and strong specimens are required for exhibition, and the litters should be at intervals of not less than ten or twelve weeks, to keep up the strength of the doe. I have always, when opportunity presented, tried to obtain all the information possible from " fanciers " (breeders I mean), and have taken a peep on all occasions at the specimens of my prize-winning friends in all parts of the country. I am always glad to see any one here to look over my stock, and, I hope, ever ready to give any information or useful hint to insure their success as breeders of the various varieties of fancy Rabbits. In conclusion I beg to thank all those numerous friends from whom I have received so many letters in reference to my previous remarks on the other varieties, and I can only say that the information I may possess 83 a breeder of every known variety of Rabbit is quite at the service of any correspondent who will take the trouble to write to me. — Charles Raysok, Ivy Lodge, Didsbury, near Manchester. VEGETABLES BETTER THAN NOTHING. As this touches a point I have long felt interesting, I venture to trouble you upon the subject, as, if an improved diet could be introduced, it would prove a comfort to many. Foreign workpeople have told me they found it impossible to keep strong here with the same mode of living as they followed in their own country ; but soups made from vegetables, the water in which meat has been boiled, with pieces of bread added, would provide an occasional wholesome meal. But thia wants slow 38 JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. t July !!% 1810. and careful cooking, and working people cannot spare time for | this, and our open stoves make firing expensive. One plan j would be to add a kitchen to the national schools, teach the j children cheap cookery, and make it self-supporting by selling. Food well cooked would add to the comfort of a poor man's home, and save him from other temptations. — E. M. Major. NADIRING— HEATH PASTURAGE. I have placed several hives filled with comb, or empty, below other strong stocks ; in these the bees work well, but as the upper hives only receive air through some twenty inch-holes, is there net fear of dysentery ? My hope is to obtain artificial swarms in the lower hives to supply great losses caused by the late disastrous winter. A few miles distant we have large heaths of ling ; if I carry weak swarms to it when in bloom, can you tell me how much assistance I may expect them to obtain from it ? Will it be such a second honey harvest as to enable a swarm, driven into a hive with comb, to get honey enough for the winter? Will it also encourage the queen to increase the laying of eggs ? Can you tell me how long ling generally remains in flower ? also, if a removal of four miles would be a sufficient distance to prevent the return of bees ? The nearest ling heaths are about two miles away, but I do not think my bees go to them for honey. I have been rather successful for some years past in obtain- ing artificial swarms from wild bees in roofs, trees, &c. Would " any account of my method be of use to your Journal? — A. J. F. [The stocks which you have nadired are in no danger of dysentery, but we cannot see how you can hope to get artificial swarms in the lower hives, which, moreover, are very likely to contain an undue proportion of drone-comb. The heather will in some seasons remain in bloom four or five weeks, or even more ; in others, such as this seems likely to be, the flowers wither much more speedily. Mr. Isaac states that a weak swarm sent to the heath on the 30th of July re- turned two months afterwards with an increase of 2i£ lbs. ; but this is a result much beyond what we have been able to obtain. It is, therefore, questionable whether a swarm driven into a combed hive may be able to store sufficient for the winter, but the supplementary honey harvest will certainly stimulate the queen to increased egg-laying. Bees will not return from a distance of four miles. We shall be glad of an account of your method of obtaining artificial swarms from wild bees in hollow trees, &c] OUR LETTER BOX. Judging Game Cocks (C. W.).— Game cocks are not judged by weight. They are judged for colour, symmetry, and hard feather. This latter is an important point, and feeding for weight often has the effect of making soft feather- Good barley, a liitle bread and beer, sometimes a scrap or two of raw meat, and a few old peas given every other day, are supposed to make good plumage. Diarrhoea in Fowls and Pigeons (Subscriber). — We always give chalk made into pills, sometimes a few grains of hempseed, and in urgent cases a spoonful of brandy and water. White and Black Fowls (Experientia). — No cross is necessary to produce White and Black Bantams, as they exist, as recognised breeds. The White Cochins also exiBt. Black could not hold their own, as they constantly betrayed a mixed origin. In the days when Black Cochins were attempted and sometimes shown, it was said they were bred be- tween a Buff hen and a White cock. Cross Between a Dorking and Guinea Fowl {S. W.).~ The cross in question has been eeen, and we have seen it, but it is so rare we hardly ever expect to see it pgain. If you mean to persevere, we advise you to keep the same birds together always, and to allow no others to associate with them. Spdrless Cock— Roup Symptoms [Hamburgh).— A cock need not be disqualified because his spurs are cut off. The description of the hen is that of the early stages of roup. She must be purged with castor oil. You should give Baily's pills. If you have them not, or do not care for them, give a couple of camphor pills each the size of a garden pea. It is wise to separate this bird from the others. Exhibiting Golden- pencilled Hamburgh Chickens (Northern Sub- scriber).— The age at which the chickens can be shown with a prospect of success, will depend on the age of those they have to compete against. Iu many of the good strains we have seen the chickens, especially the pullets, beautifully marked at from four to five months old. To be shown advantageously the cock should be older than the pullets, as he retains his chicken feathers longer than they do. Brahma Henb' Feathers Broken (Jf. TV.).— It is too late now to pull the Btumps of the feathers out of the backs of your hens. They would not grow in a month. Take the cock away from them. The feathers will come as good in colour as before, unless the process of pulling them out is constantly repeated. In that case they often come white. Fowls Roopy (J. Q.).-~ You aro not prodigal of information. How large is your earth run? Is the dung heap merely a heap of rubbish, or is it the wholesome eweepingB of a well-ordered stable? When you say you feed ou barley, is that all the fowls have ? We gather so from your letter. Roup does not interfere with fattening. Feed yoor birds on barleymeal or ground oats. Vary this with a little maize from lime to time. Give them a little bread and ale, and to the sickly ones give two camphor pills, each the size of a garden pea. You may give these every night till they make a cure. It is always well to remove sickly birds from healthy. Testimonial to Mr. Dixon.— Mr. T. C. Harrison, Beverley Hood., Hull, writes to us to say that he will subscribe 10s. 6d. Subscribers had better write to Mr. Hutton, and when the subscription list isjcompleted tsc will publish it. Hive very Light (C. T.).—lf the hive continues light, we shcnkl deem it useless to put on a super. Bees taking Lime-water (F. Roberts). —We have had no eiperieuceof the effects of lime-water on bees, but do not fancy that yours will have sustained any injury. Water is generally supposed to be essential S«>bees during the breeding season, but they seem most capricious in this respect* t one time collecting it with the utmost avidity, and then without any apparent reason suddenly disregarding it altogether. Bees not Swarming, &c. [A Bee-lover). — We fancy the 5 0 6 Strawberriea 12>, 0 6 IS Walnuts bashel 10 n 3* U do ^150 3 $ SO VEGETABLES. b. d. s. Artichokes doz. 3 0 to 6 Asparasrus » 100 3 0 8 Beans, Kidney do. 10 1 Broad bushel SO 4 Beet. Red doz. 2 0 8 Broccoli bundle 0 0 0 Brussels Sprouts. .Jsieve 0 0 0 Cabbage doz. 10 2 Capsicums ^-100 0 0 0 Carrots bunch 0 4 0 Cauliflower doz. 2 0 6 Calery bundle 16 2 Colewons..doz. bunches 8 0 6 Cucumbers each 0 6 1 pickling doz. 2 0 4 Bfcdtve doz. 2 0 0 Fennel bunch 0 8 0 •ftrftc lb. 0 8 0 HorVs bunch 0 3 0 Horseradish .... bundle 3 0 & Leeks buncii Lettuce doa. Mushrooms pott2e Mustard & Cress . .pa.un pickling Quart Parsley sieye Parsnips doz. Peas quart Potatoes bnabel Kidney do. Radishes . . doz. bunches Rhubarb bundle Savoys cos. Sea-kale baaket Shallots lfc. Spinach baslsel Tomatoes dosu Turnips buncii Vegetable Marrows „dsa. B, r). s. ft 41ofl 0 il 1 B 4 2 0 4 0 B 0 B » 4 *> e O 6 July 21, 1870. 1 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 39 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day of Month 21 22 £3 24 25 26 27 Day of Week. Th F S Sun M To w JULY 21-27, 1870. Royal Horticultural Society's Oxloril Show [closes. G Sunday afteii Trinity. St. James. Buckingham Horticultural Show. Average Tempera- Rain in last 43 yeaia. Sun ture noar London. Rieee. Pay. Nicht. Mean. Days. m. h. 74.0 50.8 62.4 19 9af4 72 2 51.4 61.8 24 10 4 74 0 51.4 62.7 21' 11 4 72.6 517 62.1 14 12 4 73.0 49.4 619 13 14 4 73.7 50 3 62.0 22 15 4 74.9 50.7 62.8 19 17 4 Sun Sote. Moon Moon KiBeB. Sets. 3i. b. I m. h. SafS 57afll 8 [ morn. 8 23 0 7 i 43 0 7 22 1 7 4 2 7 , 57 2 ro. h. 25 af 1 3) 2 36 3 40 4 42 5 40 6 23 7 Moon'i Age. Davs. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Clock before Sun. m. s. 6 6 6 8 6 11 6 12 6 18 6 14 C 14 Day at Year. 202 20S 2 1 205 2)6 207 208 From observations taken near London during the last forty-three Years, the average day temperature of the week is 73 0', and its night temperature 5(1 8\ The greatest heat was 93: , on the 23rd and 24tli, 1808; and the lowest cold 32', ou the 23rd, 1863. The greatest tall oi rain was 1.48 inch. TOT ROSES FOR EXHIBITION. ('>'.®fii=5B»' EL tnie lovers of floriculture agree in calling the Rose the queen of flowers, the most beau- tiful of all, the loveliest among the lovely ; and rightly so too, for in the varieties of this charming family we have flowers of the most "/Jjsr?'Mif5) exquisite form, the richest colour, and the most delicious perfume. Take, for instance, a partly expanded blossom of Alphonse Karr, in what flower can we find a closer approach to perfection'.' its shell-like petals, of a pecu- liarly soft and pleasing shade of pink, are so beautifully fitted to each other that the fine form of the flowers leaves ns nothing to desire. The delicate beauty of Lamarque, the magnilicence of Charles Lefebvre, the splendour of the deep rich Eugene Appert, distinct and striking in every feature, it3 dark elegant foliage being in line keeping with its velvety-petalled blossoms— these, and a host of others possessing some equally distinct feature, are the kinds to grow ; these are the rare gems which command our ad- miration and rivet more iirraly the chains of our " old love." I have frequently asked myself the question, as I doubt not others have done, when viewing the long ranks of cut blossoms staged in their still' formal boxes at a flower show, " Is this the best way in which to exhibit the Ruse '.' " I think not. Cut flowers, but too often without buds or foliage, are subjected to the severest criticism shorn of much of their beauty ; but if each variety were to be exhibited not cut from the plant, excepting in the case of novelties, but in the form of a pot plant, what a different appearance would a Rose show present; instead of the long lines of-fl.it staging now used, an effect rivalling that of the Rhododen- dron Show at South Kensington might be obtained witli the greatest ease. From my own experience of Rose culture, I can see no real difficulty in the attainment of an object so desirable, but, on the contrary, very much in its favour. Rose cuttings are easily struck, and the plants grown to a considerable size in a short space of time, as I thoroughly explained in an article published in this Journal last year (vol. xvi , pp. 77, ?«), and if an annual batch of cuttings were made, a succession of healthy pot plants, as flourishing and prolific as those planted out, could be main- tained. If it be objected, that the culture of Roses in this way for exhibition would make greater demands upon one's time and skill, I think this could very justly be met by pointing to the great utility of such plants for home decora- tion at all seasons of the year. Moreover, by offering the principal prizes for pot Roses, attention would be drawn to a branch of floriculture but too often npglected, or not understood. Who has not seen the miserable specimens of pot Roses so frequently to be met with in private esta- blishments ' Poor sickly-looking objects, which, having undergone their annual forcing, are turned out to rest. To rest ! why, I do not believe a healthy Rose is ever at rest. Plant one early in November, lift it and examine its roots at Christmas, and plenty of new rootlets from 1 to 2 Laches long will be seen ; here is a hiut from Nature, No. 480. -Vol. XIX., New Series. which, if acted upon in the culture of pot Roses, produces the best results. If a Rose, after it has done blooming, immediately begins to grow again, suitable food should certainly be given it; it is therefore necessary, when pot Roses are taken out of the houses into the open air, that all weakly growth should at onco be cut clean out, the requisite thiuning and shortening given to the stronger wood, the roots shaken free of the old soil, repotted, and the pots plunged to the rim, not behind a wall or shed, but in an open air}' position. Plants so treated, and fed occasionally with guano water as they appear to need it. will produce plenty of stout wood clothed with healthy foliage, care being taken to ply the syringe among them all the summer. Once again I would urge all who really care for Roses to grow them on their own roots, and to train them as I have before advised. No standards can equal the appear- ance of these glorious pyramids, laden with a multitude of flowers. Nor are their flowers small or puny, although produced in such profusion ; the plants are rendered so vigorous by the abundance of Etout suckers constantly springing up, and which arc trained to whatever part of the plant they may be required, that the lowest tiers of branches present an amount of vigour both in wood growth and bloom quite equal to that of the highest parts. — EDWARD Ldckhubst, Egerton /louse Gardens, Kent. CULTURE OF THE LARGE-FLOWERED OR SHOW PELARGONIUM. Aitoxg hardy flowers the Rose is justly called the queen, and quite as justly may the large -flowered Pelargonium claim the same exalted title a;nong greenhouse flowers ; but how very rarely are plants met with grown as they deserve to be ! How often, instead, do we find them crammed among all sorts of plants, and subjected to every variety of treatment : hence we generally find spindly long-drawn specimens, often infested with insects to such a degree as to render them a nuisance, instead of a plea- sure. Now, no plant is easier to manage, and the follow- ing mode of cultivation will bring them to great excellence. At this place we like them in bloom throughout July, and now (July 8th) the collection of upwards of eighty sorts is in full bloom. I put the cuttings in about the end of May or first week in June, taking what I can spare or get when sts king the specimens. I make them in the usual way, and dibble them in an open south border, give them a good watering when first put in, and then leave them to take care of themselves for three or four weeks. I then pot them in (in sized pots, and keep them close for a few days until they begin to grow, afterwards I give them a little more j air." (The frame used when they are potted the first time should have a little bottom heat ) In a few weeks they I will have made good roots, and may be hardened off gradually, and about the end of September or beginning of October potted in the next size of pot, or small 4b's. I When that is done, the best place for them is a shelf in a greenhouse, and when they have made a fresh leaf or two No. 1138.-VOL. XLIV., Old Series 40 JOUENAL OF HOBTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 21, 1370. nip out the point of the shoots. They should be again shifted, using 6-inch pots, in which size they should bloom the first year. After they have finished blooming, or begin to look shabby, they should be placed out of doors, and not watered much for a fortnight, when they will be ready to cut down, which operation should be performed with a sharp knife, cutting them down like an Oder stump, and leave them outside until they have broken well, when they should be carefully taken out of the pots, and have every bit of the old soil shaken out, and the ends of tho long roots shortened. They should then be potted into their blooming pots, placed in a warm frame or house, and bo only sprinkled until growth commences, care being taken not to make them tco wet, or the soil will turn sour. They should always have plenty of room and light, and abundance of air whenever it can be given, for that is one of the secrets of success. Always be en the watch for green fly, and as soon as that makes its appearance give them a good tobacco fumigation for two successive nights. Keep a very low temperature all winter, and nip out the points of long shoots till February, after which time it should tiot be done.' No liquid manure should be given till the flower buds begin to form, when they should have some once a-week. When the shoots are long enough they should be thinned if they require it, and tied out to neat straight sticks, which are best made out of plasterers' laths. Watering must be well attended to, for if they are allowed to become very dry they soon sutler, and produce small yellow leaves, and a warm dry temperature is very conducive to filth of all sorts. The following compoBt I find answers extremely well : — To four barrowloads of good pasture loam I add one of old Mush- room-bed dung, one of charcoal broken up fine, one of very old leaf mould, and one of cocoa-nut fibre refuse, the whole" well mixed. I drain the pots with charcoal. Th9 following varieties are all distinct, first-rate, and would form a good small collection, of course plenty of others might bo added: — Troubadour, Progress, Charles Turner, Heirloom, Favourite, Viola, Hermit, Decision, Congress, Beauty of Windsor, King of Trumps, Queen of White (Dobson's), Rob Roy, Emperor, Victor, Magician, Diadem, Example, Queen of Scots, Turban, Mary Hoyle, Captain John, Lord Lyon, and Lady of the Lake. — Ricuaed Jameson, Gargrave. STRAWBERRY CULTURE. The crop generally in this district (Lincolnshire) is prolific, and the most prolific of all the varieties under my immediate care is President. In an enumeration of several varieties, with their qualities and characteristics, contributed to the Journal two years ago, I unhesitatingly accorded to this variety the place of honour, which it continues to hold worthily. I am inclined to think that it is most at homo on a rather light soil. Runners which 1 have supplied for cultivation in gardens on heavy soil, have, as a rule, been rather unsatisfactory, producing a superabundance of foliage. Those, then, having a light staple of soil to deal with, I advise to grow ibis variety, and if it serve them as well as it year by year has served me, it will be pronounced worthy of its name. My plants, now yielding so well, are of the earliest last year's runners, bearing tbc-ir first crop, und I am confident it is tho host they will ever produce. Every year's experience fells me that to insure satisfactory crops of Strawberries on soils of the character of a light vegetable mould, we must secure runners as early as possible, treat them well throughout the season, and depend on their first efforts for the best yield. If by adversity of weather or any other kind of adversity, plants cannot be secured sufficiently early for permanent planting in July, after early Potatoes, it is good practice, taking into consideration the economy of the grneral cropping of the garden, to wait for very late runners— small ones — and prick them in nursery beds quite at tho end of September, or in October. For the con- venience of hoeing, &c, the rows should not be nearer to- gether than 9 inches, and the plants in the rows may be 4 or 5 inches apart. Here let them remain until an early crop is off in spring — say the crop of early Potatoes, which I, as rule, like them to follow, but cannot always make them do so — this year for instance. I can see nothing clearer than to plant after early Cabbage, but it goes rather against the grain, and I can only keep a smooth surface by reflecting on a mixture I have in reserve, composed mainly of old Strawberry plants and clear- ings of the beds last year, kept iu a separate rot heap. This, with a lot of old plants in their last stage of existence, and which will be cleared off and put at once green into the trenches, will act both as a sedative and stimulant, and animal and vegetable — that is, myself and plants, will be mutually benefited. This plan of manuring Strawberries with Strawberries is as good in practice as it is in theory, and was the secret of success of an amateur cultivator, a clergyman in this neighbourhood, who for years produced off the same ground magnificent crops of fruit by this system of manuring. I have also tried it my- self, and have not found it wanting — in fact, it is the root of. the matter over which at present my President presides so worthily. Plants treated on the plan described, other things being favourable to their well-being, are sure to bear splendidly — quite as well as, perhaps better than, plants from early runners encouraged and planted at once in tho fruiting-bedfor the next season's bearing. But why not plant. out sooner? some may ask. Why wait until the end of June, or till July? Simply this, by planting good plants of Strawberries in March or April, as is frequently done, you insure good crops the follow- ing season, but by waiting two or three months longer yon insure not only a good crop of fruit, but also a good crop of early Potatoes, off the same ground. Putting this against the planting of fine early runners in tho permanent beds at once, a season is certainly lost ; but when once fairly in the system the loss dwindles away, and the only disadvantage it has, looked at in tho general economy of cropping, is the bit of ground occupied as nursery beds for the half year beginning in October. The principal point to be attended to, is the plant- ing runners small and late, or they will be d:awn and injured by remaining in tho nursery bed so long. Strawberries on soil of this nature do not, as a rule, give more than two fine crops. I sometimes let them bear three, but the last has never yet satisfied me. I do net " bury cart- loads of manure ;" I bury the refute above mentioned, and then point iu tho surface 2 or 3 inches of yellow loam, if I can obtain it mixed with old hotbed manure, just to give the plants a start ; but the principal amount of manure is pnt on not in the ground. After planting, which is not done until the ground is well firmed to give it " body," the best substitute for " heart," the whole surface is well covered, aud kept covered. The surface of the ground is never bare summer nor winter, and is not disturbed by fork nor spade. The manure used for this purpose is not decayed, but is in a comparatively green state, and by tho washing of rains, and exposure to the weather nothing is seen but strawy material, clean and close, for the fruit to lie on, no fuither attention being required in this respect. It i3 to this surface dressing arresting evaporation, that I mainly attribute success in Strawberry culture on light soils, undoubtedly, en some soils, Strawberries will yield productive crops for four or five years, or by carefully thinning the crowns even ten years; but for soil of the character I deal with in this paper, the system of long-standing plantations breaks down ; at least, this is my experience. For such soils plant frequently, mulch, and mulch continually, ever bearing iu mind Mr. Rad- elyffe's advice, always sound, Do not pack the mulching closely round the hearts to blanch them, or farewell Strawberries. — J. W. EARLY versus LATE PLANTING RIBBON BORDERS. Concluded from payc 3.) In continuation of the above subject, although I practise early planting, it is, as I have already remarked, often from necessity rather tlmu choice. Forcing houses and pits become overcrowded, and the othermeans of sheltering the plants being insufficient, we are often reluctantly compelled to thin them out ; for, supposing the plants in single pots were only- wanted to plant the two borders described in my former article, and that twenty row3 of plants, each about 200 yarda in length, were wanted, theso alone would make upwards of two miles and a quarter of single row, too many for the accommodation we have, and as we have other beds and borders as well, an easy way of accomplishing the object has to be adopted. Tho management of Calceolarias is easy enough ; cuttings put very thickly into a cold pit in October or November are thinned out very often in March, and the plants left are quite large enough for turning out by the end of April ; if the ground is in tolerable condition, and the site not too much exposed to east winds, they will often succeed well. At all events, they July 21, 1370. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 41 are about the hardiest of bedding plants, and in our cise were transplanted direct with balls from the old pit to tho borders, some before Easter Sunday, and some the week after, the dry weather at the time interrupting tb.9 operation. Naxt came Verbena pulchella, a tolerably hardy kind, but still one that likes warm weather better than co!J, and I believe a better result would have followed had wo waited a fortnight, but the plants had become stunted by confinement in a crowded state in the cutting pans aud boxes, aud required more room ; so, trusting to the weather, we plauted them out at once on April 30th, excepting a few not sufficiently struck at the time, which were put out a fortnight afterwards. Their pro- gress was, of course, slow for a time — nay, I am not sure that they did not retrograde ; still, none of them died, or but very few, and they now (June 9ih) promise Boon to occupy their allotted space. I now come to the Pelargoniums. Tho bulk of these are wintered in wooden boxes 2 feet long by 1 foot wide and 3 inches deep for young plants, and i or 5 inches deep fir older taken-up plauts. Now it often happens that these small plants become very much drawn by the middle of April, so that a fresh lot of cuttings is often taken off; and in soma seasons we have shaken them out of the boxes, tied a little moss and soil round hundreds of them, and placed them on a slight hotbed or in a sheltered position for two or three weeks before planting ; but this season circumstances prevented our doing so, and there was no alternative but planting them out directly from the cutting box. The question then arose, W*9 it prudent to do that work early, or to wait till others were planting out their potted plants ? This wa3 the way to put tho matter, and not, Wnich is the proper time to plant ia general ? Observe, I am not advocating early planting where there exist the means of keeping tho plants in a suitable condition till a more genial season arrive, yet the results of early planting are not always so discouraging as to render it entirely unworthy of support. I remember the best bed of Pelargoniums I had one year was planted in April, but then the plants were covered with Laurel boughs for a time, a practice I hive often adjpted with early planted-out subjects, but which t had not the oppor- tunity of practising this year. On tho other hand, one season we suffered much by a frost late in M*y, I think the 23rd or 24th, when a number of plants of Perilla were quite killed, and the Pelargoniums and other bedding plants much hurt, while those not planted till after that time succee led much better. The air and plants at the time of that frost were both moist, hence the injury. The thermometer on tire morning of May 3rd was lower than I have ever registered it in May daring the last twenty years, being 27°, and that for many hours too ; but the air was dry, and tho morning dull, so that the injury done was not so great as, from the severity of the frost, might be sup- posed. In other frosts during the same month, the shoots of Oak, Ash, and other trees were blackened. In connection with early planting, the state of the ground must be set down as an essential condition of success, and it has generally been one of our difficulties, as the soil of our flower beds, though well adapted for sustaiuing a long sum- mer's growth, is not the best to work early in the season, for it is what 13 termed a stubborn soil, and in some seasons is much worse than in others. This year has been one of the best, while 1869 was bad. So stiff is the ground sometimes that we are obliged to obtain some true soil from elsewhere to plant in, or rather to cover the roots cf the little plants con- signed to such hard lumps. I well remember the expression of a gardener of high standing win visited me one seat-on when the soil was of tho coarsest description, and the men were fixing down the shoots of Verbenas, not with pegs, hair- pins, or strips of mattiug, but with clods of the suu-dried earth, about the size of a cricket ball, obtained on the spot in ■ any quantity. Such rude treatment amused my friend, who, doubtless, expected more from his own neatly manipulated beds, but a genial rain setting in soon after melted down these weights, to the advantage of the plants I believe. A rather long continuance of dry weather followed, and then it came to my turn to visit my friond's gardeo, and the laugh was turned against him ; his smooth ashy-looking soil had not been able, with the aid of the water of a eanal that flowed past it, to sup- port his Verbenas in health, while mine were all that could be desired. However, a certain degree of pulverisation is neces- sary at planting, and I am in the habit of looking as much at the state of the ground as at that of the atmosphere ; never- theless, it must be acknowledged, that when the two are com- bined the best result follows. The condition of the plants, however, has a great influence in hastening or delaying planting out, for to wait till a plant falls into bad health from crowding or lack of nourishment at the root, is often equiva- lent to waiting till disease sets in. Calceolarias are espe- cially liable to suffer from "this cause. The Variegated and Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums appear to bear such treatment as well as any plant, but it cannot be said that they are im- proved by it. Although I have mentioned some subjects which may be planted out early without dying, yet there are others it, would not be prudent to try. Heliotropes, Tropre rlums, Ageratums, and even Llbelias are less hardy than the plants I have named; while Alternanthera3, Coleases, Castor Oil plants, and the like, are still more delicate. Oa tho other hand, Petunias are tolerably hardy, so, too, are Gjztuias, Nierembergias, and Centaureas. The last nam 3d, howevr r, has suffered nure with me this past winter than it has ever done before. I would now invite the opinions of others on tho snbject, whose practice, if recorded, may do much either to condemn early planting, or to support it a3 not being so detrimental as it is supposed to be ; for, be it remembered, if it can ba proved that a plant turned out, say on tho 25th of April, is as good on the 2uth of June as one turned out on the 25th of May, the advantages of getting the Grit planted one out of the way are such as to render the earlier plantiug preferable, the state of the respective plants at turning-out time, and other conditions, being the same. B it I have already said enough, and I expect our worthy rneutor, "It. F.," will iiud many and cogent reasons for delaying his planting so lite, each of them im- portant to the planter. Nevertheless, I advocate early plant- ing where circumstances, as here, almost compel its adoption. — J. Rousox. THE STRAWBERRY SEASON. I hear on ell sides, " I have no Strawberries ! " Here they never were finer nor more plentiful. I like a West Iudian summer for fruits and fl jwers. All that is wauttd is sufficiency of manure, and water equal, in some measure, to excessive evaporation. I have had magnificent crops of Rivers's Eliza, Cockscomb, Wonderful, Dr. Hogg, end Mr. Radelyffe, of which the last-named is tho best in flavour. In constitution, setting its fruits, and colour, it is superior to the British Queen; in other respects, and especially as regards flesh, flavour, and foliage, it is identical. I had some very fine early and highjy- flavoured berries of Lucas, which should be more known. I think Mr. 1! tdclyffe an 1 Dr. II)gg — the two finest in the Queen line — succer-d best by early annual (say July 1st) plantation. I took on July 5th a noble lot of Strawberries, consisting of Mr. Radclyffe, Dr. Hogg, Wonderful, and Cockscomb, to~Sir William Marriott's cricket-match — a malch between his eleven rind eleven of theT.h Fusiliers, quartered at Dorchester. Sir W. Marriott and Capt. Glyn measured Iho largest Cockscomb with tape marked with the inches, and it wa3 ll.{ inches in circum- ference. I enclose Sir William's letter for tho Editors' perusal. This I do, because people who grow Strawberries the size of " snags," cannot stirl believe that I grew one last year 12 inches round. They do not appear to have measured the largest of the Dr. Hogg Strawberries, which, I believe, ranged from 7 to 9 inches. It is a noble Strawberry, but not equal to Mr. Rad- clyffe in flesh, flavour, and colour. I should, however, he in- clined to recommend it to careless people rather than Mr. Radclyffa. They are both easy to cultivate, and neither are particular as to soil. The British Queen hates chalk, but these, too, I have grown successfully in tho chalky soil of Eushton and in the sandy loam of Oka'ord. The Bicton Pine and Frogmore Pine are not in crop thia year. The Alpines have been most abundant. Galande is a splendid red Alpine. I wonder people do not grow Alpines. With a little sugar, I think they are the finest Savoured of ail Strawberries. Last year my runners of all sorts were planted July 1st. This year I made my new beds July 4tb, 5th, and 6th. Early establishment is a great matter, also firm ground. I plant after Cabbages, which are kept constantly hoel, and I do not dig tha ground at all. Holes, 19 inches apart each way, are scooped out, and filled with liquid manure, and in due time the runners are put in with loam and decayed manure sifted fiue, and trodden in as hard as it is possible to do. The runners are then kept sufficiently watered. The hotter the weather is the better it is for the new plantation. The July plantB of last year are now larger than some people's three-year-old plants. 42 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ Jul7 21, 1370. Two years, except in rich clays, is, I thick, long enough for many sorts to stand. The only novelties on trial here were Dr. Riden's two seed- ling?, the Duke of Edinburgh and Early Prolific, and Mr. Segrave's (of Marlow) Royalty. The Duke is a superior Straw- berry fur form, flesh, and flavour, but here it is too dwarf in growth. The Early Prolific is a better grower, and has a plea- sant flavour. Royalty appears to be the same as the Scarlet Pine, or Rival Queen, in foliage, form, flesh, flavour, habit, and appearance. It has the same fault — namely, it is a precarious setter, but of a most rich and excellent flavour. I should not nave p,ot rid of the Scarlet Pine or Rival Queen — in the same 'line — had they been good setters. I cannot, hereaf'er, try Strawberry plants or Potatoes for anyone. — W. F. Radclvffe, Ohford Fitznainc. THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S OXFORD SHOW. Oxford is a city with a long history — a longer history than one cares to recount, for it goes back a thousand years and becomes lost in the mist of time ; for nearly that period, if not quite, there science, and art, and literature have flourished, and the disciples which its many colleges have sent forth have carried the stored-up learning of past generations and their own into the wide world. Who, then, can tell its history? Who the iufluence it has had on the things that be ? Nor is it without a history in another sense — war has been no infre- quent visitant at its gates — and alas ! while we write these words war Bgain is about to deform the fair face of Europe, and such a war, and between such nations ! Temdt iirliem, terruit gentes, that, peihaps, is the reason that when we left Oxford yesterday neither Horticulture nor Agiiculture was so well countenanced as we should have wished. Still, the Show which commenced on Tuesday, and is to close on Friday next, is one well worthy of special atten'iou, and of special encourage- ment also. It is worthy of attention even by the frequenters of the LonJim shows from its own merits as a show, aud as an indication of the state of horticulture in tha provinoes ; it is worthy of atleution by those in the provinces, for it brings to their doors what many would never see without a long journey, perhaps never seo at all ; and it is deserving of encouragement both by town and country for this renson, and because it bene- fits both ; aud more — still more, it biingsmen from all parts of the land into social contact, cements old friendships, and forms new. It is more especially at these country shows the gentleman and the gardener come together, they converse with each other, and they learn from each other; each gains in information, and each can better appreciate the other. Thus the strong wall which is built up between man and man, and class and cUss, is breached, and we believe — we feel sure — to the benefit of the gardener's art, to the benefit of the community at large. Tre details of the Show, which is held in the grouuds of the Rid- cliffo Observatory, and which, with the combined Show of the Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural Society, occupies eight large tents, will be found in the following reports. To these we pur- pose giving some additions next week, together with a notice of the Congress, which commenced yesterday at too late an hour for us to enter into details. So far the weather has been everything that could he desired, were it not for the drawback of a tropical ttmperature. Let us hope that the results in every sense will be equally favourable. Mlxed Groups of Flowering and Fine-foliaofd Plants. — For these prizes of £25 aud £15 respectively were ottered by the Royal Horticultural and Royal Oxfordshire Societies. The former is taken by Mr. Baines, gardener to H. Mieholls, Esq., Southgate House, Middlesex, who is first with a remarkably fine collection, consisting of Dipladenia crassinoda, very well bloomed ; Dipladenia amabilis, the large flowers of which are in beautiful condition ; a splendid specimen of Erica obhata, 5 feet in diameter ; Ixora coccinea, loaded with mag- nificent heads of its brilliant scarlet flowers; Allanianda nobilis, very fine ; an unnamed very free-flowering Allamanda ; Ixora aurantiaca ; "Bougaiuvillea glabra, forming a charming mass of rosy bracts ; Phce- nocoma prolifera Barnesii, in good bloom, but not large ; and an excellent plant of Erica remula. Of fine-foliaged plants Mr. Baines has Croton variegatum, with its colour most beautifully developed ; of Gleiehenia rupestris a large spocimen extremely beautiful and delight- folly fresh; Thcophrasta imperialis, very fine; Dasylirion aerotri- chum ; a remarkably fine specimen of Phnmicophorium sechellarum ; a very large plant of the equally beautiful and not dissimilar Yer- schafi'eltia snlendida ; Dicktouia antarctica ; Croton angnstifoliurn, large, and with the golden variegation fully developed ; Yucca varie- gata; and a good specimen of Cordyliue indivisa. Mrs. E. Cole and Sons, YVithington, Manchester, are second with a very good collection, consisting of Dipladenia crassinoda, Allamanda cathartica, Genetyllia tulipifera, Apbelcxis humilis grandillora, Dipladenia acuminata, Phajnocoma prolifera Barnesii, a very large busli of Erica Cavendisbii, Apbelcxis macrautba rosea, an excellent Kalosanthespunicea, a rather poor specimen of Erica Parmentieriana rosea ; while of fine-foliaged plants the collection contains excellent specimens of Croton varie- gatum, Dicksonia antarctica, variegated Yucca, Livistonia borbonica, Croton angustifolium, and Dasylirion acrotrichum. Stove and Greenhouse Plants. — Mrs. Cole & Sons also send the best collection of nine stove and greenhouse plants in flower. This consists of excellent specimens of Ixora coccinea, Dipladenia amabilis in fine bloom, Aphelexis macrautba purpurea, Kalosanthes puurcea, Dipladenia crassinoda, Gompholobium polymorphum splen- dens, and fair examples of Ixora javanica, Allamanda grauditiora, Dipladeuia crassinoda, aud Pbomocoma prolifera Barnesii. The second prize goes to Mr. F. Perkins, Leamington, who has fine plants of the large-flowered Allamanda HenJersoni, Statice imbiicata, Yinca rosea, and others of less note. Messrs. Bell & Thorpe also show in this class, and have a very good plant of Dipladenia amabilis, the yellow-flowered Cassia corymbosa, and well-bloomed Statices. The special prize offered by F." J. Morrell, Esq., for the best specimen stove plant in flower is taken by Mr. Baines, gardener to II. Mieholls, Esq., with a specimen of Allamanda cathartica, forming a balloon 5 feet by at least -It feet across; and the second prize, given by the same gentleman, goes to Messrs. Standish & Co., of the Royal Nur- series, Ascot, for Allamanda Herrdersoni, not large, but in excellent bloom ; while the third prize is awarded to the singular-looking Aristo- locbia ornithocephala, from Mr. F Perkins, nurseryman, Leamington. Messrs. Gill's prizes for the best and second best specimen greenhouse plants go to Mr. Baines for a very fine plant of Erica Fairrieana, 4 feet in diameter ; and the second ti Mr. A. Wright, gardener to C. H. Crompton Roberts, Esq., Regent's Park. London, for a very good specimen, though rather past its best, of Kalosanthes Madame Celeste Winaus. In the local cl.iss for six stove or greenhouse plants, Mr. G. Harris, who is first, has a very well-grown Clerodeudrorr Thomsons, but its bloom over, a very good Rondel etia is also exhibited, and Asclepias currasavica, a showy plant, but seldom seen, and in this instauco straggling; the otheis do not require notice. The second prize goes to Mr. J. Walker for a good pot of Liiium eximium, Caladiums, and Coleuscs. The " Floriat and Pomologist" prize for softwooded greenhouse plants was awarded to Messrs. Bell & Thorpe, Stratford-on-Avon, for a collection in which there is Abutilou Thomp- soni with a few flowers, two Petunias, a Lantana, Diplacus grandi- floms in good bloom, anil Liiium anratum. Orchids — But few are shown ; there is only one collection in the amateurs' class for six, which conies from Mr. A. Wright, gardener to C. H. Crompton Roberts, Esq., Regent's Park, who has Oncidiam Sclieperianum, Lycastes, Ae rides, a Cattleya, aud other plants not remarkable, Mr. Williams takes the corresponding position in the nurserymen's class with Angnloa Clowesii, Deudrobium Parishii, showy"; Yunda suavis, Acrides quinquevulnernui, Cypripedium super- hiens, tine, and a very good pan of Cypripedium harbatum superbnm. Messrs Rollrsson & Sons are second with a fine specimen of Ae'ridea odoratum majns, with about two dozen fine racemes, Aerides Lohii with half a dozen, EpiiUnlruiu vitellinum ma jus, fine, a good pan of Cypripedium harbatum rnajrrs. aud Odontoglossum hastilabium. Heaths.— The silver cup, offered by W. Wootten-Wootten, Esq., goes to Mrs. E. Cole & Sons for excellent plants of Erica Parmen- tieriana rosea, ventricosa migmtiea, ferruginea superba, large and fine, venosa, u well-grown Eemula, aud good but smaller specimens of other kinds. Tha second prize, offered by Lord Valeutia, goes to Mr. A. Wright, gardener to C. H. Crompton Roberts, Esq., for a large specimen of ventricosa Bothwelliana in profuse bloom, the showy scarlet ceriuthoides var regata, and good examples, though not la:ge, of tricolor Wilsoni and Fairrieana. The special prize, offered by the Warden of New College for six, is taken by Mrs. E. Cole & Sons with good plantB of venosa, ventricosa maguitica, gemmifera elegans, with others less remarkable. Messrs. Grinibly, Hughes, aud Dewe's prize is taken by Mr. A. Wright with an evenly-grown lot of plants, though rather small. Fine-foliaged Plants. — These make a good display, although the specimens are not remarkable for great size. Mr. Johnson, gardener to the Marquis of Ailesbury, Savernako, takes the first position in the amateurs' class for nine, with very good specimens of Alocasia me- tallica, a fiue Caladinm Belleymei, Sanseviera angolensis, Pandanns elegantissimus, Croton angustifolium, a fine healthy plant of Sphcero- gyne latifolia, Alocasia macrorhiza variegata with its leaves three- fourths white, and a very good specimen of Croton variegatum. The second prize goes to Mr. A. Wright, who, among other plants, has the extremelv graceful Cupania filicifolia, Dsmonorops plnmosus, an elegant Palm, arid other good specimens. The best nine in the nurserymen's class come from Mr. Williams, who has a splendid plant of Alocasia metallica in perfect condition, a fine Phceuicophorium sechellarum, Dasylirion plumosum, Cycas revoluta, very fine ; a large an.1 very perfect Cordylino indivisa, and a fine Yucca quadricolor. Palms. — These are not very numerously shown. Mr. B. S. Williams is first with noble plants of Phomicophorium sechellarum, Livistonia Jenkinsii, and Verschaffeltia splendida, the others being fine speci- mens of Chamrerops humilis, Areca lutescens, and Thrinax elegans. July 21, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 43 "Messrs. Rollisson are second with a pretty collection, prominent in which are fine plants of Chainx'rops erecta, Thrinax argentea, and others. Corpyi.ikks and Dru'.kn'a.v — Here Mr. Williams, of Holloway, ' takes the lead with very fine plants of Dractna atrosanguinea,D.lineata, D. australis, not a large hut a beautiful young specimen, and D. nm- braculifera. Messrs. Bell & Thorpe are secoud with very small speci- mens, and Mr. S. Daniels, gardener to the Rev. S. R. Keene, Swyu- combe Park, third. Exotic Fkhns. — Of these there U not so largo a show as on some former occasions, hut the want is more than made up for by the qua- lity of those shown. Mr. Williams, of Holloway, is first for nine with large and fine examples, with fronds of the greatest freshness, consist- ing of Cyathea dealbato, Todea africana, two good Gleichenias, Ci- botiuni Sehiedei furcaus, Dicksouia squarrosa, Davallia dissecta, very beautiful, Dicksouia antarctica, and a particularly tine and very wide-spreading Cyathea princeps. Messrs. Bell & Thorpe, Paddock Nursery, Strntford-on-Avon, are secoud with a very good Bird's-nest Fern, and small well-grown specimens of Cibotinrus, Alsophilas, Blechnum corcovadense, Ac. Mr. J. J. Chater is third. In the amateurs' class for six, Mr. Barnes takes the first position for a speei- men of Gleichenia spelunc;e most beautifully furnished, ami measur- ing nearly 5 feet in diameter ; good examples of Cyathea dealbata and mednllaris, Davallia bullata, fine ; Davallia tenuifolia, and a fine pan of Todea superba. The second prize goes to J. Mapplebeck, Bsq., Wood field. Moseley, Birmingham. The first of the special prizes given by H. Grisewood, Esq., was awarded to Mr. "Wright, gardener to C. H. Crompton Roberts, Esq., Regent's Park, for a collection con- taining a beautiful Adiautum farleyense, A. cnueatnm, Cibotiam Sehiedei, Lomaria gibb.i, Dicksouia antarctica, and Cyathea princeps. Messrs. Bell S: Thorpe ate second. A first- class certificate was awarded to Messrs. Wood & Ingram for a new variety of Lomaria nudn. The best pair of Tree Ferns are from Mr. Williams — viz., Dicksouia •antarctica, and Cyathea Smithii about 1'2 feet high ; the secoud best come from Mr. C. Walton, Cowley Road, Walton, and are a well- grown pair of considerably less size, round the trunks of which is trained white variegated Ivy. British Ferns. — Of these, J. E. Mappluheck, Esq., Woodfield, Moseley, Birmingham, lias a w^ll-grown collection of twelve, in which are very good specimens of Scolopcndrium vulgare crispam, Tricho- manes radicaus, Athyrium Filix-fiemina Prichardii, and others. For this a second prize is awarded. E. J. Lowe, Esq., Hightield llonso, Notts, is third with a pretty collection, in which we particularly -noticed Osmunda regalis cristata minor, Scolopeudrium vulgare optan- dum, Polystichum annulare decompositum, and A. F.-f. plumosum Monkmanni. Mr. Caskell, St. John's Terrace, Oxford, is awarded the first prize. The local exhibitions of Ferns from Messrs. Chap- man, Callani, and Ca^tell in the class for twelve, and Messrs. Belcher, Howlett, and Walker, are very good. The best twelve in the nurserymen's class are from Messrs. Ivery, of Dorking, and consist of Athyrium F.-f. trifidum, lanceolatum, Girdleitoneii, ramo-cris- tatum, formoso-ciistatum, Fieldiie, plumosnm, Polystichum augulare cristatnm, acutj-disseetuni, Lastrea Filix-mas cristata, Iveryana, and Osmunda regalis cristata. The Right Hon. E. Cardwell's first prize for twenty British Ferns is also taken by Messrs. Ivery it Son, of Dorking, with Athyrium F.-f. Grantiie, formosum cristatum, grandi- ceps, Girdlestonii, conioides, plumosum Axminster var., plumosnm, fissidens, Vernoni.e, pulchellum, corymbifernm, Osmunda regalis cristata, Polystichum angularo plumosnm, ineisnra, conspicnlobum, Lastrea Filix-mas Pinderii, cristata Iveryana, A. F.-f. Fieldio? lanci- "lolium, aud Trichomaues radicans. The second and third are awarded to J. E. Mapplebeck, Esq., and E. J. Lowe, Esq. In the very extensive collection of British Ferns shown by E. J. Lowe, Esq., of Highfield House, Nottingham, the following received first-class certificates — viz., Asplenium marinum ochmithianum, Poly- stichum angulare mousogenes, Lastrea F.-nias acceptnm, Athyrium F.-f. strombomenon, A. F.-f. exemplum, Scolopendrium vnlgare cor- culum, S. v. kraspedon, S. v. krosson, S. v. margine, S. v. perikallou, S. v. stephanedon, S. v. poluskiaton, S. v. semnon. J. E. Mapplebeck, Esq., also received several first-class certificates for new forms — viz., Athyrium F.-f. defecto-sectum, A. F.-f. caput-Medusae, A. F.-f. Jonesii, A. F.-f. dcnshsimuni, A. F.-f. furcillaus, A. F.-f. Craigii splendidus, A. F.-f. llabellifolium ciistatum, A. F.-f. Gillsonix fur- cans, A. F.-f. comicum, aud Polystichum augulare brachiato-cristatnm Smithii. Pelargoniums. — For six double-flowered Pelargoniums prizes were given by the Rev. W. Vernon Harcourt. The first of these was taken by Mr. Bragg with Gloire de Nancy, Madame Lemoine, Capitaine L'Hermite, Victor Lemoine, and Marie Lemoine. The plants are not large, but on the whole well bloomed. The second prize was awarded to Messrs. Bell & Thorpe for coarse -looking plants. Of double- flowered Pelargoniums shown in Class 16. Mr. Perkins, of Leaming- ton, has Marie Lemoine, Madame Lemoine, and Wilhelm Pfitzer in fine bloom, the first with a profusion of trasses. Messrs. Downie and Co., of Stanstead Park, are second with excellent specimens ; Messrs. Bell it Thorpe third with immense plants, but with few flowers in comparison to the quantity of foliage ; and Mr. House, of Peter- borough, is fourth. The best stand of twelve varieties of double-flowered Pelargoniums, five trasses of each, comes fiom Mr. Perkins, of Leamington, and cousists of Triotnphe, Madame Rose Charineux, Andrew Henderson. Madame Michel Buckm-r, Mrtrie Lamoine, Victor, Triotnphe de Thu- mesnil, Capitaine L'Hermite, Wilhelm Pfitzer, Victor Lemoine, Madame Lemoine, Gloire de Nancy. The second prize went to Messrs. Kelway it" Son, of Langport, and the third to Messrs. Carter and Co. The best six variegated Zonal Pelargoniums come from Mr. Turner, and consist of very well-grown specimens of the following white-edge kinds — viz., Compactum, Jane, May t^aeeu, Albion Cliffs, Miss Bridges, and Princess Alexandra. J. E. Mapplebeck, Esq., comes second with plants 2 feet across, wjdl-clothed with foliage, and Mr. Perkius, of Leamington, third. Mr. Welsh, gardener to D. Rutter, Esq., Parkfield House, Hilliugdon, is first iu class IS. for six Tricolor Pelargoninms, with excelleutplants, both in growth aud loaf-colouring, of Lucy Grieve, Sophia Cnsa^k, Countess of Tyrconnel, Lady Cullum, and Sophia Damaresqae. Mr. Stevens of Ealing is second, and Mr. Turner third, the latter with small plants of which Achievement is noticeable for the bri^htnoss of its zone, while Sir Robert Napier i? equally conspicuous for its dark zone. Another third prize wa3 awatded to Mr. Tomkins, Spark Hill, Birmingham. The special prizes given by Sir A. W. Peyton, Bart., go to Mr. Welsh for compact well-grown plants of Mrs. Turner, Iraperatrieo Eugenie, Sophia Cu*aek, Lidy Callam, Glen Eyre Beauty, and Edwinia Fitz- patriclr. Mr. Stoven3, who is second, has also good plants. The best four Zonal Pelargoniums (uot variegated) shown in Class 89, in which special prizes are offered, come from Messrs. Bell .1' Thorpe, and consist of Eleanor, Glory of Waltham, Mr. William Paul, and Lady Constance Grosvenor, and are well-grown aud bloomed plants of 2A to 3 feet in diameter. The others are uot remarkable The best six in Class In also come from Messrs. Bell & Thorpe, and aro well-grown nnd bloomed, and include a good scarlet seedling called John Thorpe, Eleanor, Lord Derby, and Fairy Princess. Mr. Walkor of Thame, is sec 'ill, thobest being a very line plant of Amy Hogg. Mr. J. Chater, of Cambridge is third. Cut trusses of Zonal Pelargoniums are also showu. Iu the class for three trusses of twelve varieties there are several excellent stands, especially tho winning ones from Mr. Walker, of Th-iine, Mr. C. J. Perry, and Mr. Miuehin, of Hook Norton. Petunias present a gay appearance, especially the single-flowering sorts from Messrs. Bell & Thorpe, who are first for six. The special prize offered by the Warden of Wadham College for donblo-floweriDg kinds is taken' by Mr. Harris, Headingtou Hill, with very well-grown plants trained on flat wire trellises 3 feet in diameter. Sloitli:nts.— Of these Mr. Williams, of Holloway, has an excel- lent twelve, for which he takes the first prize. Among them are Agave VerschaiJelti, Dickia Vcrschaffelti, very handsome ; Agave Schl- digera, Agave tilifera major, another thready-leaved kind; Eehino- cactus Pfeifferi, Aloe socotrina, and Rhipodeudron plicatile. Mr. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, is second with a collection mainly consisting of Echeverias and Seropervivums, and Messrs. Bell & Thorpe third. Iu this is the singular-looking enp-shaped Greenovia aurea ; there is also a nice pan of St'iuporvivnm araehnoides. Mr. J. Chater, of Cambridge, alsa exhibits, and Mr. Ware has a nume- rous and interesting miscellaneous collection. Roses make a grand display, the stands of cut blooms occupying the whole of one side of the long fruit tent aud part of the other side. In forty-eight single trusses Mr. J. Cranston is first with, among others, beautiful examples of La France, La Boulo d'Or, Senateur Vaisse> Niphetos, Sophia Coquerellc, Marechal Niel, Gloire de Dijon, &c. Mr. Turner is second with very fine trusses, and equal third prizes go to Messrs. Paul & Son and Mr. Cant, of Colchester, while Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith, are fourth. In the amateurs' class for the sanio number Mr. C. J. Perry, of Castle Bromwich, takes the first position, Mr. Moore, gardener to T. Lloyd, Esq., Warwick, being second, and Mr. Johnson, Uxbridge, third. In the amateurs' class for twenty- four Mr. Moore is first, Mr. Johnson, Uxbridge, second, and Mr. C. J. Perry third. For twelve the principal prizes go to Mr.Cavell, Walton Manor, and Mr. Tranter, Upper Assenden; while for six Mr. Tranter takes the lead. For twelve Roses sent out in 1867 Mr. Turner is first with Elie Morel, Francois Fontaine, Baroness de Rothschild, De- vieune Lamy, La France, Miss Poole, Dnke of Edinburgh, Marie Cirodde, Edward Morren, Nardy Frcres, and Comte de Hainault. Messrs. Paul & Son are second, and Mr. Cant third. Prizes were offered by J. Thomson, Esq., for nine yellow Roses, and were carried off by Messrs. Paul & Son, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Cranston. Among these ore magnificent examples of Marechal Niel, Gloire do Dijon, Cloth of Gold, Madame Falcot, and Madame Margottin. The Rev. J. Dry's special prize for the best six Roses sent out in 1868-9-70 is taken by Mr. Turner with Reine Blanche, Duke of Edinburgh, Henri Lede- chaux, Montplaisir, Edward MorreD, and Lord Napier. Mr. Turner was also successful in winning the Oxford Rose Society's first prize for a collection of varieties sent out in 1807-8-9 or 1870, the second prize going to Mr. Cant. Mr. G. Prince's prize for the best twenty- four blooms of one variety, was awarded to Mr. Chard for Souvenir d'uu Ami. The prize given by the Misses Turner for the best three blooms of any variety is taken by Mr. Cant with Pierre Notting, re- markably fiue. Messrs. Lee exhibit, not for competition, a stand con- taining, besides beautiful blooms of Marechal Niel, others of Cle- mence Raoux, very attractive by its peculiar colouring, as well as of Edward Morren. 44 JOURNAL of horticulture and cottage gardener. [ July 21, 1870. Miscellaneous. — Among miscellaneous collections of plants, that of Messrs. Vbitch is especially noticeable, not only from the excellent effect of the arrangement, but still more from the value, rarity, and beauty of the plants of which it is composed. The Nepenthes suspended in front add much to the grace of the whole by their large pitchers. The plants funning this collection are so numerous that we can only specify a few of the most remarkable. These aro Begonia Chelsoni, Sedeni, and Veitchii, the latter with largo orange scarlet flowers, and the plant, moreover, is said to be hardy ; Deudrobiuin Uensoniie, the new Drachmas which we have lately noticed, Crotons, Araucarias Kulci and elegans, Maranta tubispatha, a fine specimen of Anthurium Seheizeriaunin, Dieffenbaehia Bowmanui, Odonto- glossum Laurentianum, Lep top ten's superba, and Cypripedium Stonei. For this collection the first prize was awarded. The second prize was awarded to Mr. Williams, of Holloway, who had also a rich well-arranged colled ion, most conspicuous in which is the beautiful Cochliostema Jacobianuru, beautiful pans of Hymenophyllum demissnm and Todea superba, new Dracaenas, tho single leaf of Pogonia discolor, Cypripedium Stonei, several Palms, and many investing plants. Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith, have also a large collection consist- ing of Heaths, Palms, and several Ferns, among the latter of which are the handsome Adiantum Sancta>Catherin;e, Adiautum luuulatum, and A. capillus-Yeneris inagnincuiri, a fine variety and hardier than A. farleyense to which it bears considerable resemblance. Araucaria elegans and llulei, and the showy scarlet and black Clianthus Dampieri are among the remainder. Mr. Ware, of Tottenham, also has an extra prize for one of his charming collections of hardy flower- ing and ornamental-leaved plants. Messrs. Kollisson, of Tooling, have a third prize for a very effective group of Palms, new Dracrenas, Pandanads, Ferns, Caladiutns, Heaths, and Orchids. Chamredorea graminajfolia is a very handsome Palm, small specimens of which are very elegant for table decoration. Mr. J. House, Eastgate Nursery, Peterborough, has an extra prize for a large collection of bedding plants in neat boxes, and very well grown. Grccuovia aurea is particularly worthy of remark, and Lobelia pnmila grandiflora is a very dwarf free-flowering kind, excellent for edgings, and forms a mass of blossom. Iresine Lindeni is likewise very effective. The Altera an theras, especially amcena, are beautifully coloured. The only group of wax flowers shown comes from Miss Sutton, of Thame, Oxon,.and consists of well-executed Roses. Dahlias, Fuchsias, Lilies, &e. This receives a first prize, and a similar award was made to a very elegant group shown by Mr. John House, Church Street, Peterborough, the material used being muslin. An extra prize was also given for a case of skeletonised leaves from J. Kay, Esq., Dids- bnry, an excellent example of skilful manipulation. Tho best four pots of Lilium auratum, for which a special prize was offered by W. D. Cole, Esq., come from Mr. Turner, Slough, and have from twelve to sixteen flue blooms. Lycopods aro creditably shown by some exhibitors, but are not up to the mark of the London exhibitions. Clematises, en the other hand, as exhibited by Messrs. Jackman & Son, of Woking, are most excellent. Their first-prize four are Mrs. Bateman, lanuginosa Can- dida, rubella, and Jackmanni ; besides which they show several other kinds ; the plants, grown in tubs, ranging from 5 to 6 feet in height from the ground, and literally covered with flowers. Some very good Balsams come from Messrs. Bell & Thorpe, and the same firm send the beautifully grown Lobelias shown at a recent meeting at South Kensington, and which they have since acquired. They also tako an extra prize for bedding plants. Mr. Ware has a beautiful collection of hardy cut (lower;? ; Mr. W. Paul boxes of Roses, Zonal Pe'argoni- ume, Euonymus ihivescens, one of the prettiest of golden-leaved shrubs, Lilium auratum, and several of his valuable new Zonal Pelargoniums, among which Avalanche, at once white-flowered and white-leaved, 13 not the least prominent. In the local classes aro good blooms of Hollyhocks from Messrs. Surman and Miuchin, and of Dahlias from Mr. R. Parsons. Fuchsias, both in the local and general classes, are not remarkable either for size or beauty, nor have we seen them so this year. Mr. Cattell, of Westerham, had a first-class certificate for Tropcolum Minnie Warren, dwarf, with leaves having a very decided white variegation, but apparently of weak constitution — at least that "was our impression. Dracrena inaguifica from Messrs. Yeitch, with leaves having the blade 15 inches long by 6 wide, is a plant that cannot fail to strike one by its rich reddish mahogany colour and free growth. Mr. Williams has also a very graceful Horsetail, Equisetum sylvaticum ; and though Horsetails are not to be encouraged in a hor- ticultural point of view, this one seems well worthy of attention. Mr. Williams also exhibits, not for competition, a magnificent specimen of Cycas circinalis, spreading about 12 feet, which is a great object of attraction. Cut blooms of Carnations, usually not only numerously represented, but also very well done at these provincial shows, aro well shown on this occasion also. In the nurserymen's class for twenty-four varieties, Mr. Charles Turner, Slough, is first wifh a very fine lot of blooms, consisting of Dreadnought, Lord Lewisham, Lord RanclifTe, Oliver Goldsmith, and Prince Albert, Scarlet Bizarres ; Anthony Dennis, Eccentric Jack, Graceless Tom, Captain Franklin, Rifleman, and Young Milton, Crimson Bizarres ; Princess Royal and Twyford Per- fection, Pink and Purple Bizarres ; Colonel Windham, Squire Mey- nell, Purple Flakes ; Annihilator, Coronation, Mr. Battersby, and William Cowper, Scarlet Flakes ; and James Merryweather, Aglaiar Flora's Garland, King John, and Rose of Stapleford, Rose Flakes. Second, Mr. George Edward, York, with much smaller but nice flowers, the best being Mr. Patey, James Merryweather, and Mr. Walton, Rose Flakes; Rainbow and John Davidson, Crimson Bizarres; George Edward, Scarlet Flake ; and Mrs. Gunning, and Mayor of Notting- ham, Purple Flakes. Mr. H. Hooper, Bath, is third. Iuthe amateurs class for twelve Carnations, Mr. S. C. Butfrum, Burgh Mills, Wood- bridge, is first with a capital lot of flowers, consisting of Lord Ran- cliffe and Sir J. Paxtou, Crimson Bizarres ; John Bright, Rainbow, and Tenby Rival, Crim-on Bizarres ; Hannibal and Sarah Payne, Pink and Purple Bizarres; Premier, Purple Flake ; John Bayley and Marmion, Scarlet Flakes ; Flora's Garland and Uncle Tom, Rose Flakes. Second, Mr. N. Norman, Plnmstead, with Mayor of Nottingham, Purple Flake ; Poor Tom, Rose Flake ; and the remainder seedlings, some of them appearing promising. Third, Mr. D. Pizzey, gardener to Sir C. E. Perry, Fulmer, Bucks. The special prize offered by the Kail of Abingdon for twelve Carna- tions is also taken by Mr. Turner with a fine lot, consisting of Lord Lewisham, Admiral Curzon, and Duke of York, Scarlet Bizarres ; Eccentric Jack and Rifleman, Crimson Bizarres ; Princess Royal, Pink and Purple Bizarre; Colonel Windham, Purple Flake; Sportsman aud Mr. Battersby, Scarlet Flakes; Flora's Garland, King John, and James Merryweather, Pose Flakes. Second, Mr. N. Norman, with a good lot of seedlings as before. Third, Mr. George Edward, York. Mr. C. Turner is also first in the nurserymen's class for twenty-four Picotees, and shows a remarkably fine lot of blooms that draw admiring exclamations from the visitors ; they are Chancellor, Colonel Clark, Exhibition, Lavinia, Lord Valentia, Mrs. Norman, and Miss Turner, Red-edge ; Francis, Jessie, Mary, Mra. Summers, Mrs. May, and Picco, Purple-edge ; Elise, Lucy, Alfred Ingleton, Mr3. Rollings, Queen Victoria, Juliana, Obadiah, and Purity, Rose- edge, and two seedlings. Second, Mr. George Edward, York. The best flowers in the stand are Fairest of the Fair, George, and John Feather, Purple edge ; Lord Mayor of York, and Mrs. Hanaford, Purple-edge ; Hannah Maria and Harriet, Rose-edge. Third, Messrs. Wood & Ingram, Huntingdon. With twelve blooms Mr. D. Pizzey is first with some good blooms, consisting of Eliza, Rosetta, and Forester, Red-edge ; Admiration, Frances, Ganymede, Jessie, Margaret, Mary, aud Mrs. May, purple-edge; Lucy and Princess Alice, Rose-edge. Second, Mr. N. Norman, wiLh Mrs. Newball, and Prince of Wales, Red-edge; Jessie and Margaret, Purple-edge, aud th3 rest seedlings. Third, Mr. W. Broadbridge, gardener, to Sir C. Mordaunt, Bart., Warwick. The special prize for twelve blooms given by the Earl of Abingdon is also taken by Mr. Turner with a fine lot of blooms that are uunamed, though to all appearance repetitious of what have been pre- viously given.* Second, Mr. N. Norman. Third, Mi*. T. Payne, Oxford. The Carnations and Picotees shown in the several elas3es for the same in connection with the Show of the Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural Society, are pretty good in quality, and consist mainly of flowers, the names of which have already been given. Ajfirst-clasa certificate was given to Picotee Ne plus Ultra from Mr. J. Payne, Oxford. In the open class for twelve Pinks, Mr. G. Kirtland, Oxford, is first witii pretty good flowers of the Rev. Geo. Jeans, Annie, Brilliant, Mary Ann, Attraction, Bloudin, President, Charles Turner, Bertram, John Ball, Victory, and a seedling. Second, Mr. D. Gammin, Marston, Oxford, the best flowers being Marion, Charlos Turner, and John Ball. Third, Mr. A. Evans, Oxford. Cut Verbenas are finely shown by Mr. C. J. Perry, though the close and heated atmosphere of the tents tells severely on tbem. Mr. Peiry is the only competitor for the special prize, offered by Mr. George Prince, for thirty-six kinds, having fine examples of Nebula, James Birbeck, Madame Stenger, Champion, Rev. C. Peach (uew), Carnation, a new striped variety; King of Lilacs, Rose Imperial, Kate Lawden, Thomas Harris, Ada King, Gcant des Batailles, Model, Leah, Mr. George Prince (now), Rising Sun, Annie, Rev. P. M. Smythe, Velocipede, Apollo, Black Prince, Lord Leigh, Firefly, Thomas Lawden, Rev. J. Dix, and Magnificent, as theleading varieties. There is no other competitor. With twelve trusses Mr. Perry is also first with Edwin Day, Rev. C. Peach, James Birbeck, Rev. P. M. Smythe, Firefly, Butterfly, Rising Sun, Mr. Georg-3 Pudc?, Thomas- Harris, and unnamed seedlings. Second, Mr. H. Minchin, Hook Norton, the best being Charmer, Mrs. Pochin, Champion, Richard Dean, James Birbeck, and GCant des Batailles. Of Verbenas in pots, the Rev. R. H. Charsley has the beat, aud takes the special prize offered by himself. The plants, which are of good size and pretty well bloomed, are in enormous pots. Some nice, but much smaller plants, come from Mr. H. Surman, Witney ; none of them are named. In the class for Verbenas in pots in the schedule of the Royal Oxford- shire Horticultural Society, the same exhibitors occupy similar positions. First-class certificates were awartled by tho Floral Com- mittee to George Peabody and Grand Monarch Verbenas from Mr. Eckford, Coleshill, aud to Mr. C. J. Perry for Mrs. George Prince, John Laing, Perfection, and Rev. C. Peach. In the class for Achimenes in pots Mr. G. Hiuton, gardener to the Mayor of Oxford, is first with good plants of Dazzle, Dr. Hogg, Sir Treherne Thomas, Longiflora, Longiflora rosea, and Ambrose Ver- sehaffelt. Mr. W. Earley, the Gardens, Digswell, Welwyn, is second July 21, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 45 with Dazzle, Grandis, Parsonsii, Sir T. Thomas, Margaretta, and Mauve Queen. Mr. Hiuton is also tirst in the clas3 for Axhiinenes iu tho schedule of the Oxfordshire Horticultural Society. Some charming young but finely bloomed plants of Gloxinias are staged by Mr. Charles Turner in the class for six hinds. They con- sist of Glowworm and Henry Husson, erect-flowering kinds ; and Rubens, Rose d'Amour, Count Benary, and Distinction, drooping kinds. Perhaps a better and more varied half-dozen could hardly bo selected. Mr. W. Hickman, tho Gardens, Bletchington Park, Oxford, is second with Princess Beatrice, Sultan, Bridesmaid, and Nimrod, erect-flower- ing kinds ; Queen Victoria, very pretty, and Princess Royal, with pen- dant flowers. Dinner-taele Floral Decorations. — A proverb will often throw a sunbeam of light over that which from a mere custom is becoming hazy and obscure. Wo are not at all prepared to sail with the stream in the present enthusiasm for dining-table decoration. We have a lingering belief that there should be a place for everything, and every one thing should be kept in its place. The office of a dining table is to present eatables and drinkables to the good people who sit around it. We have no desire to be barbarian enough to see a huge table loaded with a whole roasted ox, sheep, or pig; but at the risk of being considered old-fashioned, we like to see the joints of which we partake in the good old English style, instead of tho slices on a plato, brought in the mode v gardeners the slimy grub. Dast the leaves thoroughly with fresh-slaked quicklime, and syringe afttr a day or two. Repeat the process if needed. Seedling Pelargoniums (M. C.) —Every petal was shed and the box smashed. It is useless to Bend full-blown Pelargonium flowers, the petals always fall. Roseries of Iron— ll A. Y. Z." wishes to know if anyone can inform him who are the principal makers of roseries of light wire material. Hardy Ferns (J. N. C.).— Two dozen distinct and not expensive kinds are:— Aspleuium adiantum Digram, A. trichomonas, Athyrinm Filix- Jceaitna, A. Filix-fcemina pLimosa, ' spicant, B. spicant multilidum, L. Filis-mas, L. Filix-maa cristnta, L. oreopteris, Polypodium dryopteris, P. phegopteris, P. vulgare, Polysticbura angular*, P. ongulare prolifevum, P. aculestum, P. loochitis, P. alpeslre, Scolnpendrium officinalo, S. var. mnltifidum, Lastrea recurvn, and AlIo3oras crispus. "The Fern Manual " will suit you. It can bo had free by post from our office if you send Zs, id. in stamps with your address. _, A. Filix-fcemina Frizellhe, Bleehnam B. spicant multilidum, Cystopteris fragilis, Lastrei diktats, j jgjT *^ secured la greater uniformity of atmosphere difficult to grow the fruit to any size ; they generally fall, as yours have done in former years, when of the size of peas. The only thing that would cause them to remain and grow to full size is more heat; indeei, to have good fruit a heated honse is necessary— a warm greenhouse, in fact, though they do very well in a vinery, yet to have the fruit full- flavoured and juicy thev require a temperature in autumn and early winter of not less than 5 D, Fruit on trees in ft cool house formed this year will not ripen until the end of next summer or autumn. Lilies of the Valley [A Subscriber).— The plants undisturbed flower every year, but they, of course, vary in different years. Sometimes the flowers are more abundant one year than another, but they llowormore or less every year. Yon may secure very good pots by choosing those roots with plump crowns only, and potted pretty closely together they would do well in a gentle heat or in a greenhouse. Coleus Losing Colour (Idem). — We apprehend yours is the Colen3 Verschafi'elti, and that is losing colour through being kept in a shady position. Keep it in a light position, and pot in a compost of two part? fibrous loam, and one part leaf soil or old cow dang, with a free ad- mixture of sharp sand, and good drainage. With that your plants will rec jver their beautiful dark colour. Dalechampia Roezleana rosea Culture (A Constant TUa&er). — This is one of the most beautiful plants, and requires but little skill in cul- tivation. We have it now in a vinery beautiful, with its bright rosy pink bracts contrasting, as they do, well with deep green, graceful, drooping Oak like foliage. It is seldom or never out of flower, and the plants bloom when a few inches high. It is readily raised from seed, which ripon freely. Sown when ripe iu Bandy peat and loam, and placed in a hotbed, the plants soon attain to a flowering state. It requires a cool stove, but will do well in a vinery or even a greenhouse in summer ; indeed, wo think it will do iu a warm greenhouse in winter, but not having tried it we cannot say positively. We grow it in a compost of equal parts san^y peat, fibrous loam, and 'eif soil, with a free admixture of sand, and afford good drainage. The potting is dono in April; that satisfies its wants until autumn, then wo again repot, removing what soil we can without interfering much with the roots, and give a moderate shift, and wo have flowers all winter. In pnint of moisture it requires the soil moist, good supplies when the soil becomes dry, and a moist atmosphere. With frequent sprinklings overhead it is at home, but a3 that interferes with the beauty of its bracts, a moist atmosphere is neceS lary, as it is rather subject to red spider, but that yields readily to a sponging with a solution of soft soap, 2 ozs. to the gallon. Being very enduring of a dry atmosphere, it is ono of the most useful of plants for house dtcoration. Wo cannot name plants from leaves. Specimens with both flowers and foliage are necessary. Placing Camellias and Azaleas out of Doors (J. B. Boyd). — It is not desirable to place out of doors Camellias and Azaleas that have their bloom buds well set, and have been well hardened otf; they are best con- tinned under glass in a cool, airy, slightly shaded house, or one with an eastern aspect will answer very well. They are better under glass, for Placed out-doors GLOXINIA, A.OHTMGNES, AND CALADICM PROPAGATION (R).-Gloxiniai are readily propagated from leaves or parts of a leaf, but for general pro- pagation it is well to take the whole of the leaf and a part of the leaf- stalk, and insert about an inch of it in a compost of equal parts light loam, sandy peat, and silver sand. They may be put around tho sides of a pot, and be placed in a house with a gentle heat, or in a hotbed where they will form bulbs and be good plants the second year. They shouM he kept moist and shaded from bright sun, and carefully watered. In about six weeks they will be established, and should he continued in a stove until autumn, when gradually withhold water, and keep dry, but not dust dry, over the winter. Iu February pot off the small "bulbs 81 "!f 5' aDd iQ 8ma11 P°ts- "lacing in a hotbed. They will give Bhoots and flowers next year in due course. Achimenes are propagated by division, or properly increase of the roots, which are plentiful in moat cases i after a year's growth, and also bv cuttings of the young growths, which strike freely in a hotbed, inserted in sandy soil, as described for Gloxinias, and in about three weeks they will bo well rooted. Cuttings of Achimones flower well the first year, 'and do nearly as well as those having a start from the root. CaladiuTM are increased by offsets in spring, they being token off in spring when the plants are fresh potted. Gloxinias and Achimenes are cool stove plants, requiring the assistance of a hotbed to start them in the spring, and then a rather shady position, but near the gla-s, in a stove or vinery. When flowering they "do well in a not-too-airy greenhouse or conservatory, being removed back after flowering to a stove to ripen the growth and mature the roots. None of the modes of propagation above named will give new varieties; that must be effected by hybridising and sowing the seed. Caladiums require a warm, moist stove for their successful cultivation. Canna Seed Sowing (Idem),— You mav now sow the seed of Canna discolor floribunda iu a hotbed, and keep the plants in a stove during tho winter, with the soil inclining to dryness, but it will not be necessary to dry them off like established plants. They will be strong fur next year. Turf Babe under Lisie Trees (One who Likes the Turf t.— The ro-.ts of Lime trees are not more injurious to turf than any o'thers ; indeed, they are not nearly so bad as Ash. The grass being bare, we have no doubt, is due to the roots of the Limes making the ground poor and dry, the foliage depriving the ground of considerable moisture and light. We should advise you to scratch the surface well with an iron rake, sprinkling on it some very rotten short manure or rich soil, and then sow over it some grass seeds in moist weather, and of kinds that do under trees, as Poa nemoralis sempervirens and Festuca duriuacula, and some white Clover. Though September is a good time to sow grass seeds, we should prefer spring, as the ground will then be moist, whilst in September the ground under trees is often little better than dust; but if you have moisture in autumn, by all means sow then. There is no necessity for tiking up and relaying the turf every year. A few grass seeds is all that is required. Orange Trees not Fruiting (H. D.).— Without a greenhouse it is they have to contend against the change of atmosphere consequent on ; removal. The weather may be hot, dry, or its opposite— very wet, and the plants are scorched by the heat and dryness in the one case, and excited to a renewal of growth by tho other, and before they are honsed they have been deluged with wet it may be; anyhow, they cannot be placed out-doors without danger of a check, nor removed in-doors without fear of another, hence we consider them be=t retained under gl iss. If placed out-d^ors at all they should have a position shaded from the mid- d iy sun, and be carefully attended to with respect to water. They should be housed at the close of September. Tree Fep.ns (Idem).— Alsophila excelsa, Coopfrl, and austrftlis will succeed in au ordinary Peach houso, hut not in that h\>m which frost is not excluded in winter. All do admirably in a vinery ; better there than in a Peach house. Equisetum aryense Eradication (E. 7?. P.).— From the specimen and later description you give of it we find it is tlic Corn Horse-tail, and not E. fluviatile, as we thought from the former description. It is found on land of a sandy nature or light loam, the subsoil being sand or a layer of that overlying a marly blue clay. The land to all appearance is dry, at least its surface, from its sandy nature, soon becomes dry after rain, but upon examination at a depth of 3 or 4 feet it will be seen that tho ground is one spring of water; the drain fills soon from the loose nature of the sand. No land needs draining so much as this. We remember a field that was so poor from tho sandy soil, tint it was only practical to get Pvye and Oat crops off it- It was one mass of Horse tail every year. Tho land was drained, would-be savane laughing at the idea. At 3 feet there was plenty of water, and the Equisetum roots were lower than that. Tho result was that the Horse-tails began to grow less every year, and were in a short time reduced to a minimum. The land had a good dressing of marl, the under strata of the same field, and it was sown with Wheat and producod a capital crop— over sixty bushels per acre We should have said thit the drains were only laid 3 feet deep, and with the old horse- shoe tiles with loose, flat bottoms. Though laid on straw in some places, and the tiles covered with that material or loose, small brushwood, the drains soon filled with the sand, and the Ho se-tails began to grow thicker and faster. The occupier, by tbe way, a practical drainer all his life, determined on undoing want he had done, laying-in pipes down into the clay— sequel, death to the Equisetum. Tho land gave better crops, and he soon had offered him land to rent that the farmers would not have. We say, therefore, Well drain the land and the Horse-tails will dis- appear. They root deeply, require moisture ; thnttafcen off, they disappear. Frequent cutting-off the tops will tend to weaken them, but we need to strike at the roots. The drains should be about 21 fett apart, and deep- not less than 3 feet 6 inches ; 4 feet and over if you can got an outfall. Endurance of Strawberry Beds— Planting (E. It. P.).— As lately stated in " Doings of the Last Week," a Strawberry b^d will bear well for many years, if the plants fire gone over every year, tho smaller buds of tbe plants thinned out, and tho 1 eat left, and the plants well manured between the rows. By the usual plan of planting and management, from three to'fouryeirs maybe considered a gond time to remain. When runners are used they generally produce fairly the first season after planting, very abundantly tbe second, nnt quite so good the third, and moderately the fourth. We seldom ke^p a) e 1 above three years, and that permits rotation of cropping. We ara now digging down three-year- 52 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 21, 1870. old Strawberry plants, following with Broccoli, &c. The above plan of thinning is useful to those who dislike the bother of making fresh beds, but the ground has not the same rotation. You can rarely obtain all ad- vantages by following out any one mode. Runners should be tnken off as soon as you can get them. To make the most of them for a new plantation, it is well to lay them in pots, or encourage them to root in the ground. If not wanted for such purposes, the sooner runners are re- moved the better, as more light and air will go to the old plants. In forming new beds rotten manure should be used, but if scarce, rank manure may ho trenched down, and some rotten manure incorporated with the suiface soil to encourage free rooting. The sooner nil this is done the better. "Whilst this is doing, as recommended to another corre- spondent, you might prick out your runners in a rich bed to be raised with halls, and afterwards transplanted. When we have been scarce of ground we have used the space intended for a new plantation of Straw- berries for autumn and winter crops of vegetables, had the runners pricked out in rich toil, say -i to C inches apart, and hiving got our ground nicely pulverised in spring, we have lifted our Strawberry plants with nice balls, and they grew away strong at once, and produced a fair crop the first summer. Where ground is of less consequence than a little additional labour, then it is best to plant out at once to where the plants arc to remain. We may add that in cold place3 keeping the plants a little thick in a bed gives tbem a good protection. Lasting of Mushroom Bed (E. It. P.).— The Mushroom bed wil1 most likely continue bearing for some Utne,*bnt it should be covered from the sun with litter ns well as a mat, and should nnt bo allowed to get dry. See hints on Mushrooms. Plenty of air will get through a covering, sey 3 inches deep. In very hot weather you may sprinkle the covering outside so as to keep the bed cool. Heat in the present and next month is to bu kepi out, rather than let in. The bed will he of little use for renewing if it bears well. You must make a new bed of fresh materials. Seedling Strawberry Duke of Edinburgh (Moffat's). — This variety received a certificate at the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society's Meeting on the 13th inst. It is a strong grower, and very prolific, and produces very large cockscomb-shaped fruit. It is a cross between Keens' Seedling and Elton Pine. Some of the berries Bent to as were 8 inches in circumference, deep crimson-coloured, and very highly-flavoured. Strawberry Plants Failing (R. H.). — See the remarks of " R F." and others iu lale numbers, so far as sterile plants are concerned. As yours bloomed freely, that eould not 1c the rearon. The produce in most places afflicted with the drought has been much less than usual. Our gatherings will soon be over as respects the main crops. The shrivelling-up of the flowers we would attribute to overdryness. The turning black of the centres of the flowers we would attribute to frost, and the plants suffered from Ibis in many places. The ground for a new plantation should be got ready at once, trenchiog two spits deep if the soil is good, incorporating a layer of dung with the lower spit, and when finished pricking-in with a for); another layer — say 2 or 3 inches near ihe surface. You may p'.ant as soon as you get runners: hut if this dry weather lasts, we would advise you to prick out the runners, say 4 inches apart, in a rich bed. and when they had formed a ball of ronts, lift and plant with halls in the prepared ground. It will be easier to water and shade a small bed than a large piece. Gardeners' Assistant (Inquirer). — Wo cannj G. Home-made Wines: How to Make and Keep Them. Vine. London : Groombridge & Sons. This is a useful little book. The following extract will be the best evidence of its contents : — " The following recipe to mate ten gallons of rhubarb wine ; or British champagne, will do for unripe grapes with their leaves, tops, and tendrils, currants, gooseberries, aud similar sharp fruit, as well as for rhubarb, and will give a general idea of the proper mode of making a brisk wine. The time of fermenting, quantity of fruit, Arc, must be modified somewhat in each case to suit the peculiarities of each fruit; for which directions will be given under their respective heads. "Provide a fermenting tub that will hold from 15 to '30 gallons, or larger if required. It should have a guard or rim on the inside, simi- lar to that used for brewing beer, in order to keep back the husks of the fruit, and a tap near the bottom. "Take 50 lbs. of rhubarb, and 37 lbs. of fine moist sugar. In the tub bruise the rhubarb; when done, add four gallons of water; let the whole be well stirred together; cover the tub with a cloth or blanket, and let the pulp stand for twenty-four hours ; then draw off the liquor through the tap into another tub or pan ; add one or two more gallons of water to the pulp, let it be well stirred, then allowed to remain an honr or two to settle, and then draw off; mix the two liquors together, and in it dissolve the sugar. " Let the tub be made clean, and return the liquor to it, cover it with a blanket, and place it in a room, the temperature of which i3 not below 60° of Fahrenheit's thermometer; here it is to remain for twenty- four, forty-eight, or more hours, until there is an appearance of fer- mentation having begun, when it should be drawn off into a ten-gallon cask, as fine as possible, which cask must be filled up to the bnnghole with water, if there is not liquor enough ; let it lean to one side a little, that it may discharge itself ; if there is any liquor left in the tub not quite fine, pass it through flannel, aud fill up with that instead of water. As the fermentation proceeds, and the liquor diminishes, it must be filled up daily, to encourage the fermentation, for ten or twelve days ; it then becomes more moderate, when the bung should be put in, and a gimlet-hole made at the side of it, fitted with a spile ; this spile should be taken out every two or three days, according to the state of the fermentation, for eight or ten days to allow some of the carbonic acid gas to escape. When this state is passed, the cask may be kept full by pouring a little liquor in at the vent-hole once a-week or ten days, for three or four weeks. This operation is performed at long intervals, of a month or more, till the end of December, when, on a fine frosty day, it should be drawn off from the lees as fine as possible ; the turbid or muddy part passed through flannel. Make the cask clean, return the liquor to it, with one drachm of pure isinglass dissolved in a little water; stir the whole together, and put the bung in firmly. Choose a clear dry day in March for bottling. They should be champagne bottles — common wine bottles are not strong enough — secure the corks in a proper manner with wire, &c. The liquor is generally made np to two or three pints over the ten gallons, which is bottled for the purpose of filling the cask as it is wanted. " To make a dry wine like sherry from the same kind of fruit, the cask must be kept constantly filled up to the bunghole, daily, or every other day, as long as any fermentation is perceptible by applying the ear to the bunghole ; the bung may then be put in lightly for a time, before finally fixing it ; it may be racked off on a fine day in Decem- ber, and fined with isinglass as previously directed, and bottled in March." OUR LETTER BOX. FEEDING. Cochin-Chinas (An Amateur).— Your food is not good enough. Do away with the pollard and Indian meal. Feed on ground oats, good heavy barley, a little Indian corn now and then for a change, and table scraps of every kind, crumbs of bread, &c. We are not friendly to any artificial food. Poultry-yard Arrangements (Constant Header). — As a rule where fowls are kept no other poultry should be kept with them. The same management with your Turkeys probably has the same result. The hen is let loose too soon in the age of the chickens, or the hour of the day. A hen Tnrkey Bhould not be at liberty till the poults are seven or eight weeks old, and when that time has arrived she should not be at liberty till 10 a.m., when the sun is well up, and the grass is dry. Separate the Turkeys from the fowls ; give the sickly ones green onion tops chopped fine, and mixed with meal, give them two pills of camphor daily, the size of horsebeans, and let their water be strongly impregnated with the same. If they are sinking you must give them some strong beer. We can only tell you how to combat the disease. If you tell us how you treat your birds, we will do our best to advise how to prevent it. Chickens Dying Wholesale *A Lover of Poultry).— Try some other plan of feeding. Either Mr. Wright's disagrees with them, or they get something besides his bill of fare. Do the yew trees drop any berries ? If they do not, then the chickens get at something at times that is highly injurious, and causes these periodical and fatal attacks. We feed on bread and milk, chopped egg, crumbled bread and cheese curd, and chopped scraps of meat. We give them beer to drink while they are not more than a month old, and we lose none. Houdan Chickens almost Featherless (J. ff. C.).— Again let us observe that the best food is the cheapest. Sharps, fourths, middlings, bran, " chicken food," and all such appliances are as good for the chickens as a handful of sawdust each would be for a large family where the meat would not hold out. Adopt the dietary we have mentioned in our last answer. Wash the chicken that is suffering from inflammation with warm water and soap, dry it thoroughly, and then rub it with sulphur ointment. Your maggot- feeding probably helps to produce the disorder' which arises from a heated system. Houdan Hen having a Brood (Frances Anne).— We have never had a broody Houdan, but thero is no rule without an exception, and we have known both Pencilled Hambur^hs and Spanish to Bit, and fulfil all the subsequent duties in a most satisfactory manner, as your Houdan hen is doing. Snaith Show.— Messrs. Nawbitt send the following as a correction of our prize list :— Spanish, fivat, H. Beldon ; second, T. C. & E. Newbitt; third, C. W. Brierley. Jacobins, first and second, T. C. & E. Newbitt. Ant3 in a Hive (Miss P.).— The ascent of ants to a hive of bees may be prevented by nailing round the pedestal, a short distance from the ground, a bit of sheepskin with the wool outwards, and anointed with coal tar. Dwindled Stock (A. O. L.).— Your stock has most probably dwindled owing to the death of its queen during the winter, and can now only be restored to prosperity by addia-,' to it a new swarm. Bees in an Old Hive (A Sub.).— I! you had expelled the remaining hoes by driving at tho oxpiration of tbrce weeks from the issue of the first swarm, little or no brood wonH have been found in the hive; whereas, at this time there is probably a considerable quantity. You may, how aver, now transfer them, combs and all, to a frame hive in the manner described in page 72 of our seventeenth volume, or you may drive and unite them to another stock in the autumn. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS In tha Suburbs of London for the week ending July 19th. THERMOMETER Dati . Air. Earth. Wind. Rain. Max. Min. Max. Min. 1ft. 2 It. Wed... 13 29.833 29.7"0 76 50 64 61 S. .00 Thurs. 14 29 977 29.967 83 43 67 60 S.W. .10 Fri.. .. 16 29.927 29.772 84 53 67 61 S. .00 Sat. ... IB 29.882 29 769 80 47 67 61 W. .00 San. . . 17 80 018 29.963 80 52 63 61 N.W. .00 Man. . . 18 81050 31.018 71 61 67 61 S. •oo Tue3. 19 n.. 30.151 30.115 87 51 67 61 N.W. .00 Mea 29.977 29.909 83.14 50.8G 66.00 60.86 •■ 0.10 13.— Overcast but fine ; showery ; clear and fine. 14,— Pine, cloudy; very fine ; clear and very fine. 15. — Very fine ; exceedingly floe and hot ; fine. 16 —Very fine ; fine, heavy clouds ; clear. 17.— Very fine ; cloudy, fine ; densely overcast. 18 — Overcast ; densely overcast ; heavy clouds. 19.— Fine but overcast ; fine ; very fine ana clear. COVEN T GARDEN MARKET.— Jolt 20. A vert steady demand, and fair prices are realised for most of the goods now coming. Continental and Channel Island supplies continue heavy, and share the demand. Among the former are Peaches, Nuts, Apricots, Melons, Pears, and Apples. Potato trade is easier. FRUIT, s. A. n. d R. d. B, 9 1 6 to 2 0 ll 0 to 0 0 lb. 2 (l 0 6 4 1 0 0 6 7 0 0 12 14 0 . bushel 0 II II II 5 II 15 (1 2 0 4 0 Pears, kitchen .. ft 0 0 0 .....do. 8 0 5 II 2 ft R (1 8 (I 6 (1 SI ft r, n lb. n 0 ft ft 0 0 n n lb. 0 9 1 0 (1 0 n n 0 4 ft ft lb. 0 s ii « Grapes, Hothouse.... lb. « 0 6 ft 0 ft 1 ft 8 3 0 14 0 0 5 0 VEGET 10 1 0 0 16 SI n 1BLES. R. a. F. (1 R. d. s. d 8 8 4 0to6 0 8 0 C 0 0 11 . pottle 0 1 8 4 to 0 0 1 0 4 ft Beans, Kidney . J sieve. n bushel s n 4 (1 Mustard & Cress .punnet ft a II n Beet, Red 2 ft 8 ft 4 ii li n . bundle 0 ft ft (1 LI 4 0 K Brussels Sprouts ..i sieve 0 (1 ft 0 S 0 0 u 1 II •2 (1 0 9 1 ft 0 1) ft 0 1 u 1 li 0 4 II 8 4 0 li II 2 ft li 11 E II 8 II 1 fi i II Radishes .. doz. hunches 1 II 1) (1 Coleworta..doz. bunches 11 ft r, n (1 II ft II II II l 6 0 11 0 II V, 0 4 (i II 0 1) 1) 2 (1 0 n II i; <} H 11 II (1 0 8 u (1 II lb. (l 0 8 3 0 ft u (i 1 c u ft 3 1 0 0 Horseradish ... a handle t 0 5 0 Vegetable Marrows . . doz. 4 0 u 0 July 28, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 57 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day of Month Day of Week. JULY 28— AUGUST S, 1870. Average Tempera- ture near London. Rain in last 43 years. San Rises. Sun Sets. Moon Risos. Mom Sets. Moon's Age. CJook before Sun. Day of Year. 28 29 SO n i 2 8 Til F S Son M To W Lee and Blackheath Horticultural Show. 7 Sunday after TniNiTT. Lammas Day. Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit. Floral, [and General Meeting. Day. 76.4 75 5 75.2 74.9 75.6 75.3 74.9 Night. 50.8 49.9 50.2 50.0 50.4 50.9 50.6 Mean. 63.6 H2.7 62.7 62.4 63 0 631 62.8 Davs. 21 18 16 15 19 20 19 m. h. 19af4 21 4 23 4 24 4 25 4 26 4 28 4 hi. b. 51 af 7 50 7 49 7 47 7 46 7 44 7 42 7 m. h. 0 af 4 11 5 27 6 44 7 4 9 23 10 43 11 m. h. 10 af 8 44 8 12 9 3G 9 0 10 22 11) 45 10 Days. • 1 o S 4 5 6 m. s. 6 13 6 12 6 10 6 7 6 4 6 1 5 58 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 From observations taken near London during the last forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 75.1', and its night temperature 60.4°. The greatest heat was 92", on the 2nd, 1856; and the lowest cold 81°, on the 2nd, 1864. The greatest fall of rain was 1.39 inch. CULTIVATION OF THE STRAWBERRY IN THE OPEN GROUND. AVING been for some years successful in the cultivation of the Strawberry out of doors, I will give the mode I adopt, by which a good crop is obtained every year almost with certainty. I shall first describe the way in which I grow the plants in the open ground without any protection ; then the mode in which 1 have grown them in the open ground with protection, to forward the early crop. I will, however, in the first place offer a few hints that will be found necessary to success. Never keep a barren plant ; go over the rows as soon as they are well in bloom, and pull out all such plants. I am persuaded there are many failures from omittin * to do this. Never dig amongst the plants, nor cut off the leaves at any time. If we wish to grow the Strawberry well we must bestow some attention on it ; if it is cultivated on the starvation system of remain- ing three, four, or five years on the ground, how can one expect fine fruit ? if every year a good crop can be pro- duced of fruit fit for any table, either private or exhibition, by bestowing no more care than, if so much as, will have to be done to get a crop of good Celery, I think it is worth the trouble. I have this year gathered many fruit from British Queen, Lucas, Dr. Hogg, and President from 4 to 5f inches in circumference off plants put out last September, many of these young plants producing from 1 to 1£ lb. the first year, and very heavy crops the second, though the fruit is then never so fine as on the young plants. Some sorts, such as Wizard of the North and Black Prince, I never again intend to cultivate longer than one year, for the quality of fruit from the young plants is much superior, many of the berries of Black Prince being 3 inches in circumference. I will first describe the mode of taking the runners. Having at this time of year plenty of empty pots out of which bedding plants have been turned, I have as many washed clean as I require ; any size from 3 to 5 inches in diameter will do. I then mix about equal parts of rotten dung (generally from an old Mushroom bed) and loam ; this mixture is put through an inch sieve, and the rough part is used for crocking. The soil is pressed into the pots rather firmly, and a small peg, cut from old birch brooms during the winter, put into each pot ; the pots are then watered, carried to the rows, and a runner pegged into each, generally the first runner from the plant. If the weather is dry they are watered a few times with a rose- watering pot, and the runners will be rooted in from twelve to sixteen days. I have 1100 that were layered on June 27th and 28th, taken off rooted on July 13th. They are then set on a hard walk in the full son, each sort by itself, till the ground is at liberty for planting, which is often not till late in September. The plants are then planted thus : — Supposing the ground has borne a crop of Onions or Peas, the usual way would be to trench it over, instead of which I dig out a No. 487.— Vol. XIX., New Series. trench the depth of a spade and as wide, as for Celery ; I put in 3 or 4, inches of good dung, return the soil, and tread it quite hard. I treat all the rows the same, making them 2 feet from each other, till I have as many rows as I require. The plants when turned out of the pots have a mass of roots, and are planted with a trowel at 18 inches apart in the rows, not making the hole too large, and are pressed in very firmly. If the weather is dry they are watered, otherwise they seldom have any water during the time they are on the ground. During the winter they are mulched with rotten dung from an old hotbed, if it can be spared — the two-3'ear plants always. I plant every year about half the plants intended to produce the main crop, say from 100 to 150 square yards, so that if one part of the bed should fail I never miss having a crop. For the last three hot summers the berries have been splendid ; this I attribute to the firmness of the ground and the depth the roots go down. The hoe is used once or twice in spring to cut down weeds and to keep the fruit free from soil, &c, and a layer of clean straw is put be- tween the rows just as the plants begin to show their flower stalks. After I have secured the runners I require, the rest are cut off, and cleared off along with the straw from the young plants : the other plants are done away with, i No digging nor cutting off leaves is practised. I do not find any injurious effects arising from the runners being allowed to remain while the plants are fruiting, as I have taken as many as a dozen this year from young plants which have borne equally well with those which had the runners cut off. I will now describe the mode of cultivating the Straw- berry in the open ground, with protection to forward the early crop, by which this year I was enabled to ripen a good crop three weeks before the main crop was ready for use. Wanting some Strawberries last year early in June, and not having any plants in pots, I covered part of a bed of two-year-old plants with lights used for Vine and Peach borders during the winter. The plants did so well that I determined to make a bed specially for this year. The plants were turned out of pots late in September in ground that had borne a crop of Onions, a dressing of dun" being trenched in, and at only 1 foot apart each way. I could not plant in trenches. They had a top-dressing of rotten dung about November, and were covered with lights on the 7th of March. The lights are 7 feet 9 inches lono- by 3 feet 6 inches wide, covering fourteen rows of plants,°and forming a span-roof 15 feet wide, and 15 iuches high in the centre. It is a very simple affair, not taking more than an hour to construct ; there are a few pegs driven into the ground, leaving them 15 inches clear above it ; then some boards, 9 inches wide, which are used for shelves during the winter, are fastened to the pegs with two or three nails, and form the ridge. The bed slopes from north to south. The lights are put on the east side first, resting on the ridge, and those on the west side resting on them. A piece of slate is put under the ends of the lights to keep them off the ground, and a short peg is put in to keep them from shifting. Some thin boards are put to each end, not by No. 1139.-VOI. XLTV, Old Serqm, JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 23, 1870. any means closely, and there is a span-roof 30 feet by 15 made in an hour. By varying the length of the pegs, it could be made higher if required. The bed was made close to a walk 6 feet wide, so that in showery weather the lights could be taken off, which was done lliree or four times during April ; they could be taken off and piled on the walk in less than five minutes by two men, and put on in the same time. I know well enough many gar- deners are not so fortunate a3 to have lights to spare for a pnrpose of the kind. Were I to have the choice of the various patent plant-protectors, about which so much has been said, I should still prefer glass lights. These lights, of which there ase upwards of seventy for covering Vine and Peach borders, answer extremely well for Vegetable Marrows and Tomatoes, by driving into the ground two stakes, such as are used for Bahlias, and resting two lights against them, as a child who was about to build a house of cards would do. Theu rest each light on two bricks laid flat, and drive down a peg to each light to prevent its slipping off the bricks. Of coarse, the plants are put in first, four under each span. By these means I secure an abundance of Vegetable Marrows and Tomatoes. The latter have plenty of fruit, some just showing colour, and the Vege- table Marrows I commenced to eat in the last week in June. To return to the Strawberries. The lights were elevated on bricks laid flat as the plants began to grow and show flower, after another week they were put on edge, and by the time the plants ware in full bloom they were put on end, two lights resting on oae brick. The lights were entirely removed by the loth of May. I only used twenty bricks, as there were eighteen lights. A few fruit were ripe during the last two days of May, and I gathered from the bed up to June 30th, 92J lbs. of good fruit, some of Lucas 5 inches in circumference. I have since gathered 8J lbs., making 101 lbs. There must have been fully 6 lbs. lost by birds and damp. The bed was never netted, and after the main crop was ready, which was June 25th, little aotiee was taken of the bed. The smallest quantity gathered at one time was half a pound. June 15th, 8j lbs.; June ISth, 7} lbs. ; and June 21st, 15 lbs., were the largest quantities at one time. The sorts grown were — Black Prince, four rows ; Filbert Pine, four rows; President, two rows; British Queen, one row ; Lucas, one row ; La Constante, one row ; and ltivers's Eliaa, one row. This was an experimental bed. The bed I am about to plant for early next year will contist of four rows of Filbert Pine, four of President, four of Lucas, two of Black iPrince, and another of Dr. Hogg, British Queen, and President, with, perhaps, two rows of Lucas. This will be covered a month later than the firBt bed, which I hope to gather from by the middle of next May. I will now add a few remarks respecting varieties, but only as legarda my own experience, as they differ so much according to-soil, situation, &c. I shall first name Lucas, President, Dr. Hogg, and Cockscomb. These four I procured two years ago aest September, owing to the Rev. W. F. RadclyfiVs having sjioken so highly of them in the Journal. When I received the mnners, fifty of eaoh sort, they were very small and got beauti- Inllj less, till by spring I had only seven plants of Dr. Hogg, ana not many of any of the others. I only had a few fruit last year, making runners the chief point. I obtained a good number of Dr. Hogg, many from President and Lucas, but Cockscomb was very shy, as it is this year also. Lucas has suteeeded very well indeed under glass, the fruit being very Efcrge, fine -flavoured, and early, as it likewise was out of door?. It has one fault at present, which I hope to get rid of next year — I have had to pull out one-fifth of the plants on account ©3 their being barren. President has proved a firBt-rate ejrjipper, very large, of good flavour, and with no barren plants. Dr. 3ogg has been very fine, producing many fruit, very large, and t>5 first-rate flavour, but it has not borne so heavily as British Sjjueen does on what might be called the trench system. Cocks- comb I do not think so fine-flavoured as either of the others. With me it is not in full work yet, nearly half the plants I had b»ing not true or barren. The largest fruit I had from it was 54 inches in circumference. It is late. In addition to the above I have British Queen, Wonderful, Wizard of the North, MJbert Pine, Black Prince, Sir Charles Napier, La Constante, and Rivers's Eliza. British Queen is the best flavoured of the 5ot,. produces splendid fruit and plenty of it, especially on the young plants. Berries 5 J inches in circumference are the Sargest I have had from it, but there were many of that size. Wonderful is a good cropper, many of the fruit being very Sarge, particularly on the young plants. It does best in a wet >:-vjob. and is of good flavour. Wizard of the North is a cer- tain cropper ; many of the plants planted last September must have borne more than a pound of fruit. It would take the place of Black Prince for kitchen purposes ; the fruit is much finer, has a peculiar flavour, and is rather acid. Black Prince is too well known to need description, and is a sure cropper. Filbert Pine cannot be spoken of too highly ; it comes into bearing as soon as Black Prince, is as prolific, continues bearing longer, and many of the fruit are very large ; it is of first-rate flavour, and a certain cropper. I have grown it eight or nine years, and never knew it fail to pioduce a good crop ; it is very robust, and makes plenty of runners. With it I superseded Keens' Seedling two years since, as it is in every respect supe- rior to that well-known sort. La Constante, I think, is not true with me ; the fruit is not large, as I sometimes hear of its being; it is only second-rate as regards crop, but is good flavoured. It did tolerably well under glass. Rivers's Eliza has never succeeded well here ; I am doubtful if it is true. I shall only keep it another season if it do not improve. I am loath to part with it, as I see it is spoken very highly of at times. Sir Charles Napier is bearing well this year ; it has been very barren. It is valuable for its lateness, only just coming into use ; it is much like British Queen, but more acid. Sir Harry I grew two or three years, I could get nothing but leaves from it, and I have discarded it. — J. T. Creed, Gardener to F. Swanwich, Esq., Whittington House, near Chesterfield. AMONG THE Glad was I when SHOW ROSES. " The storms of wintry time had passed, And one unbounded spring encircled all," for I purposed, though with fear and trembling, that the next Birmingham Exhibition of Roses should fiod me an exhibitor, and I knew that nothing but the hardest work and the closest attention would bring me the glory of success ; and who would not strive for success in such a cause ? So with a right good will I set my rosery in order, removed all superfluous wood, turned over all the soil, pruned where I thought the knife was needed, and, above all, manured heavily with thoroughly de- cayed horse dung. How I watched with growing anxiety day after day for the dreaded east wind, which, I gratefully add, never came, or came so lightly as to do no damage ! How I looked forward with apprehension for the storms which usually visit our neighbourhood with levelling power each spring, and they also did not come ! Then an anxious period, when the grubs were expected, and though they sprang into existence like magic, yet almost as suddenly did they disappear. So far all was inspiring — no blighting winds scorching the foliage, no gales tearing the leaves from the wood and the wood from the stem ; no insects to check the healthy growth of buds and foliage. From the beginning, therefore, until the drought checked the growth and forced the buds, circumstances stimulated me to labour with a cheerful heart from " early morn to dewy eve." But I had bedding stock to attend to aa well as Roses, and my business likewise. So I overstrained my powers and fell sick. To recruit I went into Yorkshire, and then came the tropical heat of the latter part of June, filling me with anxiety about my Roses, as I feared they would be pre- maturely forced into flower. When I returned home ten days before the show, to my chagrin I found the Roses in full bloom — a heavy disappointment ; it seemed that all my time and labour had been thrown away, for had I not trained for a race I could not enter ? However, courage soon revived when the glorious rain came, soaking deeply into the earth, and fresh buds made their appearance everywhere. Our show was on Thursday, July 7th, and the Tuesday pre- ceding it was a day which Mark Tapley might have pronounced jolly, but to me it was simply and downright miserable. The rain came down steadily and persistently for twelve hours, spoiling nearly all the expanded blooms upon which I was reckoning, besides spoiling my Moss hunt, which I had pro- mised myself should be a kind of happy prelude to the show. Well, I wandered through Sutton Park till drenched to the skin, but I obtained a stock of pretty, compact Moss. The next day was hot and clear, and the rapidity with which buds ex- panded was marvellous. The eve of the show was spent in arranging the boxes, getting ready the labels, and taking aaref ul stock of the best blooms. The morning of the show, and of my first competition, I shall never forget. The days of my boyhood were back again with all their freshness and delight. The rising sun wa3 Joly 28, 1870. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 59 surely brighter, the air purer, the dew fresher than ever before, and, as I looked around me, beauty everywhere, and peace in my heart, I oould not help repeating those exquisite lines of Wordsworth — " God made the flowers to beautifv The earth, and cheer man's careful mood ; And he is happier who hath power To gather wisdom from a flower, And wake his heart in every hour To pleasant gratitude." But this is by the way. The business of the hour was to cnt the best twenty-four Roses. That Rose which the Rev. S. Reynolds Hole says " is looking in at the window in every con- dition of life," was soon at my Bide deciding as to the merits of this bloom and that bloom, this combination of colours and that, and by 7 a m. we had placed the better twelve blooms in one box, and the worse twelve in another. I thought it better to concentrate my strength in this manner rather than make each box equal, and the result proved I was right. Nearly all the Roses in my boxes had opened within thirty hours of my plucking them ; they had, consequently, ono very good quality — freshness. Friend Spencer (an enthusiastic rosarian, for whom, by-the-by, a name-machine should be invented, for he can never remember the name of a Rose), popped over to see the boxes before they were closed, and he bade me be of good cheer. Then came the hasty breakfast, the thort run by train to Birmingham, and fjr the first time I was elbowing the heroes of a hundred fights. Talk about the exhilirating, glori- ous vintage of Champagne! Why, I felt more exhiliralion, of a pure and enduring nature, too, than could have been pro- duced by the choicest champagne that ever was raised in hi helle France. Alas, that she Bhould have since let slip the dogs of war ! At 10.30 the Hall was oleared for the judges, and at 12 we were again admitted. Need I say that a rush, decorous as possible, but still an unmistakeable rush, was made for the stand, and that my cup of joy was filled to overflowing when I gazed upon the curd which announced that my Roses had gained & first prize! No wonder that for the remainder of the day the burden of my song was— " What is fairer than a Rose ? What is sweeter ? " — C. W. M., Wijhh Green. THE BALSAM. 1 am very glad to see that in several gardens the old love for the Balsam is being rapidly revived. Gardeners find out that in order to get up a good floral display with as little trouble as possible the Balsam is one of the best plants they can grow. I find it is as useful as ever, and I think there are few things easier grown, or that will reward the cultivator with so much bloom according to the trouble of growing them. It is quite a summer and autumn decorative plant, and its culti- vation is most conveniently commenced when bedding plants are cleared out. The best plants I ever grew were nearly 4 feet high and some of them 3 feet through, and fully bloomed from bottom to top. The following was the treatment given : — The seed waB sown in thumb-pots during the first week in May, two seeds in the centre of eaoh pot in light sandy soil, and placed in a Melon frame at work. When up and the seed leaves well developed, the weakest plant was taken away, and the other shifted into 60-sized or 3-inch pots ; they were plunged and kept near the glass. Their next shift was into 48-sized or 5-inch pots ; but while they were growing to this stage, preparations were being made for them to occupy a place to themselves — namely, a heap of spent hotbed and green manure in equal parts thrown together, well mixed, and heated almost to a blackness ; a bed 3 feet high at back and 2 feet in front, and long enough to take six lights, or two three-light garden frames, was made up, the inside of the frames filled up to within a foot of the glass with decayed leaves, and when the whole became warm the plants were plunged into it, and in these places they were grown until they were coming into bloom, when they were taken into more airy quarters for their buda to open. In the early part of the time they are growing in theBe places an intermediate tempera- ture must be maintained ; give the plants plenty of light, at all times keep them near the glass, shift them iuto larger pots as they require it, and give them a rich soil composed of equal parts of turfy loam and rotten manure, with sand added, nsing the soil coarse as the plants increase in size. In potting, let the plants down into the pots, so that the cotyledons, or seed leaves, shall be level with the soil. Attend well to watering, of which, when growing, the plants like am abundant supply and often, likewise sprinkling the foliage to keep the red spider in check. Turn the plants at regular intervals to keep the shoots equally balanced and the plants al good shape. If the plants do well they will throw out strong side shoots, and these in turn will throw out laterals. The first- named Bhould be tied or pegged down as low as possible, and the latter kept properly staked-ont, which will add much to the beauty of the plants. They will all flower. As the plants in- crease in size and height, the frames must be hoisted *n blockg cf wood or on bricks, and the air that is thus admitted under the plants will keep the foliage of the lower branches both strong and healthy. 16 sized or 8-inch pots will grow very fine plants, but 12's or even 8-sized pots may be used when extra- tized plants are wanted. Soon after the last shift, or when the pots are filled with roots, a liberal top-dressing of rich manure should be given. In this the side branches will root vigorously, and if manure water be regularly applied, the plants will fully develope them- selves. It is my practice, and I can recommend it, to pull off regularly the largest flower buds until eveiy branch is regularly furnished with them ; then let them flower, and the result will be such a mass of bloom as will, perhaps, surprise the culti- vator himself. After the plants have attained their full size and the pots arc full of roots, water must be given most carefully, especially manure water; for if the soil becomes too wet, or the water not able to pass freely through the drainage, the plants are liable to rot off at the neck suddenly. It is now so easy to get seed that will produce a giod per-centage of double flowers that the old plan of proving the flower by first limiting the plants to small pots may be dispensed with. I generally grow Smith's packet of nine colours. — Thomas Record, Lilicsdcn. MYOSOTIS DISSITIFLO .A AND OTHER FORGET-ME-NOTS. Some discussion took place last year on the respective merits of Myosotis dissitiflora and others for spring decoration, the admirers of M. dissitiflora extolling it in terms which may fairly invite criticism, if it should fail to satisfy those whe secured the plant for this season. I think those dissatisfied with it must be rather numerous, as the past winter has not been so favourable for plants of this class as the previous one ; but the question arises, lias not this Forget-me-not been over- praised ? In the few instances in which it is said to have done well, it has failed to meet tho requirement it was expected to satisfy, " earliness of blooming," for it certainly has no ad- vantage in this respect over another Forget-me-not that hae been long known in this neighbourhood. Neither is it at any time, so far as I have observed, so pretty ; the pink tinge o£ the early flower of M. dissitiflora in its early blooms is a dis- advantage. Besides, it never forms such a neat, compact corymb as the common species, if I may so call the other, which, I may remark, seeds and grows freely enough, and its! bloom forms a much neater auxiliary to the bonquet-maker than that of M. dissitiflora. In my own case, I must say Z am disappointed with it, as I gave the plants I had the best position, and yet they did not flower so early as the common Forget-me-not, and at first the dirty pinkish hue was anything but agreeable. Latterly the flowers have improved in colour, and individually the pips or blooms are a trifle larger than those of the common Forget-me-not, but, as before stated, too loose and disconnected to form a neat, compact head, and, taken indi- vidually, the petals or limbs of the corolla have too starry an appearance, with less of that neatness which forms the prin- cipal charm of the Forget-me-not. Oiher growers may been more successful than I have been, or it may have succeeded better in some places than here; but as I have not heard of any, and, besides, have heard of several failures, the inference would appear that it has been over- praised, as maDy useful things have been before it. Witness the flourish of trumpets whieh ushered in Plumbago Larpentae, and where is it now to be found ? Viola coinuta is better, bnt I imagine that those who planted their edging of this in March J last have not received many compliments on its appearance, and I yet, if two or three years in a place, it is very showy and a : great acquisition. I yet hope to see more made of the Forget-me-notB than has hitherto been done, but I can hardly believe in the number JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENEB. I July 28, 1870. of botanical species the names given would imply. I think there ii room for improvers of florists' flowers to turn their attention to this genus, and if they can give us a hardy, com- pact-growing plant that flowers early, with blooms of a pretty blue with a buff eye, I would not care how small the individual flowers were, provided there were plenty of them to form a compact corymb. The later-flowering species or varieties, as Myosotis azurea, ccelestina, and others, are pretty enough when they succeed well, but I have never been able to do any- thing with them. The season is generally too dry in this part of England at the time of their flowering for them to flouri-b, and, as there is no lack of blue flowers at the time, they are not so much wanted as earlier-flowering sorts. The poetic associations of the plant will always entitle it to a place in gardens, but that place will be higher when im- provement is carried a little further than it has yet been. The Lily of the Valley is a name equally venerated, yet the im- proved garden variety is quite as great a favourite as the wild one ; and the interest taken in the Forget-me-not will not be lost when it is made to conform more to the requirements of a flower-garden plant, and if it can be induced to bloom some- what earlier its value will be much increased. In colour it is far behind Nemophila insignis and some other plants. I re- member one season having a quantity of Forget-me-not occu- pying two circular beds 10 or 12 feet in diameter, and in a line with them in a certain direction were beds of Nemophila, and further on some two-year-old 6dgings of the best variety of Viola cornu'a. In taking a view of all three from a distance of 50 or 100 yards, most persons pronounced in favour of the Nemophila, but as the latter is not to be depended on in severe winters, I would prefer a good hardy Forget-me-not if it could be obtained. From what I have seen here and elsewhere, Myosotis dissitiflora falls Bhort of meeting the requirements needed in a spring-flowering plant. If others have been more successful with it, I shall be pleased to hear the particulars ; only, if a plant lequhes special treatment of an inconvenient or labour-giving kind, it comes to me with a certain drawback; therefore, unless the propagation and culture of a Myosotis can be made as speedy and as easy aB that of a Primrose, the plant loses much of its value, and something else must be substituted for it. Let us see if a few years cannot make as great an im- provement on the Myosotis as was done in the case of tho Pe- largonium ; certainly there is ample room. — J. Bobson. FORMING A FLOWER GARDEN.— No. 8. ARRANGEMENT OP THE PLANTS. The arrangement of the plants in the flower garden is a work full of interest, and a person to be successful should possess a thorough knowledge of the laws of colours, as well as skill, experience, and, above all, a natural taste and liking for the work. In a paper written by me on another sub- ject, yet bearing somewhat on this, in stating the principles which should guide us in the arrangement of the colours in a flower garden, I considered "breadth of colouring without heaviness, brightness, cheerfulness, distinctness without gaudi- ness, variety without confusion, and the harmonious blending of the whole design," to be the most important points to be remembered. One colour should predominate just sufficiently to impart its peculiar tone to the whole design. Great caution xuuist be exercised in deciding upon the number and position of the beds to be filled with this colour or its shades, for if there be an overwhelming preponderance of it, heaviness or glare will be the inevitable result. I have seen gardens in which some of the beds were really well planted, and the arrangement good and pleading, but the effect was quite spoilt by some large masses of scarlet and yellow, so glaring as at once to attract the eye, and "kill" every other colour in their immediate neighbourhood. Taking the centre of the garden as our starting point, the colouring here should be more massifs iu its character than at any other part. A deep scarlet flower, as Stella Pelargonium, or a rich crimson leaf, as Coleus Verachaffelti, is best adapted for such a position. A quantity of either of these sterling bedding plants grouped together in correct proportion to the size of the entire garden produces a rich, bold, and striking effect without any approach to vulgarity ; and while they im- part the requisite importance to the centre of the design, they form an excellent groundwork for other colours. An edging of pale yellow or grey might hi formed around such a central group, but much subdiviskn of this or of any of the beds is to be avoided. Neutral colours, such as soft grey or lavender, skilfully intro- duced, serve to divide and act as foils to the brighter colours. By way of example, I may mention a bed planted with Purple King Verbena in the centre, with an edging of Manglesii Pelar- gonium, the pink blossom of Manglesii being kept picked off, and another containing a mixture of Perilla pegged closely, and either Parfum de Madeleine or Mrs. Mole Verbena. The latter was designed by a lady, and is one of the best neutral mixtures I have ever seen. The position of such beds is a matter requiring much care, for when present in the slightest excess these colours impart an insipid tone quite as hurtful to the general effect as a preponderance of any other colour. The position of foil beds in gardens of large size is usually about midway between the centre of the garden and its boundaries, for as the rich colours of the key bed are usually repeated in smaller quantities in some of the outer beds, it is quite obvious that these neutral tints will be most effective in an intermediate position. Masses of bright colours in the out- side beds serve to maintain an even balance in the colouring, and by attracting the eye cause the whole design to appear more expansive than colours of a quieter tone would do. Of the colours requiring particular care in their use, yellow may be said to be the most important; a few masses of a bright yellow, such as we have in Calceolaria Aurea floribunda, judiciously introduced, light up and brighten a design with the best possible effect. If the beds are small, such masses are, I think, best seen pure and simple, surrounded only by the turf; but if a border or edging be used, it should certainly be of some complementary colour, such as a dark Heliotrope, or deep blue Lobelia, or a crimson Iresine. It may be useful to repeat the axiom here, that two colours placed in juxtaposition mutually influence each other. But while we recognise the importance of a knowledge of the laws of colours to render a person com- petent for this work, it will, I think, be granted that in the flower garden some modification of these laws may be allowed. Many instances might be adduced in which they have been broken with impunity. Green and blue are discordant, yet how frequently do we see broad lines of Lobelia speciosa next turf. It must be owned that a row of Cerastium, however narrow, outside the Lobelia is undoubtedly best, but then we may not always use it, and while the Lobelia is intensely blue, the turf more frequently approaches a brown, and I would rather have blue next the turf than render the garden insipid by planting too much grey. Again in purples, if we form a mass of Purple King Verbena without any other colour inter- vening between it and the turf, its effect is not weakened, because we have masses of its complementaries of yellow, pink, or white near it. Another important point is the introduction of shades of the same colour ; this applies especially to the multitudinous varieties of bedding Pelargoniums. If two of one colour are planted side by side, the brighter is certain to spoil the effect of its neighbour, and so it is best to select colours sufficiently distinct from each other to be really effective. This caution may also well be applied to novelties ; it is quite useless to depend on the description given in the catalogues, and if the purchaser has not seen them planted out, it is always the safer plan to give them one season in the trial border before ventur- ing to introduce them into the flower garden, where the plant- ing should not be of a speculative character, but with varieties the merits of which have been fully tested. ACCESSORIES AND SURROUNDING FEATURES. The manner in which the appearance of masses of bright colour is affected by surrounding objects, does not appear to be so fully recognised as it ought to be. The approach to the flowers should wind amongst the shrubs, under the shade of trees, or past green lawns, so that the eye, soothed and rested, may be prepared to enjoy the full beauty of the flowers. The approach to the terrace garden at Surren- den-Dering, designed by Mr. Nesfield, is very masterly. A broad, winding, gravel walk, having a belt of shrubs on one side, and a lawn on which are some fine old Cedars and other trees of a large size on the other, leads to a flight of stone steps, from the top of which there is seen on the one hand a broad expanse of turf, and on the other a glimpse of the flowers is obtained. Ascending another flight of steps a broad terrace- walk is gaiued, and fiom this elevated position, in a direct line with the centre ol the design, the whole of the flower garden is visible, and the beholder is not only in the best possible position to enjoy its full beauty, but from this fine stand-point, if the colouring is good and the beds well filled, Jo)y 28, 1CT0. 1 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE! GARDENER. 6r the flower garden is displace I in the ruo?t favourable manner, and none of its finest features is lost. In contrast to this, I may instance another case where a fine walk passing through grounds of great extent, past handsome shrubs, and under noble trees, leads to a small flower garden of such puny dimensions as to be ont of all proportion to its surroundings ; but what tends more than anything else to completely spoil the entire effect is, that one corner of the design becomes visible first, and, consequently, a sort of diagonal view aoross the beds is all thut this fine walk commands, and the im- pression conveyed to the mind is one of. disappointment. Another important feature is the position of the shrubs near it ; many gardens are enclosed by a belt of shrubs, and these, by the exercise of a little care in planting, and in their after- management, contribute very much to the general effect. In such a belt the two front rows should be planted in quincunx — that is, every shrub in one line should be opposite the space between two plants in the other ; they should also be far enough apart and well back from tho beds to adroit of their gradual formation into fine handsome specimens, These shrubs should not possess variegated foliage, but should be of a deep green. Of all hardy shrubs I know none to equal the Portugal Laurel for Buoh a position ; the handsome outline and deep hue of its foliage, and the ease with which the finest proportions may be imparted to it by the use of the pruuing- knife alone — all tend to recommend it as the best shrub to use for this purpose. The common Laurel may have its admirers, but I think if a fair comparison of the two kinds be made, the deeper colour of the foliage, and the more elegant growth of the Portugal Liurel will cause it to find favour with the majority. With regard to the introduction of Roses into the flower garden, while objecting to their use in such quantities as would influence or affect the colouring of the design, it is by no means intended to assert that some may not be used, and that with the happiest effect in certain instances. I can remember one such, where a small flower garden was laid out on a somewhat confined lawn, shut in by walls on three sides, and with the residence on the fourth. Now, the wall opposite the honse was a low unsightly object with a public road close outside ; and to conceal the wall and obtain a higher screen a row of shrubs was planted close to its inner side. This had the de- sired effect ; bat as there was only space for one line of shrubs, its aspect was that of a formal hedge. To break up this stiff outline, a double line of dwarf conical Rose trees planted thinly produced a pleasing effect ; the handsome form of the plants tapering upwards from the turf, with their clusters of flowers, instead of detracting aught from the design, contributed mate- rially to its finish and beauty. Vases are almost always out of place in a flower garden ; in fact, it may be stated broadly that nothing should be introduced into the garden itself, in its surroundings, or in the approach to it, but what is so quiet in tone and appearance as to make it entirely subordinate to the gardon itself. One other word as to the garden seats. These should be of a simple bnt elegant form, and painted of a quiet neutral tiut. Nothing can possibly be in worse taste than the lively green colour but too often visible on such seats. — Edward Luckhurst, Egerton House Gardens, Kent. CALADIUM ESCULENTUM AS A VEGETABLE. Travelling north through Philadelphia last summer, I noticed in the 'gardens, grown as an ornamental plant, our common Tanyah (Caladium esculentum). I had no idea it would thrive so well so far north. Tho leaves were not nearly so large as we have them here sometimes, for I have seen them in favourable localities 3 feet long, and at least 2 feet wide. Here we use it as a vegetable, and think it excellent washed and roasted, as Potatoes are sometimes, with the skins on. When living in the north many years ago, we used to dig up in woods roots called Indian Turnips, and bake them in ashes which we made by kindling a fire in the woods. The root of this plant tastes very much like those Indian Turnips, which will give a good idea of them to those who have no know- ledge of them. A rich, wet soil, seems to suit them best. In this they furnish one big root and make many offsets in the manner of the com- mon Tuberose, which side shoots make the sprouts for the next year's crop. Besides this, the roots can be more rapidly increased by dividing them into four, and perhaps more, as you would do a Rhubarb root. I am told by a friend, that plants can be raised from the leaves, the leafstalks rooting in warm, wet soil, but of this I have no knowledge of my own. I think if you were to try that as a vegetable crop in your gardens, it might add one more to the many pleasant table dishes I so much enjoyed in my last summer's trip. — (American Gardener's Monthly ) OKEFORD FITZPAENE. I feel confident that the name of my kind and valued friend Mr. Radcljffa is so well known, and his opinion on Ihose points of horticulture which he makes his special study so much valued, that a slight record of my annual visit will be accept- able to the readers rf the Journal. Many will like to know how he has fared in this strange season, and whether the opinions he has advanced and the dicta he has laid down have been iu any way altered by the experience of the present year. It has probably been thought by many who have read his enthusiastic remarks on the Rose, that he is revelling in some rich, unctuous, loamy soil, such as makes Rose-growing in Hertfordshire a comparatively easy matter ; but I have endea- voured always to correct this notion. His soil is anything but a congenial one, and were it not for his use of the Manetti, and his excessive attention to the wants of his Roses at all seasons, he could not possibly succeed. I do not believe the Briar would do at all there, and where that is the case I need not say it cannot be said to be a good Rose soil. TheD, again, he lacks the Bhelter in some parts of the garden that the Rose ought to have, provided that shelter be not caused by overhanging trees ; as I have before explained, a great part of the garden lies open to the S.W. wind, the prevailing wind here, and which sweeps into it with the force of a hurricane, so that his canvas cover- ing for his Peach trees ha3 been often torn to shreds, and once, aa we know, his brick wall was blown down. I did not come here at this date (July 15th), to see Roses, for I knew from my own garden that was out of the question ; indeed, the first bloom of Roses must be generally over by now, and we are on the look-out for Ihose fine long shoots and that fresh growth of young wood which will give us good blooms in August and September. Tho French term remontant is much more expressive of their character than Hybrid Perpetnal ; they are not perpetual, but they do what no summer Rose does — throw out fresh shoots and give a second blooming season. But I came to see the Rose trees, and certainly no one could look at the debris of Roses on the bushes, th« immense and overflowing clusters of dead blooms, and fail to lament not having been to fee them in their beauty — no symptoms of the effects of drought, but everything in the most vigorous state. As to the yellows, it is impossible to conceive anytLing more vigorous. Triomphe de Rennes is a marvel of beauty. There were s'x plants of this flower in front of the greenhouse end three of Isabella Gray, which formed a complete hedge — shoots, fresh shoots 4 and 5 feet long, with great clusters of blooms at the head of them, while hundreds had died away. Isabella Gray is too hard-hearted to display her charms, and so with a true Henry VIII. short and easy method Mr. Radcljffe is going to have her head off and bud Marechal Niel, which is doubtless one of her own children, on her decapitated trunk. He is no admirer of novelties, "varieties without variation," as he styles them, so that they are not to bo seen here in great quantities, but when he does get a novelty that he likes he goes in for it with a vengeance. He has lately highly extolled Felix Genero, and although my friend Mr. Pe.ach does not agree with him, I (if Mr. Peach will allow me to be anything of a judge), think that the balance lies with Mr. Radcljffe. It is a good Rose in my opinion. Its shape is admirable, notwithstanding the row of outer petals being often small ; its colour is not red, but a lilac rose ; and it is a free and good bloomer. As to the test which Mr. Peach would submit it to, I fancy very few Ro3es would stand that — certainly Charles Lefebvre and Ba- roness de Rothschild would not, yet would Mr. Peach disoard these ? Now, so convinced is Mr. Radch ffe of Felix Genero being a good Rose, that he is going in for fifty of it. And this is the way which he adopts with really good Roses. Charles Lefebvre and Jules Margottin are to be seen by hundreds, and Comtesse de Chabrillant, John Hopper, and others by dozens. He is equally determined in his proceedings when a Rose dis- appoints him. Mdlle. Marie Cirodde was highly recommended to him; he bought a dozen, but she is a "rant rien" and so off she goes this season. He, however, retains some kinds that otherB have discarded, snch as Due de Cazes and Souvenir JOUBNAL OF HOKTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 28, 1870. de Dr. Jamain, and I think he is right ; hut as I mean to have a say on " some discarded Boses " by-and-by, I will add no more en this point. All over his garden the queen asserts her authority ; it is " Boses, Roses, Boses everywhere " — on the front of his house, on the sides thereof, on the pretty bank at its back, in the rosarium proper, along the walks of his kitchen garden ia double tiers : so that I do not wonder to hear that so many of all ranks and classes, admitted by his genial kindness to see his garden from far and near, have expressed their delight »t the prospect. Strawberries are another feature of Mr. Badoljffe's gardening, and probably nothing could more thoroughly testify his skill than their appearance at this season. Loud have been the complaints of deficiency of supply and smallness of the fruit, but such complaints find no echo here. I have never seen ([ say it advisedljjc such plants and such crops ; for although I am here at the end of the season, the size and excellence of the Strawberries are something wonderful. As Mr. Ead- cljfie has, however, himself written on this subject, I can do no more than corroborate his views from personal survey. Mr. Badclyffe he regards as the finest-fleshed and finest-flavoured Strawberry. Dr. Hogg comes next in his estimation, and for general growth he advises it in preference to Mr. Badclvffe. Bivers's Eliza comes next, then John Powell ; and for size and preserving, Cockscomb and Wonderful. Thi3 season is in general a good one for wall fruit, but I very much question if anywhere a more regular crop is to be seen Jhan on the smell trees which now cover Mr. Radclyffe's wall. He ha3 had them now planted three or four years, and he might by this time, had he so liked, have covered the entire space with a few trees ; but he prefers variety, and so has about 108, which he keeps within bounds by a judicious system of pinch- ing. He does not allow them in a season like this to crop heavily, preferring fine fruits to a quantity of indifferent ones. There is no blistering on the leaves, and but little symptom of that pest red spider. In fact, going all over his garden, you aould hardly imagine that we were in the midst of one of the most trying seasons on record. Mr. Radeljffe, like myself, is pretty well tired out of Potato trials, and, although he has several new varieties growing iu his garden, is determined for the future to cling to those he has already proved to be good. " Early ripeners nnd late keepers " is his motto, and such sorts as the Old Ashleaf, Bivers's Boyal ABhleaf, Cobbler's Lapstone, Taylor's Hybrid, and Yorkshire Hero seem to be all that he requires. Of the American sorts he has no opinion, and a Potato tournament he cannot see the value of. I confess I agree with him in this. Of what use is the best-looking Potato in the world if it is not a good one for eating ? and some of the very prettiest Potatoes and largest croppers are in this predicament— for sxample, Premier and Prince of Wales ; and I am afraid, if the judges were to be called upon to taste, so many are the varieties, that they would be like the celebrated wine committee, which at last ordered port instead of sherry, and sherry in&tead of port. A good Potato will, like the Lapstone, win its way, and all the Potato tournaments in the world will not help it on if it be indifferent. What, then, is the secret? "Water." If with the Manches- ter school " Cotton is king ;" if with the politician " Begister I Register ! " is the cry ; so with my friend, Water is king. He has had two men constantly watering; and everything — Roses, Strawberries, Peaches, and Nectarines — has been well saturated ; and this, with his rational oommon-sense method of doing things, secures him that success which often great theorists and would-be philosophers never attain to. I should add that " Steeve " is as dry as ever, as thoroughly as ever believes in ii<5 master, is as laborious and painstaking as a man can well be, and does his best to maintain the credit of the famous garden he has to manage. — D., Deal. SOFT SOAP AS AN INSECT DESTROYER. About 1855 I was growing a few Dahlias, and soon after they wore planted out they were nearly destroyed by the fly. In a bncket nearly full of water I mixed some soft soap, and taking Eome of the water in my hand I drew it up each shoot, com- mencing at the bottom, wetting the under as well as the upper sides of the leaves. There was not a fly to be seen next day. Seeing the effect on the Dahlia, I tried the experiment on Boses with the same result, but the improved appearance of the foliage surpassed that of the Dahlia. In applying the water to the Rose I take the end of the shoot in the' left hand, and with the right throw the water on, or hold the shoot over the bucket and wet the foliage well without wasting much water. About nine years ago I put up a greenhouse, and grow a few Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, herbaceous Calceolarias, Cinerarias, and some other plants, but those I have named I found most subjeot to insect attacks. My house was glazed with rather small squares of glass, and was, therefore, not very easy to fumi- gate effectually. I nearly filled a large pail with water, mixed some soft soap with the water, and when any of the plants were attacked by aphis I took the pot in my right hand, placed my left hand on the soil to keep it from falling out of the pot, turned the plant upside down, and ducked it in the water. At the end of two years, when the solution was accidentally upset, it was as effectual as on the day it was prepared. There appears to be some doubt about the proper weight of soft soap to use to a gallon of water. I always mix the soap iu warm water first, taking care to leave none undissolved. A little soap will do no harm to any of the plants I have named, will kill the fly, and, especially in the case of Boses, will im- prove the beauty of the foliage. Of course greenhouse plants are only dipped when out of bloom, but doing so beforehand is a preventive of insects. I have never had occasion to use soft soap to my Dahlias since 1865, but the Boses have required a dressing or two every year. As it seems to improve the foliage, I have applied the soft soap even when the fly has not made its appearance. I have scarcely known what mildew meant, and this year, although so hot and dry, I have not seen an aphis on the Rose. A3 I have been very bu»y, the plants were so clean, and the blooms the best I have ever had, the customary bath was not given, and now I have not a Eose on the Mauetti or its own roots which is not white with mildew. Those ou the Briar at present are all right. — J. C. H., Moorgate Grove, Botheiham. THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S OXFORD SHOW. (Concluded from paye 47.) VEGETABLES. Of these, considering tliat there were only five classes, and these necessarily very limited, in which vegetables could be exhibited, the exhibition may be said to have been good, moat of the articles being of very fair quality. Peas and Potatoes were well shown. These, however, were the only special subjects asked for. We should like to see vegetables generally better recognised at our provincial shows, and greater encouragement given to their cultivation. It may be that they have uot such an ornamental appearance as fruit on the exhibition tables, and are not quite so attractive to the general sight- seer ; still, bciug by far the most important products of a provincial garden, and their cultivation the most important of a gardener's duties — seeing, also, that the cultivation of vegetables is not what it should be, and that the rising race of gardeners are somewhat inclined to look down upon this department as derogatory, wo think that the Royal Horticultural Society, which professes to hold its meetings for the encouragement of cultivation, would do well to make good vegetables a greater feature iu their provincial exhibitions. The prize given by W. Munton, Esq., for the best nine dishes or baskets of vegetables, was awarded to Mr. George Craddock, gardener to Lord Willoughby do Broke, Comptou Verney. In this there were excellent Canlitlowers, ParBnips, Peas, Globe Artichokes, Beet, Italian Red Onions, Prince of Wales Potatoes, good Tomatoes, and Cucum- bers. Mr. Miles, gardener to Lord Cnrriugton, was placed second, and Mr. PerLins, gardener to the Earl of Hartisinere, Eye, Suffolk, third ; the second prize being given by the Oxford Journal, and the third by W. Munton, Esq. Mr. Broadbridge and Mr. Henwood, gardener to M. H. Turnbull, Esq., also competed with good collections. The Cauli- flowers were throughout much finer than we could have expected to rind them. For the best three baskets of Round and ditto Kidney Potatoes, the prizes given by Messrs. Hall & Co., the competition in each class wa3 keen, thirteen collections being set up. The first prize in both in- stances was awarded to Mr. Craddock, gardener to Lord Willoughby de Broke, the specimens being clean and well grown. The second prize for Round Potatoes went to Mr. Henry Miucbin, Hook Norton ; the third to Messrs. Bell & Thorpe ; and the fourth to Mr. Earley, Digswell. In the class for Kidneys Mr. Miles was placed second, Mr. Earley third, and Mr. D. Gammon fourth. For six dishes of Peas, " preference being given to collections containing Fortyfold and Multum-in-parvo," the prizes being given by Messrs. Nutting & Sons, Mr. Simmons, Union, Tbarue, was placed fust with very fine examples of McLean's Wonderful, Mnltum-in-parvo, Premier, Fortyfold, Yeitch's Perfection, and Berkshire Hero. Mr. J. Walker was placed second. Iu the class for three half pecks of Peas, one variety, tbe prize being given by Mr. David Day, some confusion seemed to exist as to whether it was intended for three half pecks of one variety, or for three half July 28, 1870. ) JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 63 pecks — half a peck of one variety. The prize wag given to the three half pecks, distinct varieties, exhibited by Mr. Mannders, gardener to the Earl of Abingdon, Wytham Abbey — viz., British Qneen, General Wyndham, and Ne pins Ultra, all of which were very excellent ex- amples, the pods fine, long, fall, and fresh. Mr. J. Perkins was placed aeoond, and Mr. F. Sims, Marston, Oxford, third. There were no less than seventeen competitors in this class, and all the collections were creditable. Laxton's Supreme, Ne plas Ultra, Premier, Veitch's Per- fection, Champion of England, &c, were amongst the most noticeable of the other varieties exhibited. Thongh not strictly coming under the head of vegetables, we may here add that Messrs. Suttoa Ss Sons, of Reading, had in the Agri- cultural Show Ground a large and very complete collection of Grasses, seeds, roots, &c, and Messrs. Carter & Co. had a similar collection. HORTICULTURAL APPLIANCES, IMPLEMENTS, STRUCTURES, Sc. This department of the Exhibition was very meagre — meagre as to extent and meagre as to quality. As to the implements and a great portion of the appliances or useful articles applicable to horticulture, a better selection could be obtained by taming out the interior of any ordinary ironmonger's shop. As to structures also, with a few excep- tions, we can say but little. In this special department, indeed, specially pertaining to the garden, the exhibition in the yard of the Agricultural Society was infinitely su- perior, more varied, and more extensive, the ex- hibitors thus finding it more to their interest to exhibit at the great ga- thering than at the little show. Mr. Beard, of Bury St. Edmunds, exhibited some of his patent glass walls, which are to be nsed instead of brick. The glass need is com- mon rough plate in large squares, set on edge, and fixed in grooves in up- right iron pillars. They have a very light, ele- gant, and pretty appear- ance, take up but little space, and are thus re- commendable for smill gardens. They will pro- vide shelter for the plants trained agoiost them, but cannot in any way com- pete withbri'k Wills in a horticultural sense. Mr. Ormson, of Chel- sea, exhibited several forms of wrought-iron boilers, which seem to be bf a very powerful cha- racter, also drawings and designs for hothouses, &c. Mr. Ormson fur- ther exhibited models of his new patent venti- lating hot-water appa- ratus, which appears me- ritorious, the cold air being admitted into the centre of a cylinder heated by four pipes, which are cast in one piece with the cylinder; combined with this, the rafters are made hollow and faced with perforated zinc, whereby all stag- nant and vitiated air is carried off by ventilators in the back wall, and which can be regulated at pleasure. As a means of ventilating in winter this method of Mr. Ormson's is, we think, very excellent. The glass used by Mr. Ormson is of immense thickness, being what is known as 32-oz., and is fixed in grooves, thus "°}JS awaJ wita front putty, which is always expensive to keep in repair. Messrs. Weeks & Co. exhibited models of greenhouses, &c, and of their well-known upright tubular boilers, one of which is further altered by being made in two halves, either of which may be used whilst the other is being repaired. Mr. Kendle exhibited numerous examples of his patent plant-protectors, ground vineries, etc. Mr. Looker had .also his patent propagating boxes and other ingenious con- trivances for the cultivation and propagation of little things. These may be all very useful in their way, especially to amateurs. Mr. James Cranston, Birmingham, had examples of his patent green- houses, which have the merit of being very ornamental. From Messrs. T. H. P. Dennis & Co. we have a novelty in Gilbey's patent glass orchard, represented in the accompanying engravings. It is at least ingenious and simple, and also neat in appearance. We cannot say, however, that we should expect great results from it. The- same firm also exhibited two strong lean-to houses, the sashes and sashbara being made of galvanised iron ; these had a light and elegant appearance. They had also examples of their square tubular boiler. Mr. P. J. Perry, of Banbury, had a model of what is very modestly styled " The Improved Peach House," a lean-to, the glass being in. large squares, and fixed with strips of flat lead instead of putty. Messrs. Messenger, of Loughborough, exhibited a structure invented and patented by Mr. Ayres, of Nottingham. This is called the " Im- perishable Hothouse," and so far it is almost worthy of the title. The glass itself will not perish, and the glass is held in its place by small clips of brass or other material, which will likewise not perish. The house consists of a mere framework of rafters and mnllions, placed from G to 8 feet apart, and connected together by cross pieces of iron or wood at such distances apart as may be required to take the glass, which is laid on in much the same way as tiles on the roof of a house, and held fast by the clips as before stated. We have some objection to the lapping-over of the glass at the sides, otherwise we consider this a decided move forward in horticultural structures. The outside being all glass, no painting whatever is required, and what a wonderful saving this niuBt be ! Messrs. Green & Son had some of their most excellent lawn mowers on view ; and the new Archimedean was Bhown by Messrs. Gill & Co., of Oxford, besides a great variety of minor articles. Messrs. Dick Radclyffe & Co. had some mowing machines and other articles on view ; and Messrs. Haynes & Sons had a large stand of their patent bydronettes.which are too " squirty " in their action to meet with much approval. There were, besides, Appleby's and Drechsler's fumiga- tors, neat wire flower baskets, and various other articles in wire- work, from Mr. Holli- day, of Notting Hill, as well as many other things of a miscellaneous cha- racter. THE GENERAL HJEETING AND HORTICULTURAL. CONGRESS. At the General Meet- ing, held on the 20th, G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., was in the chair. After the nsual preli- minary business several new Fellows were elected. The only object of spe- cial interest not before reported npon ,was Mac- adamia ternifolia, of which Dr. Masters exhi- bited the nuts, which ve;e too late to be sub- mitted to the Fruit Com- mittee. These nuts were stated to be fully equal to Filberts in flavour, and were accompanied by the following remarks from Dr. Hooker : — "A year ago I received from Australia ripe seeds of the Haeadamia ternifolia, for the garden, and happening to taste one, I found it to be so excellent in texture and flavour that I at once wrote to my friend, Mr. Hill, ot the Brisbane Botanic Garden, to send me a supply for trial as a dessert fruit. The box has now arrived, and Mr. Hill requestB me to toward a sample to the Scientific Committee for an opinion, which I now do. I shonld add that, the box having been delayed considerably in transmission, some of the nuts have deteriorated in consequence. — J. D. Hookeb." 'I.AN OF A QUARTER A C R C The Horticultural Congress commenced on the 20th inst., was preside 1 over on that day by G. F. Wilson, Esq., and was well attended. Dr. Voelcker opened it with a lecture on " The Principles of Manur- ing." H3 was glad, he said, to have the opportunity of imparting in- u JOURNAL OF HORTIOTLT0BE AND COTTAGE GARDjBKEJR. [ July 28, 1879. formation to the horticulturist, although hardly knowing in what manner to treat the subject, for the simple reason that the horticul- turist was far in advance of any theory that could be laid down to regulate his proceedings. The agriculturist, on the other hand, was far behind the horticulturist in practice, though well aware of some of the great principles which should guide him iu the application of manures. It was within the agriculturist's power to increase the crop in an average season by the judicious application of farmyard manure, and in tho event of the supply of dung running short, he could apply artificial manures in certain proportions which experience had shown would produce a particular effect on the crop. The farmer, by experi- ment, had learnt precisely what to do in order to attain his object — when to give a supply of manure, and when to withhold it, and he also knew what particular kinds of manure were nsefnl at certain stages of growth, and when to withhold them. A gardoner, as a rule [no, no], could command any amount of stable manure, whilst the agriculturist was not in such a favourable position, being often compelled by the force of circumstances to eke out his deficiency by using certain arti- ficial manures, generally expensive even when applied in the best manner. Dr. Voelcker then said he would arrange his remarks under the following heads: — First, Tho nature of the organic and mineral food of plants ; secondly, the properties of ordinary stable manure and artificial manures ; thirdly, the time of application; and fourthly, the fertilising combination and the special uses and effects of manures. In the first place, in reference to nitrogen, he considered a supply of it necessary to growing plants. This was one of the questions upon which there is a good deal of dispute among scientific men. Nitrogen was not absorbed by plants directly from the atmosphere, which, however, contains small quantities of ammonia, which are absorbed by a porous soil or by rain, rain carrying with it at the same time small quantities of nitric acid. Ho would, therefore, to insure the healthy and luxuriant growth of garden plants, make use of nitrogenous manures. Then the question would arise, In what form was this nitrogenous food beBt supplied to plants ? He would supply it in the shape of ordinary dung, in which it is to be found as a nitrogenous substance in a progressive state of decomposition, partly as ammonia, and partly in the form of nitric acid. Mineral manure, which could only be derived from the soil, was not only essential to the existence of plants, but absolutely necessary for the luxuriant development of every kind of produce. In this sense lime was as im- portant as potash, sulphnric acid as phosphoric, soluble silica as any other mineral composition which entered into plants. There were certain matters Bpread throughout the soil that occurred in very small quantities, while others were of more abundant distribution. The alkalies, potash more especially, on some descriptions of land were more sparsely distributed than the corresponding soda or magnesia. Then, as to the combinations on which plants feed, nitrogen is always present in great variety, so that if in one form it fails to exert its beneficial influence, it will be sure to do it in another, and this is of great prac- tical advantage. Sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda are especially useful to the growing plant ; but if applied at the wrong time they are very dangerous. Experiments had been carried on in Germany during the last four or five years with plants which ordinarily grow on arable land, and which had been successfully cultivated in various solutions, but if the solution was too strong the development of the plants was greatly interfered with. Great care should be exer- cised in using manures which are quick in their action, and he ques- tioned whether they should be used at all, but he would recommend good top-dres6ings. If good results were to be secured from the appli- cation of phosphoric acid, potash, ammonia, and nitrates for horti- cultural purposes, these ought to be mixed with a large mass of soil, and used in the form of a compost. He waB of opinion that manure could not be applied too early in autumn, and if thoroughly mixed with the soil it entered into a great variety of combinations favourable to the growth of plants. All soils possessed the remarkable property of fixing some of the more fertilising ingredients of manure, provided sufficient rain fell to enable the ground to do so. With regard to the effects of certain manures upon plants, he found that these affected not only plauts, but also particular parts of plants. No doubt the application of phosphato manures had done much to bring root crops to that perfection in which they were seen at shows. If the regular Bnpply of phosphates were withheld, he believed root crops would return to their original fibrous condition. By the application of strong forcing manures, containing mineral matters as well as nitrogen, to which element their forcing action was mainly due, leaf-growth would be obtained at the expense of well-ripened wood and fruit. Other manures promoted early maturity, which was of especial import- ance to fruit-growers, and to this result a combination of phosphatic manures with potash contributed. Potash and phosphate of lime, as in mixtures of the latter and wood ashes, gave, perhaps, a better crop of fruit than any kind of manure. The best form in which phosphate of lime could bo applied for the purpose of growing fruit waB that of bones partially deprived of their nitrogenous matters, of which they contain too much to be usoful for frnit-growing in great perfection, more especially Grapes. Better fruit waB often produced by using only half tho quantity of manure. An artificial manure con- taining a good proportion of potash was often of great use, provided the potash was not in too large quantity, when it retarded rather than forwarded the development of plants. If land were of a sandy nature a limited mixture of salts of ammonia would be found very useful. In some experiments which he had recently tried, he had increased the produce of a crop of Potatoes by the following dressing — viz., 4 cwt. of superphosphate, 2 cwt. of potash, and 2 cwt. of ammonia, costing 33s. per acre. The produce amounted to between 12 and 13 tons, while an unmanured portion only produced C tons per acre. This showed what could be done by a proper selection of manure. He had also tried another experiment, using only superphosphate and potash, omitting the ammonia, and the result was that tho crop fell short by 3 or 4 tons, thus showing the great service rendered by the ammonia. He believed that there was a great field open for investigation with reference to the supply of manure to fruits. Within the last few years several fruit-growers had dressed their Gooseberry bushes with artificial manures, and with great success. In pot-culture they should not apply any strong quick-acting manures, but they should prepare a compost, and use it with discrimination. The Chairman said he believed there were pome gentlemen present who took rather a different view from that of Dr. Voelcker, especially upon the source of the supply of nitrogen to plants, and he would, therefore, invite discussion upon the subject. Tho Rev. C. P. Peach remarked, that of the various constituents contained in plants, nitrogen rarely existed to the extent of more than 2£ per cent. In grain, analysis gave us 2J per cent., and in the case of Potatoes about 0.7 per cent., and this after the materials had been partly deprived of their hydrogen and oxygen. He thought it was going too far to say that nitrogen was of more value in a plant that any other substance ; the carbon, for instance, amounted to 50 per cent, of the whole. Nitrate of soda and ammonia formed the only two useful in- gredients of the chemicals sold for manuring purposes. Ammonia had very great power in dissolving carbonaceous matters and rendering them available for the food of the plants, which, when growing, took their carbon principally from the soil, and he was inclined to think that in this lay the great value of amnvmiaeal substances. It was commonly stated that a plant could obtain the hydrogen which it required from water, bnt his opinion was, that it was obtained more easily from ammonia. Silica was one of the most insoluble substances, but plants took it up by the roots, its solution being facilitated by alkaline salts, and hence the value of nitrate of soda. He thought silica was more valuable than nitrogen to the plant. He considered that, though temporarily guano might be of great service, its effects were not permanent. Nitrogenous matters were important as facili- tating the formation of diastase, which as a solvent of starch was of the highest importance in plant nutrition, and on this account, rather than for any direct value, nitrogen was important. Dr. Gilbert remarked that Mr. Peach's statements concerning the per-centage of nitrogen in various crops was irrelevant. It was a question which had been under discussion for the last thirty years, and most elaborate experiments had been made. Boussingault and Ville had come to the conclusion that free nitrogen is not absorbed by plants, and the latter was at the present time making quite a sensa- tion in France by his advocacy of nitrogenous manures. Mr. Lawes and himself had worked for several years to determine this question, and their conclusions were, that if nitrogenous substances were with- held, and only free nitrogen had access to the plant, no increase in the quantity of nitrogen in the plant took place ; but when a small quan- tity of ammonia was given, it showed its effects in less than twenty- four hours. Mr. Peach had stated that the small quantity of carbonic acid contained in the atmosphere was insufficient for the proper deve- lopment of plants, but he considered there was an ample supplyin water and the air. The presence of an increased per-centage of silica did not strengthen straw, as he had found that in almost all cases the best standing crop was that in which the lowest proportion of silica was found. In approving of the manner in which Dr. Voelcker had brought the subject forward, Dr. Gilbert stated that horticulturists would have to carry out many experiments before they would be able to get at the principles which had been so long arrived at in agricul- ture. The horticulturist had a far larger field for experiment than the agriculturist, in the vast number of his products and the wonderful control he had to exercise over tho growth of plants. At present they had arrived at some useful results — results, perhaps, not quite con- clusive, for they must not look to obtain from a few years' experiments the conclusions which they would eventually succeed in arriving at. Major R. Trevor Clarke fully concurred in Dr. Voelcker's views with regard to manures applied in a solid form being more beneficial than those in a liquid state. One of their most clever Rose-growers, who was present (the Rev. Reynolds Hole), was well aware of their superiority. Great development in root crops and fruit was mainly due to the nse of manures rich in phosphates, and he thought there was a very good field open for physiologists to experiment in ; for in- stance, in causing plants to revert to their original state, or to develope into new races. Mr. D. T. Fish said that if the gardener desired a good crop of Roses ho must have rich manure. The farmer was content with one crop where the gardener required three, and therefore it was necessary that the gardener should use a much greater quantity of stable manure. The time of applying it had also a very great effect upon the crop, and he had found that those farmers who left the manure upon the top of the ground in winter had the best crops. Soluble manures were certainly those which accomplished the greatest good. He be- lieved that the atmosphere contaiued sufficient material for tho food of plants without much aid from the soil, and he should account for July 28, 1870. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 65 the presence of silica in Orchids and other tree plants hy the presence of it in the atmosphore, as the roots of these plants never touched the soil. This, he thought, was borne out by Professor Tyndall's recent experiments. This was a very interesting question, and he hoped some of tbeir scientific men would be able to throw some light upon it. The Chairman then proposed a vote of thanks to Dr. Voelcker, which was unanimously agreed to. Dr. Voelcker, in returning thank3, remarked that there is always an abundance of silica both in soils and water, and that silica applied in the form of dust would certainly do no good to the plants. Mr Ingram's paper on " The Distribution of Soils, and their Influ- ence on Vegetation," was then read, but elicited no discuseion. The Congress again mot on the 21st inst., Major R. Trevor Clarke occupying the chair. The first paper read was by Professor Lawson, and entitled " A Short Account of some of the more Eminent Oxford- shire Botanists and Gardeners." The Rev. S. Reynolds Hole then made the following remarks on Roses. Mr. Hole commenced by mentioning that ten minutes being the time allowed to each speaker, he would have to compress twenty-five years' study of the Rose into that time, much in the same way as they compressed several ounces of meat into small lozenges, a box of which would last a man for a week's travelling. There were three main elements required to grow good Rosea — site, soil, and sustenance. As to site, the Rose should be protected from boisterous winds, and at the same time have plenty of fresh, pure air. It did not much matter whether the site was a hill or table-laud, provided there was plenty of timber to make natural screens, so that the wind came in as through a respirator. They must not como to him and say there was not sufficient space for this ; it must he found where there is shelter and not shade, as overhanging boughs were fatal, as also were the main roots of trees. Thero was a Rose called the Royal Horticultural Society, which had been attempting to bloom for the last three or four years under the shade of a large tree, called the Agricultural Society, and although it had bad the most consummate skill and the best attention paid it, still its efflorescence was not satisfactory. " Let it come away from the lar^e timber," said Mr. Hole, " and then gather yo your golden Roses." Where Potatoes would grow well there was the Rose to be found in its glory. Then as to soil, plenty of lime in Rose soil added additional brightness to the glowing colours. With regard to sustenance, he would recommend good farmyard manure as the best food for Roses. Much good had been done by the use of artificial manures, but they would always remain second and supplemental to farmyard ma- mire. Manure should be laid on liberally in November, and be dug-in in March, and then one more dressing should be given when the buds began to swell, and the colour to show. Pruning should be done in Ootober, and the weak wood cut out in March. The great enemies of the Rose were aphis aud mildew, but if it had proper soil and sus- tenance these would never appear unless caused by spring frosts. For the caterpillars there was.no remedy but to employ children, and have them picked off by the baud. The best stocks from which to select Roses were those which most frequently took the great prizes at our exhibitions, but if they only wonted a Rose garden and did not caro about exhibiting, let them buy-in a large proportion of Roses upon their own roots, because they were prettier, more abundant in flowers, and more enduring, and, therefore, more economical. The best stock for the Rose was the Manetti. We understand that the total number of the visitors at the Show amounted to about 12,000. SEA-SIDE PLANTING. From the remarks which have appeared in your columns from time to time on this subject, it would seem that additional particulars would be acceptable. One of the principal points to be considered is, as Mr. Robson and Mi'. Owen have remarked, that of soil, which differs so considerably along the coast-line of England. Confining our- selves to the southern porlion of the kingdom, it is obvious that the same standard could not apply alike to the district of the Dover cliffs, of the Cornish downs, and the slopes of Torbay. To treat them alike because they agree in the bare fact of being lines of sea-coast would be to fail. Take, again, the important differences of climate ; these are illustrated by the state of growth to be seen in the narrow district of the western half of the county of Cornwall. There passes down through this section a backbone of granite hills, which in a rough way equally divides its width. From tbe base of this range north- ward to the sea, for instance, the Larch and Spruce Fiis suc- ceed hardly in a siuglo case, and for a full length of fifty miles it would scarcely be too much to say that no one tree of either of these kinds is worthy to be called a specimen of ordinary symmetry ; but immediately you leave the grim granite, southward tbey grow successfully, and within ten miles of where the failure of these and many other desirable trees is apparent, choice and beautiful arboretnma may be seen. In confirmation of this, if any of your readers find themselves in the neighbourhood of Falmouth, for instance, and will visit, say, the grounds of B. W. Fox, Esq., PenJTriche, they will be satisfied that almost abutting on the sea it is possible to rear one of the finest collections of Conifers and other choice growths probably to be found in England. Then let them steer due north until they find themselves equally near the sea of the north channel, and the contrast will bo complete. This difference in so small an area of country is due not so much to difference of soil as of climate, for i( the soils of the northern and southern sections were exchanged the difference would probably continue. The main reason of this, variance is, of course, that the storms which so keep down the foliage come principally from the north and west, and whilst tbe northern is mercilessly beaten by these, aggravated by saliue particles, the southern portion enj >ys comparative immunity owing to the shelter of the range of hills. Along the north coast nothing is found so successful for an outsider as the Black Italian Poplar stuck in almost as thickly as beau-stalks, and cuttings answer nearly as well as rooted trees. No ill-usage of the weather or neglect of the planter seems able to prevent its rapid growth. The next line of planting should be an evergreen shelter; invaluable for this will be found a mixture of the Pinus aus- triaca, Evergreen Oaks, and many species of the large-leaved Hollies, particularly Ilex nobilis, which erjjoys the soubriquet of Dreadnought in this neighbourhood. This class of Holly is not cultivated bo much as it deserves. The common one is no great acquisition, but the larger-growing kinds grow faster, staud unblemished in the severest frosts, rarely suffer from storm, aud, moreover, are beautiful in their foliage and outline. Amongst the Couifernj that may safely bo planted within the lines named, I should class as being at the same time most ornamental and hardy, Picea Nordmauniana and Abies Men- ziesii. Wellingtonias are useless, Cedrus Deodara is a failure, and the Arbor- Vita?, Cypress, and Juniper tribes scarcely ever suoceed, but almost always sutler more in the winter (rather, I think, from the action of the salt than from the force of the wind), than they recover in the summer, and so gradually deteriorate. The Pinus insignis is, I suppose, tried oftener than any other tree of its class, and with various results. It is to be observed that a great difference exists in the appearance of different specimens, and in the seedlings of the same bed ; whilst some have a texture approaching in coarse hardihood to the austriaca, otbors are obviously of more delicate consti- tutions, the leaves being finer and more numerous, the colour more delicate, and this variation is alt the difference between its being a most handsome and valuable tree, which cannot be too often planted, and its being an eyesore. The Stone Pine is found valuable also. The Scotch and Pinaster Firs should be excluded as much as possible, as their shattered remains, scittered on the barren downs, or near the ruins of a defunct mine, remind one of nothing so much as rare old Bewick's woodcut of " Desolation" — a half-starved donkey, by a ruin on a barren waste, in a pelting storm, chewing the remains of a broom. The English Yew will succeed if somewhat sheltered, but if prominently exposed will fail miserably. Of deciduous trees the Cornish Elm, Alder, and Sycamore do best ; tbe Poplar should not only form the windward wing, but should also be sprinkled over the whole wherever there is standing room, to be, of course, cut out as the permanent growth fills up. The Sycamore certainly acquires a battered ap- pearance by the autumn ; but, nevertheless, does not so shrink from the wind as the Elm, which, although indigenous, never holds its head erect where there is any wind-drift, but looks like a weathercock permanently indicating a north-west gale. As to flowering trees, if "Wiltshire Rector's" floral ex- perience were confined to this district, " by the Cornish sea," where the Lilac and Laburnum dare not droop tbeir lovely pendants, instead of giving us his charming little Lilac-tide article, he would have been compelled to write a pastoral on the Tamarisk, which holds the field in their stead ; and besides its usefulness, who has not felt its beauty, and lingered by it after a gentle summer's rain or heavy dew — " When the creat sun begins his state, Robed in flame and amber light 7" As to shrubs, in the first rank must stand Escallonia ma- orantha, Euonymus, and Berberis Darwinii; next in value come Phillyreas, Garrya elliplica, Daphne Fioniana, Hollies, plain and variegated ; Elaugnus, and Spirals. The Laurel and Laurustinus are not equal to the foregoing, as the wind easily Btrips them ; the Arbutus and Bay will be found to be more cc JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 28, 1870. successful. For covering walls Cotoneaster microphylla and Simmonsii may be used, and in many instances Ceanothus azureus and Veitchii do very well. Worth noticing also is the success of the Elder as a screen in kitchen gardens, fruit quarters, &c. Around the Mount's Bay in particular, the seat of the earliest vegetable and fruit produce of the oountry, these may be seen more frequently than elsewhere. The cuttings strike easily, and planted in single rows in a few years run up, and when kept close-cnt the little ground they ocoupy, the rapidity and close inwoven-form of growth, would make this screen, but for its drawback of being deciduous, and, I suppose I must add, want of beauty, the consummation of shelter. Privet, Hornbeam, Thorn, and other fencings are tried fre- quently, but never with the success of an Elder hedge. In ground, however, where appearance is more important, the Escallonia makes the best evergreen hedge ; in Scilly it is the favourite, and does most of the hard work there. In fact, this is among shrubs what the Poplar is amongst trees, indispen- sable to success in seaside planting. — Cornueu. GLASS TnE accompanying engraving is a representation of a struc- ture I have recently erected. It differs somewhat from those I have called double walls of glass ; it being the intention to force the fruit in this structure, it was necessary to add a roof, in all other reBpects, with this exception of its beiug wider at the top, it is similar to the glass walls which I first introduced. In this struc- ture the venti- lation is not only in the roof, but on each side nnder the gut- ter which car- ries off the water from the glass, the earth being removed to the depth of 4 or 5 inches, thus enabling the air to pass up between the trellis and the glass, birds be- ing excluded by galvanised wire netting. In a former article I have described the mode in which the glass is fixed in grooves, in which are in- serted triangu- lar pieces of copper to clasp the glass, keep it tight in the grooves, and prevent one sheet of glass slipping down over the other. I have also described the mode of prepar- ing the timber, so as to render unnecessary any painting after- wards, which, with puttying, are very important items of ex- pense in horticulture. My present experience leads me to hope that insects will not harbour in timber that has been boiled in creosote. Some persons object to the colour of the wood thus prepared; which in the course of a few months becomes of a rich brown ; if thought proper the fronts of the WALLS. rafters might be painted stone colour in the course of a year, which would give the whole a lighter appearance. As I have before alluded to the advantages to be derived by this mode of growing fruit, I will merely mention a few of its most important features — viz., thorough control over autumnal rains ; perfect ventilation by the passage of the air between the trellis and the glass, both surfaces of the leaf being thus exposed to light, for without quality in foli- age we must not expect quality in fruit ; tho- rough ripening of the wood ; command over the red spider ; and, to crown all, we have every part of the fruit tho- roughly ripen- ed. I may also add that early fruit is ripened a fortnight ear- lier, and that late fruit be- comes tho- roughly ripe. The fruit trees in the structure here engraved consist of vari- ous kinds of Peaches, Necta- rines, Aprioots, Plums, Cher- ries, Figs, Strawberries in the border, and Grapes, the last beitg trained along a wire under the ven- tilator, which ventilator is opened or shut simultaneously throughout the whole length of the structure by tie usual mode of a winch. I was induced to try various experi- ments to insure a crop of fruit independent of the weather, a very large supply being here required for consumption. I have now had sufficient time to test this last experiment, .. ml I can re- commend its adoption with the greatest confidence. — Observed. THE WORK DONE BY A LEAF. Now, what does it do? It pumps water from the ground, through the thousands of tubes in the stem of the tree (the tubes which itself has made), and sends it into the atmosphere in the form of unseen mist, to be condensed and fall in showers — the very water, that, were it not for the leaf, would sink in the earth, and find its way perchance through subterranean channels to the sea. And thus it is that we see it works to give us the "early and the latter rain." It works to send the rills and streams, like lines of silver, adown the mountain and across the plain. It works to pour down the larger brooks which turn the wheel that energises machinery, which gives employment to millions. And thus a thousand wants are supplied, commerce stimulated, wealth accumulated, and intelligence disseminated through the agency of this wealth. The leaf does it all. Joly 28, 1B70. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 67 It has been demonstrated that every square inch of leaf lifts 3-oOOths of an ounce every twenty-four hours. Now, a large forest tree has about five acres of foliage, or 6,272,610 square inches. This being multiplied by 3-500ths (the amount pumped by every inch) gives us the result— 2S52 ozs., or 1176 quarts, or 291 gallons, or S barrels ; a medium-sized forest tree, about 5 barrels. The trees on an acre give 800 barrels in twenty-four hours. An acre of GraBS, or Clover, or grain, would yield about the same result. The leaf is a worker, too, in another field of labour, where we seldom look, where it exhibits its unselfishness — where it works for the good of man in a most wonderful manner. It carries immense quantities of electricity from the earth to the clouds, and from the clouds to the earth. Rather danger- ous business, transporting lightning. I think it would be con- sidered contraband by the " U.S.," or " Merchant's Union," or any common carriers : but it is particularly fitted for this work. Did yon ever see a leaf entire as to its edges ? It is always pointed, and these points, whether they be large or small, are just fitted to handle this dangerous agent. These tiny fingers seize upon and carry it away with ease and wonderful dispatch. There must be no delay; it is "time freight." True, sometimes it gathers up more than the trnnk can carry, and in the attempt to crowd and pack the baggage the trunk gets terribly shattered, and we say that lightning struck the tree. But it had been struck a thousand times before. This time it was overworked. As we rub a stick of sealingwax or a glass tube with a warm silk handkerchief, so the air is always rubbing over the face of the earth with more or less rapidity. And what a huge elec- trical machine ! But be not afraid, the leaf will see that it is taken care of. As we guard our roofs from the destructive action of lightning — dashing to the earth — crashing, rending, burning on its way — by erecting the lightning rod, whose brist- ling points quietly drain tho olouds, or failing to do this, re- ceive the charge and bear it harmless to the earth — so God has made a living conductor in every pointed leaf, in every blade of grass. It is said that a common blade of grass, pointed by nature's exquisite workmanship, is three times as effectual as the finest cambric needle ; and a single twig of leaves is far more efficient than the metallic points of the best constructed rod. What, then, must be the agency of a single forest in dis- arming the forces of the storm of their terror ? Nature furnishes the lightning, and it furnishes the light- ning rods. Take a hint, then, and plant trees. — (The American Entomologist and Botanist ) EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT ON THE BRISBANE BOTANIC GARDENS. Among the plants used for tanning purposes may be men- tioned the Sumach (Rhus Cotinus), See., all of which are flourishing, and eventually will, doubtless, become hereof great practical utility and value. The Croton Oil (Croton Tiglium), the Candle Nut Oil (Aleuritis triloba), two species of Castor Oil plants (Ricinus communis, and R. spectabilis), have been pro- perly tested, and will, beyond doubt, yield most remunerative profits to both the cultivator and the manufacturer. Of the Teas (Thea Bobrea) and the famous Paraguay Tea (Ilex paraguensis), the Coffee (Coffea arabica) most excellent samples have been made, and it can hardly ba doubted that before many years Queensland will be independent of the world for a supply of these luxuries. The Allspice (Pimenta vulgaris), the Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), the Turmeric (Curcuma longa), the Cardamon (Elettaria Cardamomum), the Grain of Paradise (Amomum Melegueta), the Tapioca (Manihot utilissima), the Cassava (Manihot Jatropha), &c, are growing luxuriantly, and samples of all, and of superior quality, have been manufactui e J. Among the tropical fruits may be enumerated the Mango, the Cherimoyer, the Soursop, the Sweetsop, the Jack Fruit, China Date Plum, the Avocado Pear, Bananas, &c. Fern were publicly expressed in Brisbane a short time since that the Banana was deteriorating, but under careful cultivation it is satisfactory to know that there is no reaeon for apprehension on that score. The silkworm trees, Morus cedrona, alba, and mnlticanlis, the Ailanthus glandulosa, to, remain in excellent condition, and are frequency inquired after by those who are interested in sericulture. I would respectfully propose that cuttings or plants of these trees be planted on the grounds of the Orphan- age, they would answer the purpose of shade trees, and would serve to amuse the children by furnishing food for their silk- worms. Frequently applications are made by them at the gardens for leaves of the Mulberry for this purpose. Selset Island. — Tour correspondent " G." is wrong in speaking of a living Lord Selsey, for the title became extinct in 1838, owing to the absence of male issue. There is no doubt that the last baron who bore the title fostered the culture of the soil, and may have inherited the taste, for he was descended from one of the most celebrated gardeners of a previous generation. His ancestor, Sir John Peachey, married a daughter of George London, Esq., of Long Ditton, who was Superintendent of the Royal Gardens in Ordinary to Queens Mary and Anne. — J. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Use all diligence in filling up vacant pieces of ground with Broccoli, Borecole, Brussels Sprouts, Coleworis, Sea. ; and where ground is scarce, crops likely to come off soon should be inter- lined, for the purpose of establishing as large a breadth of the above useful vegetables as can be done. Hoe frequently be- tween young crops, and plant out a good supply of Endive, Cauliflowers, Walcheren Broccoli, and Cabbage for the autumn. Sow Lettuce and Onions to stand over, and Radishes. Liberal waterings twice or thrice a-week in dry weather will be required by Peas, Cauliflowers, Spinach, Artichokes, Lettuces, See., render- ing them not only better in quality, but making them last longer in perfection. Sow immediately Wheeler's Imperial and other approved kinds of Cabbage for the principal spring crop. Sow thinly on good, but not rich laDd, and in an open situation, which are points to be kept in view in sowing all seeds of this class. The earliest Celery may be forwarded by small addition! tf etr.b. Sow small quantities of Basil, Chervil, and Marjoram required for use in a green state. Let a good sowing of Bath Cos Lettuce be made directly. This will stand all the autumn, and on well-prepared ground will produce fine Lettuces. Some of the later plantings from this sowing may be covered «i'h inverted pots after tviog up. Fine large Lettuces can be preserved by this means up to the early part of the winter. FKUIT GARDEN. At this period a very general stopping of late growths and laterals should take place, both in wall trees and espaliers; it may, in the main, be accomplished by pinching oft the extreme points. This is particularly necessary where it is desirable to carry out the dwarfing system. With regard to other fruits, however, there cai exist no reason for suffering over-excited trees to continue producing wood, which can never be perfectly ripened, and which must be pruned away in the ensuing winter. The necessary consequences of this process are — first, a greater concentration of sap iu the neighbourhood of tho fruit ; se- cond, an inducement to the axillary buds to prepare for development; and third, the equalisation of the sap, thereby encouraging a greater uniformity of growth. In performing the operation with reference to the latter principle, the grossest of the shoots only should be stopped, leaving all the lower parts of the tree growing until the end of the season. Attend well to fruit trees of all kinds. Little superfluous wood should, if possible, be formed on tender fruit trees after the middle of August. Not only the fruit, but the wood, for the ensuing year, must be ripened. Even Apples, Pears, Plums, and Cherries are amenable to this law in some degree. flower garden. Let nothing be allowed to grow out of place, but attend to the wants of growing plants by giving them their proper sup- ports and training at this season ; the next matter requiring consideration will be tbe propagation of stock for another year. In commencing with Pelargoniums employed for bedding pur- poses, beds of sandy soil in the open gronnd wi'l serve the Scarlets of all sorts and their allies, while the Fancies and other kinds with a delicate habit will be better iu pots, or, where large quantities are required, in a frame under glass. Under any circumstances they will require protection from heavy rains. There is a class, of which Sidonia is one, whieh strike with difficulty by cuttings of the shoots, and are best propagated by root cuttings ; prepare cuttings of the thickest roots about 1} inch in length, whioh should be inserted in shallow pans and plunged in a frame ; the old plants should be selected for the purpose. Herbaceous plants and hardy 68 JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 28, 1870. bulbs now in fall beauty should be kept in order by tying up loose growths and keeping the ground free from weeds. Novelties should have their colour, habit, and time of flower- ing marked down as a guide for future arrangements. Follow up Rose budding ; those planted last winter, if they have not started well, mu3t have a little more time. Care must be taken that all the decayed and withered petals of Carnations and Picotees are removed from those calices where the seedpod is formed. This may be ascertained by subjecting each to a gentle pressure of the thumb and finger. It will also be ad- visable to carefully split the calyx in order to prevent the lodgement of water, which i3 apt to take place when this is neglected. Proceed with all possible dispatch in layering, and prepare some good loam and leaf mould, well mixed, for potting- off the early-rooted layers, for, when sufficiently rooted, they are better away from the parent root ; it gives them a check and prevents spindling. The old stools of Pinks will have now made considerable growth, and thrown up much grass ; this will afford a second crop of pipings, and a large stock if re- quired. If the plants have been grown in pots they may be turned out in the open border the first showery or suitable weather. It is advisable to preserve some old stools of new or scarce sorts, for, if well grown, they are often more steady in the production of well-laced flowers than younger ones, and they are also useful for producing seed. The beds of Ranunculuses, from which the roots have been taken up, should now be dug over and ridged up in order to sweeten the soil by exposure to sun and air. The soil, also, for planting Tulips should be carefully turned over, and all grubs and wireworms destroyed. Entrap by all possible means earwigs on Dahlias, and remove all misshapen buds as they appear. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. Although flowers of all kind are at this period most abun- dant out of doors, yet some large and well-grown specimens of choice kinds will always furnish interest in the conservatory. To accomplish this, large shifts must be had recourse to, ac- companied by improved modes of potting — viz., extra drainage, together with a greater reliance on turfy soils in a lumpy state, than upon complex composts. The climbers must at all times receive much attention in this house. Stopping gross wood is too much neglected. Above all secure a thorough freedom from insects, together with a most cleanly system. All this presupposes plenty of labour directed with judgment. Cut down Pelargoniums, pot off cuttings directly the roots are formed, and repot plants previously beaded down as soon as they begin to break. Shift and sow Cinerarias and Calceo- larias. Sow Mignonette for winter use. The stock of pot Roses should be looked over, useless wood and decayed blossoms removed, and the plants shifted ; fibrous loam, night soil, and burnt earth may be used effectually. Camellias which have matured their flower buds may receive additional assistance either by soil or manure water, as circumstances allow. The common Anemone, potted three or four in a pot, and placed in a comfortable frame with the Neapolitan or Russian Violet in September, may be introduced to blossom on the shelveB of the greenhouse during November and December. The com- mon single Blood Wallflower, also, if sown in March, the leading shoots pinched out in June, and potted three in a moderate-sized pot, generally produces a good bloom through the dead of winter. Many more plants of this kind might be enumerated. STOVE. Those Orchids suspended in baskets or on blocks should have frequent handling as to their state of moisture. They will require a liberal supply at this period. All blockB will need frequent though light sjringings. The business here is mere routine at this period ; propagation matters having been attended to, together with high cultivation, little remains but to endeavour to perfect the wood already made. This must be accomplished by a fretr circulation of air, and a somewhat less amount of atmospheric moisture. — W. Keane. DOINGS OF THE LAST "WEEK. With next to no water, for years we have never seen plants suffer more in a garden than they did on the 21st and 22nd inst, and even the 23rd was trying, though the air was cooler ; and some slight signs were given, if not of a change, at least of a more vapour-laden atmosphere, as on the morning of Satur- day we had a better deposition of dew than we have seen for two months. Many plants whose leaves were prostrate and seemingly half dried up, revived and stood erect for a time on Saturday morning. It is rather tantalising to r6ad how some of our coadjutors and friends speak of what may now be done after " rain has come at last." From the beginning of the year we have scarcely had more than skiffs of rain — nothing to sink into the soil, nothing to replenish our exhausted reservoirs. Most of the rains have been very partial. Daring a day from home, in a Bpace of some twenty miles, in three small places far apart, we found the roads in a puddle from next to a deluge, whilst immediately beyond this little spot we might os well have driven through the desert of Sahara. The absence of anything like a hay crop in this neighbourhood, though very trying to the holders of the land, will be lessened in its evils by the reported heavy crops in the northern counties. On our journey the other day from Luton to Oxford, with the exception of a few green meadows, we found the whole of that district bad suffered from drought as much as our own neighbourhood. Even the princely Blen- heim with its wondrous lake was no exception. The park grass crackled beneath our feet ; the extensive lawns, except in shaded places, had scarcely a tinge of green. Even in such circumstances, though in many places the cereal crops were thin, in others, Barley and Wheat especially, seemed rather to be above the average— a pleasant thought for us bread-eaters, though liable to be greatly counteracted by this unlooked-for, hideous, and more than culpable war. From all we could learn at Oxford we came to the conclusion that as respects the fall of rain, this has been an exceptional year. We recollect many years ago, in an early article in this Journal, alluding to the proverb, " Cart corn to the west, drive cattle to the east," based on the faot that the dripping weather of the western counties was so conducive to rich meadows, whilst the drier and sunnier atmosphere of the eastern counties was more favourable to cereals. This season, on the evidence of such men as Mr. Garaway, of Bristol, the drought has been felt severely in the west ; whilst Mr. Canuichael, of Sandring- ham, spoke of the splendid crops in that naturally rather hungry district, owing to the frequent and abundant rains. Our recollections of Oxford and its gathering will be delightful, only possible to be enhanced if the visitors to the horticultural department had been three times the number they were on the first two days. Something in this respect may be owing to the neighbourhood, to the extreme heat and fierceness of the sun, to having the horticultural and the agricultural shows so far apart, and, perhaps, to having them at the same time at all. Many seemed to complain of the toil in going over, so as to " do " one of the exhibitions thoroughly. Those who are interested in the watering question, will do well to correct for themselves an extract, as given about the middle of page 49, first column. It should have been, "Be- tween M;irch and May, we have much cold wet weather." As priuted, the word " wet " is left out, to the derangement of the sense and argument. Great as was the outcry about general dryness, we found no case where there were less means of arti- ficial watering than our own. Our small sources were very nearly exhausted on the two dread days above referred to. We knew if we could tide over until the 25ib, we should have the chance of getting some, even if dirty, water, though other things were not neglected. The chief work of the end of the week, was mulching and shading, the latter in the case of small plants coming in along with the first. For instance, we put rather short litter round Lettuces, young Cabbages, Cauliflowers, and Broccoli, not so protected before, fresh planted Strawberries, &c, and on many of these we sprinkled longer cleaner litter over the tops. Calceolarias showing signs of suffering, and which we would be sorry t) lose for three months, and which in addition to mulching we could not litter without destroying their beauty, we shaded rather thickly with laurel boughs, firmly inserted and secured, so that even in wind they might not chafo against the flowers. The .young growths of the laurels came in well for this purpose. A little water was given to individual plants suffering most. Everything under glass was given less air, and the glass more or less shaded, to keep out the drying heat, either with moveable coverings or a fair coating of whitened water. With everything looking well it seemed a pity that so many plants should be burned up, which they would have been, with our inability to water, and two or three days of burning, cloudless sun, such as we had on the 22nd. We hope to tide over until the 25 th or 26th, when we may expect either more means or a ohange of weather. The gardener with a plentiful supply of water, knows nothing of the anxiety of him who has Joly 28, 1870. ] JOURXAL OF HORTICULTPRE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. a large establishment to serve, and every store of clean water exhausted. Some would say. Let the plants die and be done with, but that is poor polioy, until every remedial measure is exhausted. — R. F. TO CORRESPONDENTS. *.* We request that no one will write privately to any of the correspondents of the " Journal of Horticulture, Cottage Gardener, and Country Gentleman." By so doing they are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All communications should therefore be addressed tolely to The Editors of the Journal of Horticulture, <£c, 171, Fleet Street, I.onilnn, E.G. We also request that correspondents will not mix up on the same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them an- swered promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate communications. Also never to send more than two or three questions at once. N.B. — Many questions must remain unanswered until next week. Blce Pimpernel (Wild Ftowrr).— Thin variety of the Shepherd's Weather Glass, or, as yon call it, " Shepherd's Darling," is not uncommon. The following is an extract from onr " British Wild Flowers "— " There is a variety with bine flowers, which has been regarded by some as a species under the name of Anagatlis crerulea; and there is another very pretty variety discovered by J. Dillwyn Llewellyn, Esq., of Ponllergoro, South Wales, which is pure white, with a purplish-pink eyo in tho centre of each corolla." CocoA-Nur Fibre Refuse (E. It. A).— You can obtain it f rom Messrs. Barsham & Co , Kingstonon-Thamoi. It is very cheap. Phsalis edulis (IP. Dickson).— This, commonly called the Cape Goose- berry, has been known for nearly a hundred years. Yon will And it figured and described in the "Botanical Magazine," vol. xii , t. 1068. It has been frequently noticed in our back volumes, particularly in vol. vii., old series, page 137, and there is a very full account of its eulture by Mr. Beaton in vol. xx , page 250. As a material for cordage and paper, the plant, it is obvious, could not be grown in sufficient quantity in this country to pay. We shall be glad to learn your mode of culture, if different from that described by Mr. Beaton. Adiantum (D. if.).— The dato of Mr. Williams's book on Ferns and Lycopods is 18'*8. It would not pay to issue a new edition every year. Consult the " Gardeners' Year-Book " for tho most recent introductions. The part frond of Adiantnm enclosed belongs to A. formosum. We do not know A. recurvum. There is one named A. carvatum. The flowers of the Solannm Cupsicastrum probably turn yellow and fall from want of water, a deficiency of air, too muoh heat, or imperfect root-action. We have ours a mass of berries in an airy greenhouse. Adiantum pedatdsi (A Yorkshire Amateur).— It is a hardy Fern, and as snch may justly be exhibited in a collection of hardy Ferns, though it would, of course, be disqualified if exhibited as a British Fern, it being an exotic. We cannot bo positive without a specimen. Cucumber Leaves Scorched (T. Steenlen, Southu-ark).— The leaf presents every appearance of red spider, but we cannot discover it. We think, however, it is the causo of the brownness of tho leaves. We advise you to pick or cut off all the leaves^ike those sent us, and then syringe the plants with a solution of soft soap and sulphur, 3 ozs of the former and 1 lb. of tbo latter in three gallons of water, boiled for a qin?uteJ of aa hour' S^'US0 with tho clear liquid, and pant the sides the frame, pit, or house with the sediment. Keep rather close, moist, and shaded from bright sun, and stir the surface soil, removing it if at all sodden, and replacing it with fresh. A sprinkling of water every after- noon at dosing will be very beneficial, thoroughly wetting tho leaves, but not very forcibly directing the water against them, otherwise thoy mav be injured. J Pruning Hollies (Norwood). — Having now made their growth it would be injudicious to prune the Hollies at this season. It would be best done in the spring of next year, when they are beginning to grow. Peach House Planting (B. D.).— In a house so narrow as 7 feet wide We .u rvyt a< knowledge that it ifl an imperative duty on those who keep poultry to supply them with whatever may be neces- sary to their health and comfort. In that admirable paper, read by Mr. Kerr a mouth since, admirable for the useful hints which it con- veyed, there was much which most of you could grasp and appreciate better than I could ; but there was one portion which delighted me on account of the humane sentiments which pervaded it. Mr. Kerr deprecated all rough usage of cows, and pleaded for kind and gentle treatment. Let me put in a like plea for fowls. Certainly it is one of the most pleasing signs of the times in which wo live, that kindly treatment of the so-called animal world 13, among educated persons at least, fully recognised and taught, and we may hope that anything like cruel or harsh treatment of domesticated animals will soon be blotted from the things that be. Then as to the particular breed of fowls which it is the most profit- able to keep. If eggs are wanted, Hamburghs, or everlasting layers as some term them, are unquestionably the best ; for young birds of this breed will lay, on the average, more than two hundred eggfl each in the year ; they are never broody, their eggs are small, but so long as the stupid custom obtains of selling eggs by number, instead of by weight, this circumstance inflicts no lo3s upon the seller, whatever it may do on the buyer. There are five varieties of Hamburghs — the Gold and Silver-spangled, the Gold and Silver-pencilled, and the Black. Mongrel varieties are to be found in almost every farmyard in the neighbourhood. They have an abundance of names, as Pheasants, Moonies, Dutch Chitteprats, Bolton Greys, and several others. When ■ pure, with their markings perfect and regular, Hamburghs are very \ beautiful birds, but they aro small, and not of much value as birds j for the table. If chickens are required, some other breed must bo kept ; and as to \ the best bird for this purpose, I suppose a jury of matrons would pro- , nounce in favour of the Grey Dorking. Dorkings are large and heavy birds ; their flesh is white and firm, abounding particularly on those [ parts which are most esteemed — viz., the breast, wings, and merry- thoughts. As chickens, they grow rapidly, and conio to maturity ! early. These are qualities which commend them to all good house- | wives, and fully account for the character which for generations the Dorking has had as the table fowl, par excellence. Some writers claim for this bird a very ancient lineage, averring that the Dorking cock Btrutted on the British dunghill when the Romans occupied this country. Dorkings are not prolific in the production of eggs, and they are unfortunately of a tender constitution, and will never succeed on wet or cold soils. If a fit of cold or wet weather assails their chickenhood, they droop and die with fearful rapidity. This is a serious drawback upon their merits, and poultry-breeders have long been seeking to find a table fowl which will combine the good qualities of the Dorking with a greater degree of hardiness. Game fowls are hardy and handsome ; they are great favourites with many as table fowls, but they are small, and have, generally, a tendency to yellow- ness in the skin. Epicurians, however, assert that the flavour of a Game fowl is superior to that of any other breed ; but, then, tastes are fanciful and capricious. A gentleman, well known to you all, keeps a breed of Game fowls upon his farm. His wife favours Dorkings, and, consequently, Dorkings are kept at the hall where these worthy folks reside. One day last autumn the lady and gentleman in question sat down to dinner, the bill of fare including a roast fowl, which was in due time carved and discussed. " Did this fowl come from the farm ?" inquired the gentleman ; the lady answered " Yes." *' Ah ! I thought so ; I never tasted anything like it, the flavour is delicious. You may say what you like, but there's no kind of fowl equal to that of Game for flavour." " Except Dorkings," mildly suggested the lady. *' Dork- ings ! pooh, pooh," says he, " they have no flavour at all."* And then the lady laughed loud at her lord — " Why, my dear, this deliciously- flavoured fowl, which charms your palate so much, is a Dorking hatched at the farm from eggs which I sent from here." So you see how a person may be beguiled by his fancy. A few years ago there was quite a mania for Cochins, which mania afforded the artists of Mr. Punch materials for a number of humour- ous illustrations ; and Mr. Roebuck, I remember, when he returned from France, on that memorable occasion when the Queen, accom- panied by so many members of Parliament, paid a visit to the Em- peror of the French, said '* the ' Mosoos,' in their peg-top trousers, menee laying early ; they are capital mothers, and after hatching a brood of chickens will resume their laying within a month, and they are by no means such heavy f coders as Cochins. Mrs. Arbuthnot re- commends Brahma hens to be mated with a Dorking cock ; from this cross table fowls may be obtained which, as she says, " look like young Turkeys." There is ft very wide diversity of opinion among poultry-keepers as to what is the best food for poultry. In tho winter season there is, perhaps, nothing belter than barley, but in summer, and more par- ticularly in hot weather, barley is too heating, and wheat, what is termed " tail wheat," is then much better. But whatever may be the main article of food, there should be a frequent change of diet. Indian coin, barleymeal and potatoes, turnips, and beetroot boiled, are all good for this purpose. In France buckwheat is almost exclusively used. It is chenp, and is considered by some authorities to be the very best poultry food. Lime in some shape must be provided, to furnish material for the construction of the shell of the egg. The proper management of sitting hens is so well known, that it is unnecessary to say much on that head. Nature is the be.^t and surest guide in such matters, and it is always the best to allow the hens to follow the direction of their own instincts as much as possible. Too much interference irritates tho birds, and it often frustrates our suc- cess. To give an illustration. In February or March last year two or three of us — birds of a feather— met on the platform of the Whitby Railway Station, and straightway began to compare notes as to our poultry. Each, in turn, gave a recital of his ill-luck in hatching, and in snmming-np and taking tho average the result showed that we had got about one bird out of every ten eggs. Mr. Cooper, the station- master, hearing or surmising the subject of our discourse, accosted us — ** You are talking about chickens, just como with me." We walked on to the goods station. "There," says Mr. Cooper, pointing with pardonable pride to a hen and seventeen chickens, " what do you think of that?" Aye, what indeed I We had been reading and cramming ourselves with poultry lore, had been nursing our much-prized sitting hens with every imaginable care, administering their diet on the most scientific principles, lifting them off their nests daily, and sprinkling their eggs with tepid water, and, in short, using " all applhmces and means to boot," only to reap the disappointment and mortification which I have mentioned ; and here was a mongrel thing of a hen, which had " stolen her nost," aB the phrase goes ; secreting in some snug corner, Bhe had deposited and hatched her eggs. She had been missed from her accustomed place, was supposed to have been stolen, when one morning she came back clucking with seventeen fine chickens at her heels. You will meet with persons who tell you they can correctly predict the sex of the future chickens from the peculiar shape of the egg. Some eggs, as you know, are more elongated, and some more round than others, and the long and the round forms have been held to be each indicative of ft certain sex. Others again, have pretended to discover the sex from the position of the air bubble at the larger end of the egg. These are all fallacies which have existed hundreds of years, and although proved to be fallacies hundreds of times, they still exist. Not only is it impossible to predict the sex, but it is im- possible even to tell, before the egg has been sat upon for a short time, whether it has been fecundated. A friend told me that the subject of determining the sex of the chicken beforehand was discussed at great length at an anniversary meeting of one of the Shipping Insurance Clubs in our town last winter — an odd subject certainly for a maritime party, reminding me by its very incongruity of an incident which occurred some time ago. A gentleman on going into the smoke-room of the Angel Hotel found two master-mariners in their shirt sleeves, engaged in fistycuffs. The combatants were parted, and, on investi- gation, it turned that their fight had originated in a difference of opinion as to " whether the Wesleyans or the Congregationalists had the better collection of hymns." But speaking of eggs, it may sur- prise some to be told that the strongest man in this room is not Btrong enough to crush an egg when it is placed endways between the palms of his hands. The shell of an egg is composed of small particles of carbonate of lime, arranged somewhat in tho same manner as bricks, and placed in an arch, and have an enormous strength, but during the incubation the particles of lime lose that regularity of arrangement, and become confused, and the same egg, which before lesisted your utmost strength, is now easily crushed by a chili. 72 JOUKNAL OF HOrmCULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 28, IffJO. A great quantity of poultry is kept almost entirely for exhibition. Points of excellence in the various birds have been argued upon and laid down, by which they are judged. But. as perfection is rare, even in our species, so also it is rare in that of the gallinaceous, and many are the tricks and frauds practised to remove blemishes, and to impose npon unsuspecting judges. The face of a Black Spanish fowl, for instance, must be of a pure white. If a faint blush of pink obtrude, or if a few straggling hair-like feathers show their unwelcome presence, farewell to all hope of a prize at a good show, so the owner of this bird paints the stains with Borne white substance, shaves off the ob- noxious feathers, and probably carries off a silver cup, which, had the bird been exhibited in its natural and untrimmed condition, he would not have had the remotest chance of doing. In Brahmas and in Cochins one great object is to get birds with heavily feathered legs. Now this peculiarity is mostly, aDd as it would seem naturally, accom- panied by a projection of feathers from the leg-joint, which is known as the " vulture hock," but the arbitrary taste of judges has decreed that this vulture hock shall be deemed a defect. The consequence, is, that in scores of instances these- hock featherB are skilfully pnlled out, and the judges are imposed upon. Then there are smaller sins in the way of trimming. A Silver-Grey Dorking cock must have a breast of spotless black, but a few white feathers will come. Well, these are dex- terously extracted, and then the bird is pronounced perfect. A Dorking cock's comb must be rigidly upright ; a Dorking hen's comb must lop over ; and all sorts of schemes are adopted to coax these combs into the required condition. I heard the other day of a gentleman who had two Dorking cocks— cne a splendid bird except his comb, which would lop in spite of all that could be done to it ; the other bird had nothing much to boast of except his comb, which was magnificent. Well, the two birds were brought together, an expert surgeon was summoned, who whipped gS" the combs, popped the perfect one on the otherwise perfect bird, and secured it in its new position by a few stitches. It struck, and grew, and flourished, and the bird subsequently achieved distinction as a great prizewinner. A clever case of trimming was exposed at a poultry show last winter. In the West Biding of tins county there are two great rival poultry-keepers, more particularly rivals in Hamburgh breeding — Mr. Beldon and Mr. Pickles. Beldou generally takes the first rank, but last year Pickles almost invariably distanced his rival in Silver-pencilled Hamburghs. According to the standard of excellence the sickle feathers of the cock's tail in this breed must be black, or very dark, with a fine edging of white, and in this particular the superiority of Pickles's birds was conspicuous ; and at the show in question they were awarded the first prize. Beldon has a poultryman named Job, and Job was of course put out at his ill luck, and stood ruminating before Pickles's prize pen. " His birds are not so good as ours if it wasn't for their sickleB, but they're stunning sickles, certainly. I can't make it out how he manages to get them." Gaining the consent of the attendant, Job contrived to get hold of the bird with the wonderful sickles, and blowing into the roots of the tail feathers, when lo 1 the murder was out. " Well I'm blow'd," said Job, "fetch Mr. Hewitt." Mr. Hewitt, who was the judge of the poultry at the show, was soon on the spot, when Job pointed out to him how the natural sickle feathers of the bird had been cut down to the quill, and the beautiful artificial sickles neatly fitted into their place. Mr. Hewitt immediately cut off the borrowed plumes, and gibbetted Mr. Pickles, by affixing a notice to the front of the pen, fully describing the fraudulent transaction. To prize-poultry breeders the annual show at Birmingham is the great event of the year, where some five thousand of the best fowls in the three kingdoms are exhibited. Among the exhibitors you have the royalty, nobility, and clergymen in great numbers, for your clergymen are generally good livers, and can appreciate fresh eggs and well-fed chickens; notwithstanding Sidney Smith, who says " Barndoor fowls for dissenters, but for the thirty-uine-times-articled clerk of the Church of England — the Pheasant — the Pheasant, and nothing but the Pheasant. " I summed up the amount at which the birds were priced in the catalogue of the show of last year, and found it to be £40,000. In many instances no doubt these prices were intended to be prohibitory, but a single bird at the Birmingham Show will sometimes sell for a sum of money which would buy the best cow in this district. I saw a bird, it might be called a chicken, only nine months old, sold by auction for sixteen guineas, and with n the last eighteen months two birds have been sold from Whitby for ten guineas each. Having kept poultry for about five years, and having kept also during that time a careful debtor and creditor account of my poultry doings, I can speak with the certainty acquired by experience as to the cost of keeping fowls. Even under the unfavourable position of baving all the food to buy, and at retail prices, I have had the pleasure to find at the end of each year a small balance on the right side. The cost of the food does not exceed \\fl. per head per week. Then if you kill off the hens, say at the expiration of the second laying season — that is, when they are a little more than two years of age — the entire cost of keeping each bird up to that time will have been, in round numbers, about 155. Now take the per contra side — each hen in those two years and odd will lay 250 eggs. I am speaking from my experience of Brahmas ; Hamburghs will lay more than 400, besides hatching two or three broods of chickens, if yon obtain a fair proportion of eggs during the winter season, and yon may do so by contriving to have your pullets hatched early in the year. It will be fair to put down the price of these eggs at Id. each, making £1 0s. 102 0 4 i) Pears, kitchen .. n fl n n 8 II 5 ii s 1) 8 ii 3 0 0 n 6 0 0 0 2 fl 6 D S l) n 0 9 1 n 0 1) n n 0 4 0 6 lb. n 8 n t Grapes. Hothouse lb. y n 6 0 0 8 i Ii H 0 14 (i 0 in 0 8 0 5 0 VEGET do ... V100 i 0 •J 0 iBLES. B. a. fl. A H. d. B. ll 8 8 0to6 0 8 0 0 0 1 4 to 0 0 1 fi Beans, Kidney . . 1 sieve. 4 0 6 n 8 fl 4 0 . bushel 3 II 4 ii MuBtard & Cress .punnet ll ■ II 0 •/. n 8 0 4 fl II 11 0 0 0 0 0 4 (1 s BniBsels Spront . . i sieve 0 0 II II S II 0 II 1 it 1 II I) V 1 II 0 0 (1 II 1 0 1 8 II 4 (I H 4 II 6 II 2 (1 8 n 6 0 8 II 1 n » 0 Radishes .. doz. bunches 1 II fl II Coleworts..doz. bunches 8 n 8 n II fl 0 (1 0 6 1 6 n fl 0 0 2 n 4 n ii (1 1) II a 0 0 8 0 0 0 n 0 A 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 8 0 0 0 B 0 0 0 Vegetable Marrows . .doz. 1 0 4 0 6 « 3 1 0 , bundle Horseradish ... 0 POULTRY MARKET.— July 27. Prices gradually diminish, and will do so for a short time. We are led by the change that is coming over the trade to think of Grouse ; and then we shall drift on to Michaelmas. p. d. s. d. LargeFowls 3 6to 4 0 Smaller ditto 3 0 3 6 Chickens 2 0 2 6 Dneks 2 0 2 6 Geese 5 6 6 0 Turkeys 0 0 0 0 s. d. s. d. Guinea Fowls 0 0 to 0 0 Pigeons 0 8 Rabbits 1 ' Wild ditto 0 Hares 0 Partridges 0 8 0 9 4 1 6 8 II '.I 0 (1 11 0 0 0 August 4, 1870. ] JOUKNAL OF HOETICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENEK. 77 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day of Month Day of Week. AUGUST 4—10, 1870. Average Tempera- tare near London. Rain in last IS years. Sun RiseB. Sun Sets. Moon Rises. Moon Sets. Moon's Age. Clock before Sun. Day of Year. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Th F S Sun M To W Stafford Horticultural Show. East Neok of Fife Horticultural Show. Duke of Edinburgh Born, 1844. B Sunday after Trinity. Length of day 14h. 58m. Anniversary Meeting of Royal Botanic [Society. Dav. 75.9 74 5 7S.2 74.6 74.5 74.9 75.1 Night. 50.6 50.9 50.8 50.9 49.4 49.6 51.9 Mean. 62.8 62.7 62.0 62.7 61.9 62.2 68.5 Days. 17 19 21 16 18 16 19 m. h. 30af4 31 4 33 4 35 4 86 4 38 4 40 4 m. b. 41af7 40 7 38 7 86 7 84 7 82 7 31 7 m. b. after. 24 2 40 3 53 4 56 5 47 6 27 7 m. h. lOafll 40 11 morn. IS 0 4 1 1 2 6 3 Days. 31 8 9 10 11 12 13 m. s. 5 51 5 46 5 39 5 33 5 25 5 17 5 8 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 From observations taken near London during the last forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 74.6:>, and its night temperature 50.6". The greatest heat was 93 , on the 10th, 1842; and the lowest cold 35°, on the 4th, 1865. The greatest fall of rain was 1.08 inch. PEA CULTURE. ** O generally recognised is the importance of obtaining a supply of Peas as early in the season as possible, that any mode of cultiva- tion tending to do away with the feeling of uncertainty respecting the success of the first sowings is worthy of attention. I will therefore describe, long before such sowings should be made, a method by which I have been very successful. A mode of culture now somewhat obsolete, but wliich, notwithstanding its speculative character, has still its advocates, was to make the first sowing in Novem- ber, some sowing on a warm sheltered border, while others having greater resources sowed a double quantity — half on the south side of a wall and half in a more exposed situa- tion. In mild winters the sowing on the warm sheltered border would grow so fast, and become so tender, that the first sharp frost would be sure to destroy it. A row or two in the open ground, across one of the garden squares, had a much greater chance of success. This success, however, was never certain ; even if the Peas escaped the ravages of the mice and the tender attentions of the sparrows— to say nothing of the operations of snails, which, concealed from view, made their Christmas dinner off the abundance of rich succulent matter with which the gardener had so abundantly stored their winter quarters — the chilly blasts of lingering winter or tardy spring frequently destroyed the young plants. The way in which I have avoided all this uncertainty and loss has been by sowing in boxes made in the following manner : — Some half-inch deal boards, 9 inches wide, were sawn in halves, and cut into lengths of 3 feet for the sides, and smaller lengths of 5 inches for the ends ; these were nailed together, and thus a number of narrow frames were formed, each measuring 4 inches wide, 44/ inches deep, and 8 feet long. Pieces of board were next cut of a suitable size to form a bottom to each frame. The loose bottom boards were ranged side by side on a warm sheltered border, and the frames placed on them, and filled with rich soil, in which the Peas were sown in the second week in January. I may say I was pleased with the plan so far. but then came the thought. " How about the mice and sparrows 9 " True, I could defy the sparrows by placing some netting over the boxes ; but then netting is no pro- tection against mice, and I began to fear for the result, when I suddenly remembered that I had nearly 100 feet of glass on hand, in squares !ti by /A inches, just a handy size for the purpose. Nothing could be better ; the entire surface of the soil in the boxes was at once covered with the sheet glass, which not only protected the Peas, but the soil was warmed by the sun heat it transmitted, and the seed vegetated very quickly. The glass was allowed to remain till it was fairly lifted up by the young growth, when it was removed, and laid flat on the soil over another crop which had, meanwhile, been sown in the open garden. As crop followed crop, the glass was kept constantly in use with the best possible results. The No. 488,-Vol. XIX., New Series. mice were decidedly puzzled, traces of them were visible at places along the edges of the glass where they had tried to burrow underneath, but the labour was evidently too great for one night's work, and before the next night the holes were filled up and traps set. Should any of your readers adopt this means of protection (and I would strongly recommend it to all whose crops suffer from the depredations of sparrows and mice), they will find the size of squares I have mentioned the best for laying lengthwise over rows of Peas. When the drills are drawn, if the soil is found to be at all dry, it is necessary to give a thorough watering after the Peas are sown before laying on the glass. If the glass is used for the summer sowings it must be removed imme- diately after the young growth becomes visible, as the sun is then so powerful that it will burn the tops of the young plants if they be suffered to come in contact with the glass. To return to the first crop in the boxes. When the glass was taken off, as the plants were somewhat tender and, consequently, likely to suffer from frost, stumps were driven in the ground on each side of the boxes, and some slight poles laid across and nailed to the tops of the stumps, thus forming a light framework a few inches above the Peas, on which a couple of thatched hurdles were placed nightly and during snowy weather. As an instance of the utility of the thatched hurdles, I may mention a fall of snow 'Z inches deep on the night of March 12th : the morn- ing of the 13th being clear and bright, the hurdles with their load of snow were lifted off, and so the Peas enjoyed the genial sunshine while other things were buried under the snow. The spring of this year was so cold and changeable that the Peas were not turned out of the boxes till April 1st, when a narrow trench was made to which they were taken one by one, the loose bottoms removed, and the sides, after a slight shake, lifted up, leaving the Peas in the trench, where the lengths were fitted against each other, form- ing one long row. The soil was a mass of roots, so that the wooden sides were drawn off without any mishap. After the Peas were planted out the frames were again placed on their moveable bottoms, filled with soil in which some dwarf Kidney Beans were sown, and set under the stage of a vinery at work. In six days the cotyledons were to be seen forcing their way through the soil, and the young plants were at once taken out of the vinery, and the boxes once more 'occupied their original position. The Beans were protected for awhile at night by the hurdles, and at length turned out in a warm border. Thus two early crops were obtained by means of these useful boxes. In concluding this paper, a few remarks on Pea-culture generally may not be out of place. One of the chief points is the maintenance of a constant supply of young Peas throughout the season, and as an important means to this end, well-tried sorts only should be selected. If novelties are cared for (and they should certainly have a trial), a small quantity may be sown, but they should form no link in the regular cropping. Dwarf-growing kinds are, No. 1140— Vol. XLIV., Old Series. 78 JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. I August 4, 1870. as a rule, best suited for small gardens, but in large gardens the tall kinds are best. In making a selection of the best sorts, to be sown in the order in which they are named, I would choose Ringleader, Climax, Laxton's Prolifio, Champion of England, King of the Marrows, British Queen, Veitch's Perfection, and Ringleader again for a very late sowing. As to the time of sowing, monthly sowings should be made in January, February, and March, and fortnightly sowings in April, May, and June ; after which time two or three successive sowings of Veitch's Perfection and Ringleader are useful to prolong the season should it prove favourable. Peas flourish best in a deep rich soil, in which the roots penetrate to a great depth, and, therefore, wherever the soil is poor or very light, and manure scarce, the latter should be put in trenches as for Celery plants, and the Peas sown in the soil covering it. A thin dressing of manure spread over the sur- face of the soil and forked in, will be of very little service to the Peas. As I have found it necessary to nse trenches for Peas in the garden here, the plan followed is, when arranging the ground for cropping in spring, to leave spaces about 20 feet apart across the garden squares, each space to be occupied by a single row of Peas. The trenches are opened, the dung wheeled in, and the whole of the spaces fully prepared before spring comes on, so that nothing is left to be done when the Peas are sown but to draw the drills in the usual way. I have now a large breadth of Potatoes intersected in this manner with rows of Peas, and as the crops are all flourishing and the Pea rows at a uniform distance from each other, the whole has a very neat appearance. — Edward Luckhubst, Egerton House Gardens, Kent, A PLEA FOR DOUBLE- FLOWERED PELARGONIUMS AS BEDDERS. "They will never do as bedders," is the remark one con- stantly hears concerning these brilliant novelties. " They are so scant in their flowering, and they are so thick in the truss, that they will be matted together like the Hollyhock in wet weather." And so I thought too, but a little longer experience has caused me to alter my opinion, and I am now inclined to think that in a little time they will become very great favourites. We shall have to discard the originator of the new strain Gloire de Nancy, and any others that partake of its very gross habit ; but we are gradually obtaining varieties of a dwarfer habit, and it is to these I look. I have a long border running down my small lawn, and have planted in it various kinds of Pelargo- niums, dividing the sorts with a band of Perilla. We had heavy rain on two days, but on looking down the border on the evening of the second day, my eye rested at once on the greenest and most brilliant-looking spot in it — where some of the doubles were planted ; the rain had not injured them, and their large, massive trusses shone out above the green foliage. When I say that I had in this border Exoellent, Lord Derby, Editor, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Chieftain, and Miss Martin, I think this is saying something for it ; and when we can multiply such kinds as Wilhelm Pfitzer and Marie Lemoine, they will form striking objects, while in a dry season, such as we had last year, they are admirable. There are no seed pods, and the bed is there- Sore not disfigured by them, so that as the propagating season has now begun I would suggest a trial being made, and I do not fancy those who may make it will be disappointed. — D., Deal. BERBERIS DARWINII. Or the hardy berry-bearing shrubs that are commonly grown for pleasure-ground ornamentation, there is none that I have seen to equal Berberis Darwinii. It is Bukable for very nearly any position, it will stand wind and wet well, is perfectly hardy, and is very attractive at all times. Since its orna- mental qualities have become better known I see it is being used in park planting; a group of from seven to twenty or more plants will in a comparatively short space of time form an almost impenetrable thicket of wood and foliage, the branches growing close to the ground. Its orange-coloured flowers are produced in great profusion, and it is then a con- spicuous and ornamental object when viewed from a distance ; and afterwards its slate-coloured berries, which are as nume- rous as its flowers, make the plant not less attractive to the passer-by. In my opinion one of the most suitable positions that can be assigned to such a desirable shrub is by the side of a car- riage drive, whether planted singly or in groups of three plants here and there, and associated with tall9r-growing plants. Where circumstances are favourable to such an arrangement, I think it will not fail to please. Of course in such positions a good-sized bushy plant rather than a very tall one will be the best to grow, but as its habit is favourable, and its growth vigorous, these proportions will soon be reached. A little guiding, however, will be necessary, by giving an annual pruning of all gross shoots, which the plant is apt to throw np after it has become established. This pruning will favour the pro- duction of flowers and, consequently, fruit, beoause it is on the medium-sized wood that these are most abundantly formed. This beautiful Berberis is often to be seen growing at the front of Bhrubbery borders, or round the margin of shrubbery beds. These I consider are very suitable and proper places for such a useful plant. The plants are here growing in such positions in great numbers, and nothing oould better suit the purpose for which they were planted. I do not advise planting them as some do in the background of a shrubbery bed or border, among coarser-growing subjects ; they are there seldom fit to be seen, and are in time quite overgrown by their more vigorous associates. To keep the plants in good health, the surface soil around them should never be dug, but only stirred, as the roots are very near the surface. There are few places where this Berberis thrives better than it does here, in a very heavy loamy soil ap- proaching a clay. Although it will thrive tolerably well in a light soil, I consider a heavy one the most suitable ; the foliage is then darker, and the colour of the flowers a beautiful orange yellow. — Thomas Record, Lillesden. NEW AMERICAN POTATOES. In April last I planted 1 lb. each of Bresee's King of the Earlies (four Potatoes, sixteen sets), and Climax (three Po- tatoes, twenty-three sets), and have taken up the produce to-day (July 25tb), with the following results — King of the Earlies, 18} lbs., largest Potato, 5 J ozb., many about that size; Climax, 39} lbs., largest 14 ozs., no other near that size. — W. J. S., Devon. PRUNING ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. No. S. Portugal Laurel. — Under most conditions this is a handsome shrub, but is never so fine as when subjected to judicious, timely pruning. It requires plenty of room, light, and air, though, with pruning at an early stage of growth, and con- tinued annually or biennially, it may be kept in comparatively small space. In shrubberies, however, the plants ought not to be very closely pruned, but I consider it necessary to go over them every spring and well cut back any irregularities ; indeed, whenever there is very free growth the shoots, from being long, are apt to start from the points only, and the tree beoomes open and bare of foliage unless the long annual shoots are pruned in well every spring. If height be wanted, the prun- ing may be confined to the sides of the tree, but I would, nevertheless, shorten the shoots near the top, as stronger, more regular growths are produced from the ripe than the sappy points of the shoots. Should the trees have become too large, they may be cut back to the size required, and in a year or two they will exhibit a close leafy growth. When of the desired size the pruning should be performed every year in April, cutting off most of the preceding year's growth, which will be replaced by that of the current year. Of course, where there is room, all the pruning required is confined to cutting off any growths likely to interfere with the symmetry of the tree. Standard Portugal Laurels have so close a resemblance to the Orange and Sweet Bay, that unless closely examined by a practised eye they are hardly distinguishable ; but it is seldom we see Orange trees so leafy and healthy as to be presentable as summer ornaments in English gardens. Portugal Laurels, on the contrary, are quite hardy, and succeed both in summer and winter in all but very bleak situations, being, in point of hardiness, vastly superior to the Sweet Bay, which only succeeds in warm situations : hence the neoessity of growing the latter in tubs for removal in winter to a place of shelter. Portugal Laurels grown as standards may have stems of any height, but I consider 3 or 4 feet sufficient. The plants in- tended for standards should be trained with one straight clear stem, and those raised from seed are to be preferred. To give August 4, 1870. ] JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 79 stability to the stem it is well not to cut away the side shoots, nor shorten them very closely until the required length of stem is obtained, as well as a head large enough to shield it from the sun, or say of 2 feet in diameter. The leader must, of coarse, be stopped when it attains the height desired, and the shoots that result from the stopping should have their points taken out when they have grown 6 inches, and I would again stop them when that length of fresh shoot is made ; for, thongh we may obtain a larger spread of head in the first two or three years by allowing the shoots to grow at will, or with but little shortening the first few seasons, the head will be for the moet part bare of foliage near the stem, and to clothe them there we have to begin over again. On the other hand, by attending to the stopping of the shoots in the first instance, we secure a close leafy growth from the first, and maintain it by a system of close pruning. Thus, though the annual progress may appear small, the trees from the first are compact. The first shoots should be brought down at the end of Bum- mer to a horizontal position, and be secured with matting to the stem. Unless this be done they have a tendency directly upwards, and once they are allowed to take this direction it is difficult to get the side shoots sufficiently low to hide the setting-on of the head ; but when the shoots have an outward tendency it is easy to maintain that character of growth. When the head has grown to the size already stated, the shoots on the stem should be gradually removed, and finally cut off close to the stem, and by a clean cut with a knife; thongh allowed to remain for a time, they must always be kept second- ary to the head by close stopping. Another point to be at- tended to is keeping the head fiat or table-like for a few seasons ; therefore, the shoots produced on the top of the head must be more closely stopped than those at the sides, so as to cause more vigorous growth outwards or at the sides. When the desired breadth of base is secured the centre can soon be filled np, as the growth is always more free in that part than in the horizontal 6ide branches. Nevertheless, we must not allow the centre to fill up too quickly, but by frequently stopping and shortening the shoots we must endeavour to secure a close growth, which is very important in geometrical and architec- tural gardens. The form of head is a matter of taste. Half spheres are pretty, and pyramidal heads are effective, whilst columns but little wider at the base than at the top are equally desirable. I may be thought restricted in my views, but I cannot forbear express- ing my admiration of a fine line of Portugal Laurels on stems of equal height, and with symmetrical, even-sized heads, on a wide terrace of velvety lawn, green to their trunks, and with a wide walk running between tbem — a line being on each side of the walk. When desirable the plants may be in tubs, but they do not grow so well in this way as when planted out, and it is necessary to protect the tubs with straw in very severe weather, otherwise the roots will be injured, and in the case of standards the stems require to be wrapped round with hay- bands to preserve them from severe frosts. In bleak exposed situations they should bo removed to a sheltered position in winter. The Sweet Bay is one of the best of all trees for forming pyramids, and even standards, but except in warm situations it does not succeed in tubs in our climate, requiring protection in winter. Standards, as a rule, are not generally successful ; pyra- mids are much to be preferred. They are formed in much the same way as pyramidal Hollies, and the same remarks apply to pyramidal Portugal Laurels : therefore it will be needless to give further instructions for their formation, and I shall dis- miss them by stating that in winter Sweet Bays should have a warm sheltered position, the tubs being well mulched round with dry litter, and in case of very severe weather they would be the better of a cool house. Laurustinus is another of those subjects which form handsome pyramids and dwarf standards, and these, in their formation, require the same treatment as Hollies. The best time to prune them is immediately the flowering is past, and then they may be cut in little or much as required. When grown in tubs they require to have a sheltered position, and in severe weather protection like the Portugal Laurel and Sweet Bay ; indeed, they are well worthy of glass protection, and are much in demand on the Continent both for out-door and in-door decoration. The Laurustinus is well suited for the decoration of corridors, halls, and cool conservatories during the winter months. They are fine whether grown in pots or tubs. Box is not much in repute, except for general purposes in shrubberies, though for forming small cones, and for bushes of any form, there are few trees to equal it. Box trees thus trained have the disadvantage of becoming loose and open, and that, too, when of considerable size ; but this might have been remedied by commencing the pruning in the early stages of the plant's growth, and continuing it annually, so that the growth becomes stiff and branched instead of long and but little forked. The main point to be attended to is to well furnish the plants at the base ; to secure their being so cut-in the upper part more than the lower, and thin out the shoots in the thick parts, so as to encourage the growth of the thin. If that be attended to once a-year, or even every two years, the trees will be very regular and close. If the lower parts are very weak and thin, it is advisable to leave them al- most entire, only cutting off the long straggling parts ; but the upper portion of the plant should be cut-in closely a fort- night or three weeks after the lower part is pruned. The best time to prune is in May or early in June in moist weather. At that time the trees may be cut-in to any extent, and will soon push again, and be quite green before winter. Any irregularities of growth may be removed in August or early in September. The pruning, of course, must be such as to allow a progressive growth ; but when the trees are of the size required they should annually be cut-in closely, or, if the growth is weak, every alternate year will be sufficient. Those which are of weak growth ought to be pruned earlier than those which are strong, as by pruning the latter after they have made some growth they do not get so strong as when pruned while at rest. Pruning when a tree or shrub is at rest, is favourable to an increased vigour, but pruning a growing tree has a contrary effect. The beBt kind of Box for pyramids, bushes, and trees, is the Tree Box, which in some soils and situations attains a con- siderable size, and is a handsome tree. The best variety of it for pyramids is pjramidalis ; and B. balearica, the Minorca Box, is good. The silver-variegated and the gold-variegated form fine busheB and pyramids for the winter decoratiun of the flower garden ; in summer, even, they have not a bad effect as neutrals, as centres to large beds or detached. Box makeB an excellent low screen, being better for the pur- pose than either Yew or Holly, being more easily kept in form. Common Laurel. — I can say but little of its merits for train- ing as a cone or pyramid, but those who wish it in these forms may pursue the treatment recommended for the Portugal Laurel. — G. Abbey. "REDCARRE, A POOR FYSHER TOWNE." That is the description in one of the Cotton MSS. in the British Museum, of the place whence I am now writing, and the MS. proceeds saying, " The sea shells and sand serve instead of marie to enrich the land, which is fruitfull of itself, but much bettered by the neighbourhood of the sea, makynge the good husbandes of the lowe grounds fatt in the purse, and merry in the hearte." The said sea-sands, however, and they are vast, do not so benefit and make merry the denizens in Redcar. I have read of sand storms and sand-buried cities in the East ; I have been dredged thoroughly with the red sand of the Cape of Good Hope ; I have been near the exhumed Cornish church, Peranzabuloe, but never until I rested at Redcar could I realise the silent conquests by the sand. Whilst I write a half-gale from the north-east is blowing, no clouds of sand are raised, but it flows in ripples along the ground and rapidly accumulates in heaps againBt any opposing object, and soon forms a hillock. The scavengers are now carting away loads that accumulated in one mound before the window where I am now sitting. A former visitor was simi- larly surprised at this rapid sand-accumulation, and not seeing any mode of rescue, on asking a man how he extricated his cottage from the sand, he felt rather humiliated by the rep.y — " Why, I shovels it away." " The husbandes of the lowe grounds " — the Cleveland Vale — will this year be " fatt in the purse and merry in the hearte," if the weather of harvest-time be propitiouB, for never did I look upon heavier unlaid crops of Wheat and Oats, better- podded Beans and Peas, or more perfect plants of Swedish Turnips. I remember the time when a field of Swedes was very rare, but now white Turnips are the rarity. Winter keep, therefore, will not fail the noble Teeswater, or Holderness kine which prevail along this valley. " The sea-shells and sand," I am pleased to see, are not the only enrichers now from the sea used by the Cleveland " husbandes," for I see pastures recently and judiciously sprinkled over with sea-weeds. I say " judiciously," 80 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 4, 1370. because they are so thinly scattered as to shade and shelter but not to blanch the grass. Their saline and organic con- stituents gradually fertilise the soil. Let it not be supposed from the quotation with which I have headed these notes, that I consider it still applicable. Those words might have been appropriate two centuries since, but they are used by me only as a striking contrast to a fair de- scription of Redcar, as it is now a thriving, increasing town, supplied with all the requisites of a sea-bathing resort, and with unsurpassable sands for exercise. On foot, on horseback, or in a carriage, those firm stoneless sands, hundreds of yards wide, and more than seven miles in length, may be traversed. Many places of interest, too, are within easily-reached distance on foot, by railway, and by carriage, but at present I must con- fine my notes to one day's stroll. That stroll was to Kirkleatham and a few miles beyond, little expecting to find hereabouts monuments — worthy monuments, of a Lord Mayor of London ; yet in the church there rests Sir William Turner, chief magistrate of your city in 1669, one of its most wealthy merchants, and the frequent creditor of Charles II. He founded at Kirkleatham a noble hospital for aged men, aged women, and children; a museum, a library, and a free grammar school, but this last-named is now rebuilt at Redcar. I presume he was a native of Kirkleatham, and I was well pleased to rest beneath venerable trees whose shade he must have often enjoyed. Not many years since one of their companions was felled, and then rifted for firewood, in doing which the heart of the tree turned out entire, and on it, spirally written, were these two lines — " This tree long witness bear, Two true lovers did walk here." The portion of the tree with its inscription is preserved in the Turner Museum I have mentioned. The inscription is perfectly legible, and is literally as follows — " This tre lovng time witnes beare Of tow lovers that did walk heare." A poet has written on this theme, but I will only quote the first and last verses : — " Long the wintry tempests braving, Still this short inscription keep ; Still preserve this rude engraving, On thy bark imprinted deep — * This tree long time witness bear, Two true lovers did walk here.' On thy yielding bark engraving Now, in short, our tender tale ; Long, time's roughest tempest braving, Spread thy branches to the gale ; And for ages witness bear, ' Two true lovers did walk here.' " Passing on I soon reached Wilton Castle, a residence of Sir Charles Lowther, Bart. The village is within the park's boundary, and if any one wishes to see model cottages, church, and graveyard, they are there. Never did I see such appro- priate, uniform neatness. The cottages are examples of clean- liness and comfort, they make one feel how such dwellings must tend to promote a love of home and self-respect in their labourer tenants. To them with truth — would that I could say the same of all in England — may be applied the verse — " The cottage homes of England ! how cheerily they stand, Abodes of comfort and content throughout the pleasant land." The gardens of Wilton Castle are of very limited extent, which is fortunate for the gardener, Mr. Henry Reed, for as there is only one small greenhouse, he would be unable to winter the bedding-out plants required for extensive flower borders. The great charm of the place, however, is in the exten- sive walks through the wood-clothed hills ; these wide, well-kept walks are delightfully shady in summer, and, facing the south, are sheltered and enjoyable in the fine days of winter. There is a large picturesque waterfall, but the dry summer we have had prevented me seeing it in its full beauty. The Magnolia was in bloom, and the Figs ripening against the south front of the Castle, and an abundant crop of Mooipark Apricots are on a wall having the same aspect in the kitchen garden — it deserves a note that they had no protection of auy kind during either the winter or spring, though at this north-east corner of York- shire. The whole are well-ordered by Mr. Reed, and one of your Editors will say he is a man of judgment, for among his books I saw Loudon's "Encyclopaedia of Plants," Lindley's " Theory of Horticulture," and Johnson's " Cottage Gardeners' Dictionary." — G. Dendrobium MacCarthue.— This beautiful Orchid is just now in great beauty at Messrs. Teitch's, Royal Exotie Nursery, Chelsea, where there is a plant with no less than one hundred expanded flowers. THE EVERGREENS OF CALIFORNIA. Perhaps no country in the known world has been more liberally favoured with all that is grand and beautiful in vegetable life than has California. Whether we are particularly interested in the smallest plants with their gorgeous flowers, in ligneous shrubs clothed in attractive foliage, and emitting delightful fragrance, in deciduous trees with a semi-tropical aspect, or, lastly, evergreens of the most imposing and elegant forms — the Sierra Nevada range of the " Golden State" cannot be surpassed in richness. I purpose to call attention exclusively to the various mem- bers of the order Conifera;, and especially to those which I have studied in all the glory of their native haunts. In the Pine family proper, I will commence with the Finns contorta, Douglas (Twisted-branched Pine). — A medium-sized tree, rarely growing more than 50 feet in height, but forming one of the most beautiful and compact specimens I have ever seen. They are never found in the valleys, but always near the summits of the higher ranges, especially surrounding some level plateau, where the soil is damp and cool. In such situa- tions it is of moderately rapid growth, very dense in structure, bright glossy green in colour, and regularly conical in outline. It is closely allied to the P. inops (Yellow Pine) of the Atlantic coast, although far superior to the latter as an ornamental tree. Pinus Fremontiana, Endlicher (Fremont's Pine) — Is found at high elevations on the mountains, and is another of the smaller- sized trees, which will undoubtedly prove very attractive in our collections. The leaves of this species present a very curious feature, being almost entirely monophyllous — i.e., one leaf in a sheath on the younger shoots, and of a bright bluish green in colour. The branches, although not so numerous as in the preceding, are nevertheless sufficiently so to form a moderately- compact head, and when viewed in conjunction with the very attractive foliage, leave little to be desired. The cones are small, and of a greenish tinge on the surface; when open, dis- playing a few large edible seeds ; these are in great request by the Indians, and are very nutritious and agreeable to the taste. Pinus cdulis, Engelmann (Edible-fruited Pine) — Closely resembles the foregoing, the distinctive feature being in the size and shape of the cone. Young plants of this species have proved quite hardy in the Eastern States, and I trust we shall thereby secure a valuable addition to our collection. Pinus ponderosa, Douglas (Heavy-wooded Pine) — Is seen soon after commencing the ascent of the mountain range, and is one of the most numerous species until we approach the summit, when it ceases to be met with. In passing through the almost interminable forests that clothe these regions, we see many thousands of the Heavy-wooded Pine of all ages and sizes, from the handsome-shaped specimen of 8 or 10 feet in height, to the old scarred veteran towering up at least 150 feet. In the case of the latter, the rough, deeply-seamed bark presents a curious appearance. Indeed, the whole tree forcibly reminds one of a vigorous specimen of the Austrian Pine (Pinus austriacs), but much coarser in growth than the latter Bpecies. As a strictly ornamental tree, it will, therefore, never prove popular, but in our larger plantations, on rocky eminences, and for distant belts and masses, it will be available and useful. One of the largest specimens I have seen was growing in the beautiful valley of the Yo Semite, and measured 21.} feet in circumference 5 feet above the ground. I frequently met with trees from 15 to 18 feet in girth, and, in fact, the larger portion of them were at least 4 feet in diameter, with their huge bodies destitute of limbs for at least one-half their height. Pinus Jeft'reyi, Hort. (Jeffrey's Pine) — In size and appear- ance of tree presents all the characters pertaining to P. ponde- rosa. The cones, however, are very different, and herein alone exists the specific distinction. Occasionally I have noticed a chance specimen with more slender leaves, but this peculiarity is not constant. It is hardy, a rapid grower, and would make an admirable shelter. Pinus Sabiniana, Douglas (Sabine's Pine) — Belongs entirely to the Foot Hills at the base of the mountains, and in conse- quence will prove of doubtful utility with us. Indeed, I do not know of an instance where it has proven successful ; but, nevertheless it is remarkably elegant when young, present- ing one of the most charming examples of the delicate graceful type of Conifers to be met with. The foliage is about 12 inches August 4, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 81 in length, very slender, and of a peculiar light bluish green colour. All the young Bhoots are likewise tinted with a pretty glaucousnese, thus adding to its charms. The older trees do not attain a large size, and differ from other species in the form of the head, which is always branched at the summit, and spreading after the manner of many deciduous trees. Pinus Torreyana, Parry (Torrey's Pine) — Greatly resembles the foregoing in manner of growth and general appearance of foliage. If hardy, it would prove a decided acquisition here, but from its close affinity to the Sabine's Pine, and its still warmer locality, I very much doubt its utility with us in the Middle States. Pinus insir/nis, Douglas (Oregon Pitch Pine, Seal Pine, &c.) — Is found along the coast near San Francisco, and is frequently seen in cultivation in the gardens of that city. Vr'heu young the trees are remarkably dense and elegant in appearance, but the mature specimens present rather a ragged and open struc- ture. The Pinus radiata of Don is not distinot from this species. I now arrive at the grandest of all our Pines proper, Finns Lambertiana, Douglas (Sugar Pine, Lambert's Gigantic Pine, &c). — This species is even more sub-alpiao in its choice of looation than P. ponderosa, and, as a natural consequence, is entirely hardy with us. The Bight of these great trues rising in the air to the height of 150 and 200 feet, with a clean shaft of 75 or 100 feet without a limb, presents a grand spectacle. I measured a large number of specimens, varyiug from '20 to 25.J feet in circumference, and it was no uncommon Eight to see several of this size standing close together. The ground beneath was usually covered with huge cones, which weio often at least 20 inches in length. The leaves are not unlike those of the P. Strobtis (White Pine), excepting that they are more rigid, and of a darker green iu colour. Pinus monticola, Douglas (Short-leaved Weymouth Tine, Mountain Pine) — Also closely resembles our White Pine, but has a larger cone, and rather shorter leaf. It grows to a large size, and is entirely hardy in our climate. I only noticed it in localities where the preceding species was growing- Leaving the Pines, we now pass to the next genus of im- portance— the Abies or Spruce family. Soon after commencing the ascent of the mountain ranges, we find specimens of Abies Douglasii, Lindley (Douglas's Spruce), and as we rise still higher, a large portion of the forests are composed of this tree. The younger specimens are really charming ; not only on account of the rich glossy green colour of the foliage, but more particu- larly for the graceful droopiog habit of the branches. As to their size, I measured many trees whose bodies were from 15 to 18J feet in circumference. Abies amabilis, Lindley (Lovely Silver Fir) — Is justly named, for the most indifferent observer of trees could not possibly pass through the great forests of this species which clothe the summits of the Sierra Nevada without experiencing a feeling akin to awe. So dense is the verdure and so numerous the trees, that the darkness on oar path induces the belief that the dusk of evening is near at hand ; and yet, as we emerge from these vast clumps into a cleared space, where the bright sun- light glances through the foliage, the effect changes, almost like a kaleidoscope, into the most brilliant tints of blue and green. Such is the aspect of the Lovely Silver Fir. In size I may say they form no exception to the neighbouring trees, for J saw very many that were from 20 to 23J feet in circumference, and with a naked body of 100 feet in height, the foliage branching out in a dense mass at the summit. Abies nrandis, Lindley (Great Silver Fir) — I found in the same localities as the preceding, and about equal in size and number. Well does t merit its name ; and had I even the time to give you a perfect description of its surpassing beauty and grandeur, I could not do it simple justice. It differs from A. amabilis in having the leaves arranged strictly in two rows, long, and slightly incurved at the extremities. The colour is pale green, but the great height of the old trees— 200 feet and upwards — leads one to believe that the foliage is exceedingly dark. The odd-looking cones stand erect on the summit, and are rarely seen on the younger plants. The only Juniper I noticed in California was the really beau- tiful Juniperus occidcntalis, Hooker (Rocky Mountain Juniper). A specimen is found on one of the highest peaks near the Yo Semite Valley, where the bleak winds and cold storms for many years have not marred its symmetry. The silvery foliage, thickly interspersed with purplish-brown berries, presents an agreeable picture to the lover of trees. I am happy to say it succeeds well in our Eastern collections. One of the largest trees to be found in California, excepting only the Sequoia, is undoubtedly the Liboccdrus decurrens, Tor- rey (incorrectly White Cedar, in its native locality). Many of you will doubtless recognise it as the Thuja gigantea of foreign nurseries and authors, and as such introduced into our collec- tions from abroad. I found vast numbers of it on the steep mountain sides at high elevations, and especially in the vi- cinity of the Yo Semite Valley. The trees, when young, are very handsome, forcibly reminding one of a fine specimen of Arbor-Vitre, but much more glossy, and lighter in colour. The finest specimen I saw was 25! feet in circumference, and over 200 feet in height. Torus brevifolia, Nuttall (Short-leaved Tew)— Forms but a small shrub in California, although further north it assumes the proportions of a tree. In foliage, it approaches more nearly the handsome T. adpressa, of Japnu, than any other species. The brilliant scarlet fruit, scattered thickly over the plant, con- trasts charmingly with the dark glossy-green of the leaves. Torreya califurniea, Torrey (Californian Nutmeg Tree) — Is quite rare ; but I was fortunate in finding a very fine specimen on the cliffs at the foot of the Yo Semite. It is Yew-like in character, forming a medium-sized tree, with long, dark-green glossy leaves, very sharp-pointed. The fruit, as its name suggests, is not unlike a nutmeg in appearance, but totally unfit for use. I am afraid it will not prove hardy here ; but should it do so, we may anticipate much pleasure in its in- troduction. I close my descriptions with the most majestic of all onr native trees, the Sequoia gigantea, Torrey (Great Tree of Cali- fornia), and popularly called " Washingtonia " and " Welling- tonia." During my journey over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I had the pleasure of visiting the extensive group known as the Mariposa Grove, embracing the largest trees to be found. I shall not soon forget my feelings, when, after having ridden all day through forests of great Pines and Firs, I emerged suddenly into a little valley, and found myself sur- rounded by these wonderful trees. The abrupt change in character was so new, and almost incomprehensible, that I lingered among these strange forms until the quickly passing hours warned me I should once mote be obliged to resume my journey towards civilisation. The casual observer cannot at first comprehend their immensity ; but standing close by their sides, and looking steadily up into their great shaggy tops, the vastness and sublimity of their proportions almost impercep tibly steal upon the senses. — Josun Hoopes, Westchester, Pennsylvania. — {American Gardener's Honlldy ) MYATT'S FILBERT PINE STRAWBERRY. I doubt whether Mr. Creed (page 58) has the true variety. Mine, which came from Mr. Turner, instead of coming into bearing with Black PriDce, are decidedly late, as pointed out in Dr. Hogg's '• Fruit Manual," and runners, so far from being plentiful, are late and scarce. Indeed, it is probably from this latter circumstance that so high-flavoured a variety is seldom seen in cultivation. — G. S. LAWN MOWERS. I think all who have worked the Archimedean lawn mower will agree with me that " Tins," in writing about it (see page 25), rests too much on its inferiority to Green's machine. I cannot speak ill of the latter, nor do I give the Archimedean the pre- ference, but who can say a 11-inch Archimedean is hard work for two strong men ? I have one of that size here, and can testify as to the small amount of exertion required to use it ; and more, I can confidently and truthfully say that there is no other machine to approach it for ease in working. As to its cutting long grass, it does it well, and with comparatively little labour, although it is a quality not much needed, as a lawn, to look well, ought never to be allowed to grow more than a week without mowing. With regard to the machine clogging quickly, I have never found it do so, not even when the grass was very wet. What machine has cutters capable of withstanding, without being notched, contact with stones? As to a small stick, I think it would have but little effect. If the blades of the machine " Vitis " has are notched and look like a saw, his lawn must be extremely stony. I never sweep after mowing, nor is it necessary, as not a trace of cut grass is to be seen after a few hours. I agree with "Vitis" as to the Archimedean not cutting close to a flower bed, and the shorter the curve the greater the 82 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 4, 1870. objection, owing to the skids protruding so far that in going round they thrust into the bed and injure the plants, but verges I can and do cut with it. Another objection is that it does not cut quite so cloaely as I should wish; but this objection will, perhaps, be all in the machine's favour, as in a more growing season than the present the cut grass will be more readily lost to view than if it were shaven off close to the ground, which would tend to give a rusty appearance. I do not pretend to say that the Archimedean is the height of perfection, far from it ; there is room for improvement, but it is a great advance in the way of diminishing labour. We must also bear in mind that since Green's and other machines came into use great improvements have been made in them, and I have not the slightest doubt but that our American cousins will eventually make as great an improvement on the Archimedean.— E. Morgan, The Buttsy Han'ow-on-the-IIill. HORTICULTURAL CONGRESS AT OXFORD. (Continued from page 65.) The next paper read, was that of Mr. William Paul, of Waltham Cross, viz. : — ON COLOUR IN THE TREE SCENERY OF OUR GARDENS, PARKS, AND LANDSCAPES. Last year I bad the privilege of reading a paper at the Manchester Congress of this Society, " On the Improvement of Races," which subject may be said properly to belong to the " science " of gardening. To-day I have the pleasure of submitting to you my thoughts " On Colour in the Tree Scenery of our Gardens, Parks, and Landscapes," and here I find myself dealing more directly with the "art" of gar- dening. While fully recognising the progress, both in the art and science of gardening, which has taken place in my day, I yet think that in this outlying but important province, our professors have not made so free and effective a use as they might have done of the various tints of folinge which are to be found amongst trees and shrubs. Lest I should be misunderstood, permit me to state at the outset, that I hold the prevailing green with which the earth is clothed to be the best colour that could have been devised for the purpose, as blue is the most appropriate colour for the sky. But the sky, which is beyond our reach and power, is naturally subject to constant and considerable variation, and is singularly free from monotony. It is not altogether, or long together, of one colour. There are light fleecy clouds con- tinually breaking up the hemisphere of blue ; varying in substance and colour ; sometimes hanging motionless, but oftener sailing noiselessly along, more or less rapidly, and eveiy moment changing in form. Then there are the dark thunder clouds, and the golden, silvery, purple and roseate hues, which often give both life and brilliancy to the morning and evening sky. But we have the power given nnto us to vary and adorn the surface of the earth, and I would here invite public attention, and invoke the artist's aid in behalf of colour. There appears to me a monotony on the face of our English landscapes arising from one uniform and all- pervading colour — green. This monotony I would seek to remove by the introduction of trees with purple, white, and yellow leaves. With the same end in view, I would also plant more freely the transitory red, yellow, brown, and purple tints of spring and autumn, supple- menting these effects by the introduction of berry-bearing trees — trees with white, red, black, and yellow berries, and trees with white, red, and yellow bark for winter ornament. With these preliminary remarks I shall endeavour to show — 1st, that the object I seek is de- sirable ; next that it is attainable, and shall conclude with a few general remarks and brief examples in support of my views. I am free to confess that there is nothing in the whole range of Nature ■which yields me more pleasure than the contemplation of a beautiful landscape._ To stand on some elevated spot in the English or Scotch lake district, for example, and look down on a broad and varied expanse of country ; to row upon the surface of the lake, and look up- wards upon the towering masses of rock and tree ; to trace the lake shores, the lake islets and waterfalls, is, I believe, a recreation of a higher intellectual and more aesthetic order than the many who have not practised it might, at first sight, take it to be. A highly cultivated American gentleman once said to me, "Eng- land is a series of varied aud improved landscapes. Now and then in remote districts one catches a glimpse of Nature, unaided aud un- adorned, bnt generally throughout the length and breadth of the laud high art has been so skilfully applied as to effect the artist's object ■without leaving behind any traces of the artist's hand. But I miss the brilliant autumnal glow of the American forests : your landscapes lack colour." This very nearly expresses my ideas of English scenery ; the natural beauties of oar landscapes have in many cases been im- proved or developed at a sufficiently distant date, that the old and the new have become blended iu one harmonious whole, leaving no strong lines of demarcation between the work of Nature and the work of Art ; but the landscapes are generally cold and monotonous — wanting in variety and colour. If wo proceed to analyse a beautiful English landscape we shall find it composed of diversity of surface, light and shade, wood, water, rock, and many minor accessories, which may or may not be present, either singly or in combination. These I mention not to dwell upon, but to dismiss, as the recognised features of the landscape. My business at present is with tree scenery, and principally with one feature of it — colour. Our earth tints are prominently neutral, often sombre, and to correct this should, in my judgment, be a leading idea with the true artist in landscape gardening. A piece of country, however beautiful by nature ; a garden, however perfectly planned, yields more or less pleasure according to the skill and taste exercised in the planting, just as the proportions and beauty of the human form are improved or otherwise by the style of dress — trees, shrubs, and flowers constituting, iu fact, the exterior dress of the garden and the landscape. Now, it must be patent to those even who are but slightly acquainted with this subject, that the labour of our plant collectors abroad, and plant cul- tivators at home, have placed within our reach many trees with coloured leaves — purple, yellow, and white — of various shades, and I hold that these colours should be so blended with the prevailing green as to remove the monotony which at present obtains. That the effect of colour in the landscape would he generally appreciated was once brought home to me in a pecnliar manner. I was riding iu company with some friends through the park at Chatsworth, in Derbyshire. Suddenly we sighted a tree with reddish -brown leaves rising from the green sward, and surrounded at some little distance with the nsual green trees. Remote as it was, we could not at the moment make it out, but all admired it, and agreed that it was at once telling and beautiful. Led by admiration as much as by curiosity, we approached it, and discovered a dead tree retaining its reddish brown withered leaves. I think that any cultivated observer who may dwell ever so briefly on the tree scenery of Great Britain will admit that the contrasts of colour, weak and little varied as they generally are, present to him one of its most pleasing features. If, then, the slight existing variation of colour, restricted principally to the contrast between light and dark green, is admitted to be an element of beauty, may we not justly infer that we should gain something if we varied and increased the con- trasts by the use of stronger and more distinct colours? I think, then, that I may fairly assume that, on a free and full consideration of this subject, it will be generally admitted that a greater variety of colour would be au improvement in the tree scenery of our English gardens, parks, and landscapes. I have next to show that the object I seek is attainable. The ar- rangement of the colours of flowers in the flower garden has of late years been worked out with wonderful skill and effect. What were our flower gardens in this respect thirty years ago ? I remember that results predicted then were considered impossible by the many, al- though they have been accomplished, and more than accomplished, long ago. Now, as far as I am aware, no one has yet applied the same principles in the arrangement of trees and shrubs with coloured leaves. I have been told that it cannot be done. But after a long study of the question and numerous experiments, I have come to a different conclusion, which I submit with all deference to those who think otherwise. I believe that here, as in the flower garden, there only needs a beginning, and progress will be rapid and success certain. Many yearB ago I formed a collection of pictorial trees and shrubs, and planted them closely together, with the view of watching their development and eradicating those kinds which might prove undesir- able on more mature acqnai itance. This plan I vigorously pursued, and now find myself in possession of a select list, which I believe ia sufficient to carry out all that I shall advance. In addition to the ordinary or prevailing green, I find that I have five colours, or tones of colour, with which to work : — 1, Light green ; 2, Dark green ; 3, Keddish puqile ; 4, Yellow or golden ; 5, White or silvery ; and these may be combined iu a variety of ways. Dark bluish green has a good effect when placed in contrast with light yellowish green ; white with dark green ; reddish purple with light green ; reddish pnrple with yellow ; yellow with dark green. And these contrasts by uo means exhaust our resources. I merely quote them from among a number of experiments which I have actually tried and found agreeable to my taste. I have, indeed, no intention here of laying down any precise or definite rules for the application of these principles ; I aim at no more than to show that the materials in colour exist, leaving their combination to be dealt with by the ingenuity and industry of a cnltivated taste. It would be chimerical to suppose, unfair to expect, that any person taking this subject in hand without previous study, or without the fullest acquaintance with the materials which exist — some of them newly introduced — would at once realise any great measure of success. To such an individual the scheme would probably appear utopian. He might, by a momentary effort, call up in his mind the short list of old and familiar trees with purple, white, aud yellow leaves, — the purple Beech, the white Poplar, the variegated Turkey Oak, and some few others still among the most valuable, but so few in number that he would dismiss the subject as impracticable. But unless familiar with the black and yellow Oaks, the yellow Elm, Acacia, and Alder, the white-leaved Acer Negundo, and the many beautiful Maples recently introduced from Japan — the host of richly variegated trees only now becoming plentiful, — in a word, unless familiarly acquainted with the latest introductions of this kind, he would, I submit, be drawing hiB conclusions from incomplete in- formation. In order to bring my views to a practical test, I have here a diagram, August 4, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 83 'in which I have merely sought to obtain the identical colours existing among trees and shrubs, and must refer you to the specimens exhibited to show that these colours really exist. This diagram, hastily exe- cuted, will perhaps also give some idea of the effect of the arrange- ment of the colours which we possess. The light green here is sup- posed to represent the Larch, the dart green the Yew, the reddish purple the purple Beech, the yellow the golden Oak, and the white variegated Acer Negnudo. Th re is also introduced here the ordinary green of Nature, which may fairly be taken as the groundwork of our operations. Now, I am well aware, ami would not ignore the fact, that the colours of the leaves of trees are influenced in some degree by cul- tivation and soil, but this does not affect our argument, as in the majority of cases they still bear the same relation to each other. I have now to offer a few general remarks, with brief examples in support of the views which I have advanced. Let us remember that we are working with pictorial trees for pictorial effect. We may have spring pictures, summer pictures, autumn pictures, and permanent pictures. Summer and permanent pictures are the most valuable because of their greater durability. Specimens of these are before you, and a list of their names will be given at the end of this paper. The materials for spring and autumn pictures can onlv be shown in spring and autumn. The varying tints of the uufolding leaves of some trees in spring, and the glowing colours of the leaves of other trees in autumn, must be familiar to all observers, and these trees are beautiful in their seasons, whether regarded individually or in com- bination. But they are transitory. The varied and telling colours of spring, ordinarily, quickly Bubsnle into the universal green ; and the bright leaves of autumn fall speedily before the frost and gales of that season. Yet both are desirable. The warm red and yellow tints of the unfolding leaves are peculiarly cheering in the cold days of early spring, and should be introduced freely when planting. The splendour of the American forests in autumn is a theme on which many travellers have loved to dwell, and leaves from these forests may be seen in that admirable institution, the South Kensington Museum. The trees we have long bad under cultivation, and they are not only available but capable of being wrought up with magnificent effect in this country. Among the most effective of spring trees the Corstorphine Plane (Acer Psendo-Platanns flavo-variegatum), yellow; the Acer colchicnm ru- forum (red) ; the purple Horse Chestnut (JEscuIub Hippocaatanum pnrpurenm), purple ; and the Silver Poplar (Populus argentea), white, may be instanced. The shades of green at this season are also in- numerable, although for the most part gradually subsiding into one nearly uniform tint. The brightest among the leaves of autumn are, perhaps, the Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea), the Liquidambar (L. sty- •raciflna),the Stag's-horn Sumach (Rhus typhina), theOstrya virgiuica, and several varieties of Cherries, Pears, and Maples ; these usually die-off bright red. Of yellow shades may be instanced the Lombardy ■and Ontario Poplars (P. fastigiata and P. candicana), the Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), the Horse Chestnut {JE. Hippocastannm), the Salisburia adiantifolia, the Lime (Tilia europaea), the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipiferum), the White Mulberry (Morns alba), the ijleditschia triacanthos, the Magnolia tripetala, the Juglana amara, the Acer Negundo, the Kolreuteria paniculata, the Birch (Betula alba), and certain varieties of Cherries, Pears, Thorns, and Maples. As examples of planting for pictorial effect, nothing can be more beautiful in the flower garden than pillars or columns of Ivy, provided that they be appropriately placed. Here we have dark green, light green, green blotched with gold, and green edged with silver, all cal- culated to form permanent pictures. Standard and pyramidal golden Yews and golden Hollies also form beautiful permanent pictures in the garden. All permanent pictures are of course also winter pictures, i>ut the common Beech (Fagus sylvatica) deserves special notice ; it holds its reddish brown leaves throughout the winter, and this colour stands in warm and beautiful contrast with the Pines and other ever- greens at that season. The white bark of the Birch, the white, purple, and yellow bark of certain species of Willows, the red and vellow terries of the Holly, and the yellow and black berries of the Privet, are also invaluable for winter" decoration. I have often admired the effect of three large trees placed in juxtaposition in a garden in my neighbourhood, whether by accident or design I have no means of ascertaining. Near the bend of a river is a Weeping Willow, the pale green drooping branches appearing in the distance almost to sweep over the stream. Behind rises a mass of the dark feathery Yew, the plum&s of foliage waving in beautiful contrast of motion, form, and colour. Still farther behind there appear in spring rigid masses of Apple blossom, the snow-white crimson-tinted flowers blending in beautiful contrast with the dark and pale green of the Yew and Willow. Here we have the evergreen and deciduous forms in combina- tion, but they are most effective as a spring or summer picture. Of all the errors to be avoided in the association of colours, I would caution the planter against an arrangement that should present a 'spotty" appearance. Broken lines, or irregular shapes of colour, appear to me more desirable in forming plantations or belts than figures with a more easily definable outline. On the face of belts or woodg, three or five plants of a kind may be planted in a group, the outline being so broken that there are bavs or promontories. In parks and gardens, single trees or groups of trees, each group of a distinct colour or shade of colour, would seem most appropriate. In working •out these ideas we must never lose sight of harmony, reniembericg, however, that there are harmonies of contrast as well as of analogy. There is another point which should on no account be lost Bight of. There are some trees the effect of which is beautiful close to the eye, but which lose their distinctive character in the distance. Such are more appropriate to the garden, where brought in close contact with the eye, than in the distant landscape. But there are others which lose little or nothing from a distant view, and these facts must be taken into account and acted on when planting. As a rule, trees with variegated leaves are best placed near to the eye, and those of one uniform tint are most effective in the distance. I have already insti- tuted a comparison between the colours of flowers and the colours of leaves, but there is an important difference iu them, which I must not omit to mention. The colours of flowers are often so bright and pro- nounced, that certain of them cannot be judiciously brought into close contact; they require an intervening mass or line of Borne intermediate or neutral colour to render the effect agreeable and satisfactory. Not so, however, with the colours of trees : they are so subdued in tone that the association of the strongest colours does not produce violent contrasts. Again, for this very reason the colours of leaves being less bright than those of flowers, it becomes necessary here to accomplish by breadth of colour that which, with flowers, is effected by brilliancy of tone. Thus it follows that great breadths of scenery may be dealt with most effectively. It is, indeed, a mere question of outlay, and nothing more, whether variety of colour shall or shall not be extended from the garden to the outer pleasure ground and shrubberies, the hills of plantations, the outskirts of woods and forests, and the most distant mountains and plains. A. — Summer Pictures. 1. Light Green. Larix europaea. Taxodium distichum. Gleditschia triaoanthos. Julians laoiniata* Acer Neguudo. 2. Dark Green. Tilia europEea. Catalpa syrini.':pf"lia. Robinia Pseud-Acacia. Platanua occidentals. Fraxinus criapa. „ monophylla. Alnua glutinoba. Cytiaus Laburnum. Pyrud Aucupariu. yEaculns Hippocastanum. Betula nigra. Fatras sylvatica. Ulmus, various kind.3. Quercua Cerris. 3. Jie/hiish Purple. Fagua Bylvatica purpurea. Corylns Avellana purpurea. Ulmua eampentris fol. purp. Quercua pedunculata purpurea. Acer Pseudo- Platunus fol. purp. Quercua nigra. Acer japonicum atropurpureum. .berberis vulgaris fol. purp. 4. Yelloic or Golden. Quercua Ccrria variegata. ,. Robur var. Concordia Fraxinua aueubsfolia, Castanea vesca variegata. Sambucus nigra nareo-variegata. Symphoricarpos vulg. fol. aureia Spmt-a opuliiolia lutea. Robinia Paeud-Acaeia auxea. 5. White or Silvery. Populua argentea. Pyrua salicifolia. Acer Negundw variega'.am. salix argyrea. Tilia argentea. Shepherdia argentea. Pyrua vtrstita. HippophUe rhaninoides. B. — Permanent Pictures. 1. Light Cr:en. Pinna pyrenaica. Ilex balearica. Cedrus Deodara {the green variety). Jnniperua thurifcra. Abies orientalis „ virginiana. „ rubra. H cniuenaia. 2. Bark Green, Finns insignia-. Quer«ua Ilex. „ austriaca. Ceraaua lusitanica. Pieea Nordinanniana. Phillyrea. Araucaria imbricata. Garrya elliptica. Cupreasua Lambeniana. Hollies and Yews, various. 3. Purple. There are no suitable purple evergresns, consequently this colour is restricted to summer pictures. 4. Telloio or Golden, Abies excelsa finedonenais. Thuja elegantiSBima. Cupreaaus thyoid^s variegata. Taxus baccata anrea. Hex Aquifolium aurea. Euonymus japonica flavescenff* Thuja aurea. Retinospora pisifera aurea. 5. White or Silvery. Cedrus^ Deodara (the glaucous Abiea alba clauca. Ilex Aquifolium argentea. Juniperua virginiana glauca. Rhainnus Alaternus fol. argenteis variety). Pinus excelsa. „ monticola. H nivea. — "W. Paul, Paul's Nurseries, Waltham Cross. Mr. Barron, of Barrowash, remarked that all delight to see a pictorial landscape if the picture is a pleasing one, but unfortunately this had not been so prominently brought forward in practice as it should be. If we considered the varied acquisitions which had come into our possession through recent introductions, every pigment necessary to form the finest landscape would be found. We had within reach a great variety of trees both for pictorial effect and for profit, and he was glad to see that arboriculture had engaged special attention. It was a subject that should occupy the attention of all. Mr. D. T. Fish complained that the ruin of our landscapes had 84 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 4, 1870. been the mixed system of planting, sufficient attention not having been paid to distinctness of colour. He did not advocate the intro- duction of so much green into our gardens. JUDGING FRUITS. Dr. Hogg, after a few preliminary observations, said — ■ Though the judging of fruit has on various occasions occupied the attention of those interested in the subject, and has from time to time been discussed in the public prints by those most competent to deal with it, I am not aware that any common understanding as to the bases on which fruit-judging should rest has yet been arrived at. Not- withstanding this want of a written law on the subject, the practice of judging fruit is followed with results which, though not always agree- able to unsuccessful competitors, are, upon the whole, generally ac- cepted and acceptable. It is not my intention to submit anything to this meeting which can be regarded in any light as a solution of the question, Upon what principles ought fruit to be judged ? This I will leave to be dealt with by those of my audience who are sufficiently versed in the subject, and who feel themselves competent to do so. All that I shall do is to state the motives which actuate me in coming to the conclusion I do when I am acting the part of a fruit judge, leaving others to set up any other code they may think better and more in accordance with their own views. And first, let me remark that, in judging fruit at exhibitions, I think we ought to do so npou different grounds to what we would judge it at our own tables. We must bear in mind that exhibition fruit is exceptional, and is produced by the greatest effort of the hor- ticultural eliill of the exhibitor. It generally receives an amount of attention which he cannot afford to bestow on a general crop, provided his establishment is an extensive one; and we ought, therefore, to regard the exhibition fruit of a gardening establishment very much as we would the exhibition ox — as the exceptional animal on the farm. In judging fruit, therefore, we must first look to those points which exhibit the greatest amount of horticultural skill, and the first of these are size and symmetry. In judging size and symmetry we must deal with each variety on its own merits. It would not be fair, for instance, to judge on tile same grounds a bunch of Buckland Sweetwater Grape and one of White Muscat of Alexandria. That of Buckland Sweetwater may be much larger than, and equally as handsome as, that of Muscat of Alex- andria, and both may he in every point what gardeners call " well finished ;" but the skill required in producing such a bunch of Muscat of Alexandria being much greater than what is required to grow the Buckland Sweetwater, and the Muscat of Alexandria being a much superior fruit, I would give the preference to the latter, although inferior in size to the former. The same may be said of Black Ham- burgh and Black Prince shown in the same class, though not on the ground that Black Hamburgh requires greater skill in the production of it, but because it is a superior fruit. It matters not what description of fruit we may be judging; be it Grapes, Pines, Peaches, or any other fruit, size and symmetry are the features which first attract our attention, and therefore to size and symmetry, but not to size apart from symmetry, I attach, perhaps, the greatest importance when other points are not greatly deficient. The next important feature is colour, requiring mu,ch skill in the development of it. This is by some regarded as of even greater im- portance than size and symmetry. I am rather inclined to give colour second place, except when it is unusually fine, and the difference of size and symmetry between the competing fruit is not great. In such a case I would certainly give the preference to colour, for I conceive that in such circumstances there is a greater exhibition of horticultural skill in producing the highly-coloured fruit than in producing the larger, because it betokens attention to the mainten- ance of the just equilibrium between the action of the roots and that of the leaves, and a knowledge as to the crop the plant is' capable of producing, without which I conceive no fruit can be well and perfectly coloured. One may feed and force a plant so as to in- duce it to produce large and showy fruit, but unless the treatment is so regulated as to preserve the just equilibrium between the root which serves as the mouth and the leaves wbich perform the functions of digestive organs, there is no guarantee either for high colour or perfect flavour, which generally go together. Still I say when fruit has not an objectionably bad colour, and is not deficient in flavour, but has size and symmetry much in advance of another which possesses higher colour and better flavour, but is much inferior in size and symmetry, I would certainly give the award in favour of the larger fruit. The next point on which I have to touch is flavour ; and here I know there is a great diversity of opinion. Some hold that the begin- ning and the end of all fruit culture is flavour ; no matter how large or how small, or however badly coloured the fruit may be, if flavour is obtained the grower has got all he has ever striven for. Now that is very well when fruit is grown merely for private use ; and so long as the palate is satisfied there is no other desire to be gratified ; but we are now discussing the merits of exhibition fruit, into which the whole energy of the cultivator is thrown to develope, not one, but every feature of his production, and the greatest display of cultural skill is to succeed in gratifying the mind as much through the eye as through the palate. It is not to be supposed that I depreciate flavour. On the contrary, I consider it an important point in making awards to exhibition fruit ; but I think it ought only to come in when the com- petition is otherwise so close that another point is required to torn the scale. There is only one exception I would make on the question of flavour, and that is iu judging Melons, which, if they have not flavour, have nothing whatever to recommend them. They may be Vegetable Mar- rows, or Pumpkins, or any other vegetable production, if flavour is absent ; and I think experience will testify that if the flavour of a Melon is even but indifferent, then the fruit is not worth eating, and hence 1 think all Melons onght to be cut, and judged by flavour only. Ix the report of the Rev. S. Reynolds Hole's paper on the Rose, at page 65, he is made to say, " The best stock for the Rose was the Manetti." His remarks were these : — t( What is the best stock for the Rose ? If you purpose to exhibit, grow it upon the Briar, and show it the year after bndding. If you desire a beautiful Rose garden, and do not care to exhibit, grow a large proportion of your Rose trees on their own roots. These are prettier, because more natural in form- more abundant in flowers, more enduring, and therefore more econo- mical. Some Roses attain their foil perfection on th<= Manetti stock, and all do well on it in our lighter soils/" ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. August 3rd. It was probably owing to the groat heat which has prevailed for tho last month that the subjects for which prizes were offered on this occasion were but poorly represented, both in respect to number, and as regards the variegated Pelargoniums, for tho most part, in quality also. Tho flowering specimens of the Nosegay and double-flowered varieties were on the whole much better, although some of the former had suf- fered greatly from the heat. The subjects brought before the Floral Committee constituted the great attraction of the day, and the Council room, where they were exhibited, presented an unusually gay appear- ance for the end of the London season. In Class 1, for the best Golden-variegated Zonal (Tricolor) Pelar- gonium, Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son were first with the Rev. K. R. Benyou, the plants very well grown and finely coloured. The second prize went to Mr. Mann, Brentwood, for Gold Crown with a dark zone flushed with bright rose. The third prize was taken by Mr. Stevens with small plants of Ealing Rival. Class 2 was for one Silver-variegated Zonal (Tricolor) Pelargonium. The first prize went to Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son for well- grown plants of Lass o' Gowrie ; the second to Mr. Turner, for Mrs. Rousby ; and the third to Mr. C. Edmonds, Hayes Nursery, for Hayes Rival. Mr. Mann exhibited Leader ; Mr. Turner Miss Pond and Princess of Wales. Iu Class 3, one Gold and Bronze (Bicolor) Zonal, Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing were first with Impcratrice Eugenie, one of their high- coloured kinds. Mr. Cannell, of Woolwich, was second with Annie Keeler. In Class 5, one Silver edged Pelargonium, Mr. Turner, who was the only exhibitor, wis first with May Queen ; and in Class 6, one Ivy- leaved Pelargonium, Mr. Turner was also first with Compactum, a neat-growing white variegated kind. Class 7 was for one Nosegay Pelargonium in flower. The first prize was taken by Mr. G. Smith, Tolliugtou Nursery, with Mr. Gladstone. Mr. Cannell was second with Master Christine, awarded a first-class certificate on June 8th, the plants being the same as those exhibited on that occasion, and still in good bloom. No third prize was given. In Class 8, for one Zonal Pelargonium in flower, Mr. Mann was first with Lord Derby, and Mr. George, gardener to Miss Nicholson, second with Annihilator. The best double-flowered Pelargoniums shown in Class 9 were Marie Lemoine from Messrs. Downie & Co., and Madame Lemoine from Mr. Mann. These were good specimens. Fruit Committee. — G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair. Prizes were offered at this meeting for the best dish of early Plums. Mr. Douglas, of Loxford Hall, Ilford, sent Early Green Gage ; Mr. Beasley, of Ecton Hall, sent Early Orleans ; Mr. Roberts, of Holwood, Beckenham, sent Early Prolific; Mr. Gilbert, of Burghley, sent Early Violet, and Myrobalan ; and Mr. Porter, Syon Lodge, Isle- worth, sent Early Morocco, and Early Orleans. Mr. Douglas was awarded the first prize ; and the second fell to Mr. Porter. Dishes of McLaughlin, a large form of Green Gage, Woolston Black Gage, and Perdrigon Violet H;Uif, were sent from the Society's garden at Chiswick, all of which elicited the approval of the Committee. Mr. Gilbert, of the gardens, Burghley, sent a dish of Brown Turkey, re- markably well grown, bat deficient in flavour. Mr. Gilbert also sent flue fruit of Noblesse Peach, which was of excellent flavour, and of Moorpark Apricot, also highly flavoured. Mr. Dodds, gardener to Sir G. Smyth, Ashton Court, Bristol, sent a seedling Nectarine, which is said to be fourteen days later than Elrnge. The Committee were of opinion that the fruit bore a strong resem- blance to Violette Hative ; but in the absence of a knowledge of the flowers and leaves, the identity could not be settled. Mr. J. McLaren, of Ash, Surrey, sent a dish of fruit of his Prolific Raspberry, which re- ceived a first-class certificate last year, and which was this year com- mended on account of its flavour. Mr. Stowe, of Farnborough, sent August 4, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE OAUDENER. 85 branches of Black Naples Currants, laden with frnit, and a dish of the bunches. The Committee awarded a special certificate for supe- rior cultivation. Mr. A. Henderson, of Thoresby Gardens, Notts, Bent a Melon called Calder's Hybrid Netted Green-nYsh, which was a large handsome fruit, bnt deficient in flavour. Mr. Meake3, gardener to R. Fowler, Esq., Petersham, Surrey, sent two fruit of Golden Perfection, of good, but not superior flavour. Mr. Sidney Ford, of the gardens, Leonardslee, Horsham, sent a frnit of Golden Perfection Melon, excellent in flavour. MeBsrs. Minier, Nash, it Nash, seedsmen of the Strand, sent two dishes of the large Late White Tripoli Onion, and also of the large Red Italian Tripoli, all of which were grown in this country. The exhibition was so meritorious that a special certificate was awarded to them. Messrs. J. Carter ft Co., of Holborn, sent samples of their Covent Garden Garnishing Parsley, with a splendidly curled leaf. This was much admired, and received a first-class certificate. Messrs. Carter also exhibited a long green-striped Cluster Vegetable Marrow. The habit of the plant is that of a bush, like that of the Bush Custard Marrow, and produces one fruit in the axil of the branches just over the stock. Mr. Gilbert, of the gardens, Burghley, sent samples of the following Potatoes, remarkably well grown — Coldstream Early, Myall's Prolific, Early Shaw, Milky White, King of Potatoes, and Silver Skin. Mr. Eckford, of Coleshill Gardens, sent samples of Potatoes to show that supertuberatiou is the result of dry weather. Mr. Porter, gar- dener to E. Benham, Esq.. Syon Lodge, Isleworth, sent a tray of vegetables. The same gentleman also sent a collection of five sorts of Potatoes. Messrs. Lane ft Son, of Berkhampstead, exhibited a collection of frnit grown in pots, to which a special certificate was awarded. Floral Committee. — Mr. J. Fraser in the chair. From Messrs. E. G. Henderson it Son, St. John's Wood, came a basketful of Tri- color Pelargonium Rev. E. R. Benyon, a free-growing variety with finely coloured dark crimson zones flamed with bright crimson ; Hydrangea japonica speciosa, with the leaves having a creamy white patch extending from near the apex to the leafstalk, and in the speci- men shown from 1 to 11 inch wide; the flower-heads have a bluish tinge. This is a very ornamental plant, and its merit was marked by a first-class certificate. The same firm also sent Phlox decnssata elegans argentea, with the leaves largely variegated with pale yellow, an ornamental variegated plant which may prove useful in borders ; and a group of dwarf Antirrhinums from G to i) inches high, and of different varieties. These received a special certificate. From Messrs. Veitch it Sons came a large and fine group of plants, consisting of various elegant Palms, a handsome specimen of Croton Veitchii, Dracaena Chelsoni with leaves very beautifully coloured, D. Guilfoylei, Oncidiums, Cypripedium Veitchii with seven fine flow- ers, Croton maximum and Croton undulatum, the latter with its dark- coloured leaves richly spotted and blotched with crimson and rose ; Zamia Lehmanni, a very handsome specimen — for this a special cer- tificate was awarded ; Maranta chimboracensis and Walhsii ; and a Sciadophyllum from New Caledonia, with large shining leaves with obovate leaflets. Besides these, Dendrobium Bensonii, Cattleya Ack- landia?, and Saccolabium Blnmei majus were each represented by good specimens ; and a special certificate was given to Renanthera Lowii, which is rarely seen flowering on so dwarf a specimen, but which had, nevertheless, a fine spike of its rich-coloured red and yellow flowers. A first-class certificate was given to Bowenia spectabilis, a Cycad with very handsome, shining, clear dark green foliage. A special certificate was given Messrs. Veitch for the whole collection. Mr. Bull sent Croton maculatum, with the leaves irregularly marked with rich pale yellow, which was in a much larger patch on the young leaves ; several Palms ; Cycas Broughtoni, a handsome species ; Syn- gonium Seemanni, with dark green foliage beautifully variegated with silvery markings along the midribs and principal veins of the leaves; Adiantum Seemanni, Dieffenbachia Wallisii. Macrozaniia magnifica, and Lilinm auratnm Brilliant, finely dotted with purple. First-class certificates were awarded to Cycas Broughtoni and Macrozamia mag- nifica. Mr. J. Stevens, 4, Ealing Terrace, Ealing, contributed a splendid collection of Balsams, beautifully grown, and with flowers which for size were more like small Camellias than Balsams. The colours were chiefly scarlet and flesh, the mottled kinds were also very fine. For these a well-deserved special certificate was awarded. Mr. Windsor, gardener to J. R. Ravenhill, Esq., Leytonstone, sent a number of hybrid Nosegay Pelargoniums of various shades of scarlet, and all producing large trasses; and Mr. George Bent a similar collection, including several varieties with fine trusses. From Mr. William Thompson, of Ipswich, came CEnothera or Godetia Whitneyi, a hardy Californian annual with flowers 2j inches across, lilac rose, with a red blotch in each petal, the plant apparently of compact habit. For this a first-class certificate was given. Mr. Ford, Leonardslee, Horsham, sent Lady of the Lake white-edged Pelar- gonium, with a broad white edge, and Golden Pink, a yellow-edged kind. Messrs. Carter & Co. received a special certificate for three baskets of cut blooms of double-flowered Pelargoniums neatly set up. Mr. Cannell, Woolwich, sent cut trusses of various Zonal Pelargoniums. From G. F. Wilson, Esq., Weybridge Heath, came a pot of Lilium speciosum atropurpureum, a beautiful deep-coloured variety, and which will soon be covered with a profusion of bloom. The Bame gentleman also sent a cut flower-stem of Lilium tigrinum flore-pleno, a very fine variety of Tiger Lily with four rows of petals, also Lilium Leichtlinii with spotted pale yellow flowers. Mr. Turner, of Slough, exhibited an extremely beautiful variety of Lilium auratum dotted with deep purple, and the same colour shading into the golden bands. For this lovely variety a first-class certificate was given. Messrs. Downie, Laird, and. Laing contributed a collection of Phloxes in very fine bloom, La Candeur, Mr. Charles Turner, and Gt-ant des Batailles being especially remarkable. Messrs. Downie & Co., also sent Monsieur Guldenschych, salmon rose with a purple eye. Messrs. Barron & Son, of Elvaston Nurseries, exhibited scarlet Zonal Pelargonium Maguificum, a large-trussed and large-flowered variety, which, from the abundance of buds, appears to be a variety that will flower in long succession. Messrs. Cntbush & Son, of High- gate, received a special certificate for excellently grown Cockscombs. Messrs. Standish ft Co. sent a fine stand of Gladiolus, and Messrs. Carter it Co. had a special certificate for a large collection of the same flower. A special certificate was awarded to Mr. Stevens, Reigate, for two pots of Disa grandiflora, which were very fine speci- mens of culture. Mr. Green, gardener to W. Wilson Saunders, Esq., sent Agave auricantha, a handsome plant ; a new Orchid from Natal, with the small lanceolate leaves barred across with black spots, and the bracts of the lilac flowers similarly marked ; and Achimenes argyrostigma, with very small white flowers. Mr. G. Thomson, Stan- Btead Park Gardens, Emsworth, was awarded a first-class certificate for a seedling Lilium, a hybrid between L. auratum and L. speciosum; the flowers bear most resemblance to those of speciosum in form, and are white without golden bands, and spotted with purple. This was named Parity, and received a first-class certificate, which it well deserved, being very beautiful. Mr. Cattell, Westerham, again exhibited Tropsolum Minnie Warren, and Mr. Cripps, Tunbridge Wells, two stands of cnt blooms of his fine Clematis Crippsii. from the open air. Mr. C. J. Perry. Castle Brom- wich, was awarded a special certificate for a stand of seedling Ver- benas. From the Society's Gardens at Chiswick came six seedling fimbriated Petunias and Pteris serrulata major cristata, a handsome crested form, which received a first-class certificate. Mr. W. Dodds, gardener to Sir G. Smyth, Bower Ashtou, Bristol, sent Heliotrope Misa Dodds, which is stated to be a very free bloomer and of good habit, but neither that nor seedling Pelargonium Miss Upton, a free- blooming pink kind, was in proper condition to judge of. Messrs. Carter ft Co. contributed cut flowers of Sunflowers, very large and perfectly double. Mr. Porter, gardener to E. Benham," Esq., Isle- worth, exhibited cut flowers of seedling Tropreolurns, Pentstemons, Zinnias, and Hollyhocks. A first-class certificate was given to G. F. Wilson, Esq., for his doable Tiger Lily above noticed, and second-class certificates to Mr. Keynes for Dahlia Incomparable and Flora Hyatt. Special certifi- cates were awarded to Messrs. Downie & Co., for Phloxes ; to Messrs. Carter & Co. for a fine collection of Gladioluses ; and to Mr. C. J. Perry, of Castle Bromwich, for seedling Verbenas. General Meeting.— G. F. Wilson, Esq.. F.R.S., in the chair. After the usual preliminary business the Rev. M. J. Berkeley com- mented on the most remarkable plants exhibited. The first which occupied attention was Renanthera Lowii, shown by Messrs. Veitch under the name of Vanda Lowii, which was that given it by Dr. Lindley, and Mr. Berkeley read the following account of the plant given by Mr. Bateman in the " Botanical Magazine " for 1854 : — " A more remarkable plant is not to be found among the vast and varied tribe to which it belongs. While in etateliness of habit and in the length of its flower-spikes it stands quite unrivalled among the Orchids of the Eastern world, its greatest peculiarity is to be found in the constant occurrence of two entirely distinct forms of flower on the same spike. This extraordinary circumstance was first observed by Professor Reif.henbach, who satisfied himself, after a careful examination of fresh specimens furnished from M. Reichenheim's garden, that the strange phenomena had nothing to do with the separate production of male or female blossoms, since the organs in either form were equally perfect. In the present case nothing can be set down to caprice, for that singular pair of tawny flowers is found at the base of every spike. " This wonderful Orchid is a native of Borneo, whence it was originally sent to the late Mr. Low, of the Clapton Nursery, by his son (Colonial Treasurer at Labuan), in whose honour the species was named by Dr. Lindley. It has also been imported by Messrs. Veitch, in whose nursery, at Chelsea, I first had the pleasure of seeing the plant in bloom. It was not, however, uotil the autumn of the year 1862, when the species flowered in Mr. Rucker's collection, that any adequate idea could be formed of its beauty. A full account was published in the Gardener*' Chronicle at that time, which would apply equally to Mr. Rucker's plant, as it might have been seen in September last, when it again burst into flower, and, if possible, in greater beauty and profusion than before. " I gather from a memorandum received from Mr. Piicher, Mr. Rucker's gardener, that the Wandsworth plant is already 9 feet high, and that it produced six spikes, each bearing from forty to fifty flowers, which lasted in perfection for a month. The spikes attained to such an extraordinary length that they had to be supported on props, and thus formed graceful fe3toons, under which a person might walk ! The plant requires the heat of the East Indian house, and grows so freely that it seems almost to chafe at the comparatively narrow scope which the low roofs of modern Orchid-houses afford it. "Dr. Lindley, who had only seen the specimens originally sent from Borneo, referred our plant to Vanda ; but Reichenbach, who more recently had the advantage of examining living flowers, is decidedly of opinion that it falls more properly under the genus Renanthera ; and as in this case I 86 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 4, 1870. quite concur in the view of the German Professor, I have not hesitated to substitute the name of Renanthera for that of Vanda Lowii." It was, remarked Mr. Berkeley, a singular fact that the two tawny flowers are strongly scented, while all the others are scentlesB. The Godetia, shown by Mr. Thompson, of Ipswich, the hybrid Lilium Purity, and the unnamed Natal Orchid from Mr. Wilson Saunders's garden, were next referred to in highly commendatory terms, and Mr. Berkeley pointed out that the bracts of the last-named are striated exactly like the leaves. Mr. Berkeley concluded by pointing out to the meeting a curious specimen from the garden of Mrs. Lloyd Wynne, of Coed Coch, in which the pigmy Abies clanbrasiliana was 6een to be reverting to the common Spruce, thus affording a proof that the opposition that it was a sport of that tree is correct. The next meeting, in conjunction with the Gladiolus Show, will be held on the 17th inst. DIFFERENT ROSES ON THE SAME STOCK. I have seven varieties all doing well on the 6ame stock — viz., Gloire de Dijon, Paul Perras, Sir Joseph Paxton, Prince Im- perial, Caroline de Sansal, Charles Lawson, and MadameCharles Crapelet. These are all budded on a Rose of the Multiflora family, white or blush, and are growing on a west wall in front of my cottage. Your readers will remember the coldness of the weather in April and May, 18C9, yet I cut beautiful Roses from this tree on May 15th, and again on December 25th. All the varieties are thriving, and they had an admirable effect last June when the various coloured flowers were out together. I may add that I had on the same stock General Jacqueminot and a Perpetual Moss, but accidents happened to them, and they were pulled off. — C., Ireland. EDIBLE-FRUITED RIBES. The enclosed fiuit, which is of American origin, I have not before observed. It is said to be a hybrid between a Goose- berry and some sort of Currant ; when ripe it is a pleasant sub- acidfruit, is very good for cooking and preserving, and has the great meiit of always bearing a heavy crop, even when Currants and (jooseberries fail in the garden in which it grows. — W. D. Fox. [This is one of the many interesting species of Ribes found in North America, we think Bibes oxyscanthoides, although we cannot determine exactly with the fruit only. The fruit, as stated, is not unlike a small Gooseberry, and not UDpleasant to eat.— Eds.] GLASS WALLS. Every extension of the use of glass has marked an improve- ment in the science and practice of gardening. The more glass used in the roof or sides of a house the greater the yield, the richer the reward. Gardening lingered long under the shadows of semi-opaque roofs of inferior and dear glass. The emtmcipa- tion of glass from fiscal burdens marked a new and much higher epoch in cultivation. Within the last thirty years horticulture has advanced more than in three hundred years previously. The chief reasons of this rapid progress are the cheapness and plentifulness of glass. The improvement in quality has kept pace with the increase in quantity, until now good glass, but a few years ago the luxury of the few, has become a necessity to the many. Neither have we reached the limits of its use. The plentifulnesB of glass has stimulated invention. We are not using enormous quantities of glass for old purposes, but almost daily applying it to new uses. We are roofing our houses and draining our land with glass tiles ; applying portable glass to wood and earthenware for the formation of miniature hothouses on the ground or the surface of our walls ; covering the faoes of these walls with glass screens, moveable or otherwise ; and last, but by no means least, building the walls themselves with glass. This promises most important issues for horticulture, and will be a substantial boon to every one who grows fruit or flowers against walls. Bank any plant up against an ordinary wall, and you weaken it in two ways : You deprive it of motion, and yon rob it of light The last is by far the more serious injury. Doubtless the vibration of plants in the open air is a strengthening process of more or less power, bnt the shutting-out of light is a much more seiious and potent cause of weakness than the fixing of plants Bgainst walls, for light not only enables plants to assi- milate their food, but to build it up into structure or produce ; it at one and the same time transforms, extends, aid consoli- dates. By so much as you lessen the supply of light yon weaken their assimilating and growing force. It therefore follows that plants on walls will as a rule be much weaker than those not on walls ; and this weakness, born of semi-darkness, renders them liable to diseases, and exposes them to premature death. If, however, by any means plants against walls can be exposed to almost as much light as those in the open air, they will probably become nearly as robust and long-lived. Now, by the use of glass for walls each side of the tree, and both sides of the wall, will be more or less fully exposed to the light. Transparent walls will banish the chilling coldness of northern aspects from our gardens. The sun, that hitherto wasted its strength upon dead bricks, will from henceforth be employed in the nourishment of living trees. Experiments have shown that the north side of glass walls is only a few degrees colder than the south side, and there will be but little difference in the intensity of the light upon the two sides. Were the glass perfectly transparent the difference in either light or heat on the two sides would hardly be perceptible ; for though glass bendB the rays of light or heat passing through it out of their straight course, it ecarcely perceptibly hinders them. But the glass employed in the construction of these walls is rough plate weighing about 2 lbs. to the foot, and there- fore not quite transparent : hence it arrests and retains a certain proportion of the heat, and radiates the remainder back into the air and down upon the ground. There may be some drawbacks incident to the very active radiation of glass walls. Probably they may cool at night faster than opaque walls, but this activity is not an unmixed evil. During hot weather the surface of glass will be cooler than any other wall. The heat that rebounds from this is not lost ; much of it goes to warm the ground and the roots of the trees ; and it seems probable that in practice it will be found the borders at the foot of glass walls will bave a superior mean temperature to those at the bottom of any kind of opaque walls. This reserve of heat stored in the earth during the day, will be slowly given out at night to the protection of the t;ees on the walls. The comparative coolness of glass walls during bright sun- shine is also a great cultural advantage. Heterodoxical as it may appear, I am prepared to affirm that we lose more wall trees through an excess of heat than of cold. The sun scorches tbem on the surface of the bricks or stones with a dry heat of 100°, 120°, or 130° ; they succumb, and then we mostly blame the preceding winter. The accumulated force of the sun and the bricks together in nine cases out of ten kills or ruins the trees that die suddenly or become the victims of fatal diseases. On glass walls, not only will the surface be cooler, but the trees perforce must be trained on a trellis from 2 to 3 inches from the glass. So placed, and with such an active radiation behind them, the trees will never be scorched. The advantages will also be wholly on the side of glass in the spring. Our great difficulty through February and March with such excitable subjects as Peashes and ApricotB is to hold them back. While the flowers are within the buds they are safe ; once they have come out, they are in danger. The absorptive powers of the brick wall hurry them forth into the cold biting weather. A hot day or two come, and the blazing sun, accumulating its whole force upon the surface of the wall, makes all the buds spring open ; and then frost comes and feasts upon their tender beauty, to the wreck and ruin of our fruit prospects. Glass will act to keep the flowers within their scaly sheaths, where tbey are well-nigh invulnerable. And then, consider for a moment the cleanliness, the ele- gance, and the beauty of glass walls. They hardly afford a hiding place for a thrips ; they seem mirrors for the trees to admire themselves in ; and their beauty, with the sunbeams leaping out and in, and bendiDg down in all directions among the branches, is a sight that must be seen to be appreciated. Nothing could well be more uninteresting, if not positively ugly, than our opaque walls, and few thiDgs more neat and orna- mental than glass walls ', but they have also utilitarian merits of the highest order. Is space valuable in most gardens ? It is. Glass walls will save about 8 inches out of every 0 occu- pied by brick or other opaque walls. Their strong framework of iron, felt packirg, and slabs of glass, with or without a slate base, only occupies about 1 inch of space. They are easily erected, quickly removed, and conveniently portable. They can be had of any height and in any form, as straight, zigzag, square, &c. Being transparent, they may be placed closely together in blocks. By such arrangements an immense area of wall contt-i>cnei}h'd.—\r H. Pickles, jun., Eurby. 2, H. Beldon. Silver- pencilled.— 1, H. Pickles, .inn. 2, H. Beld-m. GtildcH-span/iled. — 'l. H. Beldon. 2, II. Pickles, jun. Silr,-r-span>jh d..—l, II. Belduii. 2, H. Pickles, jun. he, J. Fielding, Newchurch, Rossendale. Game Bantams (Any colour).— 1, W. F. Entwisle, Cleckbeaton, Leeds. 2, J.Oldrovd, Wakefield. Bantams (Any colour). 1. S. & R. Aahton, Roe Cross, Mottram. % H. Beldon. he, J. Walker, Halifax IBlnek). Geese.— 1. E. Leech, Rochdale. 2, S. H. Stott, Iiuihdalc. he, W. H. Hutrher, Preston. Docks.— Airfexbury —1, E. Leech. 2, S. H. Stott. Rouen.— I.E. Leech. 2. T. Wakefield. Ac, H. B. Smith. Brnughtuii: S.H.Stott: T. Wareing. Preston. Obnamental Waterfowl— 1, C. W. Brierley. 2, U.K. Smith (Shield Ducks). Turkeys.— 1, E. Leech. 2,L.Anyon, Wk.tile-le-Woods, Chorley. SINGLE COCKS. Dorking.— 1, J. Robinson. 2, Hon. H. W. Fitzwilliam, Spanish.— 1. H. Beldon. 2, J. Leeming. he, W. G. Mulligan, Springfifl '. Belfast. Game.— 1 and 2, C. W. Brierley. Ga*e Bantam (Any colour).— 1, ^i-.awood & Buckley, Accrington (Black Red). 2, Bellingham & Gill, Burnley. PIGEONS. Carriers.— 1 and 2, T. Pincock, Preston iDun and BlackV Tumblers.— I, J. Hawley. Bingley. Barbs.— 1, T. Pincock (Black). 2, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Owls.— 1, J. Hawlev. Pouters or Croppers.— I, J. Hawley. Fantails,— 1, H. Yardley. 2, J. Kemp, HaBlingden. Turrits.— 1, J. Kemp. 2, H. Yardley. Dragoons.— 1, H. Oakley, Preston (Blue). 2, H. Yardley. TxmiPKTBB&r— 1 and he, J. Hawley. 2, J. Turner, Broughton (White). JacO] IKS —1. J. Hawley. Nuns.— 1 ana 2, h. Yardley. Antwerps.— 1. J. Oldroyd. '1, W. H. Mitchell. Any other Variety.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, J. Hawley. Judges. — Mr. R. Teebay, Fulwood, Prestou, and Mr. J. Dixoa, North Park, Bradford. CROYDON POULTRY SHOW. This Show, held in connection with that of the East Surrey Agri- cultural Association, took place July 27th. The arrangements re- flected great credit on the Secretary, Mr. W. H. Rowland. Mr. Billett, of Southampton, supplied his pens, which are roomy and convenient, and, which is of great importance, they are of such a height as to prevent the largest birds injuring themselves against the tops. The best classes were Dorkings, Spanish, and Hamburghs. The first and second prize pens of Game Bantams were very good. Of the larger Game fowls there was a very poor show, there being scarcely a pen u JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. t August 4, 1870. ■worthy of the name. Aylesbury and Rouen Ducks were good, but the 11 Variety clasB " very indifferent. Only one pen of Turkeys was entered. Geese were more numerous, but the quality was indifferent, and we noticed but little attention had been paid to matching the birds. Dorkings. — 1, C. Havers, Ingatestone. 2, Ivery & Son, Dorking. Spanish.— 1, F. James, Peekham Rye. 2, Rev. J. Randolph, Sit rule rate ad Rectory. Fancy Breeds.— 1 and c, W. Drintr, Faversham (Creve-Cceurs and Hondans). 2, Rev. N. G. Ridley, Newbury (Malav). he, J. Pares, Postford, Guildford (.Japanese Silkies). Game.— 1. E. C. Goad, Carshalton. 2, C. Purrott, Croydon. Ham- burghs.—)., Miss C. E. Palmer. Lighthorne, Warwick (Golden-spangled). 2, C. Havers (Golden-pencilled), he, T. Penfold. Newhaven (Golden-spangled). Cochins and Brahmas.— 1, J. Pares (Light Brahma). Bantams.— 1, T. R. Edndpe. Croydon (B'ack-Red Game). 2, G. H. Gillham, New Cross Road, London (Game), he, H. Nalder, Croydon (Black-Red), c. Rev. A. H. Bridges, Be.llingtnn House ; T. T. Keen, Croydon (Duckwing Game). Tdrkets.— 1, Rev. N. J. Ridley (Cambridge). Geese.— 1, "W. Oakley, Oxted (Grey). 2, E. Byron. CoulBdon Court, c, J. Pares (SebaBtopol); C. Purrott. Goslings.— 1, W. Oakley. 2, E. Bvron. he, T. Chandler, Parley Oaks. Docks.— Aylesbury.— 1,2, and Extra, W. Oakley (Ducklings). Rouen— 1, W. Oakley. 2, J. Ivery & Son. Any other Variety.— 1, 2, and Extra, J. \V.'. Sutherland (Sheldrake and Wild Ducks). The Judges were Mr. Elgar, Red Hill, Surrey, and Mr. G. S. Sains- bury, Devizes. SLEAFORD POULTRY SHOW. The second Exhibition of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society was held at Sleaford on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of July. The show of poultry and Pigeons consisted of upwards of 150 pens. Dorkings.— 1, G. Andrews, Tuxford. 2. R. Wood, Clapton, Thrapstone. S, J. Hornsby, Grantham, he, T. F. A. Burnaby, Newark, c, W. Dudding, Howell, Sleaford. Cochins (Anv variety).— 1 and Sir T. Whichcote's prize, M. A. Sandav, Rad cliff e-on-Trent (Buff). 2, H. H. Bletsoe, Barnwell, Oundle (White). 3, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury (Partridge), c, J. H. Dawes, Birminqham (Buff). Brahmas.-I, C. Chaloner, Whitwell, Chesterfield. 2, J. Elgar, Newark. 3, C. Layland, Morris Brook, Warrinqton (Dark). Polands.— 1, W. R. Patriok, West Winch, Lynn. 2, J. P. Mansell, Lincoln. French.— 1, Mrs. J. Cross, Brigg (Creve-Cceur). 2, G. Andrews. 8, G. S. Harvev, Dorrington, Sleaford (Houdans). 7(c,W.O. Quibcll, Newark (Houdans). e, J. Elgar (Hondans) ; J. J. Maiden, Biggleswade (Creve-Co?ur) ; Mrs. J. Cross (Hondans): W. 0. Quibell (Houdans); J. K. Fowler. Game (Any variety).— 1 and Sir T. Whichcote's prize, C. Cha- loner, Chesterfield. 2. J. Laming, Cowhurn, Spalding. 3, F. Tomlinson, Thorpe Latimer. Sleaford (Riaek-breasted Reds). Spanish.— 1, T. C. & E. Newbitt, Epworth. 2 and 3 Withheld. Hambuhghs (Any variety).— 1, J. F. Loversidge, Newark (Golden-spangled). 2, C. Edwards, Holbeach (Golden-pencilled). Bantams.— Ga me, any variety.— 1, C. Chaloner. 2, J. G. Lyall. Middle Rasen (Black-breasted). Any other Variety— -1, T. C. & E. Newbitt (Black). 2, Hon. and Rev. F. Sugden, Hale Magna (Black). Any Variety.— Cocfc.—l, C. Cha- loner. 2, J. Laming (Game). 3. T. F. A. Burnaby (Dorking). Geese.— 1, E. Leech, Rochdale. 2, J. K. Fowler. 3, Withheld. Ducks.— Aylesbury — 1 and 2, J. K. Fowler. 3. .7. Hornsby, Grantham. Rouen.— 1. E. Leech. 2, W. Dud- ding, Howell, Sleaford. 3, R. Wood. Anv other Variety.— I and he, W. Dud- ding (Buenos Ayrean). 2, S. & R. Ashton, Mottram (Gargany). 3, J. K. Fowler (Carolina). Turkeys.— I and extra prize, E. Leech. 2, M. Kew (Cambridge). Guinea Fowls.— 1, W. Dudding. 2, Mrs. G. Burton. Barrow-on-Humber. Selling Class.— 1, T. C. & E. Newbit. 2, C. Chaloner (Game). 8, J. Hornsby, Castlegate House, Grantham. Pigeons.— Carriers.— 1, H. Yardley, Birmingham. 2, J. Elgar. Pouters.— 1,H. Yardley. 2, R. F. Pavling, Peterborough. Tumblers.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, J, Elgar. Any other Variety.— 1 and c, J. Elgar (Black BarbB). 2, H. Yardley. Judge. — Mr. W. B. Te^etmeier. HESSLE POULTRY SHOW. This Exhibition took place at Hessle, near Hull, on the 27th ult. The number of eotries was considerably less than last year, but the general quality of the birds was much superior; some excellent speci- mens were shown in the Game, Hamburgh, Polish, and Bantam classes. In the Pigeon department the competition was very close, the Dragoon, Carrier. Trumpeter, and " Any variety " classes were the best ; in the latter "White Owls took both prizes. Spanish.— 1, G. Holmes, Driffield. 2, — Lawson, Hull. Cock.— 1, G. Holmes. Dofkings.— 1, G. Holmes. 2, J. Thompson. Cock.— G. Livergidge, Cotting- ham. Cochin-China.— 1, H. Lawson. Cock.— 1,G. Liversidge. Game.— Black- breasted or other Beds.— 1, H. M. Julian. 2, G. Holmes. Cock.— 1, H. M. Julian. Any other Variety.— 1, H. M. Julian. 2, W. Boyes, Beverley. Cock.— 1, H. M. Julian. Polanos.— 1 and 2, Mrs, Proctor. Cock.— I. Mrs. Proctor. Ham- burghs. — Golden-Spangled.— 1, G. Holmes. Cock.— 1, G. Holmes. Golden-pen- cilled.--1, G. Holmes. 2, G. Pardon. Driffield. Cock.-l, D. White. Driffield. Silver-spanab-d.— 1, G. Holmes. 2, — Willerton, Hessle. Cock.— I, — WiUerton. Silver-pencilled.— 1, G- Holmes. 2, R. Robson. Beetonsville. Cock. — 1, G. Holmes. Bantams.— Game.— I, J. Duggleby, Driffield. 2, W. Adams, Ipswich. Cock.— I, J. Duggleby. Any other variety.— 1, T. C. Harrison, Hull. 2, Miss E. Harrison, Hull. Cock.— 1, T. C. Harrison. Any other Variety.— 1, G. Loft, Beverley. 2, R. Loft, Woodmansey. Selling Class.— 1, — Purdon, 2, W. Hardy, He^le. Ducks.— Aylesbury.—], D. Merkin, Driffield. 2, O. A. Young, Driffield. Rouen.— 1, D. Merkin. 2, O. A. Young. Common.— 1, O. A. Young. PIGEONS. Dragoons. — 1, W. H. Adams, Beverley. 2, H. Lawson. Pouters. — 1, F. Hague, Hull. 2, T. Starters, Hull. Carriers— 1, W. Campey, Beverley. 2, T. Thompson, Hull. Trumpeters.— 1, T. Stutters. 2, C. Lythe, Cottingham. Jacobins.— 1. C. Lythe. 2, G. C. Davis, Hull. Fantails.— 1, H. Adams. 2, H. Lawson. Tumblers.— 1, K. Adams. 2, C. Lythe. Barbs.— 1, T. Statters. 2, T. Thompson. Nuns.— 1, C. Lythe. 2, H. Adams. Any other Variety.— 1, Mrs. Proctor. 2, H.Adams. ■ Rabbits.— Lop-cart d.— I, J. White, Hull. 2, Miss Fletcher. Any variety.— 1, P. Ashtun, Hull. 2, J. Lunn. Heaviest.— 1, J. Fletcher. Judges. — Mr. J. Hodgkinson, and Mr. D. Pickering, Hull. J. Mason. 2, R. & H. Walker, Gomersnl. Dorkings.— 1, T. Briden, Earby. 2. W. H. King, Rochdale. Cochin-China.— Cinnamon or Buff.— I, H. Beldon, Bingley. Any Variety.— -1, J. White, Netherton. 2, H. Beldon. Spanish.— 1, H. Beldon. 2, J. Powell, Bradford. Brahma Pootra,— 1, H. Lacey, Hebden Bridge. 2, E. Leech, Rochdale, he, W. Whitelev, Sheffield. Hamrurghs.— Golden-pencilled.— 1, H. Beldon. 2, S. Smith, Northowram. Black.— 1, H. Beldon. 2. H. W. IlUngworth, Idle. Galden-spanalcd.— 1, H. Beldon. Silver- spangled.— I and 2, H. Beldon. Bantams.— Game, Black or Red.— I and he, W. F. Entwisle, Cleekheaton. 2, G. Noble, Stainc.'iffe. Game, any Variety.— 1 and 2. W. F. Entwisle. Any other Variety— I, J. Walker, Halifax. 2, H. Beldon. he, S. Rhodes, Wike. Any other Variety.— 1 and 2, H. Beldon. Turkeys. — 1, E. Leech. 2, W. Stocks, Cleckheaton. he. S. E. England, Silsden. Geese (Any variety).— 1. E. Leech. 2, J. White, Netherton. 3, H. Crossley, Halifax. Ducks.— Aylesbury.— 1, E. Leech. Rouen.— 1. E. Leech. 2, J. White. An;/ other Variety.— 1, T. C. Harrison, Hull. 2, J. Woodcock, Cleckheaton. PIGEONS. Tumblers.— 1, J. Hawlev, Bingley. 2. H. Yardlev, Birmingham. Carriers. —1. W. H. Mitchell, Moseley. 2, H. Yardley. he, S. Smith. Idle (2). Pouters or Croppers.— 1 and 2, J. Hawley. Fantails.— 1. F. Graham, Birkenhead. 2, H. Yardley. Dragoons.— 1, W. H. Mitchell. 2, S. Smith, c. T. Kaye, Honley. he. H. Yardlev. Jacobins.— 1 and 2, J. Hawlev. Nuns.— 1, F. Graham. 2. H. Yardley. Antwerps.— 1, B. Peel, BirkenBhaw. 2, J. Oldroyd. he, J. Hawley ; C. Arton, York. Any othir Variety.— 1, C Arton. 2, J. Hawley. Rabhits.— Lop-eari'il— I,R. Thornton, Gomersal. 2, W. Crowther, Gomersal. Any Variety.— I, K. Thornton. 2, J. Birkby, Cleckheaton. CLECKHEATON POULTRY SHOW. This was held on the 30th ult., when the following prizes were awarded by the Judges, Mr. James Dixon, of Bradford, and Mr. 11. Teebay, of Fulwood, Preston: — Game.— Black or Brown Bed.— 1, E. Aykroyd, Eecleshill. 2, T. Bottomley, Shelf, he, J. W. Thompson, Southowrain. Duckwina, Bl-ue or Grey.— I, E. Aykroyd. 2, H. C. & W. J. Mason, Drighlington. Any Variety.— 1, H. C. & W, DRIFFIELD POULTRY SHOW. This year's meeting of the Driffield Society was a most satisfactory one as regards both the receipts at the entrance gates and the number of pens exhibited. Many very excellent birds were shown in the deepest moult, which was a considerable drawback to the general effect. The poultry were placed entirely in the open air, but as the day was exceedingly fine no evil consequences ensued to delicato varieties. Game fowls throughout were exceedingly fine, but the HamburgJis, with the exception of very few pens, were most defective. Geese and Turkeys were first-rate, and the entry of fancy Ducks was a really good one ; but the display of both Aylesbury and Rouen Ducks was so very limited that there was no competition for the second prizes. Pigeons in most instances were both good and attractive, and a few remarkably good Babbits were shown. Dorkings— 1, G. Holmes. Driffield. 2, W. Charter, Driffield, he, R, W. Richardson, Beverley. Chickens — 1, R. W. Richardson, he, W. English, Pickering, e, Miss Jordan. Eastburn ; T. H. Trigg. Cock.— 1. J. A. Blanchard. he, D.White, Driffield. Spanish.— 1. G. Holmea. 2, J. Williamson. Driffield. he, W. Charter. Cock.— 1, D. Maynard, Driffield, he. G. Holmes ; W. Charter. c, R. Stabler, Driffield ; W. English. Game.— Blac k-b reastet I and other Reds.— 1. H. Holmes. 2, W. Boves, Beverley, he, J. W. LacuD. Driffield (2) ; W. Boyes. Cock.— 1, W. Boyes. he, G. Holmes. Any otlier Variety.— 1, 2, and Silver Medal for the best pen of poultry of any kind exhibited, W. Boves. Cock.— 1 W. Boyes. Chickens. — 1, W. Boyes. c, F. Parkinson, Market Woi^hton ; J. W. Lacup; W. English. Cochin-China.— 1, R. Dawson, Beverley. 2. T. S. Turner. Borobridge. e, G. Holmes. Chickens.— 1, W. J. Purdon. Driffield. he, G. Holmes; T. H. Trig? ; R.Dawson. Cock.— 1, R.Dawson. Polanos.— 1 and 2, T. S. Turner, c. W. English. Hamhurc.hs.— Golden-spangled.— 1, G. Holmes. 2, H. Holmes, he, D. Mavnard. Cock— I, T. Holmes, he, H. Holmes. Silver-spangled.— l. H. Holmes. 2, Withheld. Cock.— 1. H. Holmes. Golden- pencilled.— 1, H. Holmes. 2, W. J. Purdon. Cock.— I, D. Stabler, he, R. Wilson, Norton, Malton. Silver-pencilled.*- 1, T. Holmes. 2. R. Wilson, c, H. Holmea. Cock.— 1, H. Holmes. Ann Variety.— I. H.Holmes, he, O.A. Young. Farmyard Cross.— 1, H. Mevkin, Driffield. 2, M. Merkin, Driffield, c, O. A. Young. Coek.—l. G. Robinson, Frodingham. c, H. Merkin. Bantams.— Ga)ne. — 1, W. Adams. Ipswich. 2, A. Dugdeby. Driffield, he, W. Meeke, Driffield. c, J. Stabler; E. Hutchinson; T.Holmes; H. Smith. Piccadilly.NortOD, Malton. Cock.— 1, T. Holmes, he. F. Pickering; E. Stabler; G. H. Pickering. Any other Variety.— 1 and 2. T. C Harrison, Hull (Black and Gold-laced), he, T. Holmes (White). Cock.— 1. T. C. Harrison. Geese— 1, O. A. Young. 2, G. Smithson, Driffield. Gosliiuts.—l, Mrs. W. Mosev, Skerne. 2. Mr*. Croft. Pluckham. Tcrkf.v;.— 1, F. C. Matthews, Driffield. 2. W. Charte"'. Poults.— 1. M. A. Ullyott. Middleton Grange, e, L. Danby. Great Kclk : Mrs. Drinkrow, Frodingham. Guinea Fowls.— 1, 0. A. Youucr, "Driffield. Ducrs — Aylesbury. — 1. O. A. Youug. 2, no competition. Ducklings.— I, O. A. Young. 2, no com- petition. Rouen. — 1, O. A. Young. 2. no competition. Ducklings.— \, Miss Jordan, he, O. A. Young. Any other Variety.— 1 and 2, T. C. Harrison (Pin- tails and Carolina*-). Ducklings.— 1, O. A. Young, c, Mrs. T. B. Beilby, Evcr- ingham ; Miss Jordan. PIGEONS. Pouters.— 1, W. Adams, Ipswich, he, E. Waites, Driffield, c, B. W. Hutton, Cranswick. Carriers.— 1, W. Campey, Beverley, he, R. P. Moon, York, c, C. Potter, Driffield. Jacobins — 1, E. O. Davis, Hull, c, R. Sanders, Leven. Fan- tails. — 1. W. Adams. Ipswich, c. R. P. Moon, York. Tumblers.— 1, W.Adams. he, J. Gilbank, Wetwang. Barbs.— 1, A. Waites. he, D. Maynard. Nuns.— 1, W. Adams, c, R, P. Moon. Any other Variety.— 1, W. Adams, he, B. Leason. c, J. Stabler ; R. Watson ; W. J. Purdon. Extra.— Extra prize Mrs. J. Purdon (Crcve-CffiursJ. Radbits.— Any Breed.— I, A. M. Donkin. 2, J. Hudson, Leven. he, E. Green ; P. Ashton. Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Sparkbrook, near Birmingham, was the Judge. LIGUFJAN QUEENS IN JERSEY, AND THE HONEY SEASON. A correspondent has lately related his misfortunes with an Italian queen. Two very similar cases have come under my own notice. Last autumn I procured three fine queens. One I put at the head of a hybridised stock in my own possession, she is now alive and well. A second I placed at the head of a strong black colony belonging to a friend, it was well pro- visioned for the winter ; the queen was received well, and at once began to breed. In April, when I saw them, they seemed to be doing moderately well ; the queen was breeding, and very few black bees were to be seen. I next saw them in June ; the August 4, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 93 queen was then not to be seen, neither was there an; brood, and very few bees, but plenty of honey. The majority of the bees had dispersed themselves amongst the adjoining hives. This stock was lost. The third queen wa3 placed at the head of a strong colony that had been strengthened by the addition of a stock of driven bees. These belonged to another friend. The queen was accepted, and began to breed, but during the winter I heard there was more mortality amongst the Ligu- rians than should have been. In April I opened the hive, and found only the queen and about two hundred Ligurians, a little brood, and plenty of honey. The next day the queen was found dead, and scarcely a bee left. What could have been the cause of these two stocks thus dwindling to nothing ? It puzzles me. Was it because the black and Ligurian bees oould not agree ? Was it a freak of the bees ? Other correspondents have spoken of the honey season being very favourable, I wish I could say the same. My supers are not filled, nor are they likely to be. A Woodbury hive is almost entirely combed, but I do not think the bees have deposited more than 2 lbs. of honey. Two stocks in Woodbury hives weigh only 1G lbs. each, exclusive of the hive, yet they have both been strong all the summer. So far as I can judge, the honey season set in and lasted but a very short time, and then ceased quite suddenly. At one time there was every prospect of an excellent honey harvest. Last year was much better here. I had a Ligurian stock which threw three swarms, and yet by the autumn it was strong and well pro- visioned. Very dry seasons, contrary to general experience, would appear to be unfavourable; here, as in 1868, stocks grew lighter after the middle of June. Swarms, too, have been scarce here this season. — D. D. B. [We cannot tell why your friends' ligurianised stocks dwindled in so remarkable a manner, but it certainly did not arise from any disagreement between the two races.] THE HONEY SEASON IN WEST SUFFOLK. To some of your readers an account of the honey season in this neighbourhood may be interesting. Though of very short continuance, the season has not been altogether an unfavour- able one. It commenced on May 16th, on the morning of which day my stock hives averaged less than in the middle of April ; between this and the 23rd, however, they commenced in earnest, two of my hives increasing in weight 14 lbs. each, two 13i lbs. each, and the worst and smallest of all making -5 lbs. They continued doing well till June 21st, which day I consider the termination of the season, as they actually lost weight between the 21st and July 5th, since which they have slightly improved. Facts speak volumes. I give you the weights of two united swarms ; it will be seen that 5 lbs. were made by one hive in one day. ■fane Swarmed Juno 6th, hive and board 13 lbs. lbs. 21 23 25 27*i lba. June 12 83 4 „ 13 85^ „ 14 894 Swarmed Juno 13th, hive and board 13 lbs. lbs. June 14 22 15 17 18 19 20 21 26 24 26 V, 27 314 31 % 33 4 34 June ! July 14 17 lbs. . 834 . 88 . 824 . 324 . 85 . 374 . 38 My spring balance only weighing 40 lbs., I have not been able to weigh them since. From one of Pettitt's single-box hives I have obtained 11 lbs. nett of virgin honey, and estimate what is now in the hive at 9 lbs., in addition to two excellent swarms. From one of his ten-frame bar-hives I have had one swarm, 23* lbs. nett, a splendid super, and taken four bars for draining 23 lbs. nett. I will not tireyou with more at present, but if you think it will be interesting, I shall be pleased to give you an account of all my hives, the average and performance of the whole, bad as well as good. I should be pleased to know the average of " Sudbury's" hives, "all told," and whether, which is not the case with mine, the bar honey will bear comparison with that from supers. Perhaps "Rector" will favour us in like manner, and also give us the weight, when taken, of his gigantic super' whether it was entirely free from brood, &o. I have no doubt, also, that you would be conferring a favour on many readers of " our Journal," if you would, now the season is approaching its close, give us your advioe as to the best method of disposing of our superfluous honey, the prices of different qualities, the best markets, &o. Why should we not know the market price of honey as well as of vegetables, &c. ? — UlTENHAGE. TAKING HONEY AND INTRODUCING A LIGURIAN QUEEN. I have a very large and heavy stook of bees from which I want to take the honey, but without destroying the bees, and at the same time I wish to introduce a Ligurian queen in the following manner — viz., I would remove the stock to some distance in the middle of a fine day, and place the Ligurian queen, in a hive partially filled with comb, on the stance lately occupied by the full hive. Would the bees leaving the old stock and naturally going back to their old situation (the now empty hive and Ligurian queen) be likely to agree and make up a tolerably good stook ? [All the old bees would probably return to their accustomed stanoe, and being old bees would almost to a certainty destroy the Italian queen. The plan which offers the best chance of success would be to fumigate the colony, Bearch for and remove their queen, and when the stupefied bees begin to recover bury the stranger queen in the heap, and permit the whole to asoend together into their new habitation, which should be put on the old stance, and the bees fed liberally by means of an inverted pickle-bottle filled regularly every evening until they attain a nett weight of about 20 lbs.] FERTILISATION OF THE QUEEN BEE. In your number of the 26th of May last, in a communication on the above subject by Mr. Fitzwilkins, allusion is made to the experiments of Mrs. Tupper to procure fertilisation within the hive. As I am entirely ignorant of these experiments, or of Mrs. Tupper's publication of them, will you kindly say where the information can be obtained ? as the subject is one of the highest importance to all interested in apiarian pursuits. Until the statement of thiB theory in the Journal, I was under the impression that fertilisation always took place in the open air, and on the wing. Supposing the above theory correct, if a second swarm of Ligurians, issuing ten days after a first swarm, be placed in an apiary surrounded by stocks of English bees, would it not amount to a certainty that the Ligurian queen would be fer- tilised by English drones, as I notice drones frequently enter other hives than their own ? I am putting an actual oase, in which the Ligurian swarm was taken from a pure Ligurian apiary, to which there were no English bees nearer than one mile, and Bhall esteem your opinion a favour as to whether the queen in question may be expeoted to breed pure Ligurians or hybrids, there being no Ligurian drones, as far as I could ascertain, with the swarm, which was removed on the day it issued. — G. Raysob, Tonbridge. [Mrs. Tupper's process was fully described in our number published on the 28th April last, but so far as we know no one in this country has succeeded with it. We should expect the queen to be hybridised under the circumstances which you describe.] OUR LETTER BOX. Golden-pencilled Hakbubohs (IT. S. D).— Congratulate yourself on the tails of your Golden-pencilled Hambnrgh pullets ; they will remain as perfect as ever in their markings, the only difference being tbey will become more distinct. The cockerels will not be in full feather till next November, and even then there are feathers remaining that to the practised eye speak of adolescence. They are, however, perfectly fit to snow. If the legs of Pencilled Hamburghs are dirty they mnst be washed ; tbe leaden-blue of the legs helps much in producing the ensemble that is so attractive. If the face is dirty it may be washed in cold water with a little vinegar in it, but the deaf ear must not be touched. This year's chickens do not really moult until next year, but tbey change their feathers little by little without becoming naked as tbey attain virility. Brahma Cock's Markings (Carrier).— It is more than desirable to have the tail of a Brahma cock of a buff or fawn colour entirely. Failing that, it should be blacs, but if some of them are white-tipped or curled, it is not a disqualification, especially in an old bird. In fowls, as in 96 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 4, 1870. human beings, perfection is the exception. So far from a black breaBt being essential to a Brahma cock, many of our best amateurs prefer one spotted with white. We do not admire the description you give of the Brahma hen you have bred. With a brown colour and a black head, we should unhesitatingly class her among those which are inferior to the Grey or Pencilled birds. Judges* Awards (Querist). — We are very happy to give all the in- lormation in our power to those who use our columns, but we have no means of knowing the reasons that guide judges in their awardB, or in Withholding prizes. We should not dream of asking them. Bone Dust— Poland not Laying (Mrs. Bain).— See Mr. Lingwood's advertisement in this Journal. It is very possible for a substance to be quite innocent when given regularly in small quantities, which would be very injurious when eaten suddenly in excess ; but Mr. Wright only recom- mends the bone dust for large breeds. Possibly the Poland is too fat. As she appears well it will be best to leave her till after moulting, unless you like to try the effect of a spoonful of castor oil. It is not, however, always possible to tell the reason a hen stops laying. We have a Brahma which has stopped in the same way. Having no cock in company would not cause it. It is possible the bird lays, but eats her eggs. Parrot Breathing with Difficulty (A Constant Reader).— We con- clude from your statement that your Parrot has caught cold and is moult- ing; if so, keep it out of draughts, place a pan of water in the cage for it to bathe in, and give it bread soaked in cold water, squeezed rather dry, and occasionally soaked in milk for a change ; Canary, millet, and hemp seed mixed, very little of the latter ; Indian corn boiled ; also a Chili or white peppercorn occasionally, and any ripe fruit you find it will eat ; but if the bird pull out or bite oft* its feathers, then give it a good washing with water twice a-day through a fine-rosed watering pot, and do not give it any Chilies, peppercorns, nor hempseed. You should notice what your birds like best, for what one Parrot is fond of another often will not touch. Lice on Canary (J. S. B., and Forest Sill).— There is an insect-de- stroying powder sold by most druggists under the name of Persian vermin destroyer, or some similar title, which I have known to be very effectual in eradicating these pests. It is sold with a distributor, an indianrubber ball and tube, with directions for use, and is not expensive. Any re- spectable druggist will supply the right article, if I should have "been somewhat incorrect in namiDg it. If the bird were mine I should wRsh it, but that is an operation I should scarcely recommend an inexperienced person to attempt, and especially so near the moulting season. A tho rough dusting with sulphur will materially assist in dislodging the Acari — W. A. Blakston. Canaries not Pairing (F. IF. Herbert).— Are you quite sure that the necessary conditions for pairing are present? "Not to put too fine a point on it," are they cock and hen ? Such mistakes will sometimes occur. It may be disappointing to persons who have only one pair of birds up, to find that they show no signs of pairing; but to those who breed on a larger scale it is only one of the many failures which are written on the debit side of the account. If the birds are in health there is no reason why they should not have paired, if fed even on the plainest diet. It is usual to give a little hard-boiled eeg and hempseed as a stimu- lant. Try it, and induce them to make hay while the sun Bhines, as the seaBon is nearly over. The German method of preparing birdlime is by putting abont 2 lbs. of linseed oil into a pot, to simmer upon the fire for some time, after which it is taken off and lighted with a match. In this state of inflammation it continues about two hours, when half the quan- tity will be consumed. By dipping, from time to time, a stick into the oil, and trying the matter between the fingers, its proper glutinous con- sistence may be easily ascertained, on which the pot is covered and the flame extinguished. — W. A. Blakston. Commencing Bee-eeeping (J. G. T.).— The pamphlet which you men- tion is still in print, and can be obtained through any bookseller for one shilling. The common straw hive is theoDe most easily managed by a beginner, but it affords no facilities improvement. Deficient Honey Harvest (Horseshoe).— Yout bees have done quite as much as could fairly be expected from them, for you may rely upon it that Mr. Pagden's golden promises can only be realised (if at all) under the most exceptionably favourable circumstances. A strong swarm may fill a super the same year if the honey season be sufficiently prolonged, but it cannot be expected to do so when it issues so late as the beginning of July. As a rule, a stock that has swarmed will not afterwards fill a super during the same season, anything that Mr. Pagden may say to the contrary notwithstanding. Your friend's bees may have been "hybrid- ised by Ligurians, but are certainly not " half wasps," unless, indeed, they are defunct, and the Vespidte and robber bees are ransacking their hive. Sowing Lucerne (B. B.).— There is much difference of opinion about the quantity of seed required per acre, but the universal practice seems to be to sow it in drills from 14 to IS inches apart. Assuming the ground to have been ploughed neatly and straight, we have Been the seed sown in the alternate furrow slices before harrowing down, and in the case of a small quantity, as an acre or so, sowing may be done by band or by some light drill. If you sow by hand, putting the seed into a common bottle with a suitable-sized hole in the cork, is as convenient a way as any. About March or early in April is the best season for sowing, and the ground ought to be kept clear of weeds for a time ; after the plant has been once established it is capable of taking care of itself. Nevertheless, it is good practice to slightly dig over the gTound in April, and harrow it to destroy the grass and other weeds which often grow amongst the Lucerne, taking care in digging to use only a pronged fork for the pur- pose. Lucerne likes a deep soil or one with a subsoil which permits of its roots descending, which they do to a great depth. Mushroom Catsup (G. N. B., Dublin).— We give you three modes: — '1). Take 4 lbs. of mushrooms, and the same of common salt; sprinkle *.he salt over the mushrooms, and when the juice is drawn eut add 8 ozs. of pimento and 1 oz. of cloves. Boil these for a Ehort time, and press out the liquor: that which remains may be treated again with salt and water for an inferior kind. (2). Take the large flaps of mushrooms gathered when dry, and bruise them ; put some at the bottom of an earthen pan, and strew salt over them ; then put on another layer of mushrooms, then salt, and so on till you have sufficient. Let them Btand a day or two, stirring them every day ; strain the liquor through a flannel bag, and to> every gallon of liquor add one quart of red wiue ; mace, cloves, allspice , of each £ oz., with a race or two of cut ginger. If not salt enough, add a little more. Boil it till one quart ia wasted, strain it into a pan, and let it get cold. Pour it from the settlings, bottle it, and cork it tightly. (3). Take care that the mushrooms are of the right sort, and fresh gathered. Full-grown flaps are the best. Put a layer of these at the bottom of a deep earthen pan, and sprinkle them with salt ; then add another layer of mushrooms, with more salt, and so on alternately. Let them remain two or three hours, by which time the salt will have pene- trated the mushrooms, and rendered them easy to break ; then pound them in a mortar, or mash them well with your hands, and let them remain two days, during which stir them up and mash them well ; then pour them into a Btonc jar, and to every quart put 1 oz. of whole black pepper ; stop the jar closely, set it in a stewpanful of boiling water, and keep it boiling two hours. On taking out the jar pour the juice clear from the sediment through a hair sieve into a clean stewpan, and let it boil gently half an hour ; sMm it well, and pour it into a clean jar or jug ; cover it closely, let it stand in a cool place till the next day, then decant it off as gently as possible through a tamis or thick flannel bag till it is perfectly fine, and add a table-spoonful of good brandy to each pint. Now let it stand again, when a freEh sediment will be deposited, from which the catsup must be gently poured off into bottles which have been previously washed with brandy or other ardent spirit. Kept closely corked and in a cool place it will remain good a long time. Examine it, however, occasionally by placing a strong light behind the neck of the bottle, and if any skin appears upon it boil it up again with a few pepper- corns. This is called double catsup, and a table-spoonful of it will impart the full flavour of Mushroom to half a pint of sauce. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS In the Suburbs of London for the week ending August 2nd. THERMOMETER. ■Wind. Date. BAROMETER. Air. Earth. Rain. Max. Miu. Max. Mis. 1ft 2 ft. Wed... 27 31.012 29.931 84 58 67 64 E. .00 Thurs. . 28 80.100 80.078 65 43 66 64 N.E. .00 Fri.. .. 29 29.982 29917 65 50 63 62 N. .00 Set. ... SO 29.926 29 789 76 51 64 61 E. .00 Son. . . 81 29 686 29.655 80 59 66 62 S.li. .10 Mon. . . 1 29.779 29.724 82 63 67 62 E. ■ 72 Tnes. . 2 29.827 29.786 70 61 67 62 E. .04 Moan.. 29.902 29.840 74.57 55.00 65.71 62.43 •• 0.86 27. — Fine ; cloudy but fine ; clear and fine. 28. — Densely overcast ; overcast ; clear, starlight. 29. — Cloudy but fine ; densely overcast ; overcast. 30. — DenBely overcast ; overcast ; mild, overcast. SI.— Densely overcast ; thunder; overcast. 1. — Densely overcast, damp; cloudy, thunder; foggy. 2.— Foggy, drizzling rain ; foggy and overcast ; densely overcast. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— August S. We have scarcely any alteration worth quoting. The supply of out door produce is well kept up, and a good attendance of buyers enables the growers to clear a large quantity of goods. The last cargo of West India Pines is now in the market. Foreign importations continue heavy, and include some very considerable consignments of Apples from the south of Spain, which are, however, of very poor quality. Good Regents are more plentiful this week among the Potato dealers. FBUIT. p. 1 1 0 0 2 3 3 0 0 0 2 8 2 d. 8. d 6 to2 0 0 3 0 6 10 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 6 0 9 10 9 10 4 0 6 0 6 0 0 14 0 0 5 0 VEQET lb. 8. 0 6 1 5 0 2 2 8 0 0 0 10 1 d. B. 9 too 0 12 0 14 0 15 0 0 0 3 6 5 0 5 0 0 6 1 6 1 0 16 0 2 c Pears, kitchen .. lb. 0 0 0 0 Grapes, Hothouse lb. do lb. 6 0 iBLES. B. 3 8 4 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 3 0 2 9 0 0 0 3 d. b. 0 to 6 0 8 0 6 0 4 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 6 6 2 0 6 6 1 0 4 0 0 8 0 8 0 8 0 0 5 n 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B. 0 1 3 0 •1 0 3 0 1 4 6 1 0 0 0 a 8 1 0 4 d. B. 4 to 0 6 3 0 4 9 0 0 6 4 0 0 0 9 1 0 1 0 6 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 3 6 1 0 0 d Beans, Kidney ..J sieve. Mustard & Cress Radishes .. doz. .punnet bunches lb. 0 0 (1 Brussels Sprouts.. 4 sieve Coleworts..doz. bunches 8 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 Vegetable Marrows . . doz. 0 Horseradish .... bundle 0 0 0 August 11, 1870. ] JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 97 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day ol Month Day of Week. ADGTJST 11—17, 1870. Average Tempera- ture near London. Rain in last 43 yeai^. Sun Rises. San Sets. Moon Rises. Moon Sets. Moon's Age. Clock before Sun. Day of Year. 11 12 18 14 15 16 17 Th F S Son M To W Birmingham Horticultural Show opens. Birmingham Horticultural Show closes. 9 Sunday after Trinity. Warrington Horticultural Show. Koyal Horticultural Society Fruit, Floral, [and General Meeting. Day. 75.8 75.1 74 5 72.9 73.1 73.0 72.7 Night. 50.7 50.5 50.0 50.8 60.0 61.5 50.1 Mean. 63.2 62.8 62.3 61.8 61.6 62.2 61.4 Days. 90 16 19 18 17 21 23 m. h. 41af4 42 4 44 4 45 4 46 4 47 4 49 4 m. b. 29 af 7 27 1 25 7 23 7 21 7 19 7 17 7 m. b. 0 af 8 26 8 47 8 5 9 23 9 43 9 1 10 m. h. 17af4 29 5 40 6 50 7 58 8 4 10 11 11 Days. O 15 16 17 18 19 20 m. b. 4 59 4 49 4 39 4 28 4 17 4 5 5 53 223 2?4 225 226 227 228 229 Prom observations taken near London during the last forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 73.9', and its night temperature 50.5°. The greatest heat was 92°, on the 11th, 1835 ; and the lowest cold 333," on the 11th, 1864. The greatest fall of rain was 1.14 inch. THE BLACK CURRANT. F all the kinds of bush fruit grown for the markets, the Black Currant is undoubtedly the most profitable. Its easy cultivation, the vigour with which it grows in almost all soils, and its great fruitfulness are all points in its favour. It flourishes in the cold Weal- den clay, in which but few other fruit trees will thrive, and it is considered poor soil indeed in which the Black Currant will not grow ; nor is its crop so much affected by being shaded during its growth as that of other fruits would be, for most flourishing plantations of it may be seen grow- ing around and under standard trees. But while all this may be said in its favour, it must also be granted that it is a gross-feeding plant, increasing in vigour in proportion to the quality of the soil, and it will well repay the fruit-grower for all the manure he can bestow upon it. Some little care is, however, necessary in regard to the way in which manure is applied ; no practice can possibly he worse than to dig in manure in the way in which it is sometimes done, the fork going into the ground so deeply as to tear off quantities of the young roots, thus doing more harm than good. This deep culture may answer very well when the plants are young, but as they attain a larger size, and the roots gradually spread farther and farther, manure is best given as a top-dressing or in a liquid state. In propagating the Black Currant it is a common prac- tice to leave a clear stem of nearly a foot in length ; now this is not only unnecessary, but is altogether a mistake, as it is impossible for such trees with their long stems to continue to produce such fine fruit as others, the branches of which spring from the ground erect and strong, and whose vigour and size is constantly increased by the sturdy suckers springing up and taking the place of the older wood. As an example of what can be done with such bushes, I may instance two fine rows of Black Currants growing in the gardens of the Earl of Romney. These bushes are upwards of twenty years old : they "were planted 6 feet apart, but have grown with such vigour that notwithstand- ing the freedom with which they have constantly been pruned, they are now 5 feet high, and the side branches of every tree touch those of its neighbour. Nothing can ex- ceed the robust appearance of these splendid bushes. The soil about their roots has not been disturbed for some years past, with the exception of being deeply hoed on the sur- face a few times in summer, in order to work-in the annual top-dressing of hotbed manure. In favourable seasons the fruit crop averages four gallons on each bush : this year it will not be so good, as the crop has suffered from the late spring frosts The sight of these large bushes, which from the vigour of their young growth appear likely to flourish for twenty years longer, and the large crops of fine fruit which they produce, are enough to set one thinking ; and after making a calculation of the value of their produce at the rate of Ne. 4S8.-VOL. XIX., new Semis. 4'/. per quart, as given by " A Lancashire Subscriber," in No. 470 of this Journal, so enormous is the total, and so much in excess of what it is customary to speak of, that one hardly likes to put it on paper. However, here are my facts, and I would ask all growers of fruit for profit to give them the notice they deserve. An acre of such trees planted (i feet apart will contain 1310 plants, and taking the crop at 4 gallons or 1(1 quarts per bush, at id. per quart, we have the astounding sum of .£'322 18*. 4(7 per acre. Now, I do not pretend to say that an acre of Black Currants has ever produced such a crop, but here we have forty-two bushes growing side by side, the yield of which has been up to this average in every favourable season for some time past, and therefore there can be no reason why an acre, or many acres, of such trees should not be capable of producing some such desirable results. And this leads to the inquiry, Why is it that such fine Black Currant trees are not more frequently to be met with ? It may be that the answer is contained in the fact that the hardy and accommodating nature of the Black Currant causes it generally to be planted in poor soil and in an equally bad situation, and so it is very rarely indeed that the requisite conditions are afforded to enable it to attain its fullest development. Now these conditions are few, simple, and easily under- stood. Large juicy fruit always commands the best sale. Such fruit is only produced on the young vigorous growth of the preceding year ; it must, therefore, be our aim to obtain an abundance of such wood by planting in a deep rich loam, by manuring freely, and by cutting away the old and thinning the young wood, so as to admit air and light. Such being the case, it must be admitted, that while no fruit tree is so useful as the Black Currant for planting in poor soil, yet none thrives better or yields such rich returns when enjoying the advantages of a good soil and generous treatment. — Edward Ldckhdrst, Etjerton House Gardens, Kent. SELECT GARDEN ROSES. Doubtless as the autumn comes on there will be many inquiries for the best varieties of Roses for planting. In anticipation of these, I have made out a list which I think will not fail to please those who may select from it. The selection is taken from a large collection of Roses growing here, and I offer it with a view more particularly to suit those who contemplate making new plantations, or a rosery, and where the soil does not approach that standard of fertility generally recommended and required for the culti- vation of the more delicate kinds of Roses. I have, there- fore, excluded most of the latter, because, from experience, I consider it useless to plant anything but Roses of vigor- ous growth and constitution, unless the soil and situation be very suitable. The site of the Rose garden at this place is good, being well sheltered from the north and east, but it is laid well open to the south and west ; the soil, however, was very poor, a hungry- looking clayey loam, but now that it is well drained and enriched with manure it grows Roses well ; No. Uil.-VOL. XLIV., Old Semes. 98 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ Aagust 11, 1870. still for some years the delicate-growing sorts did not thrive. The frequent trenchings that the soil had to undergo in order to enrich it, and consequently the lifting of the plants, was a treatment too severe for any but the vigorous and robust- growing sorts ; these, however, have thriven very well, and are included in the list below. I believe them to be a selection of generally useful varieties, and many of them exhibition Roses. Those with an asterisk I consider the best. Hybrid Perpetual. — 'Prince de Portia, vermilion ; Made- moiselle Alice Leroy, pale rose; Madame de Cambaceies, rose ; Duchess of Sutherland, rose ; Alba carnea, white ; Jules Mar- gottin, cherry; 'ComteBse de Turenne, pink; Duchess of Norfolk, crimson; *John Hopper, rose; Madame Clemenee Joigneaux, red; 'Jean Goujon, red; 'Beauty of Waltham, eherry ; 'Baronne Prevost, rose ; 'Elizabeth Vigneron, pink ; •Sir Rowland Hill, crimson; 'Monsieur de Montigny, rose; •Rev. H. H. Dombrain, carmine; 'Geant des BatailleB ; Jean Rosenkrantz, red; *Paul Verdier, crimson; *Madame Boll, rose ; La Reine, pink ; »Madame Charles Wood, crimson ; Triomphe de Caen, dark crimson ; Duchesse d'Orleans, blush ; •Marguerite de St. Amand, rose ; Leopold HauBburg, carmine; •William Jesse, crimson ; 'Charles Lefebvre, crimson scarlet ; •Souvenir de Comte Cavour, crimBon ; 'Alfred Colomb, red; Miss Ingram, flesh ; *Madame Alfred de Rougemont, white ; Joseph Fiala, dark red ; 'Black Prince ; Madame Fillion, sal- mon ; Madame Moreau, bright red ; Merveille d'Anjou, red ; ♦Madame Vidot, flesh; »La Ville de St. Denis, rosy crimson ; Pius IX. ; Caroline de Sansal, flesh ; 'Pierre Notting, dark red; Charles Rouillard, rose; Madame Pulliat, dark rose; Madame Boutin, crimson; 'Madame Knorr, rose; Francois Treyve, scarlet; * Mademoiselle Marie Rady, deep rose ; 'Comte Litta, scarlet ; Francois Premier, red ; 'Anna de Diesbach, deep rose; *Auguste Mie, pink ; *Le Geant, rose ; Madame Rivers, flesh; 'Reine du Midi; rose; Thorin, bright rose; *Pauline Lansezeur, crimson ; Antoine Ducher, bright red ; Jean Lam- bert, red ; and Prince Camille de Rohan, crimson. Hybrid Chinese and Bourbon. — *Cbenedole, crimson; *Coupe d'Hebe, pink; 'Paul Ricaut, oarmine ; 'Vivid, crim- son ; and Madame Plantier, white. Damask. — »La Ville de Bruxelles, rose ; and Madame Hardy, white. Alba. — Fclicite (Parmentier), flesh ; and 'Queen of Denmark, pink. Gallic*. — Grandissima, rose ; 'Boula de Nanteuil, crimson purple; Kean, purple; and Letitia, rose. Moss. — 'Comtesse Murinais, white ; Baronne de Wassenaiir, red ; Common Moss, and Perpetual White Moss. Tea. — »Gloire de Dijon and 'Homer. The above sorts are suitable for growing as standards or dwarfs; being vigorous-growing they mostly succeed well worked on the Briar as standards, but the same sorts will become quite robust as dwarfs. With regard to the planting of Roses, I may remark that the earlier in the autumn they are planted the better, especially in low damp situations ; it is much the best plan to plant early and induce them to make as many roots as possible before winter sets in. Spring-planted Roses seldom do any good towards a first bloom. — Thomas Record, Lillesden. EARLY PEACHES IN THE NORTH. Another season has confirmed my experience of Mr. Rivers's early Peaches. The trees were placed in the house in January ; the heat was given to them on the 20th of that month, and was only enough to keep the frost fairly out. Early Beatrioe ripened on the 3rd of June, Early Louise on the 7th, Early Rivers on the 10th ; these were followed by Hale's Early and Rivers's White Nectarine a week later. Early Louise was fair-sized and very good, but Early Rivers was both larger and better in flavour — in fact, I think it very nearly the best Peach I know ; the flavour is so piquant that there is no fear of it ever becoming insipid from early forcing. And then with regard to earliness, it is only a few days later than the very earliest of Mr. Rivers's early varieties, a month earlier than Early York, and six weeks earlier than Early Grosse Mignonne (specimens of both these varieties stand- ing between trees of Early Rivers), so that I feel assured it ought to be largely cultivated under glass. I find Rivers's White Nectarine to be very early, and to be one of the best in flavour under glass, and very vigorous and productive. Midseason Peaches are so numerous that it is hardly worth while trying to get new varieties of them ; but these early ones, and also the late, show that much may still be done in both directions of earliness and lateness. At any rate, the attention of gardeners ought to be turned to these early varieties of Mr. Rivers's, for a month gained in earliness ought in every way to make them profitable. The potted trees of these early sorts have their fruit buda fully formed for next year, are out of doors, and quite ready for having water withheld in order to set them to rest ; and they might be placed in heat in November or December if early forcing were desired. — W. Kingsley, South Kilvington. THE SALISBURY ROSES. A visit to Salisbury is almost a necessary adjunct with me to one to Okeford Fitzpaine, and consequently on my return from my good friend Mr. Radcljft'e's hospitable home I stopped at the old cathedral city, where Mr. Keynes was good enough to meet me, and, as my time was limited, to take me to his nurseries. Under his guidance, and that of his able and intel- ligent foreman Mr. Gill, I had a good opportunity of seeing his stock, and also of talking over the quality of the various new kinds introduced during the last two years. There are some people who go to war for an idea. Here are two of the greatest of continental powerB, like two big boys at Bchool, determining to slay thousands of their fellow creatures, because one thinks and says, " I can lick you," and the other replies, " You can't ; try it." But there are also some people who will not fight because of an idea. We have this year, except from the lists of the Crystal Palace, missed the vigorous onslaught of the knight of Salisbury ; and yet that ought not to have been, for I never saw finer Roses than there were in the nurseries. But there was an idea that there would be no necessity for watering ; and although Mr. Keynes has a river running at the bottom of his grounds, his Roses were not watered. Bain never came, although, as in most places, it threatened much to do so, and the result was that he was liors de combat, and the queen of flowers missed one of her doughtiest champions. But it is an " ill wind that blows nobody good," and so I had an opportunity of seeing the Roses unmutilated, and with a far larger amount of bloom than I should have done had Mr. Keynes exhibited as usual. It is a great treat to a lover of Roses to see 30,000 all in one piece in full bloom, and in such fine condition as they were here — to see row after row of such fine flowers as Baroness Rothschild, Marie Rady, Marguerite Dombrain, Louise Pey- ronny, Alfred Colomb, Duke of Edinburgh, and JoEephine Beauharnais. But this is an oft-told tale, and so, as a matter of greater interest, we will have a look at the new Roses, of which Mr. Keynes has a grand supply. As to those of last year, the following was the estimate we formed : — Berthe Baron, a well-shaped Rose ; pretty colour, and good. Charles Fontaine, a rich deep crimson Rose of good quality. Devienne Lamy, brilliant carmine ; very large, well-shaped flowers, but will not answer on the Manetti. Dupuy Jamain, bright cherry colour. Emilie Hausburg, beautiful rose colour ; an exquisitely shaped Rose. Henri Ledechaux, bright rosy oarmine ; very pretty. Madame Creyton, a beautifully formed Rose, and a novel colour — carmine shaded with rose. Marquise de Mortemart, blush white; very pretty, although at times inclined to be rough. Monsieur Journeaux, crimson scarlet ; flowers large and full ; a particularly beautiful shade of oolour. Souvenir de Monsieur Poiteau, bright salmon rose, quite dis- tinct in colour. Thyra Hammerich, a beautiful flesh-coloured Rose ; a seedling from Duchess of Sutherland. Victor le Bihan, brilliant rosy carmine ; flowers large and full. It will thus be seen that a dozen Roses of last season were considered worthy of being retained ; others which have been much spoken of, such as Julie Touvais, Madame Jacquier, Reine Blanche, and Clovis, were condemned. Of Tea Roses, Marie Sisley, Adrienne Christophle, and La Tulipe were con- sidered good, the first two especially. Of the new Roses of this year Mr. Keynes and Mr. Gill spoke very highly of Marquise de Castellane, raised by Fernet, the raiser of Baronne de Rothschild, and of Louis Van Houtte and Mdlle. Eugenie Verdier, both of which I have already noticed as fine. There are some Roses " well done " here, which one does not often see elsewhere. Joseph Fiala, Hippolyte Flandrin, an enormous Rose, not free-flowering, but at times giving Roses far larger than Louise Peyronny and more double, and Madame Moreau, are cases in point ; while Marfchal Niel is in perfection here on the Briar, a stock well suited for all the Tea-scented Noisettes. There was a Rose the name of which I forgot to August 11, 1870. ] JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. get, probably Mr. Keynes can supply it ; it was numbered 13, very dwarf, not growing more than a foot high, of a pretty blush oolour, and good shape. Although Roses were my chief object, yet one could not pass by some other things which Mr. Keynes cultivates admirably. Need I say that the Salisbury Dahlias with which he first won bis way to fame are as famous as the Salisbury Roses ? and notwithstanding the excessive drought they were looking beau- tiful ; while some seedlings that I saw seemed to me to be in advance of those we already have, notably a Bhaded purple of great beauty. But as Mr. Keynes will be a large exhibitor at the first exhibition of the new Metropolitan Society for the Enoonragement of Florists' Flowers I shall have more to say of them then. I have before now noticed the Vines at these nurseries, and again I have to express my wonder at the fine plants which fill the houses. To pick and choose from them would be simply needless, for they are all alike good ; and I wish those good people who talk of Golden Champion being an indifferent grower could have seeu the canes here from eyes, quite as vigorous in every respect as the Black Hamburghs close by them. Of Royal Ascot, too, Mr. Keynes spoke highly, especi- ally as a Vine for pot culture, for which its prolifio character makes it admirably suited. These Vines, with their long stout canes, were not forced by stimulating manures ; they were grown in nothing but leaf mould and good loam, and their appearance fully justified the treatment to which they had been subjected. It is well known that Mr. Keynes sends out yearly some Verbenas raised by Mr. Eckford. I saw those of this season, and notwithstanding the drought they looked very well indeed. The finest as a bedder was Eclipse, but the others were also very good — Mrs. Eckford, Henry Eckford, Countess of Radnor, Miss Cole, and Sensation. The past season has tried Verbenas very much, and I fear they are gradually going out of estima- tion as bedding plants. Such is a brief notice of what I saw at Salisbury. A finer stock, especially of Roses on the Manetti, I never saw ; and one has only to vieit such a nursery as this to see how universal is the love of the queen of flowers in these islands. — D., Deal. EARLY PROLIFIC AND OTHER STRAWBERRIES. The season for planting Strawberries having arrived, it may interest amateurs to hear something of the above splendid variety, raised from seed by that indefatigable amateur, W. Roden, Esq., of Kidderminster, and latterly made known to the public. After having admired, two years ago in Dr. Roden's garden, the fruit of bis pet, he kindly sent me a few plants for trial. I increased them so as to form a nice bed of fifty plants, which had grown strong and capable of bearing a full crop the past season. In consequence of the late cold spring my lot only began to bloom on the 10th of May, and it beautifally set its fruit, the first of which was ripe on June 15th, and the plants continued bearing for more than five weeks. To describe the beauty of this little bed in full bearing is impossible ; suffice it to say that everybody who saw it was struck by the picture. In size the fruit is rather large, of a very handsome even shape, mostly conical, sometimes flattened; in colour it is bright glossy vermilion from calyx to point ; and as to quality, it is surpassed by none. The plant is of healthy growth, ele- gant habit, and easy propagation. I can boldly assert that the Early Prolific is the earliest of the large kinds, and it produces no fruit of inferior size. When better known it must become a general favourite, the more so as I found it very useful for early forcing in pots. Another point of recommendation is the fact that it stands the drought and heat better than most others. I am convinced that all fragarians will feel glad of my having called their attention to such a superior novelty. Dr. Roden has another valuable seedling, the Duke of Edin- burgh, a worthy companion to Early Prolific. This is a little later, but its noble fruit is larger still. Mr. Bradley's Sir Joseph Paxton, quite a gem here, is, I am sorry to see, but rarely mentioned across the Channel. It is later than the Early Prolific, but likewise a sort which will be grown as long as Strawberries are cultivated. Of the late Dr. Nicaise's ten new seedlings, sent out last spring at exorbitant prices, I have as yet not been able to form an opinion. As far, however, as I have proved them, I believe that Eome of them will be useful additions to a choice collection. Our Strawberry crop has been, generally speaking, small and of short duration. On account of the extraordinary drought and tropical heat of the present summer, the fruit of such soft kinds as Marguerite was roasted before completing its maturity. It is to be wondered that we should have had Strawberries at all. — Ferdinand Gloede, Beauvais (Oise) France. Aftek reading Mr. Creed's paper on the Strawberry (see page 57), it has just occurred to me that a few more notes from another pen might be of service to those about to plant. My soil is a clayey loam, hard as a flint when dry, yet easily worked under certain conditions. The whole of my Strawberry beds I had trenched two spades deep, and as much manure as possible was put in. I planted the following sorts all grown under the same conditions, that is, throughout the dry weather they received no water, as I had it not to give — Rivere's Royal Hautbois, Rivers's Eliza, Dr. Hogg, President, Mr. Radcljffe, De Jonghe's Emma, Lucas, Nimrod, Stirling Castle Pine, La Constante, and Carolina Superba. As regards the Royal Hautbois the flavour was excellent, and it bore better than I expected ; I shall still grow some of this sort. Rivers's Eliza was exceedingly prolific, a good strong grower, producing some very good fruit, but this was rather surpassed by the Stirling Castle Tine in quantity, flavour, and colour, Mr. Radclyffe being equal with this variety in all these respects, but beating it in size. President was small with me and had but few fruit. Dr. Hogg did not grow well, and to my mind is not bright enough in colour. Lucas was also a sby bearer, also Nimrod, but|both are good. La Constante was weakly and very Bmall in fruit. Carolina Superba is not strong enough in constitution for my soil, and gives too small a crop. De Jonghe's Emma was very fine in flavour and colour, a free bearer, and certainly worth growing. After taking all qualities into con- sideration, for my stiff soil I have decided that Mr. Radclyffe and Stirling Castle Pine are my best two, very closely followed by Rivers's Eliza and De Jonghe's Emma ; for I hold that one wants quantity as well as quality, and I also like a good bright- looking Strawberry, something that appeals to the palate through the eye. Lucas and President, also Dr. Hogg, I shall grow, but if they do not serve me better another year I shall discard them. 1 have only a dozen of President, and I shall not increase my stock. La ConetaDte and Carolina Superba I shall dig in most of at once, on account of their weakly growth. Nimrod I shall try another year, but I think most likely I shall reduce my varieties to Mr. Radclyffe, Stirling Castle Pine, and De Jonghe's Emma, if the last go on as well as it has begun. I may here remark that I can do nothing with the British Queen in my soil, and also I may smv that amongst all the fore- going sorts I do not think I had a dozen barren plants, which seem to have been so common with Mr. Creed. — Harrison Weir, Weirleigh, Kent. IMPERIAL BLUE PANSY, EAST LOTHIAN STOCKS, AND BETA CICLA CHILENSIS. Perhaps one of the greatest acqusitions which has gladdened the hearts of bedders-out lately is Imperial Blue Pansy. We may write it down as first-rate as surely as Golden Pyrethrnm. The colour, a beautiful deep lavender blue, is all that can be wished for, and it is one that was much needed. The blooms seem to retain their depth of hue to the end — at least, there is no Bymptom of change as I write now, on August 4tb. With attention to taking off decaying blossoms and pretty constant top-dressing, this Pansy remains vigorous in constitution and a mass of bloom all summer. What would be the best edging for it ? I have Golden Pyrethrum, but it is too pale. Some- thing more orange would be better. I am inclined to think its best companion would be Duke of Edinburgh bronze zonal Pelargonium. The next plant I wish to express my gratitude to iB the crim- son East Lothian Stock. Here, again, we have a colour, which in the north of Ireland we have always found it most difficult to obtain in a mass. The nniform habit of the growth of this Stock, its durability, and the large proportion of plants bearing double flowers, entitle it to a very high place indeed. Golden Eagle Pansy would make a beautiful border for it. Beta Cicla chilenBis is a very beautiful and Btriking plant. It would be a magnificent border for a shrubbery, or a large bed of Dahlias or Rhododendrons. The stems, which are very broad, are most brilliantly-coloured — scarlet, orange, yellow, magenta, rose, and white. It would, I think, be very handsome 100 JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 11, 1870. in vases on a terrace, or as a pot plant for hall decoration. All who have large gardens and extensive grounds should try it next season. — Q. Q. THE POTATO CROP. This season has been a very peculiar one for the Potato crop in this neighbourhood (Hawkhurst) ; the severe drought caused a premature ripening of the tubers, especially in the second early, general, and late crops. Here we had no rain to speak of for fully four months, but last week heavy showers fell, which improved the condition of everything except the Potatoes. These are growing and supertuberating at an alarming rate. ActiDg upon the experience gained the year before last, when the Potatoes I left in the ground proved worthless for eating after having grown again, I have now decided on taking up all those sort3 that have tubers of an average size, for, although the crop is small, I feei convinced that it is better to secure what I have than to run the risk of spoiling the present crop for the uncertain chance of obtaining a better one. I would advise others whose Potatoes are going in a similar way to take them up, because I acted on the same plan last year and the year before and did well. But, perhaps, some will say that such Potatoes, if taken up, will not keep well. I admit that sometimes they will not keep so well as a fully-ripened Potato, but if a little additional care be bestowed upon them there will not be much to complain of in that respect. I say, Do not be in a hurry to finally store them, but do all that is possible to encourage ripening by keep- ing them spread thinly in a dry airy shed, from which strong light is excluded ; then their tendency to grow will be checked, ripening will go on, and when they are finally stored in heaps they will not be so likely to heat or sweat, which would be sure to induce decay. My opinion is, that all Potatoes should be planted early ; even the late sorts should be planted early or very late indeed. My plan is to plant for early crops as soon after January as the state of the soil will allow, but I like to have the late sorts in by the first week in March. — Thomas Becokd, Lillesden. FELIX GENERO ROSE. I do not wish to impeach " D.," of Deal's, judgment with regard to Roses. I think, however, owing to the general vigour which he describes everything to have at Okeford Fitzpaine, he has seen Felix Genero through rose-coloured spectacles. Since writing about it, however, I have been told by two much better judges than myself that it is a good Rose, and useful for exhi- bition purposes; but the chief merit they attach to it is, that owing to its being of a different shade of colour to most Roses, it helps to diversify a stand of Roses, and acts as a foil to other and brighter colours. It also has the merit, which is a valuable one for exhibition purposes, of keeping its shape well after it is cut. My object in writing was merely to warn amateurs who have only room for, perhaps, 150 to 200 Roses, that it was not worth their while to order several of Felix Genero to the exclusion of other and better sorts ; and though my friend, the Rev. S. R. Hole, was one of those who told me I had put too light an estimate on it, yet he himself has not so high an opinion of it as Mr. Radclyffe, if I may judge from the fact that when I was at Caunton on the 6th of August he had finished budding Briars to the number of 1440, and had not put in a single bud of Felix Genero. It may be by way of euphemy called a violet Rose, but with me it is dull red, with a lilac shade in it. It may seem heresy on my part to venture to differ from Mr. Radcljffe, but I cannot see the wisdom of the advice which he has more than once given to amateurs who have asked for lists of Roses, to grow a hundred of Charles Lefebvre and a hundred of Jules Margottin. Many amateurs have only room for a few Roses to begin with, and certainly, good as Charles Lefebvre and Jules Margottin undoubtedly are, there are at least fifteen or twenty just as well worthy of cultivation. — C. P. Peach. cow dung sunk in the winter. They are not yet full grown ; the largest two are respectively 11 i and 11 inches in circum- ference. Between the plants runners of Dr. Hogg Strawberry were planted in the spring, the flowers taken off, and they are now fine plants. — W. F. Radclyffe. ONIONS AT OKEFORD FITZPAINE. The White Spanish are small. The Underground Onions also are not their usual size. The Portugal Onions are fine and still growing. The seed was sent by Messrs. Barr and Sugden, as received from Her Majesty's Consul at Oporto, Mr. Crawford. It was sown in pans, and kept during the winter in my vinery. The Onions were planted out in February, over i " REDCARRE, A POOR FYSHER TOWNE."— No. 2. I told in my previous notes of the superlative sands which here margin the sea, and I have now traversed tie whole, from the mouth of the Tees near Middlesbrough to Saltburn — full seven miles. Between the sands and the main land is an almost unbroken series of huge sandbanks, bound down by the roots of Carex arenaria, Phleum arenarium, Triticum littorale, and other species of the maritime Gramineaa. They and Ononis arvensis (Rest-harrow), Erodium moschatum, Cakile maritima, and Ualium cruciatum form almost the entire flora of these rabbit-tenanted sandbanks. But the ledges of rocks called the Scars abound in what are called, with wrongful depreciation, Sea-weeds. " Ah ! call us not weeds, but flowers of the sea, For lovely, and gay, and bright-tinted are we ; And quite independent of culture or showers : Then call us not weeds, we are ocean's gay flowers." Though^" independent of culture," yet they may be made tenants of that marine flower border the aquarium. I have my hand upon a charming little volume, the author of which, Mr. D. Ferguson, a schoolmaster, is resident here, and an ac- complished naturalist. He says :— " The red weeds are the most beautiful, and we have succeeded in growing them very successfully, but some of them are so delicate that they seldom endure confinement for a very lenetkened period ; yet there are others of the more hardy kinds, as the Ceramium rubrum, Rhodymenia, Irida?a, Polysiphonia, and Ptilota, which answer re- markably well ; and the pretty little chain-like Chylocladia also thrives, and gives the miniature rocks au interesting appearance. To the green weeds we must resort for oxygisers. The Sea Lettuce, the Purple Laver, and the Enteroinorpka, are under some circumstances the best. Then we have the feathery Bryopsis growiug freely in the still waters of the tank ; and one of darker shade in the rock-inhabiting Clado- phora. Many of these are plants of annual growth ; all are composed entirely of cellular tissue, those parts that approach most nearly to wood being only compressed cellular tissue, and destitute of fibre. Being always immersed, or at least covered with water during the greater part of their existence, they have no need, like terrestrial plants, of organs specially adapted to absorb fluids, but their whole surface acts the part which the roots alone perform in land plants ; they have, therefore, no true roots and the pedicel or footstalk by which the plant is fixed to the rock, is simply an organ of prehension, from which it receives, not sustenance, but merely support. "We find many of the microscopic Alga very beneficial in commencing a tank, though not so effective in the appearance of the tank as the more highly developed plants, yet they yield a large supply of oxygen, and stud the rocks with beautiful crystal bubbles ; such plants are the Lyngbya, Oscillatoria, Bangia, and Conferva. Whatever be the selection of plant, care must be taken that each is adherent to a piece of rock : and always choose the hardest rock ; the soft blue lias is very apt to thicken the water by giving off tho alumina which it contains, when in contact with the sea water. "In many of the pools, growing very luxuriantly, you will find the Gigartina mamillo&a, a very peculiar-looking plant, nearly resembling the Choudrus crispus so very common on West Scar, but easily dis- tinguished from it by its warty appearance. The only time we have ever seen the Desmarestia aculeata in a growing state was upon this rock, in such a condition very different in its appearance from the hard beach-worn specimens ; when young, each branch is beset with the finest pencilled filaments of pea green, these are succeeded by stiff spines of dark olive, bard and woody in their texture ; but when yon first gather the plant, it is impossible to conceive a more lovely object waving its delicately feathered fronds in your vase of water. Attached to the roots of Laminaria digitata, Tangle, may be found the pretty Nitophyllum laceratum, whose prescribed locality seems to be the strong stems of Laminaria, rocks or stones, but rarely within tide-mark, but here, as the rock projects so far into the sea we reach the Lamina- rian region, and are thus enabled to find, in a growing state, many of the delicate Rhodosperms, or red-seeded Algffi. You will find on the north side of the rock a good supply of Deles- seria alata, Winged Delesseria, the extreme beauty of which makes it much sought after ; and notwithstanding the common occurrence of it on our shores, is never seen without attracting admiration. With equal beauty, in rock pools near low-water mark, the Esculent Iridaja (Iridfea edulis) presents its red feathery leaves, many of which grow together from the same root; and from its jagged and eaten appear- ance we should imagine it the favourite food of many of the denizens of the deep. Another of the red sea weeds adorns the sides of every pool, the Laurencia pinnatifida, though one of the most common, it is certainly the most variable of our marine Alga?. August 11, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 101 11 A beautiful feathery sea weed often adorns the roots of Focus ser- ratus, or the stems of Laminaria digitata, this is the Ptilota plumosa, and yon will often find it to be the abode of an interesting Zoophyte the Membranipora pilosa. Ptilota sericea, a plant much finer in tex- ture than the preceding, decks the lower ledges with its silky fronds. 11 The Odenthalia dentata, though recorded as not occurring Bouth of Durham, abundantly ornaments the lowest ledges of East Scar, and a ridge of rock on West Scar, easy of access at very low tides. The living plant presents a very different appearance to the dried specimen, which is much darkened in drying. We have grown this elegant plant with other Rhodosperms tolerably successfully. " The Chondrus norvegicus, Norwegian Chondrus, though rather rare, is found in the deep pools on the north side of the rock. In leav- the Scar, the beauties of which we have endeavoured to unfold, you will find the Porphyra laciniata densely clothing the ledges of rock nearest the shore ; this is the Purple Laver, one of the Chlorosperms, or green-seeded seaweeds; though called purple, it assumes at diffe- rent seasons various hues or shades. Many of the rarer Algre are only to be found at extreme low-water mark, or at the lowest water of spring tides, either along the margin of the rocks partially laid bare, or more frequently fringing the deep tidepools left at low water. The side of the pools richest in Red Algie will be found to be the northern or Bhaded side; whilst the olive, or green, require a sunny position to bring them to maturity." * On the afternoon of the day on which I collected many of the Algae eo commented on by Mr. Ferguson, I wended my way inland to Guisboroagh, celebrated even in Drayton's time for its lovely scenery. He thus describes it in his " Polyolbion :" — " Mark Guisborongh's gay site, where nature seems so nice, As in the same she makes a second paradise ; Whose soil embroidered is with so mre sundry flowers, Here large Oaks so long green ; as Summer there her bowers Had set up all the year ; her air for health refin'd, Her earth with alum veins so richly iutermin'd." The last line refers to the first alum works in England being erected at Gaisborough by Sir Tuomas Cballoner in the reign of Elizabeth. He noticed that the strata here are like those near Rome, and obtained workmen from the Pope's works near that city. Hie. success reducing the price of alum, the Pope anathematised Sir Thomas ! but, as Graves remarks, " the Pope's infallibility is in this respect to be doubted — the heretic flourished, and so do his descendants," one of whom, Admiral Cballoner, is now resident at Guiaborough Priory. What tales and doings of the olden time does the naming of that monastery recall to my memory. This was a wild district when the Augustine monks were settled here by Robert de Bras in the twelfth century, and bo exposed to the Northmen's inroads that in the fourteenth a royal license was granted to the Prior and Canons to fortify their house sufficiently to pro- tect them from pirates and other marauders, from whom they had suffered severely. " The Prior kept a most pompous house, insomuch that the towne, consystinge of five hundred house- holders, hade no lande, but lyved all on the abbay ; and a steward of theirs was turned out of office, because he had afore- hande but oneley four hundred quarters of grayne to serve their house. But nowe all these lordings are gone, and the countrye as a wydowe remaynethe mournfull." — (Cotton MSS ) However, a good time has come again ; for although only the east end of the Priory remains, a noble fragment, and an arch of the north side, yet they are surrounded by a well-kept garden, and beneath the old sacred ruin is a spacious wine- vault, suggestive of the adoption of this inscription — " There are spirits above, there are spirits below, There are spirits of joy, there are spirits of woe ; The spirits above are spirits divine, But the spirits below are the spirits of wine." From that vault a subterranean passage is said to pass to a plantation in Toccotes, and a legend tells that midway there is an enormous chest of gold guarded by a .vaven, which keeps incessant watch over the treasure. Once only was it invaded, but when the intending thief reached the chest the raven was transformed to a demon, who belaboured the intruder so severely that no one has repeated the attempt. There is little reason, if any, for doubting that tne legend was founded on the known wealth of the Priory. At the time of its suppression it was endowed with the patronage of more than fifty churches, be- sides many other estates and privileges, among which were the right to claim fish from fishing cobbles of Redcar. But this was not the only contribution to the refectory table of the white-tunicked monks, for there are notices extant of annual benefactions of poultry and other good things to their larder and buttery. The produce of the dovecotes of their let farms was always reserved. Be it ever remembered, too, that they * The Natural History of Redcar and its Neighbourhood. By D. Fergu- son. London Simpkin, Marshall & Co. ' were the best husbandmen, gardeners, and orchardists of their age. No better testimony to this could be quoted than the fact that the " five hundred householders " of Gaisborough placed all their lands under the management of its monks, to benefit by their superior means and knowledge. — G. HORTICULTURAL CONGRESS AT OXFORD. [Continued from page 84 ) The following paper is that real on the first day of the CongresB, by Mr. William Ingram, of Belvoir Castle Gardens. THE FORMATION OF SOUS. Investigations into the history of soils lead us far back to a voice- less, but not unrecorded, antiquity; and, tracing effects to their causes, we shall find ourselves carried beyond the written records of men, beyond the ages of iron, and bronze, and stone, and we shall be left stranded amidst the bewildered and struggling creatures whose de- struction was accomplished during that eventful time called by | geologists the glacial drift period. Some writers on soils have attri- buted their occurrence and formation to atmospheric causes alone. This theory will he found insufficient to account for all the various circumstances of soil occurring in this country. The preparation of the surface soil for the growth of plants is mainly due to the action of the weather, and we all know that rocks, and marls, and clays, ex- posed to the action of the elements, are disintegrated and pulverised, and that the particles scattered by the wind, or spread over the land by rain, enricbed and carbonised by vegetation, form, during long periods of time, considerable accumulations of soil ; but such cauaes as these are not adequate to account for the immense masses of earthy material composed of matters derived from the rocky crust of the earth, and consisting, in one place, of deep beds of clay, in another of sand and gravel, or loam, and distributed, with more or less irregu- larity, over the hills, and valleys, and plains of this island. After the deposition of the lower tertiaries it would seem that Britain and the north of Europe underwent a vast revolution as to climate, and that some new arrangement of sea and land took place at the same period. At all events, the large mammalia of the earlier tertiaries disappeared, and the land was submerged to the extent of several hundred feet, for we now find water-worn boulders on the tops of our hills at an altitude of liSOO or 2000 feet. A cold period ensued, and icebergs, laden with boulders and travel from other regions, passed over these latitudes, and dropped their boulders on our then submerged lands. How long this process con- tinued it is impossible to determine, hut by-and-by a gradual elevation of the submerged lands took place. Our hill tops and ranges appeared as islands, and our valleys as straits. These islands were now covered periodically with glaciers; during a brief season avalanches descended, glaciers smoothed the hill sides, and left the debris as morasses of sand and gravel. In process of time the land was elevated to its present level, another distribution of sea and land took place, and the glacial epoch passed away. The agencies in action during this time were eminently calculated, as no doubt they were designed, for the production of results of the greatest possible importance to us, uthe latest gifts of time." It appears to me to have been the most evident period of preparation for the race of beings that was to become dominant on the earth, and to glorify by intelligent appreciation the gracious gifts of God. To the action of these great forces of Nature — turbulent seas, ice- bergs, glaciers, and the Btreams from the great ice fields, as the climate changed — may be referred many of the drift soils which I have already said are widely distributed, and which wherever they occur give their own character to our agricultural and horticultural produc- tions. Looking broadly over the vast fields of Nature, we see a cease- less round of causes and effects, of processes and products. Change alone is dominant. While we enjoy the great results of time, we must not omit to read the great lessons, written in what I may call the ripple marks of these ancient sea margins, which, while carrying destruction to the mighty race of mammals of that time, caused the production of vast areas of soil fertilised more or less by the decay of uuimals and plants which were coeval with and commingled in the dxbris of a vast disrupted world of matter" The causes which have subsequently contributed to produce the more important deposits of soil, are less in magnitude, and in the process of soil-making are fortunately unattended by such wide-spread destruction as that which occurred during the drift periods. The ceaseless and prolonged action of rivers, commencing in periods in- calculably remote, and coming down to the present time, have neces- sarily produced immense deposits of soil. We have all had oppor- tunities of seeing how the devious course of a river is changed by the waters acting upon the banks that bound it. Masses of sand, silt, mud, and gravel, are annually diplaced and deposited, and loam beds, for future fattening fields, are being formed, inch by inch, and year by year. Our true and best loam beds are our ancient and matured river deposits. While the rivers pierce and ramify through the land, displacing and reforming new beds of the matters through which they pass, they still carry onwards some of the spoils of the land into the bosom of the sea. Sea and land, like rival monarchs, are ever striving for 102 JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ Angast 11, 1870. mastery. At the mouths of our great rivers we have islands or deltas constantly increasing, which are destined some day, perhaps, to be rich pastures, where prize stock will fatten, or fair gardens where cham- pion Grapes will win future medals. But the sea is sometimes generous, and gives tribute to the land. This is attested by the rich alluvial tracts along onr eastern coast, for where the land slopes smoothly to the ocean, and the waters roll over a shallow strand, every tide leaves a deposit which, increasing thus, is at last embanked, and forms the rich alluvial fields that Lincolnshire delights in. I have already referred to the operation of th6 forces of the atmo- sphere on the exposed surfaces of the earth. In the comparatively equable climate of our own country such causes as heat and cold, wind and rain, are in constant operation, and, as we all know, assist us greatly in the preparation of land, and the labour we bring to bear upon the earth's surface assists the process of disintegration. Having thus cursorily glanced at the causes which have contributed in the greatest degree to the accumulation, dispersion, and deposition of the earthy matters that result in soils, before proceeding to trace out in detail the various deposits of soil, spread like a garment over the stony framework of the earth, it will be as interesting as it is im- portant to our inquiry to examine the great rock system of England. We shall by so doing be better able to trace back to their natural bedB or formations some of the drifts or accumulations of soil which are found to occur, more or lesB abundantly, on different places. From the western end of the Cheviots a mountain range commences, termed the Pennine Chain. It stretches due south through North- umberland, Cumberland, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and with a break terminates in the small mountain range of Charnwood, in Leicestershire. A great part of this range is composed of carboni- ferous rocks, lying in an anticlinal ridge, and having the lower series of rocks in the centre and the upper in the flanks. Connected with this chain is a group of mountains, occupying part of Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lancashire ; these form the Cambrian group of the lake district, and present the highest summits in England (Hel- vellyn, 3,055 feet). The stratification of these rocks has been dis- turbed by intrusive masses of granite and igneous rock. The old red sandstone or Devonian has a considerable development in Hereford- shire. That important section of the carboniferous system, the coal measures, occurs extensively in the north of England, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Notts, Lincoln, and Stafford. The lower red sand-stone fringes the northern coal field, and appears in Shropshire associated with the coal formation. The magnesian is found in North- umberland, Durham, Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire. The new red sandstone spreads from the foot of the rocks already described into great rolling plains which occupy a large part of some of tho midland counties ; an extension of this system runs down the valley of the Severn, through Somerset and Devon, to the mouth of the Teign. A similar extension runs through the county of York to the Tees, while a third occupies nearly the whole of Cheshire. The secondary rocks, from the lias to the chalk, strike regularly across it in a S.W. and N.E. direction, and presenting escarpments to the W. and N.W. The softer portions of these formations make plains or valleys, and the harder and stronger rocks long ridges of hills. We have thus the plain or valley of the lias running from Lyme Regis to Whitby. Over this comes the oolitic escarpment. As the chalk dips towards the east, it becomes overlaid by tertiary beds, which extend from Norfolk to Hampshire, with one remarkable interruption. This is a broad and eldvated ridge of chalk that extends from Salisbury Plain to the N.E. of Winchester, where it divides into two ridges, one the North Downs, the other the South Downs. In the centre of this valley rises a ridge composed of Hastings sand, the beds of which have been largely removed by denudation. The tertiary beds of the south-east of England are separated into two parts, occupying two basin-shaped depressions, called the London and Hampshire basins. Every rock formation which I have described has been more or less denuded by the operation of the various causes incident to the drift period, but notably by glacial action, and by the great boreal and the subsequent eastern drift. Had the carboniferons and red sandstone formations been composed only of rock, however powerful the action of the agencies brought into play during the pleistocene period, the resulting detritus would have been great plains of gravel and boulders — fragments, in fact, " confusedly hurled like relics of an earlier world." The preparation for the great events that caused the dispersion of soil had preceded the time of their occurrence. The ancient seas of the carboniferous period had formed from the waste of tbe granite, silurian and Devonian systems, immense beds composed of shales, clays, slates, and sandstoues, while the profuse vegetation of the period added the coal beds. The displacement, amalgamation, and dispersion of these matters is evidenced throughout the system. The deep valleys that intersect the mountain masses of the carboniferous rocks show the amount of denudation they have suffered ; and the debris are scattered far and wide over the land. Some of the best soil in the northern counties is composed of the matters borrowed from those ancient rocks. Chatsworth, amongst other places, owes some of its deep-loam beds to the degradation of the neighbouring rocks ; and the feeding meadows that surround ancient Haddon have lost noue of their fertility al- though they fattened beeves for the hospitable owners of the Hall centuries ago. The upheaval of the millstone grit in Derbyshire, and the subse- quent waste of the stone, has formed over a wide extent of surface a poor, siliceous soil, which sustains heath and endless moors. This i3 an example of what I call a primitive soil, one obtained directly from the wash or decay of rocks or marl beneath. This, too, is first in my list of peat soils, on which I shall comment presently. The mountain limestone, which is one of the divisions of the carboniferous, is associ- ated, but not intermixed, with grit. Its purely calcareous character separates the vegetation of the two rocks as widely as the poles ; and while on your right you Bee the purple Heather blooming, on your left you have woods and corn fields. The next important soil-producing formations to be noticed are those derived from the permian and triassic systems. These, by their subordinate elevation and central position, the previous character of their shells and marls, suffered greatly ironi the denuding action of the various drift currents to which they were exposed, and, con- sequently, contributed an immense amount of earthy matter over the whole face of the midland and Bouth-eastern counties. The red loams, of which, fortunately, we have many examples, are derived from these marls, intermixed with gravel and vegetable dibris. The Bunter conglomerate of this system gave rounded pebbles, the gypseous beds of the lower series sulphate of lime ; altogether the mineral matters from this system are of incalculable value in fertilising vast tracts of land. An example is offered in this formation of benefits conferred but not enjoyed. The pebbly beds of the conglomerate remain undis- turbed, a poor siliceous gravelly soil is the result, the marl beds below being out of reach. This affords some of the least protitable land in Nottinghamshire. A crystallised form of magnesian limestone occurs at Mansfisld, but this is overlaid to a depth of 10 feet by beds of marl, inter stratified with a band of limestone. As a rule, it is not safe to assume that the surface soil partakes exclusively of the character of the substrata, and contains its essential principles ; and in recent discussions some eminent gardeners have made the mistake of supposing the surface soil above the dolomite rocks to be invariably made up of their dibn's, when in reality the rocks are too far below the surface to affect vegetation. Descending in the series, we find the upper beds of the oolite, the lias, have suffered extensive denudation ; an immense quantity of limestone, clay ironstone, has been swept away from the oolites throughout Leicester and the adjoining counties. The sweeping effects of the currents of the drift, as the land gradually rose, are very evident. The relics of our rocks, in fragments of stone, fossils, and ironstone nodules, may be found scattered through the gravel teds of the counties south-east of us, as well as filling some of our own valleys. We hear occasionally of great agricultural as well as of horticultural achievements in our eastern counties. Sporting gentlemen tell of Turnips whose growth reaches the.knees, and gardens eminent for the excellence of their products are known to us all; but while conceding a great deal to skill, I must, as a faithful chronicler of soils, attribute not a little to their influence in securing such favourable results. Throughout the northern and midland counties we find, as I have de- scribed, the great rock system scored, and rent, and abraded of a por- tion of the mineral treasures of the red sandstone, the oolite lias, chalk, swept away, and this grand compost spread as a dressing over tbe limy, craggy beds of Norfolk and Suffolk. Can we wonder that Turnips grow? or that "Mrs. Pollocks" are evoked? or that man has been rendered eloquent, when half a country has been broken up, and its fertile stores given to these happy lands in the east? The cretaceous groups which comprise the chalk and the greensand are not very extensively developed, although the white chalk cliffs have given a name to our country. We are ail more or less acquainted with one of the products of the Downs, which have given us a breed of sheep (Southdown) few fail to appreciate. But little drift rests on our chalk hills, and the sparse flinty soil, though fertile with management, requires good farming or good garden- ing to bring it up to the mark. The numerous valleys which intersect the formation contain deposits of detrital loam, while beds of clay and gault occur in the system. The associated greensand formations are developed largely in Surrey, Bedfordshire, and Kent. The greensand of the latter county forms a base for the peat soils, which, according to certain notions, produce a wonderful effect on the growth of Heaths. The upper and lower greensands are, under good cultivation, valuable for early cropping and for seed lands. The two well-known examples of the tertiary system which I shall instance, are the London clay and the Bagshot sand. I cannot speak in terms of very high commendation of the horticultural capabilities of London clay. It is very hard to work, and, like a dull boy, requires a good deal of keeping up when it reaches the friable point. It does not equal the lias, plastic, or gault clays, when made into a soil. I have spoken a little regretfully of the waste of some of the form- ations, but when I approach the Bagshot sand, that dreary waste of comminuted silica that runs through parts of Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire, I can only say that it is a matter for regret that some of it at least was not overwhelmed, like Norfolk, and either its sandy wastes swept away or covered over with a few feet of loam, which, were it spread upon these heathy barrens, would make this tract of country smile like a garden. The pebbly beaches and sand beds, poor and hungry as they seem, are gradually submitting to reclamation, and being healthy, are attracting the smoke-dried Londoner, who may August 11, 1870. ] J0UK1>"AL of horticulture and cottage gardener. 103 gather health, if not profit, in the pursuit of gardening; under difficulties. Rut we must forgive the general sterility of this formation when we re- member the Rhododendrons and Azaleas, and the vision of beauty we have before us now in Oxford in Mr. Jackrnau's varieties of Clematis. The natural world is replete with examples of agencies compensating wasted powers, and effecting restoration — evolving new forms. We have seen how the hills have been riven and washed, and the frag- ments spread far and wide over the land and sea. An illustration of the saying, that nothing is ever lost, is before us in the rich, alluvial plains that are found in Lincolnshire and elsewhere along the coast. If any one wants a proof of the influence of soil and situation on animals and plants, he should go first to a hilly inland district in Derbyshire, and after looking at the cattle and the crops, he should proceed to Peterborough, Wisbeach, Sutton Bridge, or to Sleaford and Boston — he would rind cattle doable the Bize, and corn crops at least twice as productive as in the colder county. Here we come to a grand result, and a great example, in showing what soil and situa- tion will do. A realisation of an almost perfectly fertile condition of land is a sort of philosopher's stone to gardeners ; and what often gives additional value to these fine alluvial plains, is that beds of silty gravel are found beneath them, and form the best natural drainage. Nothing is wanting in such fortunate districts but increased elevation (50 feet heavenward). Some of our best seed grounds are found on these rich tracts, and the principle is quite right, to grow seed stocks on the most fertile land ; there will then be no retrogression of type. It would be interesting in a horticultural point of view, and at the same time it would tend to illustrate my subject, if I could follow out the river system of England, and write the story of all the streams that, springing from the heart of the country, flow ever onwards to- wards the sea. In the present instance I can only venture to indicate very slightly the influence of rivers, regarded in the light of soil-produc- ing agents. A great arterial river is a great power moving through the land, and together with its tributary streamlets, which gather their quota of earthy matter from the land adjacent, effects great changes in the distribution of soil. The gravel beds of a river help us to understand the history of its wanderings. Pebbles of quartz and grit, and eroded fragments of granite, a lump of mountain limestone, tell us that the water has passed over an ancient drift bed. The Trent gravels are very much made np of the pebbles from the Bnuter conglomerate, and the meadows that spread out through its wide valley show, in occasional sections, that the rich loams that belong to it were borrowed from the marls and red sandstones, through which it has for so many miles forced its way. An immense gravel bed fills np the valley of the Thames to a dis- tance of fifty miles. The gravel is composed chiefly of chalk flints. The great beds of loam which rest from one to several yards in thick- ness on the gravel bed, appear to hs an alluvial deposit of the post- pliocene time. This loam, derived from calcareous formations, clay, greensand, and gault, is an extremely valuable soil for garden pur- poses. I know three tributaries of the Trent ; one passes through a great clay formation, another comes from the iron beds of the inferior oolite, and passes through lias clay and marl stone — its gravel is but the stone from the beds over which it flows. Another takes its rise amongst oolite hills, and in ancient times has given large sandy deposits to the valley through which it runs. An unwary gardener might look upon these light soils as suitable for American plants, he would be woefully deceived; derived from limestone they still possess some of the properties of that mineral, and are inimical to Heaths and Rhododendrons when planted in them. Each of these rivers, in a comparatively restricted area, has formed loamy deposits, which, derived immediately from, are exclusively characteristic of, the forma- tions through which they pass. From these examples I judge that tributary Btreams bring down more waste in proportion from the land than the main streams, and give a more varied character to the loam beds that are formed in the main valleys. I must not conclude my story of the soils without referring to the peaty deposits and the bog lands, which, having a special botany, are of greater interest and importance to gardeners than many ordinary soils. Nature has infinitely multiplied her forms of life, and adapted them to every circumstance of soil and position found in the world ; nothing seems so abhorrent as utter barrenness. The desolation of our moorlands would be complete were it not for the Heather and Gorse, the Fern, Moss, and Lichen. The weathering of the millstone grit gives us a poor siliceous soil ; decaying Moss, and Lichen, and Heath, in process of time add the vegetable pabulum necessary to support these hardy denizens of the mountains. The greensands in Kent and Surrey, the Bagshot sands in Sussex and Hants, afford examples of peat soils. "Wherever poor sandy drifts occur, heath and peat soil is found. Bog is a product of decayed vegetable matter due to moisture ; an alteration in the level of a district has caused the submergence of ex- tensive forests, and so a black vegetable soil is formed. Most larga rivers have boggy deposits, due to inundations, and to the course of ■the river being encumbered with weeds and rubbish, just as the Upper Nile is at the present day. The value to us of either peat or bog is due to the fact of their perfect freedom from the taiut of stronger soils. Pure sands and vegetable matter are always safe to employ. In endeavouring to recall instances of an exceptionally favourable development of vegetation arising from the influence of soil, the mag- nificent Oaks in Bagots' Park, North Stafford, are vividly brought to my recollection. The park is 1000 acres in extent, and splendid speci- mens of Oak timber occur all over it, but notably in the case of the Beggar's Oak, the Squitch Oak, tho King and Queen Oaks. These are giants amongst trees, and exhibit perfect vigour and health. Knowing that red marl occupied to a great extent the country about Bagots, I had assnmed that these trees were luxuriatiug, as they often do, in the rich marl beds of the red sandstone. A subsequent and closer inquiry proved my assumption erroneous. The park is thinly covered by beds of the lower lias which have escaped denudation. These beds have not been disturbed by cultiva- tion. A section on the north side of the park shows 1 foot of drift clayey soil, few pebbles, '2 feet clay, '2 feet laminated shale with mica- ceous particles, 3 feet mixed clayey rubble, 3 feet shale. Nothing can he more unpromising, on first looking on this section, than the soil. The secret lies in the fact that all these apparently poor beds contain an exact balance of the mineral constituents of fertility in a state of slow decomposition. They are compact, without being too retentive of moisture. I may, in conclusion, advert to the singular advantages enjoyed, in an economical point of view, by the assemblage within a comparatively restricted area of all the more important rock formations that belong to the earth, and by the position of these rocks, by which they are rendered accessible to, and their peculiar products more readily avail- able for, the uses to which they are applied by man. England epito- mises the world in its rocks and rich mineral products ; such a laud is a fitting home for representatives of the great races of the world, whose energy and intelligence have found a home and fitting field for the exercise of the best and highest human faculties. A land endowed like this is a fitting school for a hardy and enterprising nation, and the varied knowledge gathered in the pursuit of the industrial arts, manufactures, mining, agriculture, and horticulture, has fitted the adventurous men, the pioneers of civilisation and Christianity through the world, for the great works they are destined to accomplish. I think I may truly say that Englishmen generally are content to win laurels by successes achieved in prosecuting the arts of peace, in con- quering the unproductive soil of those countries whose undeveloped resources remained too long in abeyance under the sway of the savage. The agricultural and horticultural productions brought together in this city of learning help to illustrate my remarks. The cereal riches and the blessings Bpread. far and wide over the world, in fruits that gratify every sense, aod flowers that gladden the very soul of man, are presented to ub. The lessons gained in these bloodless encounters, these modern wars of the Roses, are carried by our ever-departing pilgrims to their distant habitations ; and it is the glory and deUght of our brothers in their far-off homes to gather together their flowers and fruit, and emulate the work of this, the parent Society of the world of horticulture. The next pap*r which we shall give is that of Mr. Williams, of the Victoria Nursery, Holloway, ON PITCHER PIANTS. The plants upon which, with your permission, I intend to offer a few cultural remarks to-day, and of which I have brought a few Bmall specimens for yoar inspection, are amongst the most curious of Nature's productions which have hitherto been introduced to our gardens. They are known popularly as " Pitcher Plants," from the curious ascidia or pitcher-like bodies which terminate the midrib of their leaves. In treating of Pitcher Plants, I shall confine myself exclusively to the genus Nepenthes, although, did time permit, the genera Sarracenia, Darlingtonia, and Cephalotus would be found equally deserving of attention. Of Nepenthes we have now a considerable number in cultivation. Some are hybrid forms, which have been produced in this country, but the majority are introduced species, and, what is very singular, we appear to have introduced the least interesting kinds first There are many large and most remarkable forms yet to introduce, which will be grand acquisitions for our plant stoves. The names of those in cultiva- tion are— Nepenthes ampallacea, N. ampulla^ea picta, N. distillatoria, N. distillatoria rubra, N. Dominiana, N. gracilis, N. gracilis major, N. hybrida, N. hybrida maculata, N. Hookeriana, N. hevis, N. phyl- lamphora, N. RafHesiana, N. sanguinea, and N. villosa. Some of these are hybrids which have been produced in the establish- ment of Messrs. Veitch & Sons ; but beautiful as many of them are, they are entirely eclipsed by some kinds yet unincroduced, such as Nepenthes Lowii, N. Rajah, N. Edwardsiana, N. Boschiana, and some others, which I am extremely anxious to see in cultivation. Many absurd stories are in circulation respecting the uses of the curious ascidia developed at the extremities of the leaves of these plants. The most popular amongst these describe how the plants are endowed with such extraordinary vitality as to enable them to grow in arid sandy deserts, where nothing else in the shape of vegetation exists ; that they have the power of distilling water to till their pitchers ; that the lids are closed down to prevent evaporation ; and that birds, animals, and even man is accustomed to resort to them to allay their thirst with the cool and pure water found therein. It is scarcely requisite for me to state that these are nothing but pretty fancies, the fact being, that they grow in boggy swampy soils, and cannot exist long n an arid atmosphere. 104 JOURNAL OF HOBTIOULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 11, 1870. In Nepenthes Hookeriana and N. Rafflesiana an extrordinary altera- tion in the form of the pitcher takes place as the plants attain height. Thus, the leaveB which are near the base, and the lateral growths, produce pitchers broad at the base, broadly winged in front, with ciliated hairs at the edges, and the long petiole is attached in front, and passes np between the wings. Bnt in the pitchers produced higher np the stem a wonderful alteration takes place : the petiole is attached behind, the pitcher becomes narrow at the base, and the wings entirely disappear. To the canse of this alteration of form I have utterly failed to obtain the slightest clue, and I should be extremely glad to hear the opinion of any gentlemen present who may have given some attention to the subject. The species of Nepenthes appear to be entirely confined to the Old World, and chiefly find their homes in the islands of the Indian Archi- pelago, where they grow in boggy soil at considerable elevations — in- deed, in some instances up to 9000 feet — the mountain of Kiua Balou, in Borneo, appearing to be their head-quarters. Two species (N. cris- tata and M. madagaseariensis) are found in Madagascar ; the Philip- pine Islands also produce one or two species, which, however, are not peculiar to them, and ono species (N. gymnophora), which grows plen- tifully in Java and several other islands, is also found in New Cale- donia. Another species (N. phyllamphora) is said to grow on the Khaeia Hills, at an elevation of some 3000 feet, and this is probably the extreme northern limit of the genus. Few people have had the pleasure of raising Nepenthes from seeds, and this brings me to my principal object in writing these remarks ; for as there are a quantity of grand species yet to be introduced, a few of which I have already named, and as it is not generally known that the seeds of these plants do not long retain their vitality, I wish to impress npon the minds of any and all who are either about to pro- ceed to the countries they inhabit, or who may have friends resident there, the absolute necessity there is that seeds should be sent home by post as soon as gathered ; and I wish our home cultivators to remember that these seeds should be sown immediately upon arrival, irrespective of the season. It has been my good fortune, during the course of my gardening experience, to raise young plants of N. dis- tillatoria both from home-grown and imported seeds, and I may safely Bay the pleasurable feelings created in watching their curious leaves nnfold, far surpassed that derived from the growth of any other seed- lings, but at the same time, the doubts, hopes, and fears for their wel- fare wero equally increased. Under the impression that an account of my system of raising these seeds may be of service to some, I shall in concluding this paper offer a few remarks on that subject. The seeds having been obtained, take a well-drained seed pan or pans, and fill up to within an inch or two of the top with a mixture of peat and Sphagnum moss in equal parts, adding a little silver sand to keep it sweet. Upon this the seeds should be sprinkled, and not covered with soil. This may seem wrong to those obtaining the seeds for the first time, because they will appear to be large, but, if examined, they will be found to be in reality very small, and enclosed in a long loose tunic-like covering, which is evi- dently a provision of Nature to float the minute seed to a safe position for its germination. This loose coat also serves to protect the roots during the early stage of existence, for it is some time after germina- tion before roots are protruded from the tunic. The seeds having been sown, the pan must be either covered with a bell-glasB, and plunged into a bottom heat of about S0° or 85°, or what is better, the seed pans should be placed in a small close frame, where this heat can be maintained. In this temperature they should begin to germinate in the course of a month or five weeks ; and it is very curious to observe that the very first leaf which is formed after the seed leaf is like a little pitcher — not like those yon see upon the plants now before you, but very much resembling miniature leaves of the Sarracenia purpurea. These are produced freely and quickly, and the plant soon resembles a little ball, with its numerous almost sessile leaves. As soon as the roots begin to spread, the seedlings should be transplanted singly into very small pots, but still kept in the same temperature and close moist atmosphere until they begin to assume their normal form. These plants will succeed either in pots or in baskets. I prefer the latter, because they display their beauties to the greatest advantage ; but whether grown in pots, baskets, or tubs, or planted out in a prepared border, it must be borne in mind that they require more sur- face than depth, and that the soil must be open to allow their black woolly-looking roots to spread. Frequent applications of water over the foliage, through the agency of the syringe, will be necessary during the day, and a liberal supply to the roots will be found advantageous. These rules being attended to, and the plants shaded from the sun's rays to a greater extent than is usually done, Nepenthes will not be found difficult to cultivate, whilst their unique and peculiar beauty is a never-failing source of wonder and astonishment. In conclusion, I sincerely hope to see the species we already have, cultivated to a far greater extent than has hitherto been the case, and the fine species from Borneo nnd the surrounding islands speedily introduced to our gardens. The Royal Horticultural Society's Gladiolus Show. — As will be perceived by a notice in our advertising columns, tbis will be held on Wednesday next ; and as good prizes are offered, both to British and foreign growers, nurserymen and amateurs having each separate classes, we expect an excellent exhibition. The Hollyhocks, too, notwithstanding the drought we have experienced, will no doubt contribute their share to the interest of the Show. APPLETON-LE-STREET FLORAL AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. It is not our practice to notice the exhibitions of local horticultural societies unless there iB something in connection with them which calls for especial notice, and which has an interest for our readers far beyond the district in which the exhibition is held. Such a Society is the Appleton-le-Street Floral and Agricultural Society, founded three years ago by our valued correspondent the Rev. C. P. Peach. It is because of the singular success which has attended the progress of this Society, and the impetus it has caused in the neighbourhood, that we give it this prominence ; and it is also bb an encourage- ment to others to do as Mr. Peach has done that we state the following facts. In 186S the total number of entries of horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry was 254. In the following year they amounted to 308, and this present year they reached the extraordinary number of 434, of which 203 were for horses. In the horticultural department the same ratio of increase was maintained, and as evidence of the quality of subjects shown in that department we give Mr. Peach's commentB on an exhibi- tion which attracted great attention. " I have seldom, if ever, seen a better collection of Carnations and Picotees than those which were exhibited by Mr. George Edwards, of York, at our Floral and Agricultural Show, at Appleton-le-Street, on the 26th of July. They were all seed- lings of Mr. Edwards's own raising, and reflect great credit upon the care and attention which he must have given to the plants before he could have brought them to that state of perfection. As one of the Judges of the Carnations and Picotees at the late Royal Horticultural Exhibition at Oxford, I am con- vinced that those exhibited by Mr. C. Turner, of Slough, were the only ones at all to compare with these seedlings of Mr. Edwards's, which he sent here. Mr. Edwards was second to Mr. Turner at Oxford, but, having to contend with a more northern climate, his blooms were too backward to compete with Mr. Turner from Slough, but if he had been able to get his seedlings which he sent here forward enough for competition, it would, in my opinion, have been a very near struggle. " Among the seedlings sent by Mr. Edwards, the best were — George Edwards, scarlet flake Carnation ; Mrs. Edwards, purple flake ; Mr. Paley, rose flake ; Mr. Dove, J. Davidson, Mrs. Smith, and J. Holliday, bizarres, of which the latter seems to me a great acquisition. " Among the Picotees the following struck me as of great merit : — Ada and John Feather, heavy-edged red ; Fairy and Sweet Lucy, light-edged red ; British Sailor, heavy-edged pink ; Rosa and Mrs. G. Edwards, light-edged pink ; Deli- cata, light-edged mauve, the latter a great acquisition, one of the best mauve-edged Picotees I have ever seen, and John Feather equally good as a heavy-edged red. Mr. Dove has the quality, a very valuable one in exhibition flowers, of lasting well, and will, in my opinion, prove a very useful addition to the list of show Carnations. — C. P. Peach." The amount of money received has been also in proportion to the increase of the exhibitions. In 1868 it was £90 ; in 1869, £128 ; and we believe this year it will be as much as £150. STRAWBERRY CULTURE. We are agreed upon the necessity of eradicating sterile plants, and propagating only by runners taken from fruitful stocks, or stools. We might venture to add, and agree, that runners drawn from stools not worn out, as well as fruitful, are still better than when drawn from old, although fruiting stocks. In other words, runners off stools at most of one and two years' growth are best, as partaking of the fruitfulness and vigour of their parentage or stock. We are not, however, quite agreed upon the mode of plant- ing our runners, some adopting the ridge-and-trench (Potato fashion), and some the level bed plan, the plantations in each mode being in single rows, varying from 12 to 15 or 18 inches in the distance of the plants apart laterally and longitudinally. Bed or ridge is the question in comparative merit. In either event — bed or ridge — the land is easily trenched spade deep, and interlaid, or underlaid, with rotten manure, the merit of August 11, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 105 each plan being so far equal. The planting, too, in lines or rows is also of equal merit. It is when we come to the ridge that the merits of the bed and ridge plans diverge. The ridge plan forms parallel mounds, with the soil drawn or sloped up- wards, the plants sitting on the summit and drooping into the intervening trenches or open drains. Have any of your readers observed that the plants are thus occasionally blanched like Celery, and that sometimes the ridges drop or fall, and the plants perish from exposure to drought, or frost and cold winds ? And has it been noticed that the trenches carry off, like drainage, the moisture so essential to the Strawberry in its period of swelling before ripening fruit? And has it been seen that ridges cannot be easily mulched or top-dressed, the manure tumbling into the trenches, and having its virtues washed away as sewage ? Such features in ridge planting have occurred under my own observation, and I place them before your contributors for comment. The bed is my choice. Beds 4 feet wide, to reach across from each side in weeding, &c, with two rows of Strawberry plants, all equidistant, say 12 inches, the ground trenched and underlaid with manure, are my system. Thus the plants Bit firm and hard beneath the wind, the ground retains its natural moisture, and the mulching with short litter and manure by hand or weeding-fork is little trouble, the mulching being also allowed to remain as a winter protection, and to sink into the beds. It neither blows nor washes away. Weeding is all that is needed, and that is easy across 4-feet beds with 12-iuch path- ways between. Thus I plant, grow on two to three years, and trench, manure the Boil, and plant and mulch successively the same beds (no rotation of crops) satisfactorily. Many growers use straw for protection from dirt in the fruit- ing season. Straw has the worse property of enticing birds and slugs, as well as damping and moulding the fruit in damp weather ; besides, straw confines the heat of the earth, and makes the under sides of the Strawberries soft and watery in flavour, at least I think so, and I use nothing except, for a choice stool here and there, a few broken flower pots or tile layers and reflectors. Netting for bird-scaring, and vegetable charcoal dust and sharp sand, hand-scattered, for slug protection ! As regards the sorts of Strawberries fancied, we may differ as we are located. My choice is Lucas, President, Eclipse, Eivers's Eliza, John Powell, Fairy Queen, Filbert Pine, Dr. Hogg, Frogmore Pine (though Frogmore Pine ripens badly in dull weather), and Wonderful; and taken all in all — flavour, size, and productiveness, I think them the cream. Of La Con- stante, La Ghalonnaise, Marguerite (washy), Sir Harry, and Cockscomb I can make little but a few far-apart fruit not worth the room of the plants. However, " tastes differ." — Beader. GARDENING AS A RECREATION. I would recommend every man in the autumn of his life to take to gardening, if he has not already experienced its plea- sures. Of all occupations in the world it is the one which beBt combines repose and activity. It is rest-in-work or work-in-rest. It is not idleness; it is not stagnation — and yet it is perfect quietude. Like all things mortal it has its failures and its disappointments, and there are some things hard to under- stand. But it is never without its rewards. And perhaps if there were nothing but successful cultivation, the aggregate enjoyment would be less. It is better for the occasional shadows that come over the scene. The discipline, too,' is more salutary. It tries one's patience, and it tries one's faith. The perpetual warfare that seems ever to be going on between the animal and the vegetable world is something strange and perplexing. It is hard to understand why the beautiful tender blossoms and the delicate fresh leaflets of my Bose trees should be covered with green flies and destroyed as soon as they are born. It is a mystery which I cannot solve ; but I know that there is a meaning in it, and that it is all decreed for good, only that I am too ignorant to fathom it. And even in the worst of seasons there is far more to reward and encourage than to dis- hearten and to disappoint. There is no day of the year without something to afford tranquil pleasure to the cultivator of flowers, something on which the mind may rest (using the word in its double sense) with profit and delight. If there is no new surprise, no fresh discovery for you, there is always something to be done. " The garden is a constant source of amusement to us both," wrote Dr. Arnold in one of his delightful letters — he was writing of himself and wife; "there are always some little alterations to be made, some few spots where an additional Bhrub or two would be ornamental, something coming into blossom; so that I can always delight to go round and see how things are going on." In the spring and summer there is some pleasure-giving change visible every morning, something to fulfil and some- thing to excite expectation. And even in the winter, flower cul- ture has its delights. If you have a greenhouse or conserva- tory, no matter how small, you have an in-doors garden, in which you may watch the same changes and enjoy the same delights. And if you have not, you may still do something to preserve your nurslings during the rigours of the hybernal season. Indeed, there are few states of life in which floricul- ture is not an available enjoyment. To rich and to poor it is a blessing equally accessible. " As gardening," it was observed by Sir William Temple, who has had a new lease of life in one of the best of Maeaulay's " Essays," " has been the inclination of kings and the choice of philosophers, so it has been the com- mon favourite of public and private men, a pleasure of the greatest, and the care of the meanest; and, indeed, an employ- ment and a possession for which no man is too high or too low." I am disposed, indeed, to think that to men of low estate it yields greater joy than to those who hail from high places. — (Cornhill Magazine.) VIOLA CORNUTA. Allow me to inform Mr. Bobson, that although my Viola cornuta and Yellow Pansies were not planted until June, I have never seen them do better. They have been, and will yet continue for some time, a perfect mass of blossoms. They are both new introductions here, and have been the admiration of thousands. Indeed, the bedding has been very much ad- mired, mort> especially the mixed and tricolor beds. The old style of bedding solid masses of colour has to a great extent been abandoned this season for the first time, much to the gratification of all who visit these grounds. — Edward Bennett, The Gardens, Enville. DOUBLE-FLOWERED PELARGONIUMS AS BEDDERS. I have to thank " D., Deal," for his article on this subject at page 78. I agree with his remarks as to the suitability of double- flowered Pelargoniums for bedding purposes. As " D., Deal," says, there are no seed pods — undoubtedly a great ad- vantage of double-flowered varieties as compared with some of the single-flowered sorts, of which Christine and most of the Nosegays require almost daily attention to keep up a decent appearance during dry hot weather. In rainy weather the flowers of the double kinds, though much more compact in the truss than the single-flowered, are not so soon destroyed by wind and rain ; indeed, a heavy rain spoils the beauty of the single-flowered sorts for a time, until, in btighter drier weather, more flowerB open. The double-flowered kinds are not in the least the worse of a heavy rain, but should the weather con- tinue dull, as it often does for several days together, the trusses, from being so close, are " matted together ;" the whole truss, from the decay of a few flowers in the centre, is then soon a mass of white mould. During bright hot weather is when they shine, as do all kinds coming up to the florists' standard of excellence — those with good trusses of well-formed flowers, as Lord Derby, Editor, and others, which " D., Deal," grows, and which more of us would grow if they flowered profusely and recovered more speedily after wet and cold. The double and large-flowered kinds suffer less from wet and cold than the smaller-flowered, but during a continuance of wet they damp to a pitiable extent, and are very slow of recovery. However, like " D., Deal," I am so well satisfied with my experience of them out of doors that I intend to give them a more extended trial, and would advise others to do the same. All seasons are not wet ; in a dry bright summer they greatly outvie those we should not keep except for their free continuous blooming. But why discard kinds whose only fault is a free vigorous habit ? Are there no large beds to fill, or back lines in borders where height is an advantage rather than otherwise ? Gloire de Nancy has rosy scarlet trusses very effective for large beds ; Madame Lemoine is of course to be preferred for smaller beds and where low growth is desired, but the idea that all our plants ought to be pigmies if they are to have a place in our gardens seems ridiculous. We might as well lay down a carpet at once as fill our beds with dwarf plants only. Height is as necessary for effect as colour, and quite as essential in pro- ducing harmonious pleasing arrangements. The great evil of 106 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 11, 1870. our flower parterres is having the plants huddled togeth er There is, no doubt, a great number of plants put in a sm al space. Distinctness of feature is practically ignored in flower gardening. Fewer and larger beds, with more space between, ■would do more to place our flower gardening on a level with a painter's ideal than anything else. Of the double-flowered Pelargoniums one most likely to meet our views of a bedding Pelargonium is Madame Rose Char- meux. In habit, foliage, and flowers it resembles Tom Thumb, and is of similar dwarf habit and very free-flowering. — G. Abbey. THE FIG AND ITS CULTURE.— No. 7. Setting the Fruit. — How little we know really respecting this important process, and with the Fig least of all ! In this, the organs of fructification being hidden from our view, we cannot tell how or when fertilisation is effected ; therefore, it is but little we can do to assist matters. The time when it is supposed the setting takes place may be known by the eye, which assumes a pinkish hue and expands a little, thus giving admission to a little air into the interior, where the flowers are. In many parts of Italy, and the south of Europe generally, especially in olden times, but still to some extent at the pre- sent day, the Fig cultivators pay much attention to setting the Figs, and very much has been written on what is called caprifi- cation. This is a practice much believed-in by those who practise it, but is condemned by most modern scientific writers as absurd. The process, stripped of all its mystification, is a simple one. There is, in the first place, " a wild species called the Caprifig, on which it is said a certain insect exists, which enters the fruit when in a young state at the eye, thereby facili- tating the entrance of light and air, or some fertilising vapour, whereby the flowers are enabled to set and ripen. In Fig plantations numbers of this wild species are planted for the sole purpose of bearing these insects, and at the proper season the fruits, with the insects, are carried and deposited on the fruit or shoots of the domestic species." There are in southern France the Fig trees, called Caprifiguiers, which bear the insect, and alBO the men who carry and place these insects about. Without all this manceuvering it is faithfully believed but very scanty crops of Figs would be secured, but this, according to my experience, is altogether a delusion, and is only alluded to here as such. About the time when it is supposed the fruit is setting, it is well to be extremely careful as to all the conditions which would be likely to affect the plant. It is well to keep it in a uniform state as to moisture at the roots — it is better to be rather dry than otherwise — and to preserve an equable tem- perature, rather airy, if possible. The whole subject, however, is somewhat obscure, the particular stage and the particular treatment required being only understood by long experience. Casting the Fruit. — This is a result of defective Betting. There can be little question respecting that. It is a very com- mon occurrence, and altogether a very puzzling one. It most usually happens to the first crop, more rarely to the second, and some varieties are far more apt to do so than others, even particular plants have a greater tendency to cast their fruit than others. There is nothing more tantalising or vexatious in Fig culture than this. A plant may be loaded with beautiful fruit, which grow to a goodly size, and appear to be developing themselves beautifully, when suddenly they assume a yellowish sickly hue and fall from the tree. Very frequently this is the case with the entire crop on that particular plant. If these fallen fruit are examined by cutting them lengthwise, a great difference will be observed between them and those which do not fall. In the former there is a great cavity, the little florets of the interior are undeveloped, and there is no seed formed. In the others the parts have increased so much that the fruit is almost solid, seeds are there in abundance, and every part is perfect. It is clear, then, that the flowers have not set and the fruit fahs, as with the Apple, Pear, Plum, or Cherry. With some fruits the setting is not material to its development, as in some of the CucurbitaceK, where the fruit so-called will grow and ripen without possessing a single seed. In the Grape, again, the absence of the seed only checks the development of the berry to a certain extent. I need not, however, pursue this subject further, but inquire. How is the casting of the fruit of the Fig to be prevented ? Get the fruit to set properly. How to do that I have already stated as fully as I am able, with this addition for trees grown in pots — Have the pots set on a bed of ashes, it is better than staging or shelving of any kind. It is cool and equable, always retaining a little moisture, which is comfortable to the roots, which Bpeedily find their way into it aud enjoy it much. Some cultivators are very positive in ascribing the evil to direct causes, such as dryness at the root, or the reverse — too much moisture — or to some sudden check, as excessive cold, excessive heat, &c. In so far as these may affect the actual setting of the ftuit they tend towards it, but not otherwise or further. Sudden checks, or extremes of any kind, are at all times in- jurious, and especially so at the critical stage of setting. I have tried experiments in many ways, snbjected plants to every extreme, and the results have been very different from those which ordinarily occur without our sanction with plants' well-known for their persistency in holding-on their fruits ; excepting by positive injury to the plant I have in no instance succeeded in the wholesale casting of the fruit, as is naturally the case. No, we want some power given us to set the fruit of the Fig, as we do Peaches in dull cloudy weather. Fruit-ripening. — Fruits of all kinds when ripening require a dry and bracing atmosphere, and rather cool than otherwise. Immediately the fruits begin to ripen less water should be given to the roots, otherwise the fruit will become watery and tasteless. With trees in pots only enough Bhould be given to keep the foliage healthy, and at the same time a drier atmo- sphere should be secured in the house by syringing less, Kg. 12. applying more air both by night and by day, and applying fire heat if necessary for that end. With the first crop of fruit it is somewhat difficult to follow-out this practice exactly, as it is in a great measure injurious to the progress of the second crop ; some modification is here required which can only be gained by experience. In some parts of France it is stated to be a not-uncommon practice to prick the eye of the fruit with a straw or quill dipped in olive oil. Brandy, also, is employed for the same purpose by dropping a little in at the eye, or through a puncture in the skin, the object being to hasten the maturity of the fruit and improve the flavour. I have had no experience as to its effects. I may just observe, as bearing somewhat on the point, that fruits damaged in the skin, or otherwise deformed or injured, are frequently much more highly-flavoured than the more perfect examples. Figs, to be enjoyable, must be thoroughly well-ripened ; a half-ripened Fig is simply abominable. The outward appear- ances which denote the highest excellence in ripe Figs are August 11, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HOBTIOUIjTORE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 107 these — The fruit is bent at the neck and drops its head a little ; there is a large drop of juice at the eye, like a great tear ; the sides are cracked lengthwise, and the juice is seen exnding a little and standing on the surface like great dewdrops on the petals of a Rose. That fruit is in a condition fit to eat, and its appearance does not belie its quality. With some varieties, such as the White Ischia, Black Provence, , Messrs. Eastwood ,t Hindle, Accrington. Any other Variety — 1, F. &C. Haworth. 2, W.RobinBon, Clitheroe. Dokkings. -1 and 2, T. Briden, Earliy, Skipton. Cochins.— Buff or Cinna mon— 1 and 2, T. Seed, B;ishall Town, Chitheroe. Any Variety. — 1. G. Anderton, Accrington. 2, H. Smalley, GrindJetoi). Clitheroe. Spanish— 1, F. & C. Haworth. 2, H. Wilkinson, Earbv, Skirton. Brahma— 1, F. & C. Haworth. 2, G. Anderton. Hambobohs.— 6ohlen-i>ene,Ued.-l,B. Bee, Goosnargh. 2, H. Pickles, jun., Earhy. Skipton. Sdrer-peneilled. — l, B. Bee. 2, H. Pickles. Jan. Golrten-spantiled. — 1, H. Pickles. Silver spangled. — 1, H. Pickles. 2. J. Cronkshaw, Accrington. Black.— I, F. & C. Haw. rtta. 2, B. Bee. Poland.— 1, H. Pickles. Gaiie Bantams.— 1. T. Barker, Hill End, Burnley. 2, N. H. Ellis, Accrington. Cork. —1, Harwood $ Buckley. Accrington. 2, Bellingham & Gill, Burnley. Turkeys. —1, J. Houlker, Blackburn. Geese.— 1, J. Houlker. 2, T. Bank, Waddington. I Ducks.— Aylesbury.— 1, H. Deane, "Whalley. 2. .1. Snaith, Clitheroe. Rouen.~ 1, J. Houlker. Any Variety.— 1, F. & C. Haworth. PIGEONS. Carriers.— 1, L. Byrom, Blackburn. 2, J. Ashwortb, Blackburn. Tumblebs. —1 and 2. Bellin?bam A Gill, Burulev. Babbs. — 1 and 2, J. Hamilton, Haslingden. Owls.— 1, W. Buckley, Blackburn. 2, J. W. Brade, Blackburn. Pouters oh Cboppebs. — 1, Bellingham & Gill. Fantails.— 1 and 2. J. Kemp, Haslingden. Tubuits.— 1, J. Kemp. 2, F. Moore, Burnley. Dragoons.— 1 and 2. J. Ashworth. Trumpeters. — 1 and 2, Bellingham & Gill. Any other Vabietv.— 1, Bellingham & Gill. 2, J. Riley, Accrington. Rabbits.— Spanish— \. J. Boyle, jun., Blackburn. 2, -T. Irving, Park Gates, Blackburn. Any other Variety.— I, J. Boyle, jun. (Silver-Grey). 2, A. L. Lawstron, Haslingden (Himalayan). Judges : — Mr. T. Wareing, of Preston, and Mr. Thompson, of Halifax. (From a Correspcnuhnt.) The Rabbits were quite a Buccess, considering there were only two classes, and that the prizes were so small, the hrst prize bein^ only 105., the second 5s. The first prize was awarded to a Black and White buck belonging to Mr. Boyle, jun., a very fine specimen ; the second prize to a Tortoisesbell buck belonging to Mr. J. Irving, a first-class Rabbit, but in poor condition. There were five pens iu this class, and some leally good Lops. The "Any other variety" class bad nine entries, and all bnt one put in an appearance. The first prize was awarded to Mr. Boylo's Silver-Grey buck, decidedly the best in tbo class, a beautifully silvered Rabbit. The second prize went to a Himalayan buck, very dark in all points, but spoiled with a white streak on bis nose, a fine Babbit but for that fault. Taking the Rabbits on the whole there was a first-cla39 show, which ou^ht to encourage the Committee to offer at least four classes for the future. The management was anything but good ; part of the Rabbit pens were among the cats, and the other part among the Pigeons, 20 yards off. They were viewed by crowds of people through- out the day. ALLERTON POULTRY SHOW. This Show, which has attained a leading position among the Yorkshire exhibitions, was held on the 6thinst., and was a complete success as regards arrangements, number of entries, and number of visitors. The poultry pens were arranged in a square with the Pigeon pens along the centre. The pens were from Turner, and were purchased for the occasion ; their appearance was very pretty. Many of the adult Game, were much out of feather, but the pen to which the cup was given was in good bloom and consisted of Brown Reds. Spanish were good, but not numerous. The first-prize Cochins were White, ind of excellent quality. Poland* were very fine, and the French fowls unusually good. The single Hamburgh cocks were in full plumage, and excellent in marking. The cup for Hamburghs was won by Golden-pencilled of extraordinary colour and quality for the time of year. The Bantam classes were not well filled, but there were some well-shaped birds. The chickens were scarcely so numerous as we have seen them at this Show, and were as a rale rather backward iu feather. This re- mark applies particularly to the Game classes. The Hamburghs were the best classes of young birds, although Mr. Sidgwick sent two excel- lent pens of Cochins ; the first prize birds were Buffs, and the second- prize birds Partridge. The first-prize Black Red Game cockerel waa of extraordinary quality, but the second-prize bird was most decidedly one of last year. Of Pigeons there were some excellent birds. Mr. Hawley had the best position for Pouters, and Mr. Horner for Carriers. The first- prize Red Mottled Tumblers were little gems, and the second -prize Almonds also good in point of feather. The Turbit class was large, and many more prizes might have been given to deserving pens. The first prize went to Blacks of perfect colour, the second to Blues, and the third to Reds. Jacobins were Red and Black, the latter losing only in the length of face. Fantails were moderately good, but the first-prize pair rather dirty. The Barb class contained such birds as are rarely seen, though some of those left out of the prize list were exceedingly high in colour of eye wattle. The Trumpeters were good, the Nuns neat, and the Autwerps the most extraordinary class ; five prizes were awarded and several high commendations. In Mag- pies the birds were most beautiful in colour and marking, though we regret to say that one of the principal exhibitors did not scruple to exhibit his expertness iu the trimming department before the very eyes of the public. In the "Any other Variety" class the first were Porcelain Swallows, the second Reds, and the third a fine pair of Silver Runts. In the SelliDg Class the winners were a splendid pair of pure Silver Dragoons, Red Barbs, and Black Trumpeters. There were some excellent Rabbits, the best of which were, however, left out on account of only one being sent in place of pairs. The cup offered to the exhibitor of Pigeons gaining the greatest value in prizes was won by Mr. J. Hawley, of Bingley. Game— Cock.— 1, E. Aykroyd. Eccleshill. 2, W. Bentley, Allerton. S, E. Wood. "Worcester. Hen.— 1, J. Hodgson. Bradford. 2, J. Spencer, Clayton. 3 H. C. & W. J. Mason, Dri«hlini;toii. he, W. Spencer, Haworth ; E. Aykroyd. Red — 1 and Cup, E. Aykroyd. 2, J. Sunderland, Halifax. Any other Variety. — 1, H. Jowett, Idle. 2, E. Aykroyd. S. J. Sunderlnnd. Spanish (Black).— I and 2. H. Beldon, Goitstock. 3, J. Powell, Bradford. Cochin-China.— 1, J. sichel, Timperley. 2, H. Beldon. 3, J. H. Dawes. Birmingham, he, G. Fletcher, Didsbufv. Polands— 1, 2, and 3, H. Beldon. Dorkingr.— 1, Hon. H Fitzwiluam, Wentworth Woodhouse. Brahaia Pootras.— 1, W. "Whiteley 112 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. I August 11,1870. Sheffield. 2, E. Leech, Rochdale. 3. J. Sichel. he, H. Beldon. French Fowls.—]. H. Beldon. 2, Hon. C. W. Fitzwilliam. 8, Hon. H. W. Fitzwilliam. lie, J. J. Maiden, Biggleswade. Hambdrghs.— Cock*.— 1, H. Beldon. 2, W. Driver, Keiphley. 3, A. Driver, Keighley. he, H. Beldon; H. Pickles, jun,, Earby. Golden-spangled.— 1, W. Driver. 2. J. Newton. 8, H. Beldon. he, H Pickles, jnn ; T. Walker, Denton. Silver-spanaled.— 1 and 3, H. Beldon. 2 and he, H. Pickles, jun. GohU-n-pencilled.—l, 3, and Cup, H, Beldon. 2, H. Pickles, jun. SUve r-pencilled.— 1 and he, H. Pickles, jun. 2 and 3, H. Beldon. Black. —1, H. Beldon. 2, H. W. Illin^worth, Idle, near LeedB. 8, T. Walker. Denton, near Manchester, he, H. W. Illintfworth ; C. Sidgwick, Ryddlesden Hall, Keiphley. Bantams.— Game.— Gup, W. F. EntwiBle. 2, G. Noble. Staineliffe, Dewsbury. Cock.— I, W. F. Entwisle, Westfleltf, near Cleekbeaton. 2. W. Breaves, Bradford. 3, J. Bailev, G-reetland, near Halifax. Game, any other Variety— 1, W. F. EntwiBle. Any other Variety.— 1, J. Walker. Halifax. 2, J. W. Cannan. Bradford. 3, J. Pearson, Hill Top, Allerton. he, H. Beldon; S. and R. Asbtou, Mottram, Cheshire. Any other Variety. — 1, R. Loft, Wood- mansy, near Beverley. Ducks. — Rouen. — 1, E. Leech. i2, J. Crosland, HudderBfield. 3. W. Bentley, Greenside, Allerton. he, J. White. Whitley, Netherton. .4?!?/ other Variety.— I, E. Leech. 2. W- Wilson, Farnbill, Kild- wick. Ducklings.— 1 and 2, E. Leech. 3. J. Dove. Selling Class.— 1, J. J. Booth, Silsden. 2, J. Bailey, Earby. 3, R. Loft, he, H. Beldon. c, J. Berry, Silsden. CHICKENS. Game.— Cockerel— 1, J. Carlisle, Earby. 2, J. MaBon, Worcester. 8, T. Dyson, Halifax, he, J. Fortune; E. Lund, Morton Banks. Pullet.— 1. J. Car- lisle. 2, J. Harker, Heaton. 3, W. H. Green. Queensbury. he, W. Spencer, Haworth ; J, Pearson, Allerton ; H. C. & W. J. Mason, c, W. Drake, Allerton. Bed.— 1, W. Spencer. 2. T. Dyson. 8, J. Smith. Any other Variety .— 1, M. Jowett, Clayton. 2, J. Mitchell, BinniiiRham. 3, H. Jowett. Cochin-China.— 1 and 2, C Sidgwick, Keighley. 3, J. Dove, Moulton. Hambdrghs.— Golden- spangled.—l, J. Andrew, Ashton-under-Lyne. 2, W. Driver. 8, T. Walker. Bilverspangled.—l, H. Beldon. Binglev. 2, H. Pickles, jun. 3. J. Rhodes, Harden, lie, C. Smith. Golden-pencilled.— 1, H. Pickles, jun. 2, H. Beldon. 3, T. Wrigley, jun., Tonge Hall, IUiddlrton Silver pencilled. — \, H. Beldon. 2 and 3, H. Pickles, he, H. Pickles; T. HaiiBon, Keighley. c, T. Hanson. Black.— I, J. Coekcroft, Keighley. 2 and 3. C. Sidgwick. Bantams.— Game, Bed.— I, W. F. Entwisle. 2 and he, F. Steel, Halifax. 3, G. Noble, Staineliffe. Any oilier Variety.— 1, H. Beldon. 2, T. Dyson. 3, W. F. Entwisle. he, S. and B. Ashton, Mottram; W. Clayton. PIGEONS. Pouters or Croppers.— 1 and a, J. Hawley, Bingley. 8, J. T. Lishman Girlington. Carrif.ks.— 1,2, and 3. E.Horner, Harewood. c, S. Smith. Idle. Tumblers.— Slwrt-faeed.—l and 3, J. Hawley. 2. E. Horner, he, F. Graham, Birkenhead. Any other Variety.— 1 and 2. J.Hawlev. 3. E. Horner, he, Clayton and Bairstow, Girlington. Owls.— 1. H. Yardley, Birmingham. 2, J. W. Cannan, Bradford. 3, J.Hawlev. he, J. Hawley ; S. Smith, Idle; E.Horner. Turrits.— 1, E. Horner. 2. A. Child, Idle. 3, T. Foster, Denholme Gate, he, J. IUiugworth, Allerton. c. C. Sugden, Wilsden ; E. Horner. Jacobins— 1 and 2, J. Hawley. S, J. W. Cannan. he, J. T. Lishman : J. Crosland ; E. Horner. Fantails.—I, H. Yardley. 2, E.Horner. S.C.Sugden. he, J. Hawley; E. Horner. c, F. Graham. Barbs.— 1, E. Horner. 2, J. W. Cannan. 3, H. Yardley. he, J. Crosland. Dragoons.— 1 and 2, F. Graham. 3, J. Hawley, Bingley. c, J. T. Lishman; J. Hawley. Trumpeters.— 1, J. Hawlev. 2, E. Horner. S, J. Crossland. Nuns.— 1, F. Graham. 2 and 3, H. Yardley. he, J. T. Lishman. Antwerps.— 1, J. T. Lishman. 2, E. Homer. 3. J. Hawley. 4, J. Crosland. 5, W. Lund, Shipley, he, J. A. CoUinson, Halifax: J. Hawlev; J. Oldroyd, Mabefield; R. Sidgwick; Clavton & Bairstow: E. Horner. Magpies.— 1 and 2, J. T. LiBhman. 8, E. Horner, he. A. H. Easten, Hull; J. Crosland; E. Horner (2). Archangels.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, E. Horner. 3, S. Smith. Any other Variety.-I, J. T. Lishman. 2. E. Horner. 3, S. Smith, he, H. Yardley; J. T. Lishman ; J. Hawley ; E. Horner. Selling Class.— 1, Clayton and Bairstow. 2, J. Hawley. 3. C. Sugden, he. J. T. Lishman (2); E.Horner; W. B. von Haansbergen, Newcastle-on-Tyne. c, J. T. Lishman. Rabbits.— Long-eared.— I, C. Gravel, Thorne. Any other Distinct Breed.— 1. T. M. Cording! cy, Bradford. 2, A. Preston, Allerton. S,H. G. Pool, Bradford. Common.--1, J. Knight, Allerton. 2, H. Dixon, Allerton. 8, L. Leech, Allerton. Judges.— Poultry : Mr. J. Dixon, Bradford, and Mr. R. Teebay, Fulwood. Pigeons: Mr. E. Hutton, Pndsey. MORLEY POULTRY SHOW. This was held on the 5th and 6th inst. The Game, Geese, and Ronen Duels were very good. The first-prize pen of Golden-pencilled was by far the best of those shown in the Hamburgh classes. Of Pigeons there was a good show. Spanish.— 1 and Cup, C. W. Brierley, Middleton. 2, J. Thresh, Bradford. Dork- ings.—1. J. White, Northallerton. Brahma Pootras.— Dark.— 1, E. Leach, Rochdale. 2, W. Whitely, Sheffield. Ua-xe— Black-breasted Reds.—\, R Hem- ingway, Halifax. 2 W. Fell, Adwalton. Brown-breasted or other Re&s.—l and Cup, C. W. Brierley. 2, W. Fell. Duekwinas or other Greys or Blues.— 1, J. Laming. Spalding. 2, H. C. Mason, Drighlington. Any oilier Variety.— 1, T. and C. Mason. 2, R. and H. Walker. Cock.—l, C. W. Brierley. 2, H. Been- land, Bradford. 8,W. Fell. Hen.-l, H. Beenland. 2. J. Fell, he, C. W. Brier- ley. Hambdrghs.— Golden-spangled— 1 and 2, J. Rollinson. Silver-spangled.— 1, H. Pickles, .jun., Earby. 2, R.Barren, Morley. Gulden-pencilled.— 1 and Cup, S. Smith, Norihowram. 2, W. Hlingworth, Idle. Black— 1 and 2, W. Hlingworth. Bantams.— Game.—l, J. Rollinson. 2 and he, F. Steel, Halifax. Black— 1, S. andR. Aehton.Mottrftm. 2, W. Illirjgworth. Any other Variety.— 1,W. Whitely. 2, S. and R. Ashton. Selling Class.— 1, C. W. Brierley. 2, J. Fell. GEEse.— 1,E. Leach. 2, J. White. Ducks.— Rouen— I, E. Leach. 2, J. White .— Ayles- bury.—1, E. Leaoh. Any other Variety.- 1, C. W. Brierley. 2, S. and R. ABhton. PIGEONS. Carriers.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, E. Horner, Harewood. Owls.— 1. J. Thresh. TrjRBiTS.—l, E. Horner. 2, H. Yardley. Barbs.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, E.Horner. Tumblers.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, C.Auton. Fantalls.- 1, H. Yardley. 2, E. Hor- ner. Pouters— 1, and 2, E. Horner. Jacobins.— 1, and 2, E. Horner. Trum- peters.—1, J. Thresh. 2. C. Anton. Awtwerps.— I, C. Auton. 2, E.. Horner. Amy other Variety.— 1, E. Horner. 2, C. Auton. Judge. — Mr. John Crosland, Jan., Wakefield. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S (OF IRELAND) POULTRY SHOW. This was held at Ballinasloe on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th inst., and the following awards were made : — Dorkxngs.— Silver-Greys .— 1 and 2, Mrs. Warburton, Kill, Naas. Chickens.— 1, W. Magrath. 2 Mrs. Warburton. he. MrB. Warburton; R. P. Williams. Coloured. — 1 and 2, Mrs. Warburton. Chickens. — 1. J. C. Cooper, Limerick. 2, Mrs. Warburton. Spanish— 1, S. Mowbray, Mountrath. 2, R. P.Williams. c, J. C. Cooper. Chickens.— 1, S. Mowbray. 2, R. P. Williams, c, J. C. Cooper. Brahma Pootra.— 1 and 2, Mrs. Warburton. Chickens. — 1, J. C. Cooper. 2, Mrs. Warburton. Cochins.— Buff.— 1,J. C.Cooper. 2, Mrs. Taaffe. Chickens. — 1, Mrs. Taaffe. 2, J. C. Cooper. Other colours.— 1 and 2, Mrs. Taaffe (Black and Partridge), he, R. P. Williams (Partridge). Chickens.— 1, R. P. Williams (Partridge). Turkeys.— 1, S. Mowbray. 2, J. C. Cooper. Poults.— 1 and 2, J. Hyland, Dublin. Geese.— 1, Mrs. Warburton. 2, R. P. Williams. S, J. C. Cooper, he, S. Mowbray, c. R. Bowman. Ducks. — Aylesbury.— 1 and 2, R- P. Williams. Rouen.— 1 and he, R. P, Williams. 2, J. C. Cooper. Judges. — Mr. C. F. Staunton, Cappagh, Clonda lkin ; Mr. W. G. Merrey, Blesinton, Co. Wicklow. FULFORD POULTRY SHOW. This Show was held on the 1st inst. The entries were not nume- rous, bnt the qnality of the birds was good. The Spanish, Dorhings, Samburglis, Duels, Geese, and Turkeys were all thatconld be desired. Spanish.— 1, W. Bearpark, Ainderby Steeple. 2, E. Thackray. Dorking (Any variety).— 1 and Extra for best pen, W. Bearpark. 2. Rev. G. Hastier, Stillingfleet, York. Game (Any variety).-!, c. Triffitt, Cattal. 2, — Mollett. Hamburgh.— Golden-spanuled or pencilled— 1, W. Bearpark (Spangled). 2, — Mollett (Pencilled), he, — Crummack. Fnliord. Silecr-Hiningled or Pencilled, — 1. W. Bearpark. 2. — Lazenby, Eacrick. lie, W. Croft, Lendal. Barndoor (Any cross breed of fowls, Bantams excepted).— 1, J. Hatfield, Osbaldwick. 2, Rev. G. Hastier, he, — Lazenby. Chickens (Any variety).— 1, Rev. G. Hastier. 2, — Tasker, Naburn. Bantams (Any variety).— 1. — Lazenby. 2. G. Hutchin- son, he, T. Wheatley; A. S. Perfect, Fulford. r. J. Jackson, Heworth • Miss G. Cattlev, Bishopthorpe. Any Variety.— 1, W. Bearpark. 2 and he, C. Triffitt. c, S. A. Webster. Geese (Any variety).— 1, Rev. G. Hastier. 2, J. Harrison. Turkey (Any variety).— 1, Rev. G. Hustler. 2, A. S. Perfect. Ducks (Any variety).— 1, Rev. G. Hustler. 2, A. S. Perfect. CAGE BIRDS. Canary.— Belgian, Yellow.— 1 and 2. J. Baines, Little Shambles. Belgian, Buff— I, 3. Baines. Yellow hrilf-bred.—l, — Bradbury. Drinuhouses. 2, J. Calvert, Bootham. Buff half-bred.— 1, — Bradbury. 2, J. Calvert. Yellow Common.— I and 2, C. Burton. Common. — I, C. Burton. 2, — Bradbury. Any Breed (Marked).— 1, C. Calvert. 2. C. Burton. Created.— I. J. Calvert. 2, — Mollett. Cinnamon (Yellow or Buff).— 1 and 2, J. Baines. Lizard (Gold or Silver-spangled).— 1, J. Baines. 2, C. Burton. Mule (Marked).— 1, Mrs. Kirlew, Wartbill. 2, C. Burton. Redcap— 1, J. Calvert. 2, Mrs. Kirklew. Parrot.— 1, J. Calvert. 2, — Hill. Cage of British Birds (Canaries excepted). — 1, J. Calvert. Turtle and Ring Doves.— 1, W. Kirby. Rabbits.— Lop-eared. — 1, W. Ellison, Skeldergate. Any other Variety.— 1, J. W. Hunter. 2, C. Woollons. Judges. — Poultry : Mr. Coates, Escrick. Cage Birds : Mr. Cooper, York. Baibitt; Mr. M. Millirjgton. FOOD FOR PIGEONS. All breeders of fancy Pigeons know that it is absolutely necessary during the breeding season to add a little wheat to the usual food given at each meal. I refer more particularly to the feeding of such stocks as are kept in confinement. Some old birds feed more greedily upon wheat than others, and con- sequently give their young ones a large portion of that grain. When this is the case it is the means, as a rule, of causing a purging or scouring in the young ones, keeping their nestfl wet and dirty, retarding the development of their plumage, and preventing them from thriving as they would otherwise do. The antidote I have used for this is a few tick beans put over the throats of the nestlings every evening till the purging is stopped. No Pigeons are more liable to purging from an over quantity of wheat than young Pouters, and there are none so liable to go wrong from being handled while in the nest. With- out great care many lose the power of their limbs, and exces- sive purging also causes this. A few weeks ago, while looking over a grain merchant's samples, I came upon a bag of rye, which I ordered as a substitute for wheat. My birds seem to like it as well as wheat, and having at the time young ones of all ages, from one day to flying point, this (to me) new summer food has proved so far a success, as I have not, since its introduction, had one case of purging among my birds. It has, so far, been the means of saving time and trouble to myself, and also of allowing the old birds to pass out of and into their nests with comfort. Bye is cheaper than wheat, a matter of importance now-a-days ; but should it be proved that it does not cause purging, as wheat is so apt to do, it will be of great importance, as many valuable young Pouters may be saved. Should any of our friends have tried this grain or feel in- clined to try it, their remarks on its effects as a feeding article will be of consequence. It is little things, often the very little things, on which our success in these matters depends. — J. Hule. THE ALMOND TUMBLER. [The following minute and excellent article is from the pen of Mr. Thou. Hallam, of the Birmingham Columbarian Society, which Society has also supplied the engraving.] In accompanying our illustration of a standard Almond with a description of this, in the opinion of many, the most beauti- ful of our fancy Pigeons, which, as well as the Carrier and August 11, 1870. ] JOUBNAL OP HORTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 113 the Pouter, is an indigenous variety that the faDciers of this country may well feel proud of, it may be as well, perhaps, to preface our remarks by stating that our aim on the present occasion is not to set up any new standard or to improve upon any of the properties which have long ago been established. We merely hope, by the help of the accompanying exquisite pic- ture, and by setting forth the points of the variety in question briefly and lucidly before the readers of this Journal, by pointing out its beauties, and perhaps touching a little on that bugbear which no doubt deters many from entering the fancy — the diffi- culty of breeding — -to be able to enlarge the circle, not of the admirers of the Almond, for every one, whether in the fancy or not, admires its pretty form, its jaunty step, and wonderful diversity of colour, but the circle of its cultivators ; in short, to induce more gentlemen to enter into this engrossing fancy, and not to leave it, as at present, in the hands of but a few. Further improvement we do not think it is possible to make upon the beBt strains ; the utmost limit having been reached. But the majority of the birds we meet with, especially out of the neighbourhood of the metropolis, are sadly in want of some improvement, particularly in head, beak, and carriage ; and we cannot but express the hope that our present contribu- tion to " our Journal " may be instrumental in some slight degree in bringing about this desirable end. We should much like to see this lovely variety in greater force at our exhibitions ; to see some of the gems which we know are in the possession of a few private fanciers who never dream of exhibiting ; to see them with their beautiful plumage all fresh and glossy from their own lofts, instead of the jaded and in many cases worn- out birds which make their appearance merely for trade, and which are bundled from one exhibition to another till death happily puts an end to their miserable existence. We are, however, well aware of the uBelessness of setting our anticipa- tions too steadfastly on a pleasure which we fear will never be realised, at least while exhibitions continue open so long as at Bingley Hall, standard Almond Tumblers so valuable, and the prizes (we are not complaining), so inadequate to the risk incurred. But to return to the more immediate object of this notice. In giving a description of the five acknowledged properties of the Almond Tumbler, we are well aware that we are touching upon a delicate subject. It is a well-known fact that even our first fanciers and judges cannot agree amongst themselves as to which property of the five is of the greatest importance. Some claim colour, others head and beak, and some are for shape and carriage. In offering our opinion upon this contested point we merely state what we as a society are guided by, without in the slightest degree hoping, after so long a period of indecision, that our opinion will come to be the generally acknowledged one. It has been argued that the great difficulty of attaining and maintaining the true standard feather of the Almond should not only cause that to occupy the first position, but to rank equal to three of the other properties. But we would respectfully urge that this difficulty exists only in connection with the high-class head-and-beak birds — that is, getting both head and colour together. It is well-known that among the coarse common birds some of the loveliest colours are not only easily got, but just as easily kept. In fact, there is not the slightest difficulty in breeding to standard for feather in that class. We may, perhaps, be allowed to ask the practical question, " Which of the properties imparts the greatest value to a bird intrinsically, setting aside all questions of indi- vidual taste ?" and we have every confidence that the answer from the majority of fanciers who really know what Almonds are, would be, "head and beak." However beautiful birds may be in feather, and combining, as we have known instances, a good carriage as well, if they want the head and beak — that is, if they are mousey and coarse — a few shillings is the most which can be obtained for them. Generallv, and we speak from experience, the difficulty is to get rid of them at all. On the contrary, however, for first-class bead-and-besk birds, what- ever may be their colour, whether Kite, Agate, Whole-feather, or Splash, a ready market is always at hand, with good prices, and sometimes such fabulous ones as would astonish many an uninitiated person. Fifteen pounds have been re- fused for Kites and Agates, and we have even known their weight in sovereigns offered and refused for a pair which it was well known would not breed. How much would have been offered for them with bad heads and beaks, but maintaining every other point they possessed ? We leave the question to the decision of the fancy, merely repeating that the property or properties which intrinsically lend the greatest value to a bird are, in our opinion, the most important. We are not par- ticularly anxious about this matter, neither do we wish to thrust our opinion upon those who do not agree with us ; but believing we are right, and that the majority of the fancy who are competent to judge are with us, we shall mention the pro- perties of the standard Almond in the following order — viz., head, beak, eye, shape and carriage, feather, and leave our readers to the Englishman's privilege as to what they will make np their minds to breed for. The head of the Almond Tumbler should be round, broad, and high. The forehead especially should be broad and pro- minent, the feathers rising perpendicularly from the nostril, and the more they give the appearance to the bird of the fore- head overhanging the beak the greater will be its value. This is, of course, when looking at a bird in its natural position ; but the actual skull of the bird denuded of its feathers, or when they are pressed down with the finger, should form the half of a circle— that is, drawing a line from the centre of the nose wattle to the back of the he:Tt A bead such as we have described possesses what is termed by the fancy a good " stop," and is the very opposite to the term " mousey," which means a low, narrow skull, tapering gradually and in a point to the bill. ThiB latter is, in our opinion, the greatest defect a bird can have. The feathers running from the lower jaw round to and covering the ears should be full, yiroroinent, and slightly curving upwards, as shown in the pi iim.it. This feature adds very much to the appearance of I be head, and its. technical term is " muffy." In speaking of the beak, we shall not attempt to describe the points of difference between what fire termed the Goldfinch, Canary, or other beak6, or instance half an oat or barleycorn as a simile. Such guides are at the best merely ambiguous ones, and point out nothing definite to the young fancier. We shall simply say the beak should be as short, straight, and fine ! as possible ; and the smaller the nose wattle is the better. It has been said that it should be so fine as merely to resemble a white thread drawn across the roots of the feathers ; but we do not wish to cut the matter so fine as this, because, for various natural reasons, we do not think it is to be obtained. On the other hand, we would deprecate anything in the way of a large and coarse wattle. It has also been urged that the beak 6hould be white ; but this, again, cannot be depended upon, as it is always affected very much by the colour and age of the bird. The eye should be a clear pearl, large, bright, and prominent, and should be in the centre of the head. If possible, no cere or lash should be perceptible, and the feathers should grow close up to the edge. The shape and carriage of the Almond are generally taken as one property, and as such is one of the greatest recommenda- tions a bird can have in the eyes of a true fancier, especially for purposes of breeding. Such property at once indicates a well-bred bird. The smaller a bird is the better, the beauty of the other properties being thereby greatly enhanced. It should be short in body, flights, and tail ; I lie legs short, and the feet small. The neck should also be short, and thin immediately around the throat, curving gracefully and imperceptibly into the chest, which Bhould be full, broad, and prominent. In position the bird should stand erect with the head thrown back, so as to be in a direct perpendicular line above the feet; the chest held well up, showing its greate ' prominence between the butts of the wings. A low chest is n areat disfigurement to the proper carriage, and is what is termed " goose-breasted." The tip of the tail should just touch 'lie ground. The flight feathers should be carried drooping lelow the tail, showing their colours to greater advantage, and clearly developing the rump, which should be well covered i-iih feathers, and nicely curved. A bird in the above position should stand entirely on its toes, the ball of the foot beic- -lightly raised from the ground. Of course an Almond Tumbler i3 not always to be seen in this position, any more than the Carrier or Pouter are constantly in the positions in which they are invariably pour- trayed ; but if a bird ha3 any pretensions at all to a good shape and carriage, whether cock or hen, it will be seen in all its beauty during the time the cock is driving to nest. In speaking of colour, we must confess we are troubled by the difficulty with which all writers on this subject have had to contend— that is, the want of a suitable term adequately to express what the proper ground colour of the bird should be. The term most in use, and which seems to us the best for the purpose, is to call it a bright " Almond Yellow "—that is, that it should as nearly as possible resemble the colour on 114 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 11, 1870. the inside of the shell of the almond nut. Having this as the ground colour, the whole of the body should be neatly and evenly pencilled, not splashed or spangled, with a clear black. This should be the case particularly on the neck and rump. Each feather in the flights and tail should be evenly and dis- tinctly broken with the three colours — black, white, and the yellow or ground colour. The feathers should be tight and compact, and a bright glossy hue overspread the whole of the body, the beautiful effect of which, when the bird stands in a ray of sunlight, can readily be imagined. We have omitted to state that any tinge of blue about the tail, or, in fact, on any part of the bird, is very detrimental, at once showing that it is not well bred. The hen should be similar to the cock in every respect, due allowance, of course, being made for the sex ; the hen in every variety being never so bold in appearance, and always more delicate in structure than the cock bird. The great and insurmountable difficulty, however, with the Almond Tumbler hen is to get the proper ground colour sufficiently broken. A hen up to the standard in all points would realise a small fortune. Whilst upon the subject of feather, it will be perhaps as well to notice the great variety in colour that is produced by these birds, such as Kites, Duns, Red and Yellow Whole-feather, Splashes, and Agates, the latter term beiDg applied to all birds which have the red or yellow feather more or less inter- mingled with white, after the manner of what are known as Gay Mottles. Kites are black birds, with a brilliant metallic lustre pervading the feather; and the flight and tail feathers are tinged with red or yellow, which is termed " Fiery." These birds generally run better in head and beak than the Almonds, and are most useful for breeding purposes. In fact, it is totally impossible without them to maintain strength of feather. Splashes generally run very light in the ground colour, with the black very considerably and unevenly intermixed. These birds, especially the hens, are also most valuable for obtaining a good break of feather. Birds of nearly all the above varieties of colour now make their appearance with success in the " Shortfaced, any variety," class at most of our large exhi- bitions. In conclusion, although we have already been far too lengthy in our notice, we should like to add a few words in reference to breeding. We firmly believe that a false impression exists respecting the great delicacy of these birds, and the difficulty, nay, almost impossibility, of raising progeny from them. We wish distinctly to state, more particularly for the encouragement of those who otherwise have an inclination to enter the fancy. that all such fears are groundless. The birds are, or should be, as robust as any variety of fancy Pigeon we have ; and in illustration of this we may perhaps be allowed to state that a member of the Birmingham Columbarian Society kept a few of these birds in an open aviary, certainly with a southernly frontage, for a space of eight or nine years winter and summer, without any other protection from the weather than the roof, and no birds could possibly be healthier than they were, having during the time never had the slightest ailment. We also know on reliable authority of a collection of fancy Pigeons of all kinds being sent to Canada, and all, we believe, with the excep- tion of the Almonds, succumbing to the rigorous winter which followed. And theBe were birds of the highest quality as to standard properties. With regard to breeding, a little more attention is no doubt required for the Almond than for other varieties. This is particularly the oase at the times of hatching, and shifting the young under the feeders ; but this little extra attention, instead of being a trouble, is rather a pleasure to the ardent fancier. For the information of would-be fanciers, we will give a simple plan in regard to breeding which has been found not only effective, but remarkably successful. The first and most important matter in Almond breeding is properly matching the birdB; and on the fancier's knowledge of this much of his success will depend. No precise rule can be laid down ; nevertheless a few practical suggestions may be given. A Kite may be matched to almost anything but a Kite, Buch as an Almond, light Splash (that is, a bird with not too much black), Red or Yellow Agate or Whole-feather ; but of all, the best, in our opinion, is the match of a Splash and a Red or Yellow Agate — the Red preferred. It is well not to match the birds too rich in feather, especially if close bred, or white and purblind birds will be the result. Experience and a knowledge of how the birds are bred are everything in this matter ; and even then no certainty as to the colour of the offspring can be depended upon. It is a faot that birds which one year have thrown the moBt beautiful Almonds, have the next season pro- duced nothing but Kites. A great advantage in this variety is the extent to which they can be bred in, not only improving them in character, but avoiding that nuisance to all breeders of other birds, especially the Carrier and the Pouter, of the ne- cessity of finding and purchasing suitable crosses. Almonds as a rule are very prolific ; and to insure a fair amount of suocess all that is required is a little attention at the right moment. A staff of nurses is an indispensable requisite to the Almond breeder. For this purpose the common Baldheads are the best, and of these what are called the " pleasant-faced " ones — that Aogast 11, 1870. 1 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 115 is, not too long in the bill, are to be preferred. It ia well to keep as many of these as the fancier conveniently can. for when not rearing Almonds their yonng ones will find a ready sale at prices which will render their keeping profitable. And now for the simple plan to whiob we have alluded. When the first egg is laid remove it to some safe place (a little box of bran, or else- where) substituting an addled one. Replace the good egg about 9 a.m. on the third day. This prevents the birds commencing to sit on the first egg, which is very often the case, and ensures both birds being hatched together. Keep a diary of the date on which the eggs should hatch ; and on that day be ready, should occasion require it, to help any young bird to extricate itself from the shell, as it often happens, either from weakness or excessive shortness in bill, they are unable to extricate them- selves. Do not be in too great a hurry to break the shell ; and above all, abstain from doing so till all the blood in the shell is absorbed. It is often the case that a young bird is so fine in the bill or so weak that the old birds are unable to give it food, and it dies in consequence. If either of the young birds are not fed towards the evening of the day on which they are hatched, get a few groats and masticate them into a pulp. The young bird will readily take this from the mouth. In this manner it can be kept alive till something can feed it. Dozens of the best birds have been saved in this way. The great diffi- culty with regard to Almonds is the early period at which they leave their young (generally on the fifth or sixth day), and the fanoier must be ready the moment they are left to remove them under a pair of feeders which have just hatched. They may be then said, unless any unforeseen accident happens, such as all varieties are liable to, to be out of hand, and require very little more attention. If the old birds have sat on them till the sixth day, let them go to nest again. If they leave them earlier, and have not fed off their soft food sufficiently, supply them with a common young one for a day or so. Having now considerably exceeded the limit of the space at our disposal, we shall conclude our remarks by hoping they may be found useful to some, and may be the means of atill further extending the delightful fancy of which we have been speaking. HOW LONG ARE QUEENS AND WORKERS IN THEIR CELLS.' AND WHEN DO QUEENS COMMENCE EGO-LAYING '.' I am glad Mr. Woodbury has been induced to set about observing and experimenting, with the view of correcting some of the mistakes which I have made in the natural history of bees. Without admitting that I am wrong on the points noticed in his letter (page 55), I am, as he says, " most anxious to rectify mistakes as soon as sufficient evidence has been ad- duced to satisfy me that I am really in error." Every honest and truth-loving man is not only anxious to avoid making mis- takes, but is ever anxious to acknowledge and rectify those he has made. I hold that there is more honour in confessing a fault or admitting a mistake than there is in conquering a kingdom. I have read Mr. Woodbury's letter touching my so-called mistakes twice over without finding "sufficient evidence to satisfy me," and until sufficient evidence be adduced I shall be permitted to adhere to my old opinions ; and after all, the I difference is only a question of forty-eight hours. Very recently Mr. Woodbury admitted that, dating from the removal of an old queen, fourteen days are the average time which elapses before a young one is hatched out, although some are longer. His last experiment, recorded in page 55 of the Journal, indicated that sixteen days elapse before a queen is developed from an egg. This experiment was fairly made and honestly recorded, andl consider that Mr. Woodbury is incapable of acting unfairly in word or deed, and I know something of his diligence in honestly investigating questions of bee-history. No one would rejoice more than myself to see the bee-loving community of this country acknowledge in some tangible and substantial form the services of Mr. Woodbury, better known as " The Devon- shire Bee-keeper." His queen that was born on the 23rd of June was unquestion- ably sixteen days in being hatched. I have known queens fifteen and sixteen days in their cells, but I have found that four- teen days are the usual time. Large hens' eggs are sometimes twenty-two, twenty-three, or twenty-four days under the hen, but the usual time is twenty-one days ; and so with other animals the period varies. Probably the next exDeriment made will not tally exactly with that recorded by Mr. Woodbury. Now as to the production of workers, "The Devonshire Bee- keeper " says he has " obtained abundant evidence by placing numerous empty combs in ' brood nests ' of various hives, and has invariably found that workers commenced hatching not later than the nineteenth day, and in some cases on the eighteenth." Theword "commenced" leads me to ask our friend if all the brood of workers was hatched on the nineteenth day in one, and on the eighteenth day in another ? for to say it commenced to hatch leaves us to guess when the hatching was completed. I have the evidence of three score of hives artificially swarmed every year to prove that many young bees are unhatched till the twenty-first day after their queens have been removed from them. I swarm about sixty hives yearly, and many of them have all the honey taken from them as soon as the brood is hatched, and I have never found an instance of all the brood being hatched on the twentieth day after the queen was gone, and sometimes I have known workers twenty-two days in being hatched. Besides, the experiment of removing queens from hives altogether is, I think, a far more satisfactory one than that of placing a bit of empty comb in a brood nest. When a queen is removed from a hive altogether I find that her egg? last laid in the hive do not become perfect bees till the twenty- first day after ; and if all the bees be removed from the hive on the twentieth day, the un- hatched working bees, generally a great number, will Btruggle out of their cells on the day following. My mode of managing bees for profit leads me to witness this fact almost daily for weeks and months every year. Hence I repeat that twenty-one days are the usual time for workers to be in their cells, " The Devon- shire Bee-keeper's" late experiment notwithstanding. The other point of Mr. Woodbury's letter calling for a remark is that touching the fertilisation of queens and egg-laying after- wards. I have said that egg-laying generally commences from six to ten days after impregnation. He mentions an in- stance of a queen commencing to lay in forty-six hours. I do not question it for one moment, but I may be allowed to state that the fertilisation which he observed was perhaps not the first, and it is not at all unlikely that his queen would have commenced laying drone eggs at the same time if she had never met the drone. It is exceedingly painful to me to have to offer any remarks apparently in opposition to Mr. Woodbury, and I should be glad to see with him eye-to-eye, but there is a great want of complete- ness in the evidences he has adduced. I have known many young queens commence to lay ten days sooner than others, and with close observation there will be seen in every apiary a difference of some days as to the time of the successful flight and egg-laying. Every honest writer of experience fairly and faithfully records the evidences and facts that come to him through his own eyes. " The Handy Book of Bees " is welcomed into the homes of riot and poor as an honest production, and the great satisfaction it gives to all classes of readers will be a stimulus to the author to make a second edition, if ever called, for, more complete and satisfactory than the first. Only two or three points in the book have been demurred to by critical reviewers, and our Devonshire friend is satisfied that some other points are wrong, but which cannot readily be put to the test of actual experiment. The author will feel indebted to him if he will kindly catalogue these supposed errors, so that others may examine and test, if possible, the points disputed. — A. Pettigrew. [I do not know that I need say much in reply to the above communication, in which, without adducing a tittle of evidence in support of his views, Mr. Pettigrew contents himself with reasserting his errors and cavilling at the facts by which they have been refuted. It seems to me, however, that when a man professes to understand these points in the natural history of the honey bee better than either Huber or Dzierzon, Dr. Bevan or Mr. Langstroth, something more than this may fairly be required of him. If Mr. Pettigrew has really found that the usual time which elapses between the laying of an egg and its development into a queen is only fourteen days, he can surely have no difficulty in citing at any rate a single instance, stating as I have done the circumstances under which it occurred, and the precautions taken to guard against mistakes. So also with regard to his assertion that egg-laying is delayed until six to ten days after fertilisation ; it is scarcely too much to ask him for particulars of one such case, together with the circumstances which attended so remarkable a phenomenon. As in order to weaken my evidence it is suggested that the results which I have reoorded may be regarded as exceptional, I would state that I have been breeding queens for the last ten years, during which period scores of instances have come under my direct 116 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ AugilBt 11, 1870. observation (sometimes as many as tbree or four in the same day), and I bave never yet known a case in whicb oviposition did not commence on the second day. Neither, in all my ex- perience, bave I ever met with anything that would countenance the belief that a queen can be raised in so short a time as fourteen days from the laying of the egg. Parthenogenesis is a subject which I must decline to enter upon here, but I may remark that Mr. Pettigrew is utterly mistaken in what he fancies to be the effect of my reasoning on this point. I have, however, a high opinion of his abilities as a practical apiarian, and it is for this reason, and because he has expressed himself as being most anxious to correct mistakes, that I have expended no little time and trouble in what turns out to be the vain attempt to set him right. I find it indeed so difficult to satisfy him that he is in error on points which admit of being brought to the conclusive test of actual experiment, that I must excuse myself from particularising others which cannot so readily be submitted to the same decisive proof. — A Devonshire Bee-keeper.] OUR LETTER BOX. Brahma Chickens Leo-weak (T. A. Z>.) — As at thirteen weeks old. and without a drop of rain to cool the surface of the earth, your Brahma chickens have reached 5 lbs. weight, tho growth has been so rapid that we do not wonder the legs decline to carry the load of flesh. They are little more than cartilages. That is leg weakness. Patience and good feeding will remedy that, and as the bird gets older the progress in the right direction will be visible. As his legs gain strength he will carry his body with comfort. We are almost tempted to imagine yon have over-fed to attain the weight you mention, and if so, you have induced idle and fat-making habits, which are opposed to the formation of bone and muscle. You would have helped us to have come to aright conclusion if you had given us an idea of the feeding and lodging. The contraction of the toes is not from leg-weakness, but from cramp, and that is either from bad feeding or damp. We do not here speak of atmospheric damp- ness, but of damp flooring— wood, stone, brick, or asphaltum. Either of these will produce cramp, and when the toes are drawn up and paralysed the appearances are against recovery. If you have any of the floor- ings above described, take them up, or cover them inches deep in gravel or road grit. Feed the birds on ground oats or meal ; give them bread and ale, and also, once a- day, a couple of camphor pills the size of garden peas. These may be discontinued as strength returns. We pre- sume it is only among cocks weakness prevails. If they persist in roost- ing on the ground, it is well to put a little straw for them in one corner of the house, otherwise they suffer from a round troublesome sore on the hocks. Hoddan Chickens (Subscriber).— We call your chickens good for their age. In the breeds where weight is one of the principal, if not the principal merit, 1 lb. per month np to four months is called satisfactory progress, and such are viewed hopefully as future prizetakers. See that both are five-clawed, that their legs are spangled, and that the cock has no red feathers. Whtn they grow older and are furnishing, you can always add weight by judicious feeding daring the fortnight preceding the show. Ducklings Champed (E. B. P.).— Where do your Ducks roost ? If it is in a house with a stone, brick, or pitched floor, there is the cause. It is cramp. Let them choose their own roosting-place, and recollect in a state of nature they often rooat on the water. They do not suffer from any damp that arises from water, but they do from boards, stones, or bricks. You say nothing of food. If they have oats mixed with gravel and a sod of grass in their troughs, with the run of a meadow and a pond, they should do well. Cramp is often induced by insufficient or im- proper feeding. Spanish Fowls Losing Feathers (E.).— Part of the loss offeather may be attributed to the natural action of the season. The birds are moulting ; but if they are in confinement and denuded of all save the tail ond wing feathers, thev are picking each other's plumage and eating it. We know no cure. We believe there is only one, that is to give them their liberty. If at liberty you are convinced by seeing one pick and eat the feather of another, remove the offender ; It is a habit, once taken to, that is never given up. Feeding Rabbits (.1 Young Subscriber).— A great point in making good Rabbits is to allow a doe to reur but four young ones. If well fed she will almost fatten them on her milk ; but they will not be large. If it is desired to rear as many as possible, and to make them large, they should be fed on oats and bran moderately, with green food, but liberally, and with the greatest variety of roots They may have milk to drink, and if not milk, they should always have water. Rabbit Management (A Novice). — Rabbits will not generally indulge in the disagreeable habit named if well supplied with, say, a little milk and bread once a-day, or common peas soaked in water for twelve hours, pouring off the water the peas are soaked in. and giving fresh along with them ; or give fresh water alone three or four times a-week, especially during this hot weather, when the juices of all green food are almost dried np from want of rain. It will not be difficult to wean them of the habit complained of by offering them greater and more wholesome attractions in the feeding trough. Removing Bees (D. D. B.).— We should advise you to dispose of your present stocks rather than incur the risk first of uniting, and then of transporting them from Jersey to the north of England. The canvas hive cover affordB shade and excludes rain, but is uot a good winter pro- tection. Points of Nuns (T.A.D.). — Nuns should have from seven to ten flight feathers dark, the same colour as the head, also the twelve tail feathers, and a few of the tail-coverts. The body should be perfectly white, as well as the hood, which should be large and well-developed. The eyes should be of a clear pearl colour. Still for Distilling Lavender (E. E. P.).— By applying to your ironmonger he could procure you a small still, suitable for distilling lavender and rose water. Such a thing made of tin is very inexpensive, and answers the purpose equally as well as one much more costly. The following may guide you in making rose water : — Gather the flowers in fine weather two hours after sunrise; takeout the calyx, and separate the petals ; pound them in a marble mortar to a paBte, and leave them five or six hours in the mortar; then put them in a large close cloth, and let two persons wring it with all their strength. Having by this operation obtained 4 lbs. of juice, infuse it in an equal weight of fresh rose petals for twenty-four hours. At the eud of that time put the whole into the alembic, which place in a sand bath, and distil it. When you have collected about 1 oz. of the water unlute the receiver, and if that which issues from the still is as odoriferous as that which proceeded first, con- tinue the operation ; but if not, collect it into another vessel, as this second water is not single, and must be kept separate from the first, which is the e°sential water. Should the second water have an un- pleasant smell (caused by the application of too much heat), expose it to the sun for a few days, covered only by a sheet of paper. The utmost care is necessary in distilling this and ail other odoriferous substances. A still more powerful essence than the above may be procured by the following method :— Gather as many roses as will afford 30 lbs. of petals, and pound these with 4 lbs. of salt ; when pounded place the paste in a vessel in layers, with salt between each: press them closely, cork them tightly, leave the vessel twelve days, and then distil as usual. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS In the Suburbs of London for the week ending August 9th. BAEOMETEK. THERMOMETEB Wind. Date. Air. Earth. Rain. Max. Min. Max. Min. 1 ft. 2 ft. Wed. . . 8 29.822 29.728 72 62 66 62 E. .00 Thui-s. . 4 29.688 29 628 79 51 65 62 S. .02 Fri.. .. 5 29 768 29.670 77 47 68 62 S. .00 Sat. ... 6 29 874 29 843 81 46 66 62 W. .00 Sun. . . 7 29 771 29 743 76 57 64 62 S.E. .12 Mon. . . 8 29930 29.771 7ti 51 65 61 S.E. 08 Tues. . 9 30.021 29.957 79 53 70 62 N. .00 Mean.. 29.839 29.762 77.14 51.00 66.28 61.86 0.22 8. — Overcast; densely overcast; foggy. 4. — Densely overcast ; fine, cloudy; showery at night. 5.— Cloudy but fine ; very fine ; clear and line. 6. — Fine, cloudy ; fine ; very fine and clear. 7. — Rain ; showery; overcast, very damp. 8. — OvercfiBt; thunder and rain ; heavy clouds, 9.— Very fine ; cloudy but fine ; cloudy, very fine. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— August 10. A steady course of business is maintained, and prices are stationary. There is little alteration either in foreign or home-grown produce, except that the latter now comprises out-door Peaches and Nectarines. FRUIT. R. d. p. d R. d. R. A 1 6 to 2 II lb. 0 9 too 0 1 0 8 0 6 0 lil 0 II r, 1 0 7 11 It II . bnshel 0 ii (1 I) 5 II If, 0 2 0 4 0 Pears, kitchen .. 0 0 0 u do. 8 0 0 5 0 0 6 3 5 n lb. 0 lb. 0 0 0 9 9 4 1 1 0 0 0 6 8 0 0 0 0 6 G 0 1 n lb. A lb. 0 Grapes, Hothouse.... lb. *> 0 6 II lb. 0 6 1 0 ... V-100 ft 0 14 0 0 u 0 2 0 5 0 VEGET do 1 0 » II ABLES. R. d. n. A s. d. s. a s 0to6 0 0 4 to 0 ii 4 0 0 8 6 0 0 1 8 6 0 3 4 ii Beans, Kidney . .£ sieve. 0 bushel S 1) 4 II Mustard & Cress .pnnnet 0 2 0 A s n 3 n 4 0 6 ii n 0 0 n 0 4 0 8 Brussels Sprouts . . 1 sieve n 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 i ii 2 0 0 9 1 0 0 0 0 ii 1 0 1 A n 4 0 8 4 0 6 0 ....doz. ft 0 K 0 do. 6 0 8 0 i A 2 0 Radishes .. doz. bunches 1 0 0 II Coleworts..doz. bunches II II II II 0 6 1 0 0 0 0 e pickling .... ....doz. a 0 4 (1 0 0 0 ii 9 0 II II 0 6 0 0 n 8 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 n 8 ft 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 8 1 i 0 Horseradish ... bundle 8 0 5 0 Vegetable Marrows. .doz. 4 U 0 0 POULTRY MARKET.— AUGUST 10. s. d. s. d. LargeFowls 3 OtoS 6 Smallerditto 2 0 2 6 Chickens 19 2 0 Ducks 2 0 2 6 Geese 6 0 6 6 Turkeys 0 0 0 0 . d. s. d. GnineaFowls 0 0 to 0 0 Pigeons 0 9 0 10 Rabbits 14 1 i Wild ditto 0 9 0 10 Hares 0 0 0 0 Partridges 0 0 0 0 August 18, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 117 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day of Month Day of Week. AUGUST 18—24, 1870. Average Tempera- R?in j" tore near London. Iw ™£,, Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon Rises. Moon Sets. Moon's Age. Clock before Sun. Day of Year. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Th F S Son M Tn W Kirkby Stephen Horticultural Show. Eeighley Horticultural Show. 10 Sunday after Trinity. Length of night 9h. 50m. vVotton-under-Edge Horticultural Show. Lewes Horticultural Show. Day. 73.2 73.1 72-8 72.6 71.6 71.8 71.6 Night. 50.7 492 50.6 49.7 49.7 49.0 47.9 Mean. 62.0 61.2 61.7 61.2 60.6 60.4 69.7 Days. 16 21 20 14 17 21 16 m. h. 51af4 52 4 53 4 55 4 57 4 59 4 1 5 m. b. 15 af 7 13 7 11 7 9 7 7 7 B 7 3 7 m. h. 23 aflO 46 10 17 11 56 11 morn. 44 0 43 1 in. h. after. 22 af 1 26 2 29 3 28 4 20 5 5 6 Davs. 21 < 23 24 25 26 27 m. s. 3 40 3 26 3 12 2 58 2 43 2 28 2 13 230 231 283 233 234 235 286 From observations taken near London during the laBt forty-three years, the average clay temperature of the week is 72.4J, and its night temperature 49.8°. The greatest heat was 92°, on the 18th, 1842 ; and the lowest cold 36', on the 18th, 1866. The greatest fall of rain was 0.95 inch. KENTISH ORCHARDS. Vw \r; HATEVEK advantages there may be in cultivating our ordinary fruits under glass, and no doubt there are advantages, still it is evident the great bulk of the population must be satisfied with what is grown in the open air in orchards. The word or- chard has always appeared to me to have something of poetry and wealth united; the beautiful appearance the orchard pre- sents in April and May is followed, or is expected to be followed, by a sight not less lovely in August and September, and at either season an orchard forms a very important feature in the landscape. Whether the trees are in blossom or laden with fruit, a full-grown healthy orchard is an object which the most careless never fails to take notice of, added to which the districts where orchards abound are generally well cultivated, and have a clothed appearance even in winter. The utility of orchards in a commercial point of view is also not one of the least of their attractions, and seemingly fabulous prices have often been paid for crops of fruit when sold on the trees. Into this subject, however, I will not enter, but shall content myself with making observations on the system of manage- ment which some cultivators adopt with great success. Considering the great diversity of soil in which the cultivation of Apple, Pear, Plum, Cherry, and bush fruit trees is attempted in this county (Kent), it can hardly be expected that a uniform system of treatment can be re- commended, but in general it used to be urged that a Cherry orchard ought to be on grass, and that the ground in which the other fruits were grown might all be in tillage. This idea, with certain modifications, formed the prevailing creed of the last generation of fruit-growers, and is far from being abandoned yet ; but of late years many innovations have been made, and the advisability, or the contrary, of tillage has been discussed, some of its advocates pointing to the hedges, the best of which have adjoining the collar, in many cases, about a foot of tilled space free from weeds, and often dug 6 or 8 inches deep ; while, on the other hand, the advocates of a turf bottom point to the oldest examples of fruit trees known, and in these think they have a strong plea in their favour, such trees being met in a green hearty old age in a meadow or paddock. The inquiry has led to many experiments, and I have on more than one occasion seen a mode adopted to meet the views of both parties without to any important extent losing the advantages of either system. Happening lately, in company with a friend, to be travelling a few miles from here, we observed a very promising orchard of full-grown trees, with the usual undergrowth of bush fruits, which appeared to be in the best of health, and bearing abundantly, yet we were told by the proprietor that the ground had never received a particle of dung or other manure for a great many years. This orchard was planted in the usual way in this county, consisting of standard Apple and Plum trees, with 6-feet stems, at 18 or 20 feet apart, underneath them Filberts or No. 490.— Vol. XBL, New Semis. Cob Nuts, with Currants to fill up the intervals, the Cob Nuts being usually 12 feet and the Currant bushes 6 feet apart. The whole presented a mass of bush and foliage which some not acquainted with Kentish orchard-manage- ment would say wanted the saw and knife freely, or per- haps the mattock, but these are seldom used to the extent a stranger would think necessary ; and whether necessary or not, I will not here stop to inquire. Let the result tell for itself. This mixed orchard, I may remark, was originally in tillage, but Mr. Manwairing, its owner, de- termined to try if it would not be as well to avoid mutilat- ing the roots by digging, and for many years he has abandoned the use of the spade among his trees, and merely has the weeds hoed up when they are troublesome. In alternate autumns he spreads over the ground some hop-bine cut a little, so as to prevent its entangling any- one passing through it. This covering partly shades the ground, and, decaying gradually, supplies the trees with some additional food to compensate for the drain on the soil caused by what is taken away. It would doubtless be better if this dressing could be given every year, but it cannot always be spared, owing to the other uses the hop- bine is put to, but substitutes are sometimes had recourse to. Any kind of herbage or decaying substance would probably serve the same purpose, and I am not certain whether the result would be much different if nothing of the kind were used, as I imagine the principal benefit arises from the upper roots of the fruit trees not being disturbed by digging ; at the same time the surface soil is not exhausted by supporting a crop of grass or hay, as where the orchard is in turf. The above case is not an isolated one ; I may mention one nearer home, where the best possible results appear to follow the adoption of a similar plan. Adjoining the grounds of Preston Hall, near Maidstone, is a fine orchard of some twenty years' growth. This orchard in some degree resembles that last described, being composed of Apple, Plum, and Pear trees as standards, with Filberts, Cob Nuts, and Currants for undergrowth, and as it was planted expressly for the private use of the family, the variety of fruits was greater than is often the case where the produce is intended for market, and I have on several occasions seen most excellent crops of fruit there ; yet Mr. Bradley, the intelligent gardener, never puts a spade in the ground, only the weeds are hoed up when necessary, and the orchard forms a receptacle for all the rubbish of the garden, weeds and decaying matter of all kinds being wheeled on and spread about. I remember one year visit- ing the garden in spring, after a severe winter had made havoc with Laurels and other shrubs, and I found that Mr. Bradley had covered the orchard in a great measure with the foliage, shoots, and slender branches of the ever- greens that had been killed or injured in the winter, re- serving the stouter woody matter for faggots and other purposes. Decayed stalks of vegetables and other matters were also lying about for the same purpose. I have no doubt that the decomposition of these materials would benefit the soil at the spot where decay was going on : certainly nothing could be more healthy than the trees-. No. 1112.-TOL. XLIV, OlJ> Sesess. 118 JOURNAL of horticulture and cottage gardener. [ August 18, 1870. even the Ribston Pippin Apples looked tolerably well, which they rarely do in many places. Mr. Bradley had been trying some experiments with this fruit ; he had worked some robust- growing varieties with the RibBton Pippin, and thought the result was more satisfactory than when the latter was not double-worked. I forget which variety was employed, but I think it was the Yorkshire Greening. More than one tree was operated upon with success. Now, in the two cases referred to, there was a great difference of soil. In the first there was a somewhat adhesive loam, not by any means a stiff elay, but destitute of stones and sharp sand, the subsoil a sort of grey marl, and the surface so fine in texture that water did not easily percolate ; in the other case the soil was more open, with a gravelly bottom, dry and porous, but not huDgry in the sense in which that term is usually applied, for Plums, in particular, seemed to do remarkably well. The managers of both these fruitful orchards are strenuous opponents of cultivating orchard ground, especially after the trees and bushes have attained some size, and their roots occupy the ground ; and certainly the appearance of their orchards indicated the correctness of this view. Their ex- ample, indeed, is partially adopted in many cases when the standard trees attain suffioient size to be thought worthy of occupying the whole of the ground ; the undergrowth being then removed, graBs is sown, but this is a questionable benefit; at least it is doubtful if it is so good as preserving for the use of the fruit orop the whole energies of the ground, whilst provid- ing that shade and covering so necessary to keep in the moisture during such dry periods as we are now passing through. I might say more on the matter, but I will merely remark that in such a place as an orchard there is ample space for the gradual decay of any woody or vegetable substance that may be put upon it, and the benefit of such substances to the Boil they lie upon is evidently not yet sufficiently appreciated, but may be roughly judged by the fact of a stone of some size lying on the ground protecting the roots of all below it, but remove the stone and the result is hurtful. This well-known faot has led in many instances to landlords objecting to their tenants removing stones. I advise all those who have not tried the plan here described to do so on a small soale, until they feel assured of its success, and in the end I have no doubt they will regard the practice of mutilating the roots of Apple, Pear, and other fruit trees as injurious ; at the same time, as some assistance from manure is wanted, and the finer description of dung and easily-worked-in manure may be required elsewhere, the orchard forms a suit- able plaoe to deposit all such cartloads of rubbish as are re- jected from other quarters. Time works wonders with such unpromising materials. — J. Robson. they must be well ventilated. Careful and constant watching for snails will be necessary, for if these get in they will take off scores in one night. In about three weeks the plants will be large enough for potting-off ; small 60's cr small thumb pots may be used, and if the plants have not hitherto occupied a cold frame, let them have the protection of one at this stage and onwards through the winter, if protection from frost and good ventilation can be afforded. The shifting of the plants into larger pots may go on when the plants require it and the weather is favourable ; a good general guide, however, is to shift when the roots are well at the sides of the pots, though the plants must not, under any circumstances, be allowed to become pot-bound when in a young state, for it causes pre- mature flowering, and often throws the plants into a sickly state, from which they will not soon recover. Good specimens may be grown in 6-inch pots, a size, per- haps, large enough for the amateur, but if plenty of space is at command, 8-inch or even larger pots may be used with ad- vantage. Arrange the potting so that the last shift Bhall not be later than the last week in February. The compost I recommend to be used consists of strong turfy loam one half, decayed leaf mould and road grit in equal part6 to make up the other half ; add sand liberally, and about one-fourth of the whole bulk of decomposed cow manure sifted. This soil will do for all the pottings, from first to last, only as the plants increase in size use it in a rougher state. The plants may be advantageously pinched back about twice in the early part of their growth ; this dwarfs them, and con- siderably increases the number of flower stems. At short intervals give some gentle smokings with tobacco, to keep the green fly in check ; remember that if it onoe establish itself on the plants, the foliage being thick and close to the soil, it is not easy for the smoke to penetrate, and it will be almost im- possible to free the plants of the enemy. Water must be given sparingly in the depth of winter, but towards spring, and after the plants have established themselves on their last shift, plentiful supplies may be given, with liquid manure from cow dung added. The great improvements that have been effected in this plant of late years render it no longer a diffioult matter to secure a good strain of seed, with a large per-centage of good and distinct-coloured flowers ; but the moBt varied assortment and the most pleasing strain I have grown was from a packet of seed, called Thomson's strain, purchased of Messrs. Veitch. — Thomas Recokd, Lillesden. GLOXINIA CULTURE. CULTURE OF THE HERBACEOUS CALCEOLARIA. With amateur gardeners this beautiful plant is becoming more popular, and with the cottager it is now an especial fa- vourite ; most gentlemen's gardeners are in possession of a good system of growing this plant, therefore I only offer my remarks to the first named. Perhaps the most difficult part for the amateur to overcome is raising the seedlings ; in this I think even professional gardeners often err by treating them too kindly. The follow- ing is a good plan. Prepare a shallow pan by filling it with light soil ; press this down so as to present a very level surface a little below the rim ; add sufficient silver sand on the surface to fill up the interstices ; water well with a fine-rosed watering- pot, giving enough water to thoroughly moisten the soil, let it drain off, and then sow the seed. After this add a sprinkling of very finely-sifted sandy soil, be careful only to just cover the seeds, and finish by giving a mere sprinkling of water. Place the pan in a hand-light on a bottom of coal ashes ; a suitable spot is a cool part of the garden, where no sun but plenty of light can reach the pans. The surface soil must not be allowed to become dry, and water very carefully to avoid washing the seeds out of the soil. The ashes may also be kept moist. A good time to sow the seed is the middle of August. When the seedlings are large enough to be handled, prick them out an inch apart in pots or pans. If hand-lights oan be provided continue the same treatment ; but if not, a cold frame will do, plaoing the plants on a cool bottom, and keeping them near the glass. For a time, at least, they must be shaded icon, bright sun, but at all times and stages of their growth Possessed of rare elegance of form both in its foliage and flowers, easy to cultivate and to maintain in full beauty and freshness for a considerable time, the Gloxinia takes high rank amongst summer-flowering pot plants. Strictly speaking, it is a tuberous-rooted stove plant, and this is doubtless the reason why Gloxinias are not more frequently to be seen in the ama- teur's collection of plants contained in his solitary greenhouse or conservatory. Many persons who admire them very much never think of attempting to grow some, because they have no stove or other glass structure in which a high temperature is maintained. Now this is a mistake ; and it is my object in writing this paper, while treating of Gloxinia culture generally, also to endeavour to show how the plants may be grown and kept from year to year by persons having only one glass house, without the aid of a very high temperature. A cheap and easy method of obtaining a collection of Glox- inias is to purchase a packet of seed, which should be sown early in March on the surface of a pan well drained and rilled with fine soil. The seed should not be covered, but the pan should be placed in the brisk moist temperature of a hotbed, and the soil kept damp. When the young seedlings have formed two leaves they are potted singly in 3 inoh pots and kept in the same position, taking care to paint the glass with whitewash, as all Gloxinias, and especially young plants, thrive best when kept moderately shaded. The seedling plants form firm tubers in the 3-inch pots, in which they are kept through- out the first summer and winter; as growth ceases they may be removed to a cool house, and they are stored in winter on any spare shelf where the temperature is kept at about 10° above the freezing-point. The tubers are not disturbed till spring. The only important point in their winter management is to see that the soil never becomes very dry, for if it is not kept somewhat moist every tuber will perish of dry rot. When spring comes round again, or rather at any time in the first four months of the year, the plants may be shaken Ani?tiB 18, 187U. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 119 out of the old Boil, repotted in the same pots, and placed in a temperature similar to that in which they were raised from seed. As they make growth they should receive one or two shifts into larger pots, and be brought into II >wer in a house kept at a temperature of 65° or 70°. All the se kinds, the flowers of which show that the plants are worth keeping, may now be considered to be established plants. As the flowers decay the plants should still be constantly watered, so as to make the decay of ths foliage a very gradual process. By the time they are stored away in their winter quarters young growth will be just visible on the crown of each, and this is precisely the state in which I like to have them throughout the winter, during which they occupy a shelf at the back of a cool house from which frost is excluded. Care is taken not to saturate the soil in winter, but it is always kept in such a moist state that the few small leaves remain fresh and green ; and as each successive batch is potted in fresh soil in spring, strong vigorous growth quickly follows. GloxiniaB are also increased by cuttings of the shoots and leaves. Shoots taken off the plants early in spring will form plants and produce a few flowers the same season. The best way to propagate by leaves is to insert each leaf upright and firmly in rich, sandy soil in a 3-inch pot ; placed in a vinery under the shade of the Viues and kept well watered, they pro- duce fine tubers, which make good succession plants for the following season. It has frequently been stated that the influence of a high temperature is necessary to enable Gloxinias to start into growth strongly and well, and so their culture would appear of necessity to be confined to those persons having such means at their disposal. A fair trial of the cooler method of culture, which I will now explain, will show this advice to be somewhat fallacious. If the owner of one of those pretty little conser- vatories now so frequently to be seen attached to villa resi- dences be desirous of growing a few plants of this charming family, some strong young plants just coming into flower should be obtained, and kept while in bloom under the shade of some of the creepers which will probably be trained to the conser- vatory roof. As they go out of bloom they should be treated in precisely the way I have described, storing them olosely on any back shelf where they can have light and are safe from drip and frost. So they should pass through winter, and as spring advances, and the young growth exhibits signs of anima- tion, they are taken down, shaken carefully out of the old soil, and repotted in the same pots in soil composed of two parts loam and one part each of old decayed dung, sand, and broken oharcoal. A position on the stage near the front of the house, where they can erjjoy the morning sun, but are shaded at mid- day, will suit them admirably. Avoid exposing them to draughts, and syringe the foliage with clear soft water twice a- day, taking care to water the roots thoroughly when necessary. So treated they will grow steadily; and when the roots touch the sides of the pots, if large plants are required, they should receive a liberal shift, but otherwise a little guano water given occasion- ally will much assist the development of the foliage and flowers, which will be in full beauty early in August, and will continue so to nearly the end of September. Gloxinias may be grown after this fimple fashion to the greatest perfection, the plants being quite equal in vigour and beauty to those grown in a stove. Moreover, by this method a splendid lot of succession plants may be had, which will serve to prolong the flowering season, and thus prove in the highest degree serviceable to the gardener. — Edwarb Luckhurst, Eger- ton House Gardens, Kent. POMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS. The following new Strawberries are this year introduced by M. Gloede, of Beauvais : — Baron Brisse (Gloede).— Large and rich, of quite a novel yellowish colour, rather late, and very productive. Belle de Nantes (Boisselot)— Extremely large, and handsome shape, flavour first-rate ; a noble dessert fruit. Plant exceed- ingly robust, and coming in very late. Constantin Tretiakoff (Gloede).— Large and very handsome ; colour deep brilliant scarlet, flesh solid and rich. A strong grower, very prolific, and remains long in beaiing. Favourite (Madame Clements).— Large, even conical shape, bright orange, of exquisite flavour. An improvement on Caro- lina superba, aod a good forcer. Helena Gloede (Gloede).— Very large and of delicious flavour. A noble fruit, ripening very late ; will be valuable as a highly improved Frogmore Late Pine, which it resembles as regards 6ize and flavour, but to which it is far superior in growth, hardiness, and lateness. President Delacour (Horticultural Society's Trial Gardens at Beauvais). — Large, globular thape, blight glossy red. A very showy Strawberry, solid, rich, and bnttery. Plant very hardy and extremely prolific. Ripens at the medium season. lioseberry maxima. — This is a very fine, large, and useful Strawberry, extensively grown in Russia, especially for early forcing. Exceedingly hardy and prolifio ; belongs to the Pine class. Real origin unknown. Alpine Trouillet. — A much-improved variety of the Red Alpine Strawberry ; fruit of large size for its race, and an immense bearer till frost sets in. SELECT GARDEN ROSES. Not a few of the numerous Rose amateurs who regularly read " our Journal," and whose first eager glance over the headings of the various articles is to single out for immediate perusal any that relate to their especial favourite, must have experienced astonishment while scanning over a list of Roses, set forth as a select one, which appeared in page 98 of last week's issue. In the section of Hvbrid Perpetuals (Kemon- tants), there are sixty-one varieties named. Of these, Prinoe de Portia, Jules Margottin, John Hopper, Beauty of Waltbam, Paul Verdier, Marguerite de St. Amand, Charles Lefebvre, Al- fred Colomb, La Ville de St. Denis, Caroline de Sansal, Pierre Notting, Marie Rady, Antoine Ducher, and Prince Camille de Rjhan are really first-class Roses, and should be in every collection, large or small, but tbeir number all told amounts to only fourteen, or less than one-fourth of the whole selection ; and one, Paul Verdier, is a very doubtful remontant, while Miss Ingram, also in the list, is certainly not remontant. Of some merit, but by no means to be considered so good as the preceding, are Madame Clumence Juigneaux, occasionally fine, but too often coarse and dull in colour, not full, nor suffi- ciently remontant ; Jean Gonjon, large, but rough; Monsieur de Montigny, good, but of weak constitution, an insuperable bar to recommendation ; Madame Charles Wood and Madame Moreau, remarkable for size, which renders them popular among exhibitors, but deficient in several respects. Leopold Hausburg has ceased to find favour from the inconstancy of its bloom ; it occasionally produces a good flower ; it is also sur- passed by others of similar colour. Madame Alfred de Ronge- mont is praised by some rosarians on account of its pure colour; it is now superseded by Boule de Niege, which "in- quirers" should substitute when they make their purchases. Madame Vidot is acknowledged to be a beautiful Ro6e, but few, if any, can grow it satisfactorily. Madame Knorr may still re- ceive partial favour for its unique colour and free-blooming qualities. Madame Rivers, too, would be one of the most beautiful, and therefore one of the most valuable, of light Roses if it were but strong enough, but with regret we must place it among the things that were. Thus ten more in the list may receive a qualified recommendation, and this in some cases rather faint. The remaining three dozen, or thereabouts, I would utterly discard from the rosery, if there already, and, of course, rigor- ously exclude their entrance for reasons which shall be stated. Taking them seriatim, or in groups, it seems almost a waste of time and space to discuss them ; but people might be mis- led unless the fallacy of such a list offered for their assist- ance be fully exposed :— Mdlle. Alice Leroy and Duchess of Sutherland are Roecs of the past, which nobody would speak or even dream of now tla* we have the superb Baronne de Rothschild, a truly magnificent addition to our light kinds. Comtesse de Turenne, who has proved this ? at what great show has it carried til honours ? Duchess of Norfolk was once thought a good Rose, but who would care for it now in com- parison with Madame Victor Verdier, Horace Vernet. Marie Eaumann, Leopold Premier, Maurice Bernardin, Camille Ber- nardin, Maisichal Vaillant, and Senateur Vaisse, every one of which should be chosen a long way in preference to the trash we are now reluctantly compelled to discuss? They are also among the best known and most familiar of all Roses. Of Baronne Pievost, Btill in almott every gardeD, an eminent rosarian, who contrioutes much valuable information to these pages, on one occasion wrote to me, " Poor Baronne Pievost, her glory is departed," which is but too true. Sir Rowland Hill. Does it exist ? has it ever existed ? or is it what mathe- maticians call " an imaginary quantity ?" or, is it one that 120 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 18, 1870. should be rescued from oblivion, as a souvenir of the great postal reformer? Rev. H. Dombrain, let us hope to retain the person but not the Rose for many many years to come. Geant des Batailles, Pauline Lansezeur, Francois Premier are of a tribe long since deservedly gone out of favour ; flat, and with small notched petals when expanded, of varying and often dull colour, with little or no substance — there is no longer room nor necessity for them ; Jean RoBenkranz, not half so good as its manifest parent, Jacqueminot, the " old General " destined to brave many a rude buffet yet ; Madame Boll, rough and coarse ; La Reine, an old Rose hard to expand, producing an over- whelming per-centage of bad to good flowers, its place fully supplied by Comte de Nanteuil, still a superb variety, Gloire de Vitry, and La Ville de St. Denis mentioned above ; Triomphe de Caen and Merveille d'Anjou, neither a triumph nor a marvel at all. Duchesse d'Orleans must still have friendly remem- brance, it is now completely eclipsed by the lovely Marquise de Mortemart. William Jesse recedes far into the earliest re- collections of the oldest rosarians ; to Rose annals it is almost prehistoric. Souvenir du Comte Cavour is still in favour with me on account of its colour, symmetrical form, breadth of petal, and robust habit. I yield to the judgment of many experi- enced growers and pass it by ; it is surpassed in some respects by Xavier Olibo and Duke of Wellington, and infinitely so by Lord Macaulay, one of the most brilliant and attractive of all the crimson-scarlet Roses of this shade of colour. Monsieur Boncenne must also claim notice, although its remontant qualities are very defective, if not entirely absent. Alba carnea, Madame Pulliat, Francois Treyve, and Comte Litta have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. Joseph Fiala is praised by Mr. Keynes, but, I believe, he almost stands alone in his estimation of it. Madame Fillion does not yield flowers enough to pay for cultivation ; it is very beautiful when it does come. Pius IX. fails. Charles Rouillard, Auguste Mie, and Reine du Midi, are a multiplication of varieties worthless com- pared with Chabrillant, ThSrese Levet, La France, Dereux Douvill£, a neglected but fine Rose ; and the robust William Griffiths. Anna de Diesbach was fashionable about the time that crinoline was a la mode, of which it may be said to be a synonyme. A floral critic, I forget who, once enunciated a very famous apothegm in these paget- ; it was, that " the graces of ladies should be imitated, not their garments." Crinoline is gone, Anna de Diesbach will soon disappear too. L? G6ant and Jean Lambert are loose jaunty flowers soon to be forgotten. Thorin is still in debateable ground ; with me in light soil it does no good. Felix Genero is still worse. There are yet more in the list under notice that I have not reproduced. I cannot but think that so palpable an error in judgment as is shown in the article at pages 97 and 98 will be fully challenged and refuted by the able contributors to the Journal on Rose subjects, and that my own omissions will be amply made good by them. A few more remarks remain to be made. Following the section containing the list of Hybrid Perpetuals are six paragraphs assigned to as many different classes. Five varieties of Hybrid Chinas and Bourbons are recommended to the "many inquirers" to Belect, including Vivid and Paul Ricaut, both surpassed by many remontants of the same colour. Blairii and Charles Lawson are omitted, although superior to any of the five inserted. Few will now care to grow the Alba Roses, Felicite and Queen of Denmark, in preference to Acidalie, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Boule de Niege, or even Baronne de Maynard, none of which receives a notice ; and among Moss Roses the old CrimBon will always be the most admired. Two Tea Roses only are mentioned — Gloire de Dijon, which everyone must have, and Home re, a peculiar but certainly not a good Rose. The pretty Celine Forestier, which can be grown almost everywhere, is left out. Marochal Niel, almost as hardy as Gloire de Dijon, is ignored ; Sombreuil, a beautiful hardy wbite Tea Rose, finds no place ; the useful free-blooming Narcisse, so easy to grow and propa- gate, is passed over. In fact, throughout the whole list the omissions are as extraordinary as the insertions. Enfin, but no ; let one glance be given to the descriptions, or, I should say, the colours of the different kinds named. tc Brevity is the soul of wit," hence nearly all are described in single words. To select a few. Jules Margottin and Beauty of Waltham are " cherry." What did Mr. Radclyffe think of his "old jewels" being thus characterised? Alfred Colomb and Clemence Joigneaux " red j" they are as muoh alike as the sun and moon, but then " red " is a comprehensive quality. Pierre Notting is " dark red." Paul Verdier, Madame C. Wood, Souvenir du Comte Cavour, and Prince Camille de Rohan are all "crimson;" it would not be correct to say that they are not— it is equally untrue to say that they are and nothing else. — Adolphus H. Kent. PLANTS FLOWERING IN JULY. July 4. Linum LewiBii grandifloram narbonense alpinum perenne flavum Fraukenia leevis Cineraria maritima Lathyrus grandifloruB splendens latifolius Rosmarinus officinalis hill in a f it.: vi mi in aurantiacum candidum chalcedonicum longiflorum Thunbergianum Amorpha fruticoaa fragrans Spiraea daurica ?runifolia anceolata Lonicera longiflora aempervirens Xyloateum Rudbeckia laciniata Newmanni 8. Antirrhinum mnjus, varieties Statice bellidifolia Gmelini Nymphsea alba Actsea spicata Catananche bicolor Sedom acre daayphyllum Forsterianum kamtachatieum Azalea : ■ i.u ; .!. nitida viscosa alba Coronilla varia Tilia europsea Aubrietia Mooreana grffica Campbellii Silene Sehafti 11. Aconitum Napellus Solidago virgata cambrica Helianthus diffusus mnltiflorua Symph or i carpus racemosus Hesperis matronalis Spirie* japonica venuata Aira cseapitosa Euonymus latifolius Liriodendron tulipifera Sempervivum tectorum Rhododendron hirsutum 14. Hedyaarum coronarium Buddlea globoaa Hemerocallis fulva Eacallonia rubra Stachya lanata Viburnum Tinus Potentilla alba insignia Hopwoodiana Aquilegia glandulosa Ajuga genevenaia Nierembergia rivularis Hottonia palustris Nuphar lutea Potentilla fruticosa Pyrethrum Parthenium Salvia fulgens bicolor Lychnis coccinea Haageana chalcedonica Viacaria plena Clematis erecta integrifolia Campanula Hostii garganica grandis pyramidal is rotundifoka Trachelium 1C. Myosotia alpesfris Lysimachia ciliata Nummularia Colchicum autumnale Oxalis Bowieana floribunda Meconopsis cambrica Erica ramentacea Koniga maritima variegata Inopsidium acaute CEnothera acaulis fruticoBa macrocarpa July 19. Liatris spicata pyenoatachya elegans Lythrum Salicaria Lavandula Spioa Philadelphus grandiflorus Aster alpinua lsevis Tripolinm Catalpa syringEefoIia Astilbe rivularis Statice latifolia incana Scabiosa lutea nana Clematis cserulea Flammula florida Primula acaulis cortusoides „ 28. Aristolochia Sipho Ceanothus americanus azureus Magnolia tripetala Dianthus deltoidea cseaius Erica tetralix Hypericum calycinum Leyceateria formosa Kalmia latifolia glauca Rhus Cotinua Sedum populifolium aexangulare denta'um Telephium Phlomis Rueselliana Mirabilia Jalap a Iberi3 Tenoreana Gladiolua brenchleyenBia Mimuhia cupreus tigrinuB maculosus cardinaliB Centaurca caudidissima gymnocarpa Mitraria coccmea Phlox Nelsoni eetacea Lupines „ 25. Greum coccineum rivale montanum Pentstemon gentianoidea glabrum procerum ovatum Scouleri venustum Morina peraica Linaria alpina Polygonum Brunoni Sieboldi Polemonium CEernleum Richardaoni Diantbua odoratus Buperbua petrseus Chelone barbata coccinea Malope grandiflora Malva zebrina Morenii Tsurnefortiana Phlox Prummondi Nemophila inaignia „ 80. Meseinbryanihemum gla- brum tricolor Lobelia ramosa TageteB patula pumila Aster chinenBis auperbua Adonis autumnalia Lavatera trimestria Portulaca aurea insignia Silene compacta rubella pendula Viacaria apleudens Convolvulus major Verbena venoaa Clintonia pulchella Yucca glauceacena an guati folia gloriosa fllamentosa Veronica Candida incana Cacalia aurea Jasminum frulicana Cobrea scandena Abrouia umbcllata -M. B.,,Acklam Hall, Middlesbrough- on-Tees. LAWN MOWERS. The trial of lawn mowers is very important, and all lovers of a velvety and verdant lawn are deeply interested. I have Angust 18, 1870. 1 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 121 used only Green's 16-inch machine for some years ; it is very hard work for two men. If the grass is long it cannot catch it, and fine short grass it almost tears up by the roots. During the past three years my grass plots have been much burnt up and very ngly ; this made me desire a better machine. When the Archimedean was announced I wrote to inquire, and had one offered no care no pay, and on trial I was glad to keep it and pay for it. My gardener, having been ill, is now only weak, 80 I volunteered to mow the grass, of which I have more than half-an-aore. I have mown it all myself during the past three weeks, with the exception of a small portion, which was cut last week with Green's machine by two men, but the result iB very inferior. The grass left on by the Archimedean is a benefit ; the turf improves and becomes like velvet. I can work the machine easily ; it is a delightful implement, its work a success, and those who wish to know more may come and see or write. — Thomas Baines, Stock Hottse, Bingley. STRAWBERRIES WORTHY AND UNWORTHY OF CULTIVATION. Year by year our Strawberry lists are extended, new and wonderful varieties coming upon us from every quarter ; to grow even a dish of each would fill with plants an ordinary- sized garden. Variety is getting so abundant as to be perfectly embarrassing, and amidst so much variety there must neces- sarily exist much inferiority. If our Strawberries have been improved — and they have been so considerably — many sorts are thus superseded, and ought to be discarded and forgotten. To grow inferior sorts is certainly useless ; to have to purchase such is more than vexing. Feeling that " to know what to avoid " is good knowledge, we subjoin a list of varieties which have come under our personal observation, both during the present and the last year, and which ought to be entirely dis- carded. Some of them may, perhaps, in certain localities, and for certain purposes, prove passable. We venture to say, how- ever, they are but few, and that even these are improved upon and superseded. We have this season examined upwards of four hundred named kinds, and out of these we discard the following : — A. Van Geert Gelineau Nimrod Adair Globe Nonsuch Admiral Dundas Goldfinder Old Chili Ambrosia Great Eastern Orange Chili Augusta Kitmeyer Great Exhibition Orb Australia Green's Prolific Palmyre Baronne DumarLanage Hacquin Patrick's Seedling Beauty of England Helena Jamain Peabody's Seedling Beehive Hendries, Seedling Pearl Belle Artoissienne Henrietta Pitmaston Black Belle Cauchoise Hero Prince Charlie Belle de Paris Highland Mary Prince Arthur Bicolor Hooper's Seedling Princess Alice Maud Blandford Hovey's Seedling Prin«ess Fredk. William Bostock Iowa Princess of Wales Boston Pine Jenny Lind Princess Royal of Eng- Bonbon John Powell land Bonte de St. Julien Jucunda Progres Boule d'Or Jung Bahadoor Richard II. Brighton Pine Kimberley Robert Traill British Queen Seedling King Arthur Roseberry Britannia KraminBky Rosebud Brittany Pine La Boule du Monde Royal Victoria Ceres La Fertile Ruby Chinese La Grosse Sucree Rushtoniensis Choix d'un Amateur La Negresse St. Lambert Cole's Prolific La Paysanne Sanspareil Comte de Zans La Perle Savoureuse Comtesse TheresaKickx La Petite Marie Scott's Seedling Comtesse de Marne La Heine Sir Walter Scott CorniBh Diamond La Rustique Stirling Castle Pine Cornucopia La Vineuse Sultane Cox'a Hybrid Ladies' Finger Surpasse Grosse Sucree Defiance Le Baron Surprise (Myatt's) Delices du Palais Le Titiens The Lady Delices d'Automne Lecoq Pine Thorn's Seedling Dr. Karl Koch ■ Leon de St. Lannier Topsy Deptford Pine Leopold Trollope's Victoria Douglas's Califorman Lorenz Booth Triomphe Duchesse de Beaumont Lord Clyde Triomphe de Gand Eliza Champion Mon Gout Unique Scarlet Elton Pine Improved Monstrueuse de Robine Versaillaise Excellente Munro's Scarlet Virgin Queen Fairy Queen Muscadine Virginie Fertile d' Angers Myatt's Mammoth Wellington Fillmore Myatt's Prolific Wilmot's Superb Garibaldi (Nicholson) Ne Plus Ultra Wizard of the North General Havelock Newton Kyme Wonderful the number is really not required, yet we here enumerate them as possessing some distinctive property. Those the most meritorious in our estimation we have marked with an asterisk *. *Ajax, very large, fine colour, splendid for forcing. Alice Nicholson, fine quality. Ascot Pine Apple, fine quality, early. Bicton Pine, best white. Black Prince, useful early sort. ♦British Queen, finest quality, suitable for Borne soils. Comte de Paris, splendid colour and texture. CrimBon Cluster, Hautbois flavour. *Dr. Hogg, finest quality, large, fine constitution. ♦Due de MalakofT, the largest of all. Duke of Edinburgh, large and very handsome. Duke of Edinburgh (Moffat's), very large, fine market sort. *Elton Pine, best late -preserving. Empress Eugenie, great bearer, large size. •Frogmore Late Pine, excellent late variety. •Gloria, excellent early sort, fine flavour. Grove End Scarlet, good preserving. Her Majesty, large and handsome. Highland Chief, excellent quality. ♦Keens' Seedling, one of the best for forcing. Kitley's Goliah, great bearer in some soils. •La ConBtante, finest quality, remarkable hibit. •Lucas, very large, fine constitution and quality. May Queen, the earliest of all, but very small. •Mr. Radclyffe, large and excellent. Myatt's Eleanor, fine appearance, late. •Myatt's Eliza, finest quality. Old Scarlet, good preserving. •Oscar, fine quality, splendid colour. •Old Pine, fine quality, distiuct character, bears well in the shade. Perpetual Pine, interesting as a variety. •Premier, fine quality, great bearer. President Wilder, large, handsome. Prince of Wales (CuthiU'B), extraordinary bearer, late. Rifleman, great bearer, large. Royalty, fine quality, great bearer. Scarlet Cluster, fine colour, good quality. •Sir C. Napier, most profitable for the London market, excellent for forcing and general purposes. •Sir Harry, large, splendid cropper, fine market sort. Sir J. Paxton, excellent variety. Souvenir de Kieff, very handsome, large. •The Amateur, very large, enormous bearer. W. J. Nicholson, fine quality, large. Waltham Seedling, enormous bearer, good. •Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, the most generally UBefnl. fc Synonymes are not here given. There are, in addition to both of these lists now given, a great number of varieties which may be termed of mediocre quality, but sufficiently good for retention in large collections, or for some particular use, or for being specially suited for some particular soil or district ; also a never-ending stream of novelties, or so-called improvements, or repetitions of the same under other names ; likewise many others which have never come under our observation, as we write only of our own knowledge and experience. We next furnish a shorter, yet sufficiently extensive, list of those varieties which have proved sufficiently meritorious for some purpose or other to warrant their retention. One-tenth DOUBLE GERANIUMS. I cannot agree with " D., Deal," that the double Geranium is good for bedding purposes, for as Mr. Abbey justly says in his article last week, the centre of the trusses is very apt to clog and mildew in wet, and turn black in dry weather. I have tried several varieties, and found all fail, even the double Tom Thumb; this Mr. Abbey thinks might do. But there is one purpose I find them very suitable for, and that is window plants, as they remain a very long time in bloom, and the cen'res of the trusses, being perfectly dry, scarcely change colour, while they have the advantage of retaining their petals until removed altogether, and having this property they are also very suitable for button-hole flowers. I have grown the following in my window this year — Gloire de Nancy, Smith's Victor, Victor Lemoine, Marie Lemoine, Madame Lemoine, Vesuve, and Wilhelm Pfitzer. Of these I think Marie Lemoine the best light colour, being so compact in its growth, but Madame Lemoine is also good. Gloire de Nancy ought to be kept dry to prevent its growing too strong, and it will then open well. Victor Lemoine is by far the best and brightest of the scarlets, a very good trusser, and of dwarf habit. Vesuve is of the same colour and shape as Smith's Victor, but not so dwarf in habit, but both heavy in colour and small in truss. Wilhelm Pfitzer is also a dull red, ragged in form 122 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 18, 1870. of flower, and rather a strong grower. So I retain but two as first-clas?, Victor and Marie Lemoine, and Madame Lemoine and Gloire de Nancy where more height is wanted. Growing these varieties in a window they are apt to draw a little, which prevents the flowers being too closely packed, so they open much better, and have a finer effect, and being in a cool atmosphere last in bloom a very long time. — Harrison Weir, Weirlcigh, Kent. HORTICULTURAL CONGRESS AT OXFORD. (Continued from page 104.) The following paper by Mr. Thomas Moore, F.L.S., was read on the second day of the Congress, and is of much interest to those who have to act as judges, as well as to exhibitors. ON JUDGING PLANTS AND FLOWERS. The object of this paper is to bring ont as briefly as possible, and rather in a suggestive than an exhaustive manner, a few practical thonghts in reference to the more important of the laws which should regulate the judging of plants and flowers at horticultural exhibitions. The subject is one of the greatest importance, and it is also so exten- sive that I can do little more than touch upon some of the more salient points. To do this effectually, it will be necessary to treat separately of : — I. Plants staged in collections; II. Plants staged as individual specimens ; III. Plants and flowers staged as novelties ; IV. Flowers staged in the cut state. § I. — As examples of the subjects which fall under the head of Plants staged in Collections, the groups of Pelargoniums, Heaths, Roses, Orchids, miscellaneous stove and greenhouse plante, &c, may be cited. In judging groups of this character, the following points should be careinlly estimated, and their true value credited to the several collections, in the following order : — 1. Conformity mth the Terms of the Schedule under which they are shown. This, it must be evident, is the first and most important point to be decided, since, if the group, as a whole, or in respect of any of its component parts, docs not meet the terms under which it baa been invited, it is at once removed beyond the pale of competition, and must be set aside or disqualified. On this account it is of the utmost importance that prize schedules should be explicitly and clearly worded. Moreover, in making up a schedule, undefined groups should be avoided. They are fair neither to exhibitors nor judges ; the former are uncertain what to stage, the latter cannot possibly compare and adjust the points of merit between objects which are not com- parable. 2. Health and Vigour. — Plnnts which are in an evidently sickly or moribund condition are not likely to be often exhibited, but when they are, they are to be regarded as blots and blemishes. What are more likely to be seen at exhibitions are old. worn-out, debilitated specimens —plants which have served a good purpose in their day, and which still have, it may be, the recommendations of size, and of producing abundance of blossoms, but beneath which the experienced eye can detect the signs of decrepitude. Such plants as these should not be preferred before younger and more vigorous specimens merely because they happen to be larger, if the younger plants are fairly over what would be known as half-specimen size, and are otherwise good ex- amples of cultivation as to growth and bloom. In other words, young vigorous growth, with its robust, high-coloured flowers, is to be pre- ferred to stunted growth and starved flowers, even though the plants may be considerably smaller. This is equally true in respect to plants grown for their foliage ; vigorous youth must here also come before stunted old age. 3. Freshness and Unimpaired Condition. — The foliage of exhibition plants should not only be well-developed, but fresh and in an uninjured state ; the flowers should be perfect, and without blemish. Such plants come decidedly before others that from any cause may have become bruised, broken, or disfigured, as regards either stem, leaves, or flowers. Injuries of this sort chiefly occur in packing and transit, but all such defects mnst couut as decided blemishes. 4. Intrimic Beauty.— This may be of two kinds, floral beauty or leaf beauty, and both may sometimes count in the same group. Thus in a collection of miscellaneous flowering plants, while flowers are essential, and the floral display may carry high marks, yet where elegant or ornamental foliage is associated with these handsome flowers, still higher marks must be allowed. In florists' subjects, Pelargoniums or Fuchsias for example, on the other hand, the floral beauty of the subjects has mainly to be considered, the foliage being similar in all, while any differences it may present will have been estimated under the heads of health and freshnesB. Singularity of form may sometimes compensate for want of colour beauty. There may also be subjects whose beauties, such as they are, are of a plain or ordinary character, and which are not therefore effective ; and such plants count rather as blemishes than otherwise. 5. General Compatibility. — In all collections there should be an evident fitness of plant to plant, a general resemblance, though not necessarily a rigid uniformity of character, especially as to size, quality, and style. Sometimes in marshalliug his forces an exhibitor will bring into his collection some one or two magnificent specimens aa a makeweight against sundry inferior ones, and with inexperienced judges the artifice now and then succeeds, Binee they cannot free them- selves from the impulse to reward the superior plant or plautB. This, however, should always be discountenanced, and a certain average amount of merit throughout the group, higher or lower according to circumstances, insisted on. The whole of the plants in the group, whether many or few, should fit into their respective places as though they bad been prepared for them. There may be some larger to occupy the back or centre of a group, and some smaller to take the front places ; but there should never be one or two very large plants mixed up with several very small ones, nor one or two Bmall plants associated with several large ones. If there cannot be an approxi- mate equality of size, there should be a gradation, and that not too sudden. As to the form of individual plants, that must vary to some extent with the subjects, especially in miscellaneous groups, but the contrast even here should not be too violent ; and in the case of collec- tions of particular flowers, as Pelargoniums, Roses, &c, there should be an approximation to symmetry and uniformity of outline, as well as of size. 6. Size Bhould only count where other conditions are equal. In urg- ing this point, it is not intended to depreciate fine, large, and really healthy specimens, since these, of whatever kind, are the pride and glory of our plant shows, but only to insist that mere size is never to be preferred to perfect health and irreproachable condition and finish. The old proverb comes in very true here — the biggest not always the beat. Size is of course comparable only between different classes, some subjects naturally attaining larger dimensions than others. 7. Variety is an element which must be allowed to have weight after the few first and most essential points. There must be some variety, and the greater the variety after the essential points are met the better ; but beyond the avoidance of positive sameness too much importance must not be attached to the mere circumstance of a group being highly varied. This is one of the points upon which schedules should be made especially clear, so that it may be thoroughly under- stood if distiuct species or varieties are required, and whether or not duplicates are admissible. 8. Facility of Culture. — The least weight should be attached to the plants which are most easily cultivated, other points being equal, though, as a considerable amount of skill is necessary to bring any plant into a state fit for exhibition, too much importance should not he attached to plants of diincult culture. An easily grown plant, thoroughly well done, perfect in every point, may even be better than a moderately good plant of a more difficult subject, and is certainly better than an inferior one of that class. 9. Rarity ana Intrinsic Value take about the same position as facility of culture and variety. All these may be, and should be, taken iuto account, but they are scarcely essential, and certainly not of primary importance. Rarity is the least important of them all, since it may add nothing to the beauty of the show ; and the money value of the objects is not the ground upon which the plants are brought iuto competition. As auxiliary points in collections that come near together in merit, these may be fairly considered ; but certainly too much importance should not be attached to them. Hor- ticultural exhibitions are held for the display and reward of cultural skill, not for the appraisement of the objects shown. The latter is a consideration more suited to an auction-room than a flower show. § II. The considerations which give importance to the several points of merit in the case of plants staged as Individual Specimens, and which may include such subjects as Azaleas, Heaths, Pelargoniums, Orchids, Palms, Ferns, or any of the plants included in miscellaneous collections, are almost, if not exactly, the same as those already advanced, and therefore need not be repeated. They should be taken in the order indicated, and perfection in each should in these cases be insisted on. 1. Confomiitif until the Terms of the Schedttle. 2. Health and Vigour as opposed to weakness and infirmity. 3. Freshness and Unim paired Condition as opposed to decay and mutilation. 4. Intrinsic Beauty, which must here include, so far as they pro- perly attach to the particular kind of plant under examination, such points as free and symmetrical habit, profusion of well- displayed flowers, pure or pleasing colours, firm and enduring flowers, and suc- cession of bloom, — points which will be more specially noticed under § III., New Plants. 5. FwiUfy of Culture. 6. Si-;e. — The coinpmison in respect to size must not be absolute but relative, in those classes where mixed subjects compete together. 7. Rarity and Intrinsic Value. — Where specimens of one particular kind of plant — say Azaleas or Heaths — are brought together for adjudication, there is comparatively little difficulty in arriving at a correct decision by such stages as those indicated by the foregoing points ; but it is not so easy to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion in the case of miscellaneous specimens when shown together in the same class, since the consideration of the value of the plant will obtrude itself, and will affect different minds in a different manner, according to peculiar tastes or fancies. Hence, at least special subjects, Orchids for example, which generally bear a high money value, should have separate classes assigned to them, and should not be left open to com- pete with such plants as Fuchsias, or even such as Ixoras, Alla- maudas, &c. § III. The considerations which should govern the award of prizes August 18, 1870. J JOURNAL OF HOBTICTJLTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 123 to New Plants and Flowers — that is, subjects Btaged as novelties, have been already noted in a paper published in the first volume of the Society's Journal, but in order to present a more complete view of the subject, I will here briefly recapitulate what I have therein advanced. (a). Flowering Plants. — The features which are the most desir- able in a plant cultivated as a decorative object for the sake of its flowers — that is, in an ornamental -flowering plant viewed as a whole, are the following : — 1. Free and Symmetrical Habit of Growth. — Whether naturally slender or robust an ornamental plant should at least be free in the development of its parts, and should present something like regularity in its growth, so far as that can bo realised in conjunction with its natural habit. The plant should not be of a stubborn immovable character, resulting in a stunted aspect, nor must it be of a delicate constitution, such as gardeners call " niiffy." Iu a general way it should bo compact and bushy, so far as its natural character permits — the opposite of lean and straggling in its mode of growth. Some- times, it is true, a bad habit may be overcome by the skill of the culti- vator, but it is better that a good habit should be inherent. Even in a climber, lanky long- jointed growth is not desirable. 2. Profusion of Fhtoers well disjflmfed. — There should not only be an abundance of flowers produced, but they should be so disposed as to be effective ; that is, they must not be hidden amongst the foliage, nor, if their beanty depends upon a view of their face, must they hang about loosely so that the face cannot be seen. If they are pendent, it should be with natural grace. They should not be crowded by foliage, nor crushed among themselves by being over-numerous or disadvautage- ously set on. 3. Healthy Leafdrrelojoncnt. — No plant can be really beautiful which has not well- grown and well-coloured healthy foliage ; but the leaves should generally be subdued in comparison with the flowers, and must not in any case be disproportionately large or numerous. If tho foliage is handsome, so much the better, but it must be healthy and wholesome-looking. 4. Bright, pure, dense, or pleasingly -contrasted Colours. — All dull dingy colours stamp a flower with inferiority, though they may some- times be permitted as curiosities, especially if the flower is of some very remarkable form in its family, or presents some peculiar novelty. 5. Form and Substance of Flowers and Endurance. — Unless flowers put on some of the best forms which their particular type may be ca- pable of yielding, and are stout and durable in texture, they neither present the highest beanty of which they are capable, nor do their beautieB, of whatever order, continue. Flimsy flowers soon perish, and are hence much inferior to those of stont enduring substance. 6. Succession of Bloom. — It is a greater merit to produce a succession of flowers, in order that the blooming season may be prolonged, pro- vided they are not thereby rendered scanty and scattered, than to give a flush of flowers, the beanty of which is fleeting, and then not to blossom again for a considerable period. Next in merit to a plentiful succession of flowers comes a good head of bloom ; and those plants are of the least value for ornamental purposes which only bear a few scattered blossoms at long intervals of time. 7. Sine of Flowers is an advantage, all other points being equal ; but size is apt to degenerate into coarseness, and hence it is not a feature to be estimated too highly. 8. Distinctness. — If it were not for the development of thi; character- istic, our flowers would lack half the charms they now have, owing to the almost endless variety they present; and hence this feature of dis- tinctness should be made a sine qua non. A new flower which has not appreciable distinctness has no advantage over the older ones which resemble it. 9. Graft fid < ktoar. — A pleasant perfume is a great advantage in any flower, and must have its full weight in making any award to a new plant. 10. Novelty. — A decidedly new character is worth recognition in the absence of any other merit; for if the plant presenting it does not in other respects give us exactly what we desire, the new feature is to be regarded as the first step towards obtaining a new race ; and to produce a new race is equivalent to the addition of a new province to the king- dom of Flora. If the new feature is some manifest improvement so much the better, but a new feature, though not in itself a direct and present advantage, may lead to something which is desirable. When, moreover, it is made an aim to develope, in connection with the novel character, the elements of beauty or utility, in which it may be deficient, this aim will in almost all cases be sooner or later realised, owing to the plasticity of vegetable development. (6). Foliage Plants. — In regard to plants grown for the sake of their foliage, many of the points of merit are the same as those Bought for in flowering plants. The most desirable features appear to fall under the following heads: — 1. Free and Symnu trim/ Habit of Growth. — This feature is even more essential here than in the case of flowering plants, as great part of the beauty of the specimen neccessarily depends upon it. 2. Healthy Leaf-development. — As the beauty of the plant is to be sought in its foliage, the leaves must at least be developed in a healthy and vigorous manner. 3. Gracefulness or Nobility of Aspect. — Most of the plants grown for foliage alone are prized on account of one or other of these features, Hence a common-looking piant which does not possess either one or the other, and does not yield showy flowers as a compensation, must be held to possess little merit from the decorative point of view, how- ever curious or interesting it may be in other respects. 4. Endurace of Foliage. — When the beauty of the plant depends on the appearance presented by the foliage, it is obvious that the more enduring the character of that foliage, the longer will the plant retain its beauty. Hence endurance in the foliage becomes a very important quality. A deciduous plant is on this ground less valuable per se than an evergreen, although it may be good in its way, or in its season. But, then, evergreens and deciduous plants are not strictly comparable. 5. Distinctness. — When the beauty of a plant has to be sought in its leafago alone, there is much less scope for variety than when flowers are superadded; but it becomes all the more essential to avoid the sameness of aspect which must prevail, if distinctness of character is not insisted on. 6. Pleasing and Welt -marked Oolour. — The leaf, that is to Bay, should, if green, be a good pleasant healthy-looking green, and if of any other colour, it should be of some decided and agreeable tint or tone. 7. Well-defined Colours or Markings. — This is an essential part of beauty in the case of variegated leaves, and variegation is a condition commonly presented by what are called ornamental-foliaged plants. A cloudy intermixture of colours in leaves, as in flowers, i3 seldom or never effective. 8. Novelty of Cltaractcr.— Though only to be valued as the stepping stone to the production of new races, as iu the case of flowering plants, yet when combined with other elements of beauty, or as indicating features which may be improved upon and worked up to greater per- fection, this is a property much to be desired. It may here be observed that stove plants, greenhouse plants, and hardy plants require to be judged independently of each other. At first sight it might appear needless to estimate separately the merits of these several groups, since it might be said that hardy plants, the lowest in value intrinsically, stand really at an advantage in being suited to the means of a larger number of cultivators than would be able to accommodate hothouse plants, owing to the more costly nature of the conditions necessary to the successful production of the latter ; while to some cultivators, who cannot command any such costly ap- pliances, they would, of course, be all in all. On the whole, however, the several classes may be placed on an eqnality in so far as concerns the judgment on their merits as new plants; for whilst an advantage must be admitted in the case of the hardier subject, on the ground of its more general applicability, an advantage must certainly be accorded to the hothouse plant on the grouud of intrinsic value. But still I would urge the adoption of this rule, that plants of the classes de- nominated stove, greenhouse, and hardy, should be compared only among themselves. This limitation should indeed be carried further, for annuals, perennials, and shrubs or trees should in the same way only bp compared amongst themselves ; and of the latter, deciduous plants and evergreens can only be fairly compared with plants corre- sponding in character. The same may be said in reference to plants of any specially-marked group, such as Agaves or Orchids. To ascer- tain if a hardy Conifer was of first-class merit, it would he useless to compare it with a Fern or a Palm. Further than this, plants adapted for blooming in the winter, or Spring, or summer, or autumn seasons, must be judged in their rela- tions to those particular seasons, and must not be rigidly compared except with those of their own season, because, in order to avoid a scarcity of flowers at any period, it is necessary to cultivate such as will extend the flowering period throughout the year. A plant may thus be really valuable on account of its blooming in winter, which would bo regarded as comparatively worthless in summer, for the mere fact of producing blossoms during winter is sufficient to outweigh a multitude of minor defects. Hence may be deduced another conclu- sion— namely, that the rules by which new plants are judged must be relaxed in inverse proportion to the supply of flowers obtainable at the particular season at which they bloom. These general considera- tions must bd allowed their full force in applying any Bet of rules for the determination of the merits of new plants. (c). Florists' Flowers. — Though various in character, these admit of more ready and exact comparison than the subjects of the two pre- ceding groups ; for the number of organs to be adjudicated upon are fewer, and hence the requisite features admit of more exact comparison and definition, which definition has been already well worked out by florists. The features to be specially sought, and their relative value, are these : — 1. Form. — In most single flowers this should he circular, or, where the circle will uot apply, symmetrical. Iu double flowers there should be a semi-globular outline Compound flowers follow the same law as double flowers. Tubular flowers, and some others of peculiar forms, offer exceptions, which can only be dealt with individually. 2. Substance. — The "texture of the petals must be stont and dense if the flower is to be durable, for if flimsy it soon gires way, and loses both form and colour. 3. Smoothness ami Flatness of EJqe and Surface. — These qualities are eminently necessary to give refinement to the flower. A coarse rough -surfaced flower bears no comparison with one of a velvet-like smoothness and softness, and evenness of margin is equally necessary. A regular series of wart-like spots, as in the case of some Lilies, is, 124 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 18, 1870. however, admissible. In some cases, but not often, a well-developed fringe or frill is also admissible. 4. Colour. — This must be bright or pure and decided in self-flowers (that is, flowers of one colour), and clearly-defined and well- contrasted in striped or laced flowers. 5. Fixity of Colour is a quality of some importance, and depends partly, but not wholly, on the texture or substance of the corolla. 6. Proportion of Parts to the Whole is an essential element of beauty, but, as this depends on the actual form, it must be defined in- dividually in the different kinds of flowers. 7. Size is an advantage, so that it is not disproportionate nor con- ducive to coarseness, but it is very apt to degenerate into coarseness. 8. Distinctness is absolutely necessary for the sake of variety. 9. Novelty is a quality always welcome, as it enlarges the field of floriculture ; but to count as a point in judging the change must not be a mere variation, but a decided difference of form or feature. The merit of any novelty of feature, moreover, must always be estimated subject to the higher qualities of form, substance, smoothness, pro- portion, &c. § TV. Cut flowers for competition are always shown in collections — e.g.t Roses, Carnations, Pansies, Gladioli, Hollyhocks, Asters, &c. Hence, many of the points advanced under the head of Plants staged in Collections (§ I.), apply to these also; but there are additional points, such as those advanced under New Florists' Flowers (§ III. c), and over and beyond all these come in the special properties of each particular kind of flower. Time will not permit me to enter into detail on these points, and I will therefore merely mention those which are of general application, or nearly so : — 1. Conformity with the Terms of the Schedule. 2. Freshness, and Unimpaired Condition. 3. Special Properties of the particular flower under judgment, and more particularly as regards : — Form, substance, smoothness of tex- ture and margin, purity and definition in colour. 4. Variety. The only strictly accurate mode of judging is by allotting marks to each collection or plant in respect of each point of merit, and finally summing up the total. This may seem a tedious method of arriving at a result, but it need not be so in reality ; and it is practically the method under which, by means of a mental process, our best judges arrive at their decisions. When this plan is adopted there is no guess- work, but the sum of the merits of a plant or a collection must come out accurately. I can only here briefly indicate how the method may be applied : — In Section I., that is, Plants staged in Collections, the first point settles whether the collection is admissible or not — nonconformity with the schedule means disqualification. The other points must be gone over seriatim, and a decision arrived at whether each plant can be marked as good, bad, or indifferent, in respect to each point. As the points are not all equal I would allow double marks for the points of primary importance, and single marks for the secondary ones. Under the former good would be represented say by 6 marks, in- different by 3 marks, bad by 1 mark. Under the latter good would stand at 3, indifferent at 2, bad at 1. With a little practice these numbers would be soon run out, even in a collection of a dozen or a score of plants, especially if prepared Blips with columns for the dif- ferent points were banded to the judges previous to their commencing their duties. I should put the points numbered 2, 3, 4, and 5 (health, freshness, beauty, compatibility), in the first category, and 6, 7, 8, and 9 {size, variety, facility of culture, rarity, and value) in the second, as regards collections of flowering plants ; and 2, 3, and 4 (health, fresh- ness, beauty) in the first, and 5, 6, and 7 (facility of culture, size, rarity) in the second category, as regards specimen plants. In this way the decisions in §§ I. and II., and even § IV cmay be very ac- curately made out, these groups being all competitive. In the case of new plants the subjects require a different treatment, the object being to determine their intrinsic, not their comparative merit. Here, consequently, a fixed number, say 100, should indicate the highest degree of excellence, and any lesser number awarded will show the degree in which they approach this highest degree of merit. Practically those plants which gain 75 marks or upwards would be 1st class in merit ; those which gain over 50 up to 75 would be 2nd class ; knd those which gain only from 30 to 50 would be 3rd class. In these cases the full number assigned to each meritorious feature is only to be awarded to the perfect condition of that feature, and any lesser pro- portionate number according to the actual degree of merit. In reducing this to practice, the following would be the marks indi- cating the highest degrees of excellence in the case of New Flowering Plants :— 1. Freeness of habit 15 2. Profuseness and display of flowers 15 1 S. Healthiness of leaf-development 15 4. Purity, brightness, or contrast of colour 10 5. Endurance, subBtanee, and form of flowers 10 L IM , 6. Succession of bloom ]© f = 100 marks. 7. Size of flower 10 8. Distinctness of character 5 8. Gratefulness of odour in leaves or flowers 5/ 10. Novelty of a decided kind 6 Glaring defects amongst new flowering plants would be presented by the undermentioned peculiarities, each of which should reduce the award by 10 ; — Straggling habit, flimsy flowers, muddled or dingy or fleeting colours, foetid odour. The following is the scale proposed for New Foliage Plants : — 1. Freeness of habit 15 2. Healthiness of leaf-development 15 S. Gracefulness or nobility of aspect 15 4. Endurance of foliage 15 5. Distinctness of character 15 6. Agreeableness of colouring 10 7. Definition in markings 10 8. Novelty 5 As glaring defects which may occur in this class of plants, may be mentioned the following peculiarities, each of which should reduce the award by 10 : — Straggling habit ; flimsy, tender, rapidly perishing leaves ; indistinct or fleeting colours or markings. In the case of New Florists' Flowers, the points of excellence would bear the numerical ratio indicated below : — 1. Form 15 2. Substance lfl\ 3. Smoothness 15 I 4. Colour 10 5. Fixity of colour 10 y - 100 marks. 6. Proportion 10 7. Size 10 8. Distinctness 10 I 9. Novelty 5 The most glaring faults in this class of subjects are to be found in the following features, which are in most cases altogether incompatible with a high position : — Open eyes, as they are called, when double flowers show any part of the disc or centre ; split petals or floretB ; run or confused or fading colours ; roughness of outline or surface. The laBt paper which we shall give is that of Professor Law- son, which was read on the second day of the Congress. OXFORD BOTANISTS. Having been honoured with a request that I would write for this occasion a shoit paper, I chose for my subject " The History of the More Eminent Botanists and Gardeners connected with the County." But had I written my paper first, and then selected my title, instead of adopting the opposite course, I should have entitled it, " The His- tory of the More Eminent Botanists and Gardeners connected with the University ;" for when I came to examine the subject more closely, I found the amount of information that might be given was so great, that to do it justice I should require several papers in which to treat it, instead of one. Thus I have to apologise for having departed in some degree from my original intention. I will mate use of this opportunity, and take the liberty of suggest- ing to the Committee the propriety of engaging, on each succeeding year, the services of some person well acquainted with the history of the city and neighbourhood in which their meeting may be held, who shall undertake to give us a short account of all who have advanced the botany or horticulture of their county. By these means we should gain a vast amount of valuable information that might otherwise be irretrievably lost ; while many a name worthy of being chronicled would also be saved from oblivion. The first item of interest connected with this place, to which I will now direct your attention, is the founding of the Botanic Gardens, by Henry Earl of Danby, in the year 1632. This event established a new era in British botany ; for, with the exception of a private physic garden belonging to Gerarde in Holborn, none in England as yet had been set aside for scientific purposes. Lord Danby obtained from Magdalen College a lease of nearly five acres of ground, which he surrounded with the present noble wall, and built the gateway that adorns the principal entrance to the gardens. He erected, ako, greenhouses and stoves for exotics, and a house for one Jacob Bobart, whom he appointed as the first curator. At his death, also, this generous nobleman added to his former liberality by bequeathing the rectory of Kirkdale in Yorkshire, from the funds of which he hoped to maintain the efficiency of the gardens, and secure the services of a professor. Bobart, of whose name I have already made mention, was a German by birth, having been born at Brunswick. On his appointment as superintendent he set himself most industriously to fill the new gardens with all kinds of rare plants, both English and exotic ; and in the year 1648 he published a catalogue in which he enumerates no less than 1600 species as having been grown by him at that time. Of these, however, many were doubtless only varieties ; but even after allowing a liberal margin for them, the number must have been great for one man alone to have collected, in those days, in so short a time. Ten years afterwards he republished his catalogue, with the assistance of his son ; Dr. Stephens, then a Fellow of New College, afterwards Principal of Magdalen Hall ; and Mr. William Browne, who was afterwards Senior Fellow of Magdalen College. The number of species in this second list was greatly increased, but owing chiefly, it would appear, to a number of palpable varieties being raised to that rank. The great value of this work Hob in the plan which was here first adopted, of quoting the synonyms of other authors, and of giving refer- ences to the pages of their works. Jacob Bobart died at his house in the gardens, in the year 1679, at the advanced age of 81. Although the gardens were begun in 1632, and Bobart appointed to them, Lord Danby'B second intention of establishing a professorship August 18, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 125 was not accomplished till the year 1669 ; owing partly to the unhappy state into which the country had fallen in those times, and partly owing to the insufficiency of the funds arising from the estate in York- shire. But in this year Dr. Robert Monson received from the Univer- sity his appointment to the chair. Morison was a Scotchman, born at Aberdeen in 1638. In that town also he received an education which it was intended should fit him for the Church. But finding the study of theology less in accordance with his tastes than that of physic, he fitted himself for that profession instead ; and his reputation rose with such rapidity among the learned, that, before he was thirty years old, he was chosen by Charles II. as king's physician. In his younger days he had espoused the Royal cause, and fought in the battle at Brigg, near Aberdeen, where he was dangerously wounded in the head. In consequence of this display of bis loyalty he was compelled to fly from his native country and take refuge in France. While there he was brought under the notice of the Duke of Orleans, who, quickly perceiving his merit, appointed him superintendent of his gardens at Blois, and furnished him with the means of travel- ling through France, in order that he might collect plants and in- formation. During his stay in France he published a new edition of the " Hortus Bloisensis," in which he sets forth his new method of classification. From this work he gained muoh honour among the scientific men of the day ; and it established his character as an original writer and thinker. On the restoration of Charles II. he returned to England, though earnestly solicited to remain where he was. On his appointment to the professorship at Oxford he commenced a course of lectures, consisting of three every week during the summer and autumn terms. From this time to his death he occupied himself chiefly with the preparation of his " Historia Plantarum Oxoniensium." Of this work, however, he lived only to complete a portion, his life being cut short by an accident that happened to him while crossing a street in London. He died in the year 1633, and lies buried in the church of St. Martiu's-in-the-Fields, Westminster. After Morison's death Jacob Bobart, son of the first curator, was appointed professor in his place. He finished the second volume of Morison's " Historia Plantarum," and in the preface of this book he gives an interesting account of all the botanical authors, both English and foreign, who had flourished up to that time. He appears to have been a man of some humour, for Dr. Gray, in his edition of " Hudibras," relates the following amusing story concerning him. He says : — " Mr. Smith, of Bedford, observes to me upon the word ' Dragon ' as follows : — Mr. Jacob Bobart, Botany Professor of Oxford, did, about forty years ago, find a dead rat in the physic garden, which he made to resemble the common pictures of dragons, by altering its head and tail, and thrusting in taper sharp sticks, which distended the skin on each side till it mimicked wings. He let it dry as hard as possible. The learned immediately pronounced it a dragon : and one of them sent an accurate description of it to Dr. Malibechi, librarian to the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Several fine copies of verses were wrote on so rare a subject. But at last Mr. Bobart owned the cheat. However, it was looked upon as a masterpiece of art, and as such deposited in the museum, or anatomy school, where I saw it some years after." Whether the Ashmolean Museum or Dr. Rolleston still possesses this variety I cannot say; but if not, I can, unfortunately, produce abundance of material from the same place, for any who may again be inclined to exercise their ingenuity. Bobart died in 1719, being 79 years old. The next botanist of whom I have to speak is Dr. William Sherard, or Sherwood. This indefatigable worker and liberal patron was born at Bushby, in Leicestershire, in 1659. From the Merchant Taylors' School, where he laid the foundation of his knowledge, he matriculated at St. John's College ; and in his twenty-fifth year was elected Fellow of the same Society. Leaving Oxford, he travelled as tutor to Lord Townsend, on the Continent, and there made such excellent collections as won for him the esteem and friendship of Ray. The encomiums passed upon him by tbiB immortal naturalist served to increase his ardour, and we find him next making tours throughout England and the Channel Islands in search of new and rare plants, which were com- municated to Ray for insertion in his "Synopsis Plantarum." About the year 1702 he was appointed consul at Smyrna, and the opportunity being thus offered him of collecting Eastern plants, he set himself with wonderful diligence to obtain all that were to be had from Natolia and Greece. These collections were the beginning of that magnificent Herbarium, which, with his Pinax, made his name to stand so high amongst botanists. After residing in Asia fifteen or sixteen years, he returned to England in 1718, when the University, in consideration of his learning, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Law. Remaining in England a few years, he again visited the Continent, travelling through Holland, France, and Italy, renewing personal intercourse with his older friends, and making the acquaintance of those with whom he had before only corresponded. Amongst these latter stood Dillenius, for whom he soon learned to entertain bo high a regard that he persuaded him to come over and cast in his lot with him in England. Here he directed his studies, urging him in particular to turn his attention to the cryptogamic portion of the vegetable kingdom — a class of plants that had as yet been greatly neglected, and, in con- sequence, but little understood. Although possessor of ample means that had been accumulated by him during his residence in Smyrna, Sherard lived with the greatest unostentation in London, devoting his whole time to the study and arrangement of his collections and the advancement of his Pinax. Shortly before he died he gave £500 to the Botanic Garden, for the enlargement of the conservatory, and other- wise testified to his zeal for botanical science, as well as to the love he bore for his " alma mater " by presenting to the gardens a great number of new and rare plants, and by endowing them with his unrivalled col- lections of dried specimens, and with his library of botanical works, perfect for the time in which he lived. On his death, in 1728, he left by will £300 to provide for a professor, stipulating that the University should add annually to that Bum £150 for the maintenance of the garden and library, and that Dillenius, his friend, should be elected to the chair. The bargain was accepted by the University, and John Jacob Dillenius was elected professor. He was a native of Darmstadt, and was born in the year of our Lord 1687. He received his education at the University of Giessen, and practised in that city as physician, occupying himself also with the study of botany, and publishing the results of his observations in the "Miscellanea Curiosa " or the papers of the " Academia Curiosorum Germanise," a Society into which he was elected at a very early age. But the work that contributed mainly to bring him into notice was his "Catalogue of Plants growing in the neighbourhood of Giessen," published in the year 1719, and it was probably owing to this work that Sherard was led to form so high an opinion of him, and to desire so earnestly to gain his permanent assistance. Of the manner in which Dillenius was persuaded by Sherard to leave his native land, and return with him to England in 1721, I have already spoken. His effort, after settling down in his adopted country, was a new edition of Ray's " Synopsis Stirpium Britauicarum," with some improvements of his own. During the life of Sherard he lived chiefly with him in London, or with his brother James Sherard, who had an estate at Eltham in Kent, and who took such pleasure in botany and horticulture, that his garden was said to be the richest of the time in England. While staying in this congenial place, Dillenius projected an illustrated description of all such plants as were new or rare grow- ing in this garden, a work he afterwards published under the title of " Hortus Elthamensis." In this work he describes and figures with wonderful accuracy and faithfulness 417 plants, and quotes the synonyms of other authors. In 1728 his friend and benefactor died, and he removed to Oxford, where he was chosen Professor of Botany in the University, according to the agreement made by Sherard. His first desire and highest ambition was thus realised. In 1736 Dillenius was visited by Linnaus, who was then a young man, and had been sent over by Clifford to collect plants for his garden in Holland. Dillenius, who had thoroughly imbibed the doctrines inculcated by Ray, had naturally no love for one who was, as he supposed, endeavouring to upset his system, by intro- ducing a new one of his own. Consequently, it was with no very friendly feeling that he first made his acquaintance. But how long this un- friendliness lasted may be best inferred from the following passage, which I will quote from the " Diary of Linnaeus." He says : — " In 1736 Linnaeus went over to England at the expense of M. Clifford ; and here he saw not only the gardens at Chelsea and Oxford, but also procured many of the rarest and nondescript plants sent thither. He likewise became acquainted with all the learned at that time in the kingdom. At Oxford, Linnseus was received in a friendly manner by Dr. Shaw, who had travelled in Barbary, and who declared himself a disciple of Linnaeus, having read his system with great pleasure. The learned botanist, Dillenius, was at first haughty, conceiving Linnaeus' ' Genera ' (which he got half printed in Holland), to be written againBt himself. But he afterwards entertained him a month, without leaving Linnasas an hour to himself the whole day long ; and at last took leave of him with tearB in his eyes, after having given him the choice of living with him till his death, as the salary of the professorship was sufficient for them both." Can anything be more touching than this description of the change of sentiment that Dillenius manifested towards the young man he had at first looked upon as an innovator, and one personally hostile to him- self ? But although the feelings of suspicion and diBlike were so com- pletely obliterated that others of admiration and affection took their place, still Dillenius never adopted Linnaeus' views, but remained con- stant to the system of Ray. There ia another version of this story current, that makes Linnaeus appear in company with Sherard. According to this account, Sherard received him with affability, Dillenius with coldness, the latter re- marking in English to Sherard, " This is the young fellow who is putting all botanists and all botany into confusion." LinnsBns, for a time, took no notice of this unmannerly remark, the meaning of which he gathered from the way Dillenius pronounced the word " con- fusion ;" but after he had explained away some difficulties respecting the " Linaria Cymbalaria," which neither Sherard nor Dillenius had been able to do, he revenged himself by saying quietly, he hoped he had not brought "confusion" into the Botanic Gardens at Oxford. Dillenius blushed, and apologised for his expression. There is no reason for disbelieving the correctness of this story, only we must substitute the name of Dr. Shaw for that of Sherard, for Linnaeus did not visit England till 1736, eight years after Sherard's death. All this while Dillenius had been collecting material, and investi- gating the class Cryptogamia, making considerable excursions into 126 JOURNAL 01- HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 18, 1870. Wales and other parts of the country in search of new species, more especially of Mosses ; and when the publication of his " Hortus Elthamensis " had furnished him with more leisure, he gave his whole attention to this particular branch of botany, and in the year 1741 he gave to the world that excellent digest of his labours, the " Historia Muscorum." Six years after the publication of this wort he was seized with a fit of apoplexy, which ended his life on April '2nd, 1747, at the compara- tively early age of 60. Dillenius was succeeded in the professorship by Dr. Humphrey Sib- thorp, of Magdalen College, who continued in possession of the chair till the year 17S4, when he made way for his illustrious son, Dr. John Sibthorp, of Lincoln College. This gentleman is well known for his labours in the European Flora. He made two excursions into the East of Europe, collecting and describing, and with the assistance of Ferdinand Bauer, the celebrated draughtsman, illustrating by the most beautiful drawings everything of interest in natural history ; and before his death, which took place, alas! in the year 1796, when he was but 38 years old, he had prepared for publication those wonderful monu- ments of perseverance and learning, his " Flora Gneca," and "Fauna Gracca." Stricken down with consumption, induced by a cold caught when on his travels, he died after a short illness at Bath. After his death it was found that he had left in his will £300 a-year to defray, first the expenses of his " Flora Gra?ca," and after its completion to found a Professorship in Rural Economy, and to furnish funds for making additions to the berbarium and library. The successor to Dr. Sibthorp was Dr. George Williams of Corpus Christi College. During his lifetime many preparations were made for the improvement of the gar- dens. The lower parts, which during rains, used to be flooded, were raised a considerable height, and this led the way for the changes that ■were effected by Dr. Daubeny, who succeeded to the chair on the death of Dr. Williams in 1834. Dr. Charles Giles Bridel Daubeny was born at Stratton, in Gloucester- shire, in 1795. From the school at Winchester, where he remained six years, he went, in his 20th year, to Magdalen College, where he obtained, first a "demyship," and afterwards a fellowship. After taking his degree, he sought to extend Lis experience by studying at other univer- sities, and for this purpose went to London and Edinburgh, and after- wards at Geneva attended a course of De Candolle's lectures on botany, of which he took the most ample and elaborate notes. One of his earliest works, and one of which his reputation as a great philosopher may fairly rest, was his "History of Volcanos." Into this work he compressed a wonderful amount of original information ; and, notwithstanding the gigantic strides geology has made since then, it is one that may be read with the greatest profit at the pre- sent day. In 1822 he was elected Professor of Chemistry, and in 1834 Professor of Botany. The first of these chairs he held till 1865, when he resigned it in favour of the present professor*. Of the changes that Dr. Daubeny effected on his appointment it is difficult to speak too favourably. In the place of the old herbai-ium and library he built the present dwelling-house, while he removed the herbarium to a new and more commodious building on the north side of the gardens, away from the river. The garden itself, too, was entirely remodelled, the rabbits that infested its walks routed out, and the garden laid out partly on the natural system and partly on the Linnaian. The improvements that were made during both Professor Williams's time and Dr. Danbeny's were conducted entirely by Mr. Baxter, sen., and his son, Mr. William H. Baxter, who together nave for the last 57 years devoted their whole time with the greatest ability to their accomplishment ; and with what success they have laboured I am not permitted to speak, but I leave it for you discerning gentlemen to inspect the gardens, and judge for yourselves. The greater number of the present conservatories also are the result of Dr. Daubeny's indefatigable exertions. In all matters relating to horticulture or agriculture he took, as most of yon will well remember, the deepest interest. For the furtherance of both he pur- chased a piece of ground in the parish of IiHey, with the intention of carry- ing on experiments with different kinds of manures ; and this ground he caused to be conveyed to the University, to be held in trust by them for the use of the Professor of Rural Economy. For some years, how- ever, before his death his health was such as to prevent his undertaking any fresh experiments, so he let it, and when he died it had run into great disorder. Dr. Daubeny was one of the earliest supporters of the British Association, and in 1856 he presided over its deliberations at Chelten- ham; and so great was his popularity there, that a medal was struck in his honour to commemorate the occasion — a tribute of respect that has never been paid to any other president by his friends and admirers. It would be beside my purpose in this paper to enlarge upon other matters than such as are purely botanical; but I cannot before con- cluding refrain from drawing your attention to the fact that Dr. Daubeny was one of the earliest and strongest supporters of scientific instruction being given in this University. With but few sympathisers on his side he did battle for a natural science school, at a time when its introduction was dreaded by the majority of his contemporaries. But he lived to see his early dreams realised, and before he died he had the satisfaction of beholding a young but flourishing school, with ample opportunities for teaching, and an efficient staff of professors and tutors labouring in all its various branches. What he aided in establishing it is our part to maintain ; and you, I am sure, will wish us " God speed." HOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. August 17th. Although one of the minor Shows, this was advanced to the dignity of being held in the conservatory instead of the Council-room, as every one expected. It deserved the distinction. It was not a large show, it was not a remarkable show, but it was a good show, and a good show under adverse circumstances. Who is there not calling out owing to the drought? Very few, and fortunate they ; and it was a marvel to see such stands of Gladiolus as were shown by Messrs. Kelway, Messrs. Downie, and Messrs. Bunyard among nurserymen ; by Mr. Fry, Mr. Douglas, and the Rev. H. Dombrain, Happy may they be in their well-earned honours, for even in the best of soils, in the best of situations, with the best of means, and with abundance of water, many could not have nearly approached the excellence in which these exhibited their favourite flowers. It was, too, an exhibi- tion in all senses satisfactory ; it was well arranged — nay, gracefully arranged, for along the centres of the tables were lordly Tree Ferns, Campanulas, andmiseellaneousplants, which relieved the flatness stands of florists' flowers generally have. There were groups every so far giving diversity amidst the long lines of the regular tabling, bearing a variety of beautiful subjects. There were exhibitors well pleased (a rarity) , and there were sight-seers well pleased too, but of the last there were not enough ; for fine as the day was, fine as the show, London is now out of town. We have given great credit to the Gladiolus exhibitors ; those of the Hollyhock equally deserve a word of praise, but we missed one well-known name, that of the Rev. E. Hawke, of Willingham Rec- tory— a name that will ever be connected with the Hollyhock, as the place will with Jeannie Deans. But there were many other things to interest — the Phloxes, neglected too much, but yet so beautiful en masse, or individually ; the ornamental-leaved trees and shrubs from Messrs. Paul & Son, affording the means of diversifying the scenery of our pleasure grounds and parks ; and, last, there was ample store of those novelties for which the advanced horticulturist is ever seeking, and that in many ways. The whole formed one of the best of the minor shows ; it might have been better, but better it could hardly have been under the circumstances. The details we subjoin. In Class 1, for foreign growers, there was no exhibition, as might indeed be expected in the present disturbed state of the Continent. In tha nurserymen's class for thirty-six Messrs. Kelway & Son, Lang- port, were first with magnificent spikes of Moliere, Madame Vilmorin, Spectabilis, Le Titien, Rosa Bonheur, Freemason, Madame Desportes, Robert Fortune, Agnes Mary, James Veitch, Elizabeth, Meyerbeer, Due de Montebello, Prince Imperial, De Humboldt, Schiller, Newton, Lacepede, Legouve, Velleda, Eugene Scribe, Formosa, Rossini, Stella, Norma, Virgile, Mathilde de Landevoisin, Leonora, Orphee, Monsieur A. Brongniart, Sultane, Van Dyck, Canova, Anna, Noemie, and Homtre. The spikes in this stand were all fastened to brass rails running longitudinally, which made them stand well up, and, being placed about 9 inches apart, the effect of the collection was much better than where the spikes were more crowded. No second prize was awarded, and the third prize went to Mr. D. Robertson, Helensburgh, Dumbarton. The spikes in this collection were much inferior to those in the first-prize one and to those in a collection from Messrs. Bun- yard, of Ashford and Maidstone, which would have been second had it not been too late for competition. Class 3 was for eighteen spikes. In this Messrs. Downie, Laird, and Laing, of Stanstead Park Nursery, were first with splendid spikes, thoueh not on the whole equal to those shown by Messrs. Kelway in the preceding class. The varieties were Madame Leseble, Hortense, Le Poussin, Canova, Orpheus, Madame Binder, Fulton, Lacepede, Sultan, Norma, Horace, Milton, Alexandra, Crystal Palace, Diomede, Meyerbeer, and Shakspeare. The second prize went to Messrs. Dray- cott & Sons, Humberstone Nursery, Leicester, who had excellent spikes of Shakspeare, Imperatrice Eugenie, James Veitch, Madame Furtado, Sir William Hooker, and some others. Messrs. Paul & Son were third ; but Messrs. Stuart & Mein, Kelso, who sent noble spikes of Princess Mary of Cambridge, Rossini, Arniide, Monsieur Legouve, and Maria Stuart, and very good ones of several others, if not too late for competition would have taken a high position. In the amateurs' class for twelve, Mr. R. Fry, gardener to V. Stuckey, Esq., Taunton, had an excellent stand in which Shakspeare, Madame Vilmorin, Legouve, Charles Turner, Norma, and Mathilde de Lande- voisin were the most prominent. For this and a stand from the Rev. H. H. Dombrain, Westwell Vicarage, Ashford, equal first prizes were given. The latter had fine spikes of Leonora, Madame Dombrain, Madame Furtado, Orphee, Eleanor Norman, Rosa Bonheur, Mario Stuart, Homere, James Veitch, and Roi Leopold. Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to F. Whitbourn, Esq., Loxford Hall, was second with De- licatissima, well named, being flushed with delicate pinkish lilac; Orphee, Princess of Wales, and good spikes of several other kinds. For nine spikes, Mr. R. Fry was again first with excellent spikes, Mr. Douglas being second, and the Rev. H. H. Dombrain third ; and of Bix spikes, Mr. Welch, gardener to J. Marshall, Esq., Belmont Park, Taunton, was the only exhibitor, and took a first prize. For four, Mr. Fry was first with very fine spikes of Lacepede, Robert Fortune, August 18, 1870. ] JODBNAXi Of HOBTICULTXJBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 127 Ajioa, and De Humboldt ; the Rev. H. H. Dombrain being second ; his varieties were Rosa Bonheur, Agathee, Madame Desportes, and Elizabeth, all being good. Hollyhocks, though not numerously shown, were very good, espe- cially for such a dry season. For six cut spikes Mr. W. Chater, of Saffron Walden, was first with fine spikes with very perfect flowers, the varieties being Fascination, Conquest, Eclipse, salmon rose, very large and fine ; Cygnet, white ; Scarlet Gem, and Frederick Chater, ruby. Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing were second with Mrs. Downie, Alexander Henderson, Lady W. W. Wynne, Queen of Yellows, Miss Henderson, a lovely flower, and John McDonald. The third prize went to Mr. Minchin, The Nurseries, Hook Norton, who had Frederick Chater very fine, and good spikes of several others. The best twenty-four cut blooms came from Mr. W. Chater, and were well worthy of his reputation, being very perfect :— Fanny Chater, beautiful rose ; Conquest ; King, cream colour, tipped with lilac rose. Midnight, Scarlet Gem, Champion, Bullion, Walden Prim- rose, Talisman. Alfred Chater, Jewel Conquest (ruby), Leviathan, Leah, Alfred Chater, Mochanna, Crimson King were very fine. The tipped kinds are quite ladies' flowers. Mr. Minchin was second, and Messrs. Draycott third, each with excellent blooms. The only exhi- bitor of twelve blooms was Mr. Minchin, who had a first prize. Phloxes looked rather rough as cut bloom3 ; we would prefer to see them shown on the plants, which would also give a better idea of the habit. Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing were first with La Duchessa de Bauffremont, Triomphe dn Pare de Neuilly, very fine and free- flowering ; La Candeur, Monsieur William Bull, Monsieur Charles Turner, Monsieur Hugh Low, lovely colour ; Madame Domage, Joseph Heim, Magnificent, and Gloire de Neuilly, tho latter very brilliant. Messrs. E. G. Henderson were second; Souvenir de Berryer, Louis Wanrich, Diomcde, and Hermine de Turenne were very attractive. The third prize went to Messrs. Paul & Son, who had also some very fine varieties. To those who know how ornamental this flower is, it is somewhat surprising it is not more extensively cul- tivated. Of miscellaneous groups, one from Messrs. Arthur Henderson and Co., of the Pine Apple Place Nurseries, contained numerous small specimens of PalmB, such as Malortia speciosa, Calamus accidens, a graceful species ; Euterpe sylvestris, Livistonia rotundifolia, Hyo- phorbe Verschaffelti ; Ferns ; the pretty, free-flowering, and very use- ful Begonia weltoniensis ; and Dracrenas. In a group from the So- ciety's gardens accompanying that of Messrs. A. Henderson was Tra- chelium casruleuin, an old but very ornamental plant, nearly hardy, and producing a profusion of heads of bluish lavender flowers. The same plant is freely introduced in the baskets in the conservatory and with excellent effect. Mr. B. S. Williams, of Holloway, had a very effective group, in which was a remarkably fine specimen of Allamanda Hendersoni ; Cochliostema Jacobianum with two heads of its beau- tiful flowers ; Miltonia Morelliana atrorubens, a very fine variety ; numerous Acrides ; Dendrobium triadenium, with a head of small white flowers tinged with lilac, and having a small rich yellow blotch at the base of the lip ; Cypripedium Stonei ; new Dracaenas ; Yucca hlamentosa variegata, very fine; Billbergias ; Anthurium Scherzeri- annm, with fourteen spathes, most of them expanded ; several fine Pitcher Plants ; Ferns, and a handsome specimen of Pbtrnicophorinm sechellarum, and Nerine coruscans major, an old but showy plant now but seldom seen. Messrs. F. & A. Smith sent a fine collection of Balsams, and several plants of the showy Rochea falcata. Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, also con- tributed an interesting group, iu which were a double Tiger Lily, the extremely handsome Encephalartos shown by him lately, several Palms, Dracamas, Orchids, the singular Godwinia gigas, fully noticed some time ago in our pages, and some other plants. Messrs. Paul & Son, of Cheshunt, sent a small collection of pot Roses, stands of cut blooms, and an extensive and interesting collection of cut specimens of hardy trees and shrubs, with ornamental foliage. Messrs. Draycott, Humberstone Nurseries, and Mr. Walker, nursery- man, Thame, sent good collections of double Zinnias, and Mr. Walker sent a very good stand of Dahlias. Fruit Committee.— George F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair. Mr. Stow, of Farnborough, near Bromley, sent specimens of a seedling Black Cnrrant, which was exhibited at last meeting, and also speci- mens of Black Naples, to show that the seedling was not tho same variety; but the Black Naples shown were very inferior examples of that variety, and the Committee confirmed the previous opinion. Mr. Dry, of Hayes, Middlesex, sent a seedling Plnm, called Duke ol Edinburgh, a handsome purple Plum, with a thick blue bloom. It is a freestone, with yellow flesh, and judging from the branch which was sent, it appears to be very prolific. It was awarded a first-class cer- tificate. Mr. Porter, gardener to E. Beuharn, Esq., Siou Lodge, Isle- worth sent a dish of Prince of Wales Plnm. Mr. Porter also ex- hibited a dish of Hawthornden, and another variety unnamed. Mr lillery, of Welbeck, sent a dish of Barrington Peaches, large and handsome, and of delicious flavour, to which a special certificate was awarded. Of Apricots, Moorpark, from Mr. Tillery, gardener to the Duke of ' Portland Welbeck, was first ; Mr. Gardiner, Lower Eatington Park, btratford-on-Avon, being second, and Mr. Smith, gardener to the Earl of Gainsborough, Hexton Park, third. Mr. Pearson, of Chilwell, sent a bunch of a seedling Grape, called Chilwell White, which, as Mr. Pearson observed, he intended as a white companion to the Black Hamburgh. It produces a fine berry, with a short, stout, warted berry stalk ; the skin membranous, though not thick, and the flavour of the flesh like that of Black Hamburgh. This was awarded a first-class certificate. Mr. Pearson also exhibited a bnnch of Ferdinand Lesseps, raised by crossing Royal Muscadine with the Strawberry Grape, in which the flavour of the latter is distinctly traceable. The bunches are nearly as large as those of Royal Mus- cadine, and the berries quite as large, of a fine deep amber colour, and the flavour particularly rich, with a fine perfume. It was awarded a first-class certificate. Mr. Record, of Lillesden, sent a dish of very large and handsome Morello Cherries, which received a special certi- ficate. Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting, sent a collection of fifteen dif- ferent sorts of Crabs. Messrs. Carter & Co. sent pans of a new salad called Chinese Mustard, which is a distinct sort from the ordinary Mustard. The seed is black and as large as that of the White Mustard, and quite different from the common Black Mustard. The flavour of the salad is more pungent than common Mustard, and by some thought to be more agreeable. Seed was sent to Chiswick to be grown, and the salad to be exhibited at next meeting. Mr. Tillery, of Wellbeck, sent specimens of the White Turkey Cucumber. Mr. Record, of Lillesden, sent dishes of Giant King Potato, a large second early and very prolific. Messrs. Carter and Co. again exhibited large specimens of the Italian White Tripoli Onion. A collection of vegetables was sent by Mr. G. Bloomfield, gardener to W. Williams, Esq., Parkside, Wimbledon. Messrs. Harri- Bon & Son, of Leicester, sent a brace of Black Spine Cucumbers. Mr. Ward, gardener to T. N. Miller, Esq., Bishop Stortford, sent four magnificent Charlotte Rothschild Pines, weighing 38 lbs. col- lectively. They received a special certificate. Floral Committee.— Rev. Joshua Dix in the chair. Messrs. CrippB, nurserymen, of Tunbridge Wells, received a first-class certi- ficate for Clematis Victoria, a remarkably fine purplish variety ; and a similar award was made to Messrs. Baker & Sou, Bagshot, for Cle- matis Gem, small, but distinct in colour, a bluish lavender. Messrs. Cripps also sent a variety of Catalpa syringpefolia with golden leaves^ which, it was stated, had been exposed to the sun, and became im- proved in colour, while in the shade it reverted to the normal green. From G. F. Wilson, Esq., came Lilium longiflorum albo-marginatumj quite white, which received a first-class certificate ; his handsome namesake, Lilium Wilsoni ; the still more beautiful true Lilium speciosum being also shown by the same gentleman, an ardent lover of the Lilies, and one who can grow them well. It is a marvel to us that such flowers, with such a poetry, with such fragrance, such loveliness, are not more cultivated now. Mr. Porter, gardener to E. Benham, Esq., Isleworth, had a second- class certificate for Hollyhock Rose Queen. Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, received a first-class certificate for Lilium tigrinnm splendens, a re- markably fine variety ; also for Curculigo recurvata variegata, broadly Btnped with white, a very fine variegated plant. The same exhibitor also sent Geonoma Verschaffelti, Lomaria anriculata, and other in- teresting plants. From Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Sons, Wellington Nurseries, St. John's Wood, came Pteris serrnlata gleichenisefolia, a beautiful, small- leaved Fern, which received a first-class certificate. Mr. Wheeler, Bath, was awarded a first-class certificate for Dahlia Marchioness of Bath, white, tipped with purplish rose, and of fine form. Mr. Williams, of Holloway, received a first-class certificate for Laiha, or Cattleya, elegans gigantea, a very fine variety. He also ex- hibited Ixora Williamsii, a plant which promises to be very fine for exhibition purposes, and Maranta Baraquinii. Mr. Cannell, of Woolwich, had a first-class certificate for double Pelargonium Crown Prince, of the same colour as Marie Lemoine, and apparently not so good. Mr. Perry, Castle Broniwich, sent a stand of his fine seedling Ver- benas, of which Mrs. Boulton, with large pips, white, with a purplish crimson eye, was awarded a first-class certificate. Mr. Eckford gar- dener to the Earl of Radnor, Coleshill, bad first-class certificate's for Verbenas Grand Monarch and George Peabody, the first a fine scarlet, the second plnm with a white eye. Mr. George, gardener to Miss' Nicholson, Putney Heath, had a Bpecial certificate for a collection of cut Zonal Pelargoniums. Mr. Williams, Crystal Palace, Sydenham, sent a fine golden variety of Lilinm auratum ; Messrs. Carter & Co., fine cnt blooms of Marigolds, French and African, a double-headed Love-lies-Bleeding, and a white Lupine. Mr. Minchin, Hook Norton, sent some fine Hollyhocks, which were not. however, considered art advance on existing varieties ; Mr. Walker, Thame, seedling Dahlias ; Mr. W. G. Smith, Boletus calophus, B. edulis, B. subtomentosus, and Lactanns oxsuccus, which, however fine the specimens, were by no means appetising. From the Society's gardens came cut branches of a Gleditschia, which, we believe, furnishes some of the much-vaunted cattle foods. General Meeting.— W. Marshall, Esq., in the chair. The Rev. JJ- J- Berkeley in addressing the meeting called special attention to Mr. Williams's Cattleya already noticed, to the beautiful Dendrobium triadenium shown also by the same exhibitor, and to Rodriguezia sua- veolens, which, he said, was the same as Gomesa recurva of Loddiges' 128 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 18, 1870. 11 Botanical Cabinet." the trne plant being figured in the " Botanical Magazine " under the name of Pleurothallis suaveolens. The varie- gated Cnrcnligo recurva from Mr. Bull was a plant well worthy of notice. With regard to Lilinm Wilsoni, it had at one time been sup- posed to be the same as Lilinm Thunbergianum, but the two had been found to be perfectly distinct. The golden Catalpa syringsefolia had been awarded a first-class certificate. Many other plants had exhibited a similar character this year, and this might be rendered permanent by grafting. The Dodder on the Clover was next referred to in connection with a curious parasite on a Heath, and one of the species of Cuscnta, it was stated, attacked the Vine. With regard to the Onions shown, he had been informed that what had been supposed to be the early variety of the Tripoli was that of which the seed had been procured from Naples, whilst the later variety was raised from seed ripened in colder parts. Mr. Berkeley then referred to some abnormal specimens of Gourds he had lately had submitted to him, which were covered with warts, which had the rudiments of leaves, but in which he could dis- cover no rudiments of flowers ; and in those varieties of Gourds Galled Bush SquaBhes he had noticed this season a tendency to develops an infinity of blossoms without fruit. NEGLECTED PLANTS. Canarina campanulata. — This fine old greenhouse her- baceous perennial, which was introduced as far back as 1696, is now very rarely met with indeed. Last spring I saw a large specimen of it, covered with its numerous orange-coloured, bell-shaped flowers, and growing in a small conservatory, ap- parently receiving no extra care, and yet doing as well as the most ardent cultivator could desire to see it. As it blooms early in the winter and spring, it dieB down in May, and the plant is then put out of doors in some shady place to rest. In August young growth appears breaking-up from the root, like that which comes from a Dahlia, and the young shoots, if taken off, can be struck in a similar manner to the cuttings of the Dahlia. As it will not stand the slightest frost, it must be removed to a greenhouse ere frost sets in ; and here the plant will make its growth, and flower before Christmas. Like the Dahlia, it will do with generous treatment : a good fibry loam, enriched with some manure, and helped with some sand, would suit it well. It is one of those neglected plants that richly deserve a much more extended cultivation, and the example referred to above I saw at Redbridge, near Southampton, the residence of Mr. William Stride. The fine condition of the plant was highly creditable to the gardener, Mr. Davis. Zephyranthes rosea. — It seems scarcely possible to believe that this beautiful half-hardy bulb should have to be classed with the neglected plants, but so rarely is it now seen that the conclusion is inevitable. It cannot be because it is difficult to cultivate, for Mr. Baines, gardener to H. L. Micholls, Esq., formerly of Manchester, at whose new residence — Southgate Park, near London — I recently saw it in bloom, says it is difficult to kill it ; and, as it was here developed, I can conceive nothing more suitable for conservatory decoration at this season of the year. It remains in bloom quite two months ; and when in bloom, it should be kept shaded to prolong the duration of the flowers ; previously to that, it should have plenty of light and air. The ordinary treatment of the hardy kinds of Amaryl- lidaceous plants would appear to suit it well. Anomatheca cruenta. — This is another somewhat neglected plant, though more frequently met with than either of the pre- ceding. I also saw this at Southgate Park, growing in the same pot with the Zephyranthes, as well as in the pots of other Amaryllids. Mr. Baines stated he encouraged it to grow in this fashion as much as possible, by saving the seed, and sprinkling it over the surface of the pots. The seed grows readily, and in this somewhat irregular way a good many pretty dull crimson flowers are thus secured to cut from. It is also capable of being cultivated out of doors, and will bloom in borders, or planted in some soil made up of sandy peat. It is a bulbous-rooted plant, with an Ixia-like appearanoe of growth, and it can be increased by offsets as well as by seed. — B. D. — (The Gardener.) WEEDS. Evert weed allowed to arrive at maturity with any crop is a diminution of the yield ; it impoverishes the soil as much as a cultivated plant. Wheat, Barley, and Oats do not exhaust the soil more than Couch, Bent, or Rib-grass. Land in which these are plentiful will produce good crops of one or other of the former. The same holds good of the more succulent weeds, as Groundsel, Chickweed, and Charlock. Docks, ThistleB, and Dandelions take quite as much nutriment from the soil as Mangold Wurtzel, Turnips, and other root crops. It is an acknowledged fact that land rank with natural vegetation is capable of the highest cultivation ; it will produce in perfection some one of the many plants necessary for the comfort of man. Land by nature sterile forms but a very insignificant portion of the earth's surface ; exoept, perhaps, the sands in the interior of Africa and other quarters of the globe, there is but little of its surface not teeming with vegetable life, on which man directly and indirectly is dependent for his sustenance. He must, therefore, look well to the proper cultivation of the ground. He must select, not only the plants most suitable to the soil, but those which will afford him the greatest return. All soils have constituents suited to the growth of plants of more or less value to man. The natural vegetation may be Couch, Bent, and other coarse Grasses, but, as already stated, such ground will grow most, if not all, of the cereals. By breaking up the natural vegetation, and freeing the ground of that which is of little worth, it is made suitable for the growth of plants of considerably greater value. Uncultivated soils are in course of time enriched by the plants growing on them decaying year by year, increasing the depth of the soil and adding to its fertility. Uncultivated plants return to the soil quite as much, if not more, than is taken from it, but cultivated plants impoverish the soil, because their produce, for instance in grain and straw, is taken away, and there is no annual deposit of vegetable matter except by weeds. Every crop is exhausting, and the soil soon becomes worn out, for no one crop can for any long period be profitably grown on the same soil. Hence the desirability of a change of soil — a rotation of crops. We must not only afford a change of soil, but we must return to the soil what the crop takes from it. This is effected by manuring. Whilst vegetable matter, which we have in the decayed natural vegetation, is necessary for the fertility of the soil, the removal of such matter does not cause sterility if due regard be paid to the application of manures. Weeds, then, are of no value in cultivated soils ; tbey appropriate that which ought to go to nourish the crop, and diminish production without re- turning an adequate equivalent. The great advance made in the art of culture is one of the boasts of our generation. Various implements for breaking up the soil, giving increased depth of soil, exposing it to the influence of the atmosphere, and pro- ducing a better tilth for the reception of the seed, have done much in enabling us to obtain better cropB ; they have also assisted in freeing the ground of weeds. Sowing in drills has likewise afforded greater facilities for the cutting-up of weeds ; and, as regards root crops, this is so well carried out that many fields would compare advantageously with some gardens. Fields of Wheat, however, may be seen red with Poppies, and Oats and Barley a mass of yellow from the quantityof Charlock.to say nothing of the Thistles, Docks, and Plantainst jat arepro- minent in every meadow and pasture ; and what of the Ground- sel, Chickweed, and other annual or biennial weeds which un- disturbed attain maturity with every cereal crop ? The weeds, along with a portion of their seeds, must be harvested with the crop, and some must remain among the grain however well it may be cleaned, and a still greater portion will find its way with the straw to the manure heap, and ultimately to the soil again. In this way weeds are propagated. — G. Abbey. (To be continued.) FLORAL ICE HOUSES IN NEW YORK. The present has been one of the most trying seasons known in this latitude for a great number of years, the thermometer having frequently risen above 100° in the shade, and seldom fallen below 85° day or night for the last four weeks (I write on July 27th), and being frequently up to 92° by eight o'clock in the morning. Think of that, ye floral devotees. How long would your pets exist in such a temperature ? A bud in the morning is a full-blown flower by midday, and rapidly forming a seed vessel by night. This unusually heated term has caused a great amount of loss to those who deal extensively in cut flowers in this city, from the rapid depreciation in value of their stock in trade ; but one, at least, of our spirited business men has been equal to the ocoasion. Mr. Walter Reid, one of onr most enterprising city florists, has had a miniature ice house con- structed in the rear of his store, and so arranged that he can raise or lower the temperature at will. There he can keep 1 Rose buds, Tuberoses, Gardenias, &c, fresh for a week if August 18, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 129 necessary, instead of becoming stale and unsaleable a few honrs after getting them on hand. Mr. Reid is the son of Mr. Robert Reid, lately a florist in this city, and for many years a judge at Chiswick in its palmiest days, and he has now his father's certificate of membership of the Royal Horticultural Society, framed and hung up in his store, with the Duke of Devonshire's signature and the Society's seal attached — perhaps the only thing of the sort in America. — David Foulis, New York. DESIGN FOR A FOUNTAIN. The design represented in the accompanying engraving is I beautiful serieB of water jets. The fountain is a beautiful entirely of iron, the centre-piece and spouts throwing out a | specimen of ornamental ironwork for lawn and garden pur- poses. The use of architectural and iron ornamental work in and around our suburban villa grounds is becoming more and more extensive, and in truth is necessary to help out to the full the pleasure and tasteful enjoyment of rural life. — (Horti- culturist.) BEDDING PLANTS IN, 1870. As this has been an exceptional season for bedding plants, I send a few notes, which may be of interest to some of your readers. I have always been an advocate for early planting,'combined 130 JOTJBNAL OF HORTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE, GARDENER. [ Angast 18, 1870. with early preparation, of bedding plants, and this year has more than ever confirmed my views on this subject, for, with hardly any exception, in every garden which has come under my notice this year, those plants which were backward or put out late have done no good, while those which were put out early as good established plants have stood the dry weather and done admirably. And in this view I am confirmed in a letter from A. 0. Walker, Esq., of Chester, who says that he has never seen bedding plants finer where they were planted out early, and that those planted late have done no good what- ever. This year I was living in Gloucestershire at bedding-out time, and I had all the beds planted and the garden finished by the 26th of May ; and though from that time through the whole of June there was only one shower of rain, I never allowed any of the Geranium beds to be watered ; the only beds which had any water were Verbenas and Calceolarias. We left there late in June, and I have been twice there since, and although the lawn was burnt up as brown as a high road, and the leaves were falling from the Elm trees as if it had been October, the last time I was there, about the 3rd of August, the Geranium beds were still good, especially Waltham Seedling and Indian Yellow ; the only useless one, which I have long given up here, being Christine. Lord Palmerston was splendid in the middle of July, but had over-flowered, and the exceeding heat and drought, in Gloucestershire, of the last week in July were beginning to tell upon it. Here, in Yorkshire, we began to bed out about the 16th of May, and planted everything but Coleus and Indian Maize by the end of the month ; these were put in the first week in June. The Indian Maize, grown from a cob of English-ripened seed sent me by Dr. Hogg, has done very well. It has been too hot and dry for the Coleus, which was planted under the front wall of the house, but the plants are growing well still, and I expect will get a good colour when the sun has less power ; but as the thermometer laid on the grass in the sun has frequently registered over 120°— this very day, August 12th, being over 120° for two or three hours consecutively — it seems to burn the colour out of the leaves, and to give them a rusty hue. It is almost impossible in a stove to give them too much light, but there the moist atmosphere prevents the sun blanehing them. Beet has done well with me where the sparrows will leave it alone ; but they have proved a great enemy to it this dry sum- mer when they are short of insects, and they get under the shade of the leaves and peck the juicy stems to pieces, hardly ever touching the leaves themselves, but destroying the stems completely. In a wet season the plants would have grown away from them, but this dry season they have done the plants in places a great deal of injury. Iresine Lindeni will, I think, be a valuable acquisition in a less trying season. It has stood the dry weather pretty fairly ; but as we have now had only 0 33, or the third of an inch of rain, since the 30th of June, and the last few days have been hotter and drier, if possible, than ever, ranging from 75° to 86° in the shade, with a north-easterly wind, they are beginning to succumb, and as I can only afford water for Verbena beds, I am afraid if rain do not come very soon that they will hardly re- cover. Even Indian Corn is beginning to flag now, and Perilla is suffering worse than Iresine. My Verbenas, especially mixed Verbenas, have been splendid this year, but I have watered them regularly — not mere surface watering, but copiously, and the plants cover the surface of the beds so entirely that there is comparatively very little evapora- tion now. There were some very good sorts among the new ones of last year, especially Monarch, Emma Perry, Sunny Thoughts, Peacemaker, Out-and-Outer, Mrs. B. Hole, &c. I do not, in fact, ever remember a much better lot of seedlings being sent out by Mr. Perry. Of older sorts, James Birbeck and Miss Wimsett have been remarkably good, and a chance seedling, a cross between Crimson King and Foxhunter, which I bedded on trial, has proved an effective bedder. Calceolarias have not done well with me ; I have used this year more Tagetes signata pumila than Calceolaria, but intend another year to go back to the Calceolaria again. Two beds of Tagetes have been very good, but a row of Tagetes was too near some Arabis vaviegata, which was a harbour for slugs, and several plants were destroyed, and the blanks had to be filled up from reserves, so that the rows were uneven. Tagetes also comes in too late to please me, so that I shall plant more Calceolarias another year, though I think the colour is rather too gaudy and striking to use much of, especially in masses, as there is no relief to the eye in a large bed of yellow Calceolarias if in full bloom. As a row in a ribbon border it is more appropriate, and certainly there is no yellow to equal it in point of ;ichness of colour. All yellow -foliaged plants are really only yellow greens, but as such are very useful, notably Pyrethrum Golden Feather, which is certainly one of our most valuable additions to the garden, its only drawback being its tendency to flower, which can, however, be kept under by judicious cutting, and seedlings are much less troublesome than cuttings, especially if the centre be well cut back at the first appearance of a flower bud. Lobelia Little Gem has been beautiful with me this year. Tliose who do not possess it should certainly give it a trial. The colour is much the same as that of Paxtoni, but it is much more dwarf, and has the invaluable habit of making plenty of leaf and growth before flowering, so that when turned out in spring it forms, under proper treatment, masses of dense foliage. I pricked out mine in the middle of March under light frames, such as I have previously described in the pages of your Journal, and transplanted them with ballB, and I have not seen a single failure in those planted early ; but some which were planted out later to take the place of some seedling Lobelia, speciosa which had not done well, died after flowering. Those which were planted early are still blooming profusely, and likely to continue some time longer, though they have been in full bloom now for more than eight weeks, and most of the plants were blooming when put out in May. Another plant for edgings which always does well with me, and is not, I think, sufficiently used, is the large-leaved va- riegated Periwinkle (Vinca). Its leaves are always bright, and it stands both wet and drought ; it has a straggling habit, but is easily pegged down and kept in, and it can be pegged by means of its own shoots. If one of the long trailing stems be buried on one side, then drawn over the plant, and buried again on the other, both of the ends will root, and the plant may thus be made to keep itself trained. I will defer my remarks on Geraniums till another time, as it would make these present notes too long. I will only add about them at present, that with me the Nosegays have again been much the best, William Underwood having been the only good Zonal which can at all compare with such sorts as Violet Hill, Bayard, Waltham Seedling, Indian Yellow, Duchess of Suther- land, (fee. Violet Hill seems still the very best I have seen, and in this opinion I am confirmed by every gardener who has seen it here this year. It is nearly as good now, when other Gera- niums are suffering from the dry weather, as ever, and the beds have never had a drop of water given to them since they were planted ; and I am more and more convinced, that the best way to treat Geraniums is to get sorts that will bear manure and rich treatment without growing coarse ; then, if dry weather come, they have the manure to support them, and if wet weather, from their dwarfer growth and freer habit of blooming they will not go to leaf, even under good treatment, so much as the older sorts of strong-growing Zonals, as Clipper, Dr. Lindley, Lord Derby, Herald of Spring, &c, and in dry seasons they do not run to seed or shed their petals as the Zonals do. I forgot to say that in Gloucestershire Iresine Herbstii has stood the dry weather admirably, and grown vigorously, though the colour is not so rich as in damp, warm weather. — C. P. Peach, Appleton-le-Street. After experiencing a wet and somewhat sunless spring and fore-summer in this part of the country, we are now undergoing a roasting process much more severe than that to which we were subjeoted last season, and it may be interesting as well as useful to note how different bedding plants are enduring it. To begin at the beginning, for they are undoubtedly the alpha of the bedding alphabet, Pelargoniums are mostly doing well. The principal exceptions are Golden Fleece, Cloth of Gold, and some of the new bronze sorts. The first two were beautiful so long as the dripping weather lasted, but now many of their leaves are turning up round the edges and crumbling away into dry dust. Why they Bhould do so when others of the white sorts with just as little green in their leaves, such as Castlemilk for example, stand uninjured, will most likely remain one of the many unanswered whys which are continually meeting us. Perhaps it may be that the leaves of the latter, being white, reflect the sun's rays, while the yellow leaves, being able to do so only in an inferior degree, are sunstruck and shrivel up ; or perhaps it may be from a totally different cause ; but one thing is certain, that those two of the golden names cannot be trusted to behave themselves when planted where they are fully exposed Angnst 18, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 131 to the sun. Some of the larger leaves of Mrs. Pollock are also similarly affected, but otherwise this oldest and best of bedding Tricolors is at present wearing her brightest colours. That pr9tty, variegated, Ivy-leaved Geranium L'Elegante seems to find its way but slowly over the oountry, yet it is really one of the most delicate and quietly artistio plants I know either for edgings or for carpeting under tall-growing plants, and it is never more beautiful than during weather such as this. Calceolarias are giving much trouble in watering and stuffing short grass among them, but in return they are blooming most profusely, and promising well for the rest of the season, except Aurea floribunda, whose beauty threatens soon to be a thing of the past. This fine Calceolaria will not succeed in dry light soils without more work being expended upon it than even it is worth. In the beginning of May, while they were growing in Celery trenches, the Calceolarias suffered rather severely from what was to me a rather novel cause, the tops of many of them being destroyed by a curious shield-shaped insect called Penta- toma baccarum, which lives on the sap of plants, piercing the soft tissues for the purpose of extracting it, and literally suck- ing them to death. I have long known them as preying upon the tops of Potatoes, Beans, &c, though not previously upon Calceolarias, but they have never appeared in such numbers here as they did last spring. Many of our new, and, in point of flower, best Verbenas seem utterly incapable of enduring any great hardship. It would appear that the improving process has well-nigh ruined their constitutions ; but this is, all the world over, one of the ills incidental to a highly artificial state. Even we, in ceasing to be savages, have had to make considerable sacrifices. Many of them, while refusing point-blank to grow upon a dry-dust regimen, likewise take offence at the daily waterings necessary to keep them moist, let the water be never so scientifically applied, and make little more progress than if it were one of the coldest of seasons. Fortunately they are not all alike, and there are plenty to choose from, and for decorative purposes very few gardeners really require more than four or five sorts, including Verbena veuosa, which ought to be everywhere. Viola cornuta that was planted in April is still passable, but old edgings of last year's planting are done. V. lutea dees not succeed here. The yellow and blue bedding Pansies have also begun to look seedy. The much-vaunted Golden Feather Pyrethrum is most un- sightly wherever I have seen it during the last three weeks. There can be no doubt as to its proper place being the spring garden, where there are no Calceolarias to outshine it, but long before the dog-days it ought to be on the rubbish heap. The variegated Polemonium is doing well, with liberal waterings, and is, as everybody knows, a most beautiful eilging plant, but how does it happen that though it is universally known as P. cseruleum variegatum, yet the flowers are invariably white, at least all those that I have seen ? Petunias, Gazanias, and Gaillardias are doing well. Gail- lardia coccinea is quite an effective bedding plant when grown from cuttings, from seed it is rather late in beginning to bloom. — Ayrshire Gardener. METROPOLITAN SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. May I nse this channel of communication to answer a good many letters that I have received on the subject of the exhi- bition to be held on the 6tb, 7th, and 8th of September? And first of all to thank the very many kind friends (for friends they are, although many of them unknown to me), whose letters strew my table, for the kind and cheery words of encou- ragement that they give me, and for the offers of assistance ungrudgingly made. It is, I can safely say, a matter to me of deep gratitude that not only these have been given, but that I have been so implicitly trusted in all the arrangements for the show. To be told by one that " the Society is the very thing that is wanted, and that it is sure to be popular;" by another, one of our most distinguished florists, " I have been asked to go to Ireland, but have declined, as I want to stay and help you ;" by another, one of our most ardent amateurs, that " I am quite willing to give you any assistance in my power," is indeed cheering, and these are but samples of many that I have received. " What are our prospects of a good show ?" Well, far better than I could have anticipated. We commence operations in Vrobably the most trying season for florists' flowers the present generation has known, and yet withal, from the entries already reoeived, I feel convinced we shall have a good exhibition. The time has now come when the florists can testify whether they are able to hold their own, and I sincerely truBt they will give one and all a hearty pull in this matter. I can promise them, as far as I am concerned, there shall be nothing but fair and open dealing, and that we know no party. We bury the hatchet of all past differences, and welcome all who desire to encourage florists' flowers. — D., Deal. " REDCARRE, A POOR FYSHER TOWNE."— No. 3. Sauntering southward along the unexcellable sands for a short three miles, the four bathing machines of the village ol Marske are reached, and on a lofty cliff point above stands forth the goodly mansion of Joseph Pease, Esq. It seema bare, and needing plantations of sea-defying trees to nestle among ; and high and exposed though it is to all the gales from every point of the east, I think some of the trees enumerated not long since in your columns as successful settlers on our sea-shores would maintain their good character here, and they deserve the trial, and the mansion deserves their success. Wheu the cliff is climbed, and a peep obtained over the garden wall, there is evidence — special evidence — of provision made for shelter against the rough oold winds which sweep over the cliff. A deep sheltering valley is cut, with turfed sloping banks on either side, and at the bottom of the valley are flower borders with a broad gravelled walk between. I am a wanderer just now, and my thoughts, like my steps, are vagrant, and you will so think when you read my next jotting — the name of Pease led to the query, Is that the correot plural of Pea? I think it is not. A correspondent in Notes and (Jaeries recently remonstrated against such a plural form, and truly observed that if admitted, then the plural of sea might be " seaee." I think that " Pease " was formerly the singular. At all events, Phillips in his "World of Words," published in 1G78, so used it. He says, '-Pease (Pisum), a sort of pulse of a most pleasing savor, and at the first coming accounted a great rarity. That sort called Pease Everlasting hath a very fine flower or blossom, and is called in Latin Latlujrus ; the Wood or Heath Pease, Astragalus." " Pease " might have been used both as a singular and plural noun, just as we use fish and sheep ; but I remember that " Peason " was one plural form, but being away from my books I cannot detail the when and where it was so. " Here is the smugglers' grave," said an old man in the grave- yard which crowns the cliff opposite to Mr. Pease's house. " They was drown'd by their boat's upsetting, but the scription's clean gone." " Not quite," I observed, " here are the com- mencements of five lines — H , Franci , Ka , W , K . Then the soulptured figures on this headstone are of a man carrying a woman on his back, and a girl by another man's Bide. The boat upset is plain enough, but I interpret that the four drowned were Francis some one and Katherine his wife, and William some one and Katherine his daughter." My old guide " never knew the like," and so we parted ; but as I made a circuit, facing me was a monument to the memory of the Earl of Zetland's gardener, Henry Yarker, and Hester his wife. Strange is it that, go where I will, something about horti- culture is sure to confront me. My next move was on to Salt- burn, and the first book handed to me by a bookseller in answer to my inquiry for a book on plants, was the seventeenth volume of The Journal of Horticulture ! Well, without any prejude I have passed on to Saltbnrn, and turning to notes previously taken at the British Museum, I find this extract from the Cotton MS. quoted in my previous communication : — " At Saltburne Mouth a smale brooke disohargeth ytself into the sea, which lyinge lowe under the banks, serveth as a trnnke or conduite to convey the rnmor of the sea into the neighbour fieldes ; for when all wyndes are whiste, and the sea restes unmoved as a standing poole, sometymes there is such a horrible groninge heard from that creake at the least fix myles in the mayne lande, that the fishermen dare not put forth, though thyrste of gaine drive them on, houlding an opinion that the sea, as a greedy beaste raginge for hunger, desyers to be satisfied with men's carcases." The sea must have changed its diet since that was written, for I could not meet with any one that had heard its carcase- coveting " groninge." The " smale brooke," now travels quietly and deviously to the sea, between precipitous and 132 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 18, 1870. wooded cliffs, with broad varied surfaces below, and a fourth of a mile in length, affording the most beautiful site for a garden I ever traversed. It is laid out as a garden, and not a sug- gestion can I offer to improve its plan ; the terraced walks, mostly under thickly shading trees, the seats, the alcove, are all judiciously placed, and the flower beds, croquet ground, and bedding-out at the extreme end near Mr. Bell's residence, Bush- pool Hall, are well-arranged and well-cultivated ; but the other portions of this " Happy Valley " are most offensively neglected and overwhelmed with weeds. I expressed my regret and sur- prise, but was met with the reply, puzzling to the most astute Chancellor of the Exchequer — " We have no funds." This should not be, and I venture to prognosticate will not long be, lor visitors must increase in number, and if the inhabitants would raise a fund and open a subscription, there would surely be a sum annually subscribed worthily to sustain a garden capable of being made one of the most beautiful in England. — G DEATH OF MR. JOHN GOULD VEITCH. It is not yet twelve months since we recorded the lamented death of Mr. James Veitch, of Chelsea. It is now our painful duty to announce that of his eldest son, John Gould Veitch, a young man of great promise, at the early age of thirty-one. He was born in the nurseries at Mount Badford, near Exeter, April 17th, 1839, and died at the nurseries, Coombe Wood, near Kingston-on-Thames, on the evening of Saturday laBt. At an early age Mr. John Gould Veitch took an active part in the management of the nurseries at Chelsea, and so early as 1861, when only twenty-one years of age, became one of its travelling collectors, and proceeded to China and Japan. He at the same time visited the Philippine Islands, and during that expedition he discovered and sent home many plants that now form important features in our gardens and horticultural ex- hibitions. He returned home for the Great Industrial Exhi- bition of 1862 ; and again left for the Southern Pacific in 1864, landing at Sydney, and afterwards proceeding as far north as Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria. He returned early in 1866, and shortly after his marriage, in February, 1867, he was attacked by a severe disease of the lungs, which has necessitated his wintering in the south of Europe for the last two years, and it has been by extreme care that his life has been preserved so long. On the Tuesday preceding his death Mr. J. G. Veitch visited Chelsea, and exhibited the greatest interest when he went over the whole of that vast establishment, and the same evening, on his return to Coombe Wood, he had a relapse of his complaint ; and haemorrhage of the lungs having set in, he gradually became worse till he sank on Saturday night through pure exhaustion. Thus died a young man of great ability, singular kindness of heart, and loved and esteemed by all who enjoyed the pleasure of his friendship. The funeral will take place in Brompton Cemetery this day, and the service will be performed by the Bev. Joshua Dix, of All- Hallows, Friday Street. Among the numerous plants which Mr. J. G. Veitch dis- covered and sent home from his expeditions we may mention Lilium auratum, Sciadopitys verticillata, Baphiolepis ovata, various species of Betinosporas and Osmanthus ; Abies firma, Alcocquiana, microsperma, polita, and Veitchii ; Cryptomeria elegans, Ampelopsis Veitchii and japonica; the handsome Palm Veitchia Johannis, Juniperus rigida, many sorts of Bam- busas and Ancubas, Cypripedium laevigatum, and large quan- tities of the valuable Orchids Vanda Batemanni and Dendro- bium bigibbum, which, however, had been introduced before, but were rare in Europe. Of Crotons he sent no less than twenty-three distinct kinds, and of Dracaenas twelve or four- teen, among which were Begina, Mooreana, Chelsoni, and Mac- leayi. The beautiful Phormium tenax variegatum he sent in large quantities, and also the charming Pandanus Veitchii. The now popular Acalypha tricolor and Amaranthus melan- cholicus ruber were also of his introduction, and a new Ama- ranthus not yet sent out, called salicifolius. Then there were Alocasia zebrina, Phyllanthus variegatus, Colons Veitchii and Gibsoni, a number of fine Lycopods not yet sent out ; these and many more, of which it is unnecessary to extend the list, were among the botanical treasures this indefatigable young man added to our collections during his short but brilliant career. applied to the old Scarlet Geranium class of flowers. Bed- ding or Scarlet Geraniums they were always called, and what necessity is there for calling them otherwise ? We speak of Tall and Dwarf Nasturtiums, Laurus Tinus, Althaea frutex, and Bose Acacia, although they do not severally belong botanically to the genera Nasturtium, Laurus, Althaea, or Acacia. And why, then, this raid against our old favourite popular name of — Scarlet Geranium ? " There is no donbt that the sudden adoption of the name Pelargonium in popular speaking and writing does startle old-fashioned and non-botanical gardeners. It was after visiting Mr. William Paul's Bose Show at the Crystal Palace a few months ago, we were returning to town in the railway train, and a lady and gentleman occupied seats in the same carriage with us. The gentleman had procured a copy of Mr. Paul's nursery catalogue at the show, and was carefully perusing it, when he ejaculated, " Pe-lar-gon-iumB ! What are Pe-lar-gon-iums ? Do you know ? " and the lady addressed confessed her ignorance. " Whatever they are, there are plenty of them," said the gentleman, and the subject dropped. Now, in all probability the name of Scarlet Gera- nium was well known to both. We confess to a weakness in favour of the old name when used popularly. It is like calling an old friend by his pet name after he has been ennobled. Under the name of Chinese Mustard Messrs. Carter and Co., of Holborn, have sent us a pot of " small salading." In the form in which we have received it, the plant is stout and Bucculent, apparently more so than the ordinary Mustard, and possesses an agreeable though a powerful pungency. The seed which accompanied the pot is black, and much larger than that of the ordinary Black Mustard. NOTES AND GLEANrNGS. A correspondent writes to us remonstrating against what " the pedantic use of the word Pelargonium as he calls WORK FOR THE WEEK. kitchen garden. The Celery and moBt of the Endive being planted, the cul- tivation of the ground between growing winter crops should pro- ceed in fair weather. This is a good time to plant Hautbois Strawberries about 6 or 8 inches apart in beds. Those planted earlier are apt to blossom in the autumn. Let all runners be trimmed-off the Alpines, and slates placed under the plants. Cut all hard or bursting Cabbages, in order to secure a good crop of early sprouts on the stools to face the winter. Let late Kidney Beans be well earthed-up to protect them against storms, and top or pinch all inclined to assume a running character. In gathering Kidney Beans, good cultivators pick the old with the young at all gatherings, whether of use or not. It is astonishing how a few large or ripening pods will exhaust the plant, and hinder succession. The Onion* which were laid down a fortnight ago should be removed forthwith to a gravel walk, and the ground well manured, and planted with late Coleworts ; these will be very useful. Shallots should be housed directly ; these require a warm and dry room, where they will often keep till May, or they will keep for a long period suspended in a Cabbage-net in a kitchen. FLOWER GARDEN. Those who are fond of early annuals, whether in pots in the mixed greenhouse, or in the flower garden, should sow soon. Stocks and Mignonette should be sown forthwith ; the latter may be sown in a warm border and transplanted into well- drained pots, treating them with much care for a week after- wards. The Moss and Provence Boses for forcing should now be all turned round, if plunged, in order to break the roots through the bottoms of the pots ; at the same time let all gross sucker-shoots be cut away. The filling-up of blanks, staking and tying-up, mowing, cleaning, and rolling, will, of course, go on as usual. Lose no time in putting-in an abundance of cuttings of flowers for next year's masses. Auriculas may now be repotted. AH decayed leaves should be removed, but this must be done carefully, otherwise more injury will be sustained by the plant than many people imagine. In potting, should the plant appear at all unhealthy, carefully remove the soil without breaking the ball, and examine the tap root. Should this be decayed or cankered, as is sometimes the case, it must be cut completely away. Avoid all complicated stimulating composts, for, however, fine the plants may grow, the health of the stock will be jeopardised. Well-decayed leaves, with turfy loam, will form a good compost for wintering the plants in. Many Tulip bulbs, from the serious check they experienced last blooming season, and which reduoed in numerous is- August 18, 1870. ) JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 133 stances their balk one-half, will require to be moved from the situation they hold in the best bed, as they will not bloom satisfactorily, and their plaoes filled from the reserve beds or other quarters with bulbs which will bloom in similar charac- ter, so that the uniformity of the collection may be maintained. Pay strict attention to the soil for the ensuing planting season, turning it over occasionally in order to sweeten it. Continue to put out Pink pipings, and attend to the directions given last week relative to potting the layers of Carnations and Picotees. Pansies will now strike very freely, and when the weather is suitable plant out seedlings in beds of rich-prepared com- post. Examine Ranunculus roots, being careful that they do not contract damp, and pray strict attention to Dahlias, which now require much care. Young shoots may be struck in brisk heat, and the regular routine of tying, disbudding, &c, must be persevered in, not forgetting to carry on continual war against earwigs and all destructive insects. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. The time has now arrived when plants intended to supply a floral display under glass during autumn and winter must have attention. Let Begonias have another shift if not already in pots sufficiently large. Keep the plants thin that their foliage may be preserved from injury. Crowea saligna and Plumbago capensis are both valuable autumn-blooming plants, and the latter furnishes large supplies of cut flowers. Attend to Chry- santhemums, and water freely with liquid manure ; good speci- mens should be aimed at rather than a few fine blooms. The earliest winter-flowering Heaths and Epacrises must soon be placed under glass, as it will forward their blooming. The appearance of bulb catalogues, too, tells us that Hyacinths and Narcissus for forcing must soon occupy attention. About equal portions of good loam and decayed leaf mould, with silver sand, will be the best soil for them if for forcing, but well- decomposed cow dung must be substituted for the leaf soil when the bulbs are intended for late flowering. After potting place them on a dry bottom, and cover the pots 2 or 3 inches deep with old tan or ashes, preserving them at the same time as much as possible from heavy rains ; under this treatment they will fill their pots with roots, and will be in readiness for forc- ing when wanted. Van Thol Tulips for forcing may be potted early next month. Place them on coal ashes, cover them as recommended for Hyacinths, and early in November remove them into heat ; the principal bulk need not be potted until late in October, and a last batch of Tournesol or Rex Rubrorum towards the end of November. Where conservatory borders or beds exist, see that they are duly watered. Examine the plants individually, as their wants will be various. Arrangements must be made forthwith for housing tender plants. There is in many oases no necessity to have them all in at once ; let it be done progressively, according to their wants. A few of the frequently, turning them partly round in order to expose all their sides equally to light and air.— W. Keane. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. We had a slight rain for a short time on the 7th and 10th inst., but not enough to do more than moisten the surface a little, without placing anything appreciable in tanks or reser- voirs. Better harvest weather there could not be, as even these showers and some heavy dews helped to swell the grains of corn. For everything growing the weather has been most trying. The drizzling rain on the forenoon of the 10th helped to refresh the foliage, and until the moisture at the surface was evaporated the foliage felt the benefit of the vapour as it passed upwards. But, singular to say, the plants thus refreshed suffered greatly from the bright sun of the following day — far more than they did in the bright days before the refreshing shower came. We account for it on the principle frequently alluded to — that the surface-damping before it was quite eva- porated prevented the roots absorbing moisture from beneath, and thus they were unable at first to meet the rapid evapora- tion of the foliage when the sun shone brightly, and the surface moisture was nearly evaporated. Those placed under similar circumstances, who watched such results on a large scale, would be taught the impropriety of resorting to mere surface-water- ing, and that it was in general better not to water than so to water as not to reach the bulk of the roots. KITCHEN GARDEN. Artichokes. — The Jerusalem Artichoke, with its tubers, and the Globe Artichoke, with its rough heads, have suffered much with us, though both were mulched, and the latter once well watered with sewage. The former, like our Hollyhocks, have such short stems that they will suffer little from high winds this season ; the latter, though yielding a fair produce in the first part of the season, look now as if the autumn produce would be scanty indeed — a matter of importance where such things are much in demand. Asparagus and Sea-kale never looked more healthy, though watering them was quite out of the question, but a slight salt- ing about May has helped to keep the ground moister than it would otherwise have been. Autumn Peas, we fear, will be thin and scarce, notwithstanding all our trouble ; but Dwarf Kidney Beans and Scarlet Runners are abundant, though in some cases suffering from the dryness. We sowed Spinach, Tripoli Onions, Radishes, Turnips, and Lettuces in well-pulverised soil, but to the depth of at least 18 inches it was so dry that sowing in the usual way would have been seed and labour thrown away. There could be no vegetation nntil there was a good heavy rain, and we may yet wait a long time for it. All the vegetables named more showy annuals, such as the Collinsias, Clarkias, Lepto- I were sown in rather deep drills for the seed, the drills having siphon. Erysimum, Iberis, Lasthenia, Eutoca, Nolana, and Calandrinia, may be sown now in pots and kept in cold frames through the winter. They will serve to decorate the shelves of the mixed greenhouse early in spring, as well as to enliven the early flower beds or borders. A nice turfy loam, rather old, will be better than rich composts, the object being to obtain a stiff and healthy p.ant, capable of enduring a hard winter. There will also be more colour in proportion to the amount of foliage — a most important matter in the cultivation of annuals. Where valuable stove plants have been kept in the conserva- tory in bloom, they will require careful management to prevent their being injured by damp, and they must not be overwatered at the root, as stove plants are soon injured by a low tempera- ture if the soil is kept too wet. Give air freely in bright days, but if the house contains many stove plants, it will be advis- able to shut up rather early in the afternoon, so as to retain a little warmth for the night ; and in the event of wet, cloudy weather continuing, it will probably be found necessary in old- fashioned, badly-glazed houses to use a little fire heat to preserve the blossoms of tender plants, and this should be seen to before handsome specimens become disfigured or ruined for the sea- son, for those in bloom are not over-plentiful in most places, and are therefore worth caring for. Keep everything in this honse as clean and neat as possible, removing decayed leaves and flowers immediately they are perceived. STOVE. Ripen growths for the winter, day by day. Continue to increase the amount of air in general, and to slightly decrease the amount of atmospheric moisture. Examine pot specimens previously been well drenched with sewage put on twice at a short interval between the applications. In about an hour the surface of the watered drill was sufficiently dried to permit sowing, and then the seeds were slightly covered with the dry soil at the sides. This encourages germination at once, and the rootlets have something to entice them to go down. Cauliflowers. — Until lately we never had better, larger, more compact heads ; but the heat and the dry air are becoming rather too much, many of the heads losing compactness, and coming like loose Spronting Broccoli. Even a fair water- ing with sewage has not in a good many cases arrested this evil. In hot, dry summers August and the first half of Sep- tember are the most difficult times to obtain fine, compact Cauliflowers. Partly on this account we like to gather all for preserving and pickling early. In the cooler times — towards the end of autumn, the Cauliflowers will again be close and crisp. A dripping, rather shady summer suits the Cauliflower best. Potatoes. — All the early kinds have proved extra fine, pro- lific, and clean. With us the later kinds will be smaller than usual, especially where, from crowding, they scarcely had justice. It was astonishing to find such masses of tubers in soil so dry that it might have come from a hot oven. In many case3 the Bmall feeding fibres had gone to a good depth. A few tubers have commenced growing again, a sure sign that they will do no more good by remaining. We noticed this among a few of the Walnut-leaved Kidney, and had them taken up forthwith, as they are ripe enough. Still, but for the above, we would have given them a week or ten days more to make the tubers more mealy. Most of such ground, though very dry, we have planted with 134 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. August 18, 1870. Broccoli and Winter Greens, watering the plants well first, letting them stand a little in a pot of thinnish mud, planting them out in drills, and soaking each plant with sewage. We are alluding to those planted with the dibber. Those pricked out previously were carefully watered and lifted with balls. Those dibbled out are looking better than could have been expected, but they will grow slowly until we have duller and damper weather. We find from several notes that this season will force many like ourselves to make arrangements for securing a larger water supply in summer. In most distriots plenty of water falls, if part of it could only be secured for summer use. No doubt draining has been serviceable to the land, but if nothing is thought about exoept disposing of the water, we may make our fields next to barren from dryness if we have no stored-up supply from the drainage. It is possible to carry a good prin- ciple too far. One or two facts, or seeming facts, are worth mentioning for consideration. The first is, that though all fine-pointed matter when fully exposed to a clear sky becomes rapidly cooled, and therefore a good condenser of vapour near it, yet it seems that even in this respect there is a difference in the condensing power of comparatively dried, inert points and the points of living sub- stances. For instance, we have repeatedly noticed this season that after a clear starry night the exposed places of our brownish short-cropped lawns, and the larger benty grass on the quite-as- brown park, would be so destitute of dew that the finest satin slipper of a lady would not be damped ; in fact, so far as the feeling of the hand went, no moisture whatever could be detected, whilst in a few places where the grass, from some peculiar circumstance, remained green, there you might have washed your hands in dewdrops. It would not be fair from such limited observation to deduce an inference, or we would Bay that the inference would be that it is possible to make land 80 dry that the grass on it may become so withered as to be un- able to condense for itself the fair amount of dew to which otherwise it would have been entitled. As another fact bearing on this subject, we may mention that this hot summer we have frequently noticed that healthy, flourishing plants in flower beds would be slightly dewed in the morniDg, whilst the short, brownish lawn around them was perfectly dry. One other fact is worthy of consideration and observation. The rains this summer have been something like deluges in some places, and mere drizzles in others. We have frequently seen the rains fall heavily only a few miles off, whilst we had not enough to damp the mere surface. We do not here speak so much from facts as a kind of belief from observation, that there seems to be an attraction between a dampish soil and a watery cloud ; so much so, that the cloud will sail past the dry soil, and shed its resources on that which is damper. If there should be any truth in such an inference, then extra draining without husbanding may not only leave a scarcity of water, but may prevent such drained land obtaining its due share of moisture from the clouds. In such a fitful season as this, as respeots moisture, it would be well worth observing and noting whether highly-drained land or the reverse had received the greater amount of rainfall. In the enthusiasm for improvement it is just possible to make fields too large, and to leave too few trees standing. We know of places quite changed in this respect. Where small fields and meadows with hedgerow timber made the country look like a forest from a distance, all is now open, and scarcely a tree is to be found. We have no doubt that such districts are now very different as respects moisture. Every tree not only absorbs moisture, but it is a first-rate collector. When, after clear nights, our brownish lawns were almost dust-dry, it would not have been difficult to have collected barrowloads of mud from beneath some large Ashes and Beeches. The time may come, if such seasons as this continue, when, instead of rooting out every tree from cultivated lands, such as hedge- rows, we may be forced to plant again in order to obtain moistare-distiller3. The more pointed and healthy the foliage, the more will be its condensing power. One morning, with the brownish grass in the park almost quite dry, a large Beech tree was sending quite a Bhower of sweet water to the ground beneath, where it stood in little pools. Protection for Winter. — Some rough-and-ready material is very useful for late Cauliflowers, Broccoli, roots of tender plants, and throwing over mats and frames. Nothing is better for such purposes than rough hay, and from some outlying places in the pleasure grounds we used to collect and keep some for this purpose. This season we have not saved more than will be required for Mushroom beds. There has been so little hay in this neighbourhood that we know it will be of no use going after such material to the farm. We know that though corn crops on the whole are good, the straw is short, and it will be wanted for feeding as well as littering purposes. We have, therefore, secured ourselves, and will yet collect more as a substitute. We obtain a certain amount of stable dung, chiefly litter with some droppings. We could make little use of it in the ordinary way, as we could not command water to moisten and work it. We had it. therefore, well shaken to get droppings, &c, out of it, well dried, and built as we got it into a stack, which we shall cope with itself, and with this litter now well dried we feel we shall be tolerably independent asjrespects protection for the winter. Turf Heaps. — Where the soil is not so dry as ours, now is the best time of the year for making a heap. There is no better plan than making such heaps in parallelograms of from 3 1 to 4 feet in width, raising them to a height of 4 or 5 feet, and then drawing gradually in with a hipped roof in form like the letter A. We used to cover tbo hip with turf, the grass outside, fastened with wooden pins, to ensure dryness ; but we find the outsides of the ridge soon become green, and that dry- ness is sufficiently secured without any such trouble. When the hip roof is formed we merely beat it on each side with a spade. These heaps nicely piled should not be wider, or the air will not play through the layers. The object of the heaps is to have the soil thoroughly sweetened without wasting or rotting the fibre. FRUIT GARDEN. Gathered quantities of Apricots, even when not quite ripe, to save them from wasps. The wasps are not now so troublesome, as we found and destroyed some large nests. A few cool nights would be the best relief, though other means must be tried. General operations have been much the same as last week. On the 13th all trees fully exposed to the sun suffered much from the heat and the wind, Peach trees even hanging their leaves ; and if we have not a few dull days we must try if pos- sible to help them at the roots. This season will try a good many plans and systems. Shallow borders and bottomed with concrete, slabs of stone or tiles cemented, were all the rage at one time. It would be well to know in what kind of borders trees have stood best this season where they could not be helped with much water. We know that moisture in the form of vapour will rise through firm substances, as we have seen a good deal of moisture condensed under large bell-glasses set on a firm, dry, gravel walk, and even on exposed stone pavement. Still, we do not think that moisture in the form of vapour will rise so freely through such tiles and stone flags as through the more open general soil, and therefore some facts and observa- tions in this respect would be valuable. Perhaps we may find in the end that a deepish loam is no bad thing if by surface mulching we can only encourage the roots to keep near the surface. They would then be more independent of moisture in dry seasons, and they would not be encouraged too deep and become too luxuriant in moist seasons. Many of our Apples are falling, and the general crop will be smaller than usual unless rains come quickly. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Much the same as last week. Lawns needed nothing except a switch with the daisy knife ; walks were put into good order ; and potting and cutting-inserting were the chief work engaged in. The flower beds have as yet Btood well. — B. F. TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. H. Cannell, Station Road, Woolwich. — Autumn Catalogue oj Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Verbenas, &c. Sutton ife Sons, Reading. — Catalogue of Bulbous Flower Roots, Plants, Seeds, &c. Child & Lorimer, 49, Darley Street, Bradford, and Bradford Nurseries, Shipley. — Catalogue of Butch Bulbs, tC-c. Ferdinand Gloede, Beauvais (Oise), France. — List of Neto and Splendid Strawberries. TO CORRESPONDENTS. •«* We request that no one will write privately to any of the correspondents of the " Journal of Horticulture, Cottage Gardener, and Country Gentleman." By so doing they are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All communications should therefore be addressed solely to The Editors of the Journal of Horticulture, 10Q 0 BemiB, Kidney ..J sieve. 4 Broad bushel 0 Beet, Red doz. 2 Broccoli bundle 0 Brussels Sprouts. . J sieve 0 Cabbage doz. 1 CapsicumB ^100 0 CarrotB bunch 0 Cauliflower doz. 2 Celery handle 1 Coleworts..doz. bunches 8 Cucumbers each 0 pickling doz. 2 Eadive doz. 2 Fennel hunch 0 Garlic lb. 0 Herbs bunch 0 Horseradish .... bundle 3 Leeks bunch Lettnce doz. Mushrooms pottle Mustard & Cress.. punnet Onions bushel pickling quart Parsley sieve Parsnips doz. Peas quart Potatoes bushel Kidney do. Radishes .. doz. bunches Rhubarb bundle Savoys doz. Sea-kale basket Shallots lb. Spinach bushel Tomatoes doz. Turnips bunch Vegetable Marro wb . . doz. s. d. s. 0 4 to 0 16 3 0 0 8 3 0 Anguet 26, 1670. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 139 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day Day of ol Month Week. 25 Th 26 F 27 S 28 Son 29 M SO Tu 81 w AUGUST 25-31, 1S70. Newcastle-under-Lynie Horticultural Show. 11 Sunday after, Trinity. Banbury and Daven try Horticultural Shows. Glamorganshire Horticultural Show, Average Tempera- Rain in last 43 yea] 8. San Sua Moon Moon Moon's Clock before Sun. Day of Year. ture near London. Rises. Seta. Rises. Sets. Age. Day. Night. Mean. Days. m. h. m. b. m. h.' m. b. Days. m. 8. 74.1 49.7 61.9 16 2 af 5 1 af 7 50 af 2 41 af 6 2S 1 67 237 72.6 48.4 60.1 15 S 5 69 6 5 4 ' 12 7 • 1 40 238 78.8 49.1 P1.2 12 6 5 57 6 24 5 39 7 1 1 23 239 72 7 49.7 61.2 19 7 5 55 6 46 6 1 S 8 2 1 6 240 71.2 47.0 59.4 16 8 5 63 6 7 8 25 8 3 0 49 241 74.5 48.2 61.3 11 ll 6 51 6 30 9 49 8 4 0 81 242 71.5 47.4 69.4 U 13 5 49 6 51 10 1 13 9 5 0 12 243 From observations taken near London daring the last forty-three years, the average day temperatnre of the week is 72.SJ, and its night temperature 48 6°. The greatest heat was S33, on the 25th, 1859; and the lowest cold 31°, on the 93th, 1861. The greatest fall of rain was 1.91 inch. AMONGST MR. LAXTON'S PEAS. ROM London the Great Northern Railway takes us to Stamford, or ought to have done so if the great lord of Burghley had not willed it otherwise. Now it leaves us at Essendine, a few miles distant, and from thence we are the passengers of the Most Noble the Marquis of Exeter. Stamford was a busy place in the old coaching days, and is now a very interesting one, celebrated for its churches and bells. Stamford might have been what Peterborough now is — a brisk and busy centre of railway communication, had not the lord of the soil prevented the passing of the great railway near his portals. As it is, Stamford stands still ; Stamford wants brushing up. It was not. however, to see the town that I went there, but the greatest man in Stamford, horticolturally speaking — Mr. Laxton, well known as a great horticulturist, as a successful introducer of new Peas — Peas, too, of a most wonderful character. What an advance amongst our Peas during the last ten or twelve years ! Our Pea lists, no doubt, are too long already, and if wo are to believe all that is said of them, they possess all the requirements wanted, and are every year becoming earlier and superior. The greater portion, however, of these so-called new varieties are merely se- lections— selections it may be — magnificent improvements on the original, and consequently valuable. New Peas, however — Peas raised by careful cross-breeding— come only to us from the hands of a very select few. The first great Pea cross-breeder was Thomas Andrew Knight, for a long time President of the Horticultural Society, who raised for us many line sorts remarkable for their thin skins and delicate flavour, not yet equalled ; I allude to Knight's Tall and Dwarf White and Green Marrows, &e. Then came the late Dr. McLean, of Colchester, who gave us dwarf and early Marrows, such as Little Gem, Advancer. Premier, &c, of wonderful value. Next, or now, we have Mr. Laxton, who, although he has already done much, will yet do more. He is at present almost our only Pea cross-breeder. There are not many, it is true, who could give the time ; there are but few who would have the patience, or the knowledge either. There is no greater enthusiast. And what an enthusiasm one must have for this sort of labour ! No one who has not attempted it can have the least conception of the time or labour that is involved in making a single cross amongst Peas. It may seem most incredible, it is nevertheless the fact, that from a single cross, the crossing of a single flower, some four or five hundred distinct varieties may be procured ere any one form is fixed or fit for sending out, which takes up a period of from five to seven years — that is, from the time of the crossing of the flower. In the hybridised pod there may be eight peas ; each of these when sown will produce from eight to ten pods con- taining each eight or ten peas — a total of more than five hundred peas the first season. These, according as the cross No. 491.— Vol. XIX., New Series. may have been, may be either very similar or dissimilar. Mr. Laxton showed me some pods, the produce of a cross between the old Maple Purple and a white Pea, in which every pea was dissimilar — some round, smooth, white ; some white, wrinkled ; others blue, grey, mottled, brown, green, &o., not any two peas alike. All of these have to be grown distinctly, gathered separately, and again sown, or else discarded, if considered unworthy. These again will sport the following season as before, and more or less for some time. After a time, however, by great care in the selection of the dried seed in winter and " rogueing " in summer, they leave oft' these vagaries, and become what is called " fixed," and lit to send out to the public. Some new Peas have been sent out too soon — such as Laxton's Prolific Longpod, and this accounts for its mixed character, one portion of the sample being green, and the other white, the true variety, according to Mr. Laxton, being the white one. The condition of this Pea before the public is not due to Mr. Laxton, but to the vendors who had it from Mr. Laxton as an unfixed variety. It will thus be seen that the raising of new Peas and their intro- duction to our gardens are a most laborious affair, requiring the utmost patience, zeal, and perseverance, and also a considerable outlay, the recompense therefrom being little commensurate with the actual cost, excepting in the grati- fication of indirectly benefiting mankind. One of Mr. Laxton's greatest triumphs as yet before the public is, no doubt, Laxton's Supreme. The pods of this are very large and extremely handsome. It belongs, however, to a class which is more remarkable for good looks than fine quality. With Mr. Laxton this Pea was not over-grand, whilst" with Mr. Gilbert, at Burghley, it was superb. There are other two varieties as large and nearly as handsome as this yet to come out — viz., Laxton's (Jitnliti/, a wrinkled Marrjw, and Laxton's Quantity, a selection from it. Here we have a line of the green variety of Laxton's Prolific Longpod, a very excellent Pea, and side by side another — Carter's Hundredfold, said to be a cross-bred kind. They are, however, identical, as Mr. Gilbert, an experienced gardener, testifies. I mu3t just remember Alpha, the first step towards long podded early wrinkled Marrows, and a very fine Pea. This is now to be superseded by William the First as an earlier still, more wrinkled, and better sort. This is one of the most important introductions in the Pea line which will be amongst ns next season, and will completely drive away such tasteless stuff as Ringleaders and First Crops. I am afraid to speak of the many varieties Mr. Lax- ton has here, and of such high promise. One batch were from crosses between Ne Plus Ultra and Veitch'S Per- fection Most of these were about 3 feet in height, earlier than Yeitch's, with pods more nearly resembling Ne Plus Ultra. Then another lot of dwarfs, over one hundred in number, in little short lines, crosses from Little Gem, &c. Here was Little Gem itself as a test sort. All the seedlings were much of the same habit, many were earlier, others larger in pod, &c., some white, wrinkled, some blue, wrinkled. From these I expect something good. This is the style of Pea for general use. Here is another lot No. 1143,-Vol. XLIV., Old Series. 140 JOUENAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 25, 1870. between Alpha and Little Gem, and Ringleader and Little Gem, all showing marks of distinction and promise of merit. From some of these comes a deep green, early, wrinkled Marrow, a wrinkled Pea as early as Sangster'a No. 1, and as green as possible. This is a decided novelty and a great gain. We have, again, some carious results from crosses of the old purple-flowered Maple Pea, the purple blood of which seems to drive the white Peas mad ; they run into all colours, being white, brown, green, freckled, and speckled; something in- teresting Mr. Laxton will no doubt secure. Again, there are numerous crosses from the Sugar Peas, those of which the pods are eaten like Kidney Beans. What may come out of these one can hardly tell — enormous podders, no doubt. Lastly, and I found th6m growing at the farthest-ofi side of Mr. Lax- ton's garden, wore, perhaps, the finest lot of Peas the world lias ever seen ; they were superior in 3ize and appearance to Laxton's Supreme. I measured one pod which was quite 6 inches in length, full of large peas, and remarkably handsome. This was the last. I cared for no more. — Akchambaud. THE GLADIOLUS AT SOUTH KENSINGTON. The general details of the Show having been already given in last week's Journal, I am left the more free to enter upon that part of the subject which is more especially grateful to me ■ — not the comparative merits of the different exhibitions, but the value of the different flowers. One or two words, however, I must say. The Exhibition amply bore out what I have ever stated — that if you give real encouragement to a flower you will soon induce people to grow and exhibit it, and the value of such exhibitions no one can tell. If a few prizes of a pound a-piece had been offered, would they have brought men from Kelso, Dumbarton, Taunton, Edinburgh, &e. ? Should we have heard, as we did, the broad Doric Scotch on all sides of us? I am only sorry that we did not also hear the rich unctuous brogue of Cork and Dublin. Perhaps another year we may be so favoured. And assuredly our thanks are due to the Rev. Joshua Dix for having originated and carried out this scheme. Its success will, let ns hope, induce him to try it again. I may just as well say, to show the value of such shows, that two of my acquaintances were so delighted with the flowers that they at once determined to grow them, and will purchase a selection of sorts — one of them, at any rate, to exhibit. It is quite clear that the last two or three years have mate- rially altered and improved the Gladiolus. Varieties that we then thought excellent will bear no comparison with those of later date. The flowers individually are larger, the tendency to be " winged " is less, and a larger number of flowers are opened together. Who, for example, would care to grow Rsine Victoria when ha can grow Madame Desportss, or Napoifion III. when he can have Horace? and hence a great change is seen in the character of the stands. Of the flowers, then, of last year — that is, sent out in the autumn of 1868, the following were shown in fine condition : — Homere. — A long spike. A sort of light purple flamed with brilliant magenta. Madame Desportcs. — A magnificent bloom of this graced Mr. Kelway's stand. It was of the purest ivory white, with a violet feather in the lower petals. Madame Dombrain — Dwarf plant, but vigorous ; well-arranged spike, somewhat in the style of Homere, but distinct. Marie Stuart. — A very beautiful blush flower, tinted with rose and flamed with carmine. A most beautiful flower. Michel Angc. — A very remarkable variety; long spike, dark purplish crimson, light centre, and the flower very curiously displayed — more like a Lily than a Gladiolus. I fear it is deli- cate in habit. Monsieur Legourr. — A splendid fiery red, the petals with a white line on them ; a grand flower. Vigorous plant. Racine. — A magnificent spike of this was in Messrs. Stuart and Moiu'a stand from Kelso. A fine cherry colour stairjed with violet. Schiller. — A pale primrose flower, large carmine spots, very handsome. Argus is too pointed, Fenelon and Thomas M: t'nven have tho flowers too far apart, Romulus is too loose, Virgila fine in colour, but somewhat starry. The eight above mentioned were all fine, and all shown in good condition. With regard to the flowers of 1870— that is, those let out last autumn, the following were shown well, and are worthy ol a place in any collection : — Armidc. — A grand spike of this was exhibited by Stuart and Mein. It is a white ground tinted with carmine. Agathee. — Fine spike of large flowers ; light ground tinted with orange. Delicatissima. — A beautiful light, delicate violet flower, well deserviug its name. De Humboldt. — Cherry red tinted with purple, somewhat o! the colour of Michel Ange. Horace. — Red with white spots, of the same style as Na- poleon III., but greatly improved. Orphee. — A magnificent spike of this was in my own stand ; it is a fine flower, rose ground flamed with carmine. Robert Fortune. — Carmine-flamed, crimson centre. Rosa Bonheur. — White, with a deep violet carmine spot. It has a peculiarity of doubling back the top petal, which a little detracts from its beauty. Rosea Perfecta. — Rose-tinged violet, each petal marked with white. There are others yet to be decided on, such as Bijou, Living- stone, Elizabeth, La Candeur, Pericles, Spectabilis, Hylphide, and Sullane, about which I may have to say more by-and-by. — D., Deal. THE STRAWBERRY SEASON OF 1870. I consider a dry season the best for Strawberries; it causes no diminution iu the quantity of tho produce, and the quality is vastly improved. Of course abundant supplies of water must be administered. Take, for instance, that flue but peculiar Strawberry Dr. Hogg; in a wet season it is very indifferent, but in a season like the present it has been unsurpassed. Tho rainfall for the first six months of the year was not much more than half tho usual quantity. In January we had 1.59 inch, in February 0.22 inch, in March 1.70 inch, in April 0.40 inch, in May 0.56 inch, in June ,0.45 inch; in all 4.98 inches. Excepting by well-watered plants no runners were formed. The superiority of young plants was easily determined this year ; the value of deep cultivation and high manuring equally eo. For pot culture Black Prince is still grown as the earliest variety ; it is a sure bearer, and always colours well. For the second crop Premier was grown this year, succeeded by President. Premier is not first-rate as regards flavour, but is a most robust grower, and bears an immense crop of large fruit of a bright dark rod colour. President, is oue of the best both for pot culture and out of doors. For late bearing British Qaeen, La Constantc, Mr. Radclyffe, and Frogmore Late Pine are most esteemed. Dr. Hogg is generally very deficient in colour when grown in pots under glass, although the fruit are of the largest size of any. La Constante is a great favourite; it is not to be compared with British Queen or President for flavour ; the flesh is very firm, and it is the best variety to keep after it is ripe. The fruit is of a brilliant crimson. The main point in successful cultivation is to have the runners layered early, and let the plants experience no cheok to their growth afterwards. The pots ought to stand on a hard bottom, and means should be taken to prevent tho ingress of worms through the holes. I set each pot singly on a brick; the plants are by this method more fully exposed to the sun and air, and worms are effectually excluded. If bricks cannot be obtained the next best method is to form a bed of coal ashes, beat it hard, and make it perfectly level with a rake. Oat of about 250 grown in the orchard house there were not more than two or three barren plants ; two or three more were turned out because of weak or badly formed trusses. Lucas and Souvenir de Kieff I fruited for the first time this year. They are both good. Lucas is the stronger grower and superior to tho other. I think it will displace La Constante. I cannot concur in M. Gloede's estimate of Sir Joseph Paxton ; it sometimes does well, but is uncertain and very much subject to mildew : for the last-named reason alone I have discarded it. Mr. Weir's estimate in the same page (99), is also very different from mine. The reason must be the difference in soil and climate. Lucas, President, Li Constante, and British Queen ho discards. I consider them four of the very best sorts iu cultivation, and grow them largely both in pots, and out of doors. The soil here is of a light sandy nature, and not far from the gravel. I have plaited sixteen varieties this year, and tho best six of them as grown here are President, Lucas, L* Constante, Mr. Radcl.\ffe, British Queen, and Frogmore Late Pine. British Queen might be omitted, as it is not sufficiently August 26, 1878. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 141 distinct from Mr. Radcljffe, and Premier substituted, as it comes in before President. — J. Douglas. DOUBLE GERANIUMS, AND WHAT THEY MAY BE. Among the plants to which the present dry season has been favourable may be ranked the double -flowered GeraDiums, which have gained friends where before they were merely tole- rated as novelties. They have flowered well this season, and most likely there will be an increased demand for them next year. I fully expect in a very few years they will take a higher position in the flower garden than their most ardent admirers ever dreamt of, when varieties are produced possessing the necessary qualifications for an oat-door plant, which those we now have scarcely do. Their well-doing this >ear is, I think, due to the exceptional character of the seasoD, but I hardly expect the same success in future; for, as I write en August 10th, it is only reasonable to look for a greater amount of moisture during the remainder of the summer than we have yet had ; and with that I expect the evils of furmer years will reveal themselves in the double Geranium ; those evils being a gross leafy growth, with few flowers, and these apt to decay before making any show. Even the long dreary nights will accomplish this in a measure, whether there be raiu or not. I think with varieties having a greater disposition to flower than those wo now have, and posses.-ingsome other properties which I shall notice, we may expect greater success tban we have yet had. I venture to predict for the double-flowered Geraniums a mere extonded area of usefulness than the Tri- colors are likely to have, and this is saying much in the face of the class in whose honour special prizes, nay special show?, have been given ; but great favourites are not always lasting friends, and I expect half a dozen years hence doublo Gera- niums will be more extensively cultivated than these sickly fashionables of the present day. As double flowers, in general, retain their individual beauty long6r tban single ones — for in- stance, the double Cherry, Poach, Stock, Rocket, and others — there is no reason why the Geranium should not do so also. The principal defect seems to be a disposition on the part of the centre of each truss of flowers to decay before we would like it to do so, and no doubt it ia owing to the absence of rain, and very often dew, during the present season, that has pre- served the flowers longer than usual. As there is no limit to improvement iu flower culture, there is reason to hope we may hereafter be favoured with varieties capable of withstanding the destructive influence of moisture. Witness what was dojio with the Pansy many years ago ; its thin flimsy petals were taught to assume a stiff, leathery substance, and to stand up unscathed against the fierce sun of midsummer; rnsy not the Geranium also be brought to resist decsy when it comes in the shape of moisture rather than lack of vitality? To aooomplish this, however, I believe we must abandon some of the points insisted on by what may be called the red-tape class of florists. The code of laws thty have laid down for the guidance of cultivators of this and other florists' flowers must be disregarded, and the compaot truss or head of bloom so much insisted on ought to be transformed into a rather loose one. The individual flowers should be sufficiently far apart to let the air circulate freely amongst them, and, consequently, enable the blooms to shake off the moisture much sooner than they do now, and most likely a prolonged blooming period will be the result, especially if in addition to the quality referred to the plant also possesses a disposition to flower as abundantly as some of the single cues now do. I merely throw out these hints, thinking they may be of service to those who may be experimenting, and if iu the course of their experience they produce a good double flower that is set somewhat loosely upon its stem, they should not throw it away until after a trial out of doors, and perhaps it may turn out better than some conforming more closely to the present standard. As I have not been at many horticultural shows this season, I may not have seen the last new varieties of this section of Geraniums, but I hardly think those who supply the public with such flowers would venture to present them with a loose, open- headed one like that I have been describing as likely to be nseful for out-door purposes. Variety is certainly wanting in another direction. Good whites, and other light-coloured kinds seem to be scarce, and yet they are as desirable cs scarlets. Time, however, I have no doubt, will supply us with all these kinds ; and with such good flowers as Wilhelm Pfitzer, Marie and Madame Lemoine, Andrew Henderson, Triomphe, and others, to begin with, flower-garden requirements will probably be met. By-andby, when our Mrs. Pollcik, Lady Cullum, and others have to retire to the drawing-room, our flower beds may come out iu all their glory vsi'.h double Geraniums in sufficient variety to enable everyone to have his button-hole supplied with one. — J. RossoN. THE ONION CROP. In December last 1 trenched a piece of ground 25 yards square, to the depth of 2 feet, jus: deep enough to biing 3 mihes of clay to the surface. After it had remained in a rough state for six weeks I forked in a good quantity of strong manure — principally lefuse from tho pardeu — and on the 10th of March sowed the seed in drills 18 icebes apart. One half of tire ground I sowed v.ith the Xuneham Park, the seeds of my own s-sviug ; the other half I sowed with Dinvers' Yellow and Giant Rocco. To-daj | ' ago I 15ili), I have measured ?<.me bulbs of the Nuneham Park, and I tiud tbat they are fully 13 inches in cir- cumference. The largest of Giant Roeco are 11 inches in cir- oumferenoe, and Danvtrs' Yellow 10 inches. They have not had a drop of watei e\cept that which has fallen from the c\ udf>, and we have only had very little here. — A. Donald- son, Latimers. ARAUCAIUA IMBRICATA AT BICTON. It may be interesting to your readers to hear something about the Araucarias at Biclou in the preset!, year. From two trets in the Aiaueiuia avenue we have already gathered up- wards of five hundred perfect seeds, a specimen of which is enclosed, and-frorn several other trees, on which the cones are not yet lipe, we may safely calculate on securing at least five hundred more. The cones from which the produce here stated was taken averaged fif ;y perfect seeds to ei oh ; it may therefore be inferred that Iho Araucuria, whtn it arrives at maturity, will be a roost productive tree. There are iu the nursery here only thirty plants averaging 1 foot in height which have been raised from seeds ripened at Bictcn ; and three others that were se^nie years since planted in the pmetum a., rage 1 foot 6 inches high. From the above data it is presumed that the Araucanas at Breton have produced very few setd3 in t as. When writing on this subject it may be worth recording that the last year's seeds of Picea Nordmacniana, P. Pinsapo, P. amabilis, and many other good species havo germinated very freely here this season ; it is therefore hoped that those to whom my noble employer requested me to seed u supply have been equally successful. — R. Beoeie, Bicton Gardens. ~Tae seed sent was very fine, pluiuo, and perfect. — Eds.] PEA CULTURE. I aai interested in Mr. Luckhurst's suggestion for protecting early Peas, at page 77 ; but would not the same end be answered, and the trouble of making the boxes be saved, by adopting for the first the plan he recommends for the sub- sequent growths ?— say, by dusting the seed wtli with red lead, sowing as deeply as is consistent with good practice, sowing thickly, and th<;n putting oa the glass — laying it on the ground I mean. I assume that, apart from the red lead, mice do not meddle T,ith seed when geimiuated, and although sparrows will take off the young tops, if the plants come up thickly they will not take all. Would it not be useful to mingle plenty of black- smiths' ashes in the drills before sowing ? The sharp ashes from the forge must tend to keep off slugs, etc.— H., Vcntnor. CALIFORNIAN CONIFERS. Mr. Hoopes, in his excelleit description of the Pines of Cali- fornia (pages 80 and 81), confounds Abies with Picea. The Abies has hanging cones wiih persistent scales. The Picea (amabilis and grandi;) has upright cones with deciduous scales, and, as he justly remarks, the leaves nearer two rows ; they have like- wise two white lines on their under side. This is a distinction which gardeners seldom notice, and it makes it very puzzling to botanists and those ordering of trees. It is not to be found in Bentham or an English flora, as the country does not furnish either specimen ; but tho whole family are excellently dis- 142 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 25, 1870. tinguished in Loudon's " Arboretum et Fruticetum," a work which is still to be bad at old bookstalls; I bought mine at one, and it is well worth the small price the two volumes can now be had for. If it were better known, our gardeners' lists would be greatly improved, and better understood by accurate students, who are their beat friends. — R. H. W. GARDENING IN THE LONDON PARKS— No. 1. BATTERSEA PARK. The modern style of flower gardening has probably done more than anything else to draw the attention of the gardening world to the importance of a knowledge of the relative value of colours, and to the cultivation of correct taste in the arrange- ment cf them. Like the painter or sculptor, we strive to obtain a sight of the works of masters in the art, not altogether with the view of closely imitating what we see, but rather to endeavour to grasp the intention of the artist, to see what his aim has been, to study the general effect of the whole, and so render the lesson useful to ourselves by applying its soundest principles in our future practice. It was with some such thoughts as these that I went to see the flowers at Battersea Park, Hyde Park, and the Crystal Palace, and it is my purpose in these notes to give some de- scription of what I saw at each place, with the hope that it may prove useful and interesting to those who are prevented by distance and other causes from seeing and judging for themselves. Taking them in the order in whish they are named, Bitter- sea Park worthily occupies the first place, not simply because the tropical plants are its chief feature, but because at Batter- sea one sees evidence of great skill and ability in the singularly appropriate manner in which the grounds have been adapted for their intended purpose. The winding walks, the gently sloping banks, the abrupt eminences, the sheltered nooks, and the pleasant glimpses of water, all contribute to the formation of such a scene of beauty as is rarely to be met with ; and at this season, when to all these fine permanent features are added the host of fine-foliaged plants from the tropics, which, by the skill devoted to their arrangement, display their curious growth and foliage to the greatest advantage, these gardens may be said to be quite unique, so skilfully has the Super- intendent availed himself of the rich variety which the grace- ful forms and varied hues of the tropical plants afford — the novel effects succeeding eaoh other so constantly that the interest excited by the first glimpse is fully sustained in every part of the subtropical garden. In designing these grounds the aim of the artist was evi- dently to obtain as much shelter as possible, in order to screen the large foliage of the tropical plants, which soon loses its beauty if at all exposed to violent winds ; this shelter is ob- tained by causing the walk* to wind about in graceful curves, so as to form a number of semicircular spaces, behind which rise banks well clothed with a variety of trees and shrubs, the growth of which, while it is void of all stiffness or formality, is kept beautifully graduated downwards till it meets that of the plants it is designed to proteot. As an example of how well this is done, I will instance one group of beds occupying the space in front of a long sweeping curve. Towards the highest part of the bank is a broad belt of Lilacs, next below this is a row of variegated Aacuba japonioa, then a fine bold line of the dark-flowered Nosegay Pelargonium Waltham Seedling, next this a row of Golden Pyrethrum, with a front row of Stachys lanata. Close in front of this bank, at the centre and deepest part of the curve, is a fine long bed having lines of Canna discolor behind, then Canna expansa rubra of lower growth and with dark-coloured foliage, and a row of Pelargonium Golden Fleece in front. This bed has a very bold and striking appearance. In front of it, near the walk, are three circular beds, the middle one containing in its centre a splendid Cycas revoluta, with its elegant fronds spreading gracefully over a mass of Coleus Albert Victor beneath, while around the Cycas, but not near enough to crowd it or affect its beauty, were smaller plants of Latania borbonica and Chamterops Martiana, with an edging of the pretty grey Santolina lavandulasfolia, which gave an appropriate finish to the whole. Of the other two beds, one contained a compact mass of Li'itim lancifolium rubrum, and the other a crimson scarlet Pelargonium ; both beds had edg- ings of Ceutaurea gymnocarpa. A few Palms springing from the turf among the beds imparted grace and lightness to the entire group, which is but one among many others equally striking aud effective. Another very long graceful ourve, having, like the rest, ita sloping bank of shrubs, had all round the curve at the base of the bank, but raised 2 or 3 feet from the actual level, a number of small semicircles out into the bank, on each of which was enthroned a noble Musa Ensete, surrounded by other tropical plants. On the level surface of the turf, at the foot of the bank, were some fine groups of Cannas and various other fine-foliaged plants, interspersed with good specimens of Seaforthia elegans, Cordyline indivisa, a fine Latania borbonica, and a beautiful plant of Areca Bapida. In front of this group, on the turf beyond the walk, were a number of beds, some containing varieties of Cannas, and all interspersed with handsome speci- mens of Palms. A novel effect was here produced by a long narrow bed, the curves of which were so close to each other as to form a number of small semiciroles, each of which embraced a neat circle of green Ivy ; the sides of the bed were faced with a thick compact hedge of Euonymus radicans variegatus nearly a foot high ; the soil of the bed was almost level with the top of this hedge. A broad line of Pelargonium Cybister ran along the centre of the bed, with a row of Pelargonium Golden Fleece on each side. This bold mass of colour lost all its harshness by the proximity of so much green foliage. At another part of the garden is a fine group of Acer Ne- gundo variegatum, occupying an elevated and commanding position in front of a belt of dark-foliaged shrubs. Passing round one of the numerous curves one cannot fail to admire the fine effect produced by this mass of silvery foliage, whioh is so placed that a walk leads straight to its centre, where the tallest plants are placed, the whole group being so arranged as to slope gently downwards from its centre to the outer row. A short distance from this group a striking contrast presents itself in a number of Yuccas clothing a steep bank. A fine effect, different in character, and certainly as novel in design as any group to be found in the entire garden, is pro- duced by four beds on the turf, in a line parallel to the walk ; two of these beds are parallelograms, and two are circles ; all of them are plauted with the same kind of plants, but with the colours arranged in different designs. The soil of these beds, in common with that of most others here, rises abrnptly from the turf, and thus a miniature ramp having a sharp slope is formed all round the beds. On the face of all the beds is a neat row of Echeveria secunda glauca, and in each of the long beds a band of Alternanthera paronychioides runs all round next the Echeveria. Along the centre of each bed are three separate small scrolls of Golden Pyrethrum, with a small star of Santolina incana on each side of the central scroll. Closely surrounding these, and entirely covering the remaining surface of the beds, is a compact mass of the splendid Alternanthera amocna, with foliage of a deep pink or crimson shade. In the circles a band of Alternanthera amoena is outside next the Echeveria, then comes a band of Santolina, then A. amcena again, then Golden Pyrethrum, then more of A. amcena, with centres of Santolina, the Pyrethrum forming a number of Vandykes, the spaces of which are filled on each side by the colours given above. Behind these oharming beds are two masses of Cannas, with an edging of the dull grey Veronica incana, the quiet tone of which acts as a capital foil to the bright colours in the front beds. I have described this group fully, because the plants themselves, and the pretty designs into which their colours are interwoven, are such as are suit- able for any flower garden however small. Passing from this bright scene round one or two curves we come upon another equally striking, and far more uncommon — the miniature Alps, with their summits clothed with Anten- naria tomentosa, which really conveys a very good idea of the perpetual snow it is intended to represent. From the "snow line " downwards to the ravine and lower slopes of the " moun- tains " are a host of alpine plants, the majority of which are of such diminutive growth that the plants of Echeveria metal- lica, which are interspersed among them, tower above them like giants. The quaint forms and the dwarf, compact growth of this rich collection of alpine plants offer an interesting study of a class of plants but too little known ; the agreeable and natural manner in which they are here seen growing, and the novel effect of the whole scene, are also well calculated to fix the visitor's attention. Turn we now to a very different scene, but quite as effective in its way, at another part of the garden, in a quiet nook, shut in and overshadowed by the spreading branches of trees. On one side of tho walk is a group of Tree Ferns, so disposed as to exhibit the full beauty of their graceful proportions, and on the other sidB a narrow glade stretches away till it is lott among Aogust 2D, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 143 ■the trees. All along the sides of this glade are Tree Ferns, their graceful fronds almost touching each other, and spread- ing out over other kinds of more lowly growth, forming a oharming vista full of quiet beauty and repose. Having thus given a sketch of some of the most striking scenes with which these gardens abound, I will now proceed to describe a few of the principal beds, most of which oocupy raised spaces on the banks by the sides of the walks. A good effect was produced by a broad band of Canna Rendatleri, with abundance of its orange-coloured flower spikes ; in front of this was a row of Solanum laciuiatum, with deeply serrated foliage and pale blue flowers, and outside, an edging of Ama- raathus melancholicus ruber. Another bed had a band of Canna limbata, with pale green foliage ; in front of this was Canna zebrina coccinea, of medium height, with bronze foliage, having a handsome edging of Santolina lavandula- folia. A bold mass of Wigandia caraoasana, with broad deep green leaves, had a fine effect, somewhat spoilt, however, by the rough and unsightly stakes supporting the plants. Another interesting bed contained the curious Solanum pyra- canthum, with narrow foliage deeply serrated, having a number of spines or thorns of a bright orange colour on the stems and the upper sides of the leaves. In front of these were some plants of Amaranthus trioolor, with the rich leaf-markings beautifully developed. A long border contained Canna limbata and the fine Canna Bihorelli, with a good edging of Scarlet Pelargonium ; another had two rows of Canna purpurea specta- iulis, a fine variety, with deep bronze foliage. In front of this was a row of Canna Sellowii, a dwarf kind with green foliage; the edging was Pelargonium Golden Fleece. A mass of Canna zebrina coccinea was surrounded by a row of Pelargonium Dr. Lindley, with an edging of Statice in fine flower ; this bed would have been better without the Pelargonium. In another bed was a fine, bold mass of foliage, consisting of Canna lim- bata, with Ricinus purpureus, and with an edging of Funkia suboordata. A circular bed of Coleus Berkleji, interspersed with Abutilon Thompsoni, had a very novel effect. In another bed was Solanum macrophyllum, with Solanum marginatum next it, then a row of alternate plants of Amaranthus melan- cholicus ruber and Golden Chain Pelargonium, with an edging of Sempervivum montanum. A line effect was obtained in a oiroular bed by planting the centre with Coleua Prince Arthur, out of which sprang a few small Musas ; round this was a row of pink-flowered Lantanas (Delicatissima, I think), with an edging of dwarf Ageratum. Another bed had a central mass of Coleus nigricans, out of which sprang a number of Abutilon Thompsoni ; round this was a handsome line of Pelargonium Daybreak, a very fine variegated kind, the foliage having a broad silvery margin, and next this was an edging of the bright crimson Alternanthera ameena. This was a very handsome and attractive bed. Some of the beds were bordered with a broad line of a gold-blotched Ivy iHedera Helix aureo-maculata, I think), which looked well. Many of the variegated Ivies are very valuable for this purpose. A small circle had a pretty design, formed of Alternanthera spathnlata, Golden Pyrethrum, Blue Lobelia, and Santolina incana. Nor must I omit some good groups of Ficus elastica, conspicuous by their glossy green leaves and long, crimson, taper buds. From other groups I may select Polymnia granJis, Arundo Donax variegata, Canna metallica with very dark rich foliage, and Canna expansa, a dwarf kind with bronze foliage, as plants possessing distinct and striking features. One or two lines of Artemisia Stelleriana had a very dull and ragged ap- pearance, and it was to be regretted that so paltry a plant, without one good quality to recommend it, should find a place among so many plants of sterling merit. Some lines, too, of Plumbago capensis, though not so objectionable, were some- what ragged in appearance, and had a very scanty crop of flowers. It must, however, be acknowledged that in the entire garden there was little, if anything, to cause one to indulge in a " growl ;" on the contrary, the very high degree of skill exhibited in the selection, arrangement, and culture of the plants, their health, vigour, and uniform excellence, and the neatness and order which everywhere prevailed, all formed cause for hearty congratulation to all concerned. I must not conclude this notice without referring to the numerous healthy examples of Palms and other fine-foliaged plants interspersed among the beds. The kinds most worthy of note were — Phoenix reclinata, Cbamserops Fortunei, some fine plants of the elegant Cordyline indivisa, Seaforthia elegans, Ferdinanda eminens, Areca sapida, and our old friend Cha- masrops humilis, a fine Musa superba, and nobler than all the rest, the splendid Musa Ensete, the Abyssinian Banana. The largest plant of this was probably 12 leet high ; one enor- mous leaf springing erect from its centre was perfect, but most of the other leaves had apparently been lacerated by wind. This stately denizen of the tropios has its stem sheathed in the bases of the leaves, which spring upwards and outwards, often being 10 or 12 feet long. Though attaining such noble dimensions the texture of the leaf is of exquisite delicacy ; the bright red midrib, standing out boldly from the under surface of the leaf, contrasts most beautifully with its lively green colour. Beautiful as the plant is at Battersea this summer, it must be seen growing under the shelter of glass to be fully appreciated, for there its huge foliage acquiies a delicaoy of appearance far surpassing that which it presents in the open air. The fine plant growing in the Crystal Palace is well worthy of inspection. The able manner in which all formality is avoided in the gardens at Battereea is an important consideration, for sure I am that a much greater degree of eDJoyment must be derived from' pleasure grounds so beautifully diversified, and offering such a charming contrast to the flat monotonous style which has hitherto obtained an almost universal adoption than from the latter ; but this is a subject which to my mind is far too important to be dealt with here, and I therefore propose at some future time to devote a paper specially to it. — Edward Lbck- nunsT, Egertun Home Gardens, Kent. BEET FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES. Or the many subjects that within the pa6t few years have been pressed into the service of the flower gardener, there is none which seems to me so much out of place and character as Beet. Look at it as we may, intermix it as we choose— whether in the front or at the back of a border, near to the eye or dis- tant from it — the impression given by the dark broDzy purple foliage of Dell's Crimson is that of a kitchen garden, whilst the Chilian Beet reminds me of a field of Mangolds. Flowers in a kitchen garden may be tolerated, they ate there for a purpose — to afford cut flowers ; but for vegetables in a flower garden there can be no such excuse so long as suitable plants having no culinary use eau be found. But are there no plants so good as Beet ? I imagine there are, and better subjects fur a flower garden. Dell's Crimson Beet is the most compact and close-growing, and it has the property of keeping well furnished at the base, the root being hidden by the dense leaf-growth even in a front line. The foliage is Dracaona-like, arches over from the centre, and its colour is very uniform. Iudividual plants hardly vary in this respect, but present a dark bronzed purple, a hue that may well be termed metallic. They are very regular in growth and size, and there are no " runners"; indeed it is by far the best variety I have seen. Of its value as a decorative plant there can be no question. It is much bolder, has more of an oriental aspect than any of the Iresines, Amaranthuses, or Alter- nantheras, and may be used with or without them. Unlike them, however, it is hardy, does not require to be reared in pots, and takes up no time nor house room. It may lie in the seed-oloset until April, and then be sown where it is to do its' duty. Besides, it comes in for the table quite as well as Beet grown in the kitchen garden. It will grow in cold localities where Iresine, Amaranthus, and Coleus do not succeed, and it is equally at home in a wet cold summer as in one like the present. It is just the plant for places where a mass or lines of a dark purple colour are required with the least amount of labour and expense. But it is only a Beet ; if one can get over that, which I cannot, it will not fail to please. Sown in April it attains a good size by the end of June, and: is in its beauty all through July, improving as the season ad- vances, and is never finer than when taken up in November. The first or second week in April is when I should sow it in order to have it in condition in July, but I would not sow until the first week in May if it were not wanted to produce an effect before August. Of course it will grow in any soil. Sow the seed in drills, cover with light soil, and thiu out the seedlings to 9 inches apart. Some sow in pans and transplant, but I do not perceive any benefit in the practice; on the contrary, if the weather be dry after transplanting many plants will pro- bably run to seed and must be pulled up, spoiling the mass or line. I have not seen a more select stock than Dell's Crim- son. It remains to be seen how long this Beet will continue true to its characteristics. Of the Chilian Beet I cannot say much, this being my first 144 JODENAL OF HOBTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEK. [ August 25, 1870. year of growing it, but unless it prove better than it has done, I shall discard it. The seed was obtained from a first-class firm, so that I have no reason to donbt its being true to name. The plants vary in the colour of the leaves ; some plants have yellow stslks and veins, others red, but of the " deep waxy oraDge," and " vivid polished crimson," I have not seen any more than are developed in yellow or red Mangold, whilst the growth is coarse — very different from the refinement we aim at in flower borders or beds. It may do for shrubbeiy borders, but not, I think, for flower gardens; in fact, I do not see why the Silver Beet should not have a place as well as this novelty. In the same way we might adopt in the flower garden other kitchen-garden plants. Where is there a more stately plant than the Globe Artichoke, so silvery in its foliage, and what plant has such a finely cut foliage as the Carrot ? The Chilian Beet I shall not gvow again unless some one seeing it (und I have it in all the colours spoken of by " Q. Q."), should between now and November express himself in its favour. I have it in a conspicuous part of the kitchen ga'iden ; no one but myself seems to notice it — proof enough of its little attractiveness and beauty. In the flower garden I have no doubt it would soon be noticed, and might be thought from its novelty very beautiful, unlit it became known that it was nothing more than Beet with vaiious-colouied loaves, green largely predominating iu all. — G. Abbey. A GLIMPSE OF THE ROSES IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH. I have received the following communication from Mr. Henry Taylor, of Feneote, Bedale, Yoikshire. It is reliable, as he is a first-rate propagator, cultivator, and judge of Hoses, and not a mere scribbler. "I have been to ste Mr. Harmon's Eoses, at Darlington. He has 20,000, one-half on the Manetti stock, and the other half on the Brier; both are fine, but he has a strong clay soil, which suits the Briar. Amongst the Eoses of 1870 these were good — Albion, Baronne Chaurund, Blanche Meon, Ferdinand de Lesseps, Louisa Wood, Eugenie Verdier, of immense size and the best of the year. The following were good and promis- ing:-Jules [Seurre?] Madame Duatour, Jeanne Guillot, La Motte Sanguine, good and free ; Charles Lee, Henri Ledechaux, Clemence Eaoux, Leopold II., Black Prince, Madame Neman, Ville de Lyon, Marquise de Mortemart (properly Montmartre). Teas — Belle Lyonnaise, Adrienne Christophle, Madame Level, Hontplaisir. He marks the following Hybrid Perpetuus as extra fine : — Monsieur Woolfield, Nardy Fieres, Felix Genero, and Tbyra Bamrneiich." He adds further on in his letter, " Madame Auguste Verdier is a magnificent Eose, very large and perfect, a new Eose." Then again, "Velours Pourpre of 1866 is one of the best daik Eoses, a fine Eose not much known. I have budded it." At the same date I received a letter from my esteemed friend, Mr. William Paul, in which he says, " I am of opinion that Felix Genero is quite first-rate." Buses are now blooming well again here. What a wonderful stock is the Manetti ! We are told that we cannot grow Eoses big enough for exhibition except on Briars. Such is a fallacy. The Eev. Mr. Going, vicar of Walworth, came here with his friend Mr. C. Ingram, and, being astonished at the size of the Eoses, he measured with my marked tape one Eose, and found it to be 6 inches in diameter. I have had numbers of Eoses 4 inches and over. What a man does, and what he can do and ought to do, are two different things. I brought down on my- self satire, sarcasm, and the sardonic laugh some years ago for saying what I shall now repeat, that we have lots of possessors of hoses, and prize-winners, and scribblers, but very few ex- perienced Eose-cultivators ! The best of the Eoses of 1870, so far as I have been able to try them, are Princess Christian, Mademoiselle Eugenie Ver- dier, two beauties of great substance — an important point — and Maiquise de Castellane. 'l~D.,Deal," brought here beautiful blooms of Louis Van Houtte. My plant has maJe no sign. — W. F, EaDCLYFIE. is well known to bo very fatal to small animals. — (Student and Intellectual Obseiver.) [This doubtless refers to the Phylloxera vastatrix. — Eds.] Vine Pests. — Many of the continental vineyards havo been attacked thi3 year by a grub which iufesta the roots of the plant. M. Maichand propo.-es the extermination of this pest by watering the soil with stdphureted hydrogen water, which SOME FLOWERS AND GRASSES SUITABLE FOR DRYING. Possibly some of your numerous readers who do not possess a stove or other heated structure in which to grow flowers all the year round, find it at times very difficult to obtain them for the decoration of the dinner-table and other purposes of houso ornamentation. To thoso so situated I would recommend the following flowers and Grasses, all of which come under the general head of Everlastings, as suitable for drying, and so capable of being turned to account when fresh flowers may not be obtaiuable. Of these the Helichrysums are a mo3t interesting class of plants. They are easily cultivated, and, if the flowers be eat before the disc becomes fully expanded, will retain their colour for upwards of two years. Ehodantho Manglesii and some of its varieties are also well worth growing for the same purpose, but they require a warm situation. Ammobium alatum is another, and, as its generic name indicates, will thrive in a poor 3andy soil. Waitzia, or Morua, grandiflora, I may men- tion, requires the protection of glass, unless in the more southern counties of England, where it may be planted out of doors after the middle of June. The Aphelexis is allied to the HelichryEum; all of the species are greenhouse evergreen shrubs, but they are not all hardy. The Statices are a numerous class, and so useful that they must be included in this list. Several kinds of Gnaphalium, together with the varieties of Gomphrena globosa, or the Globe Amaranth, are more or less pretty, especially the latter, and well deserving more extended cultivation. Humea elegans is not by any means to be despised. When dried, its bronzy-red spikes show to great advantage when other things of the same character are not so plentiful. The Xeranthemum is a true Everlasting; the flowers, after being dried, may be, and are, dyed of any colour, and it can be grown from seed sown in the open border. Acroclinium roseum must also be in this list. Many others might be named, but these are sufficient for the purpose at present. In the way of Grasses, as suitable for use with the above- mentioned, the following will be found to afford much satisfac- tion to thoso who have not hitherto grown them, and are not well acquainted with this elegant tribe of plants : — Agrostis argentea, A. pulchella, and A. nebulosa ; Briza maxima, and the lesser species, B. gracilis; the graceful and "useful Eragrostis elegans ; Lagurus ovatus ; Stipa pencata, or the common Feather- grass of the seed shops, a British plant capable of propagation either by root-division or by seeds, and will grew in auy com- mon soil. The Pampas Grass is also found useful ; the elegant and stately inflorescence of this fine Grass can be easily pre- served, and retained in use for a considerable time. Such are a few of the more useful of flowers and Grasses capable of preservation. Those unaccustomed to their use are scarcely aware of the excellent effect they have when grouped in epergnes and such-like for the decoration of the dinner-table. — (The Gardener.) CHAPMAN'S PATENT FLOWER-CASES. I am convinced that these cases must come into very general use. I lately sent by rail to a flower show twelve blooms of cut Eoses, and they arrived without a petal shaken ; and to the Eoyal Horticultural Society's late Show at South Kensington I brought up twelve Gladiolus, which won the first prize, and I took them home again without the least damage. It was the first case for Gladioli Mr. Chapman had made, and all who saw it were delighted with its success. The comfort of merely having to take out your box and put it on the exhibition-table is something to be grateful for.— D., Deal. The Flower Tkade of St. Louis.— It is but a few years Bince the entire flower trade of the city was in the hands of a few old women, and the list of flowers on salo was of the most limited character. St. Louis was held up in contrast with Chicago and other cities, and denounced by interested strangers as displaying an utter want of enterprise. We havo watched the indications of progress in this direction, especially during the last ten years, and find an amazing expansion and develop- Angust 25, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 145 merit. We have now commercial floral establishments, green- houses, gardens, &a., that are a credit to the community, and an illustration of progress in the love of the beautiful that can- not fail to work a marked effect on the health and moral cha- racter of the community. The total sales for a single week this spring come to the very neat amount of 3550 dols. The annual sales of a single turn fjr several years amounted to 12,000 dols. In regard to the character of the stock for sale, it embraces every article in the greenhouse, conservatory, and open garden ; with all the equipments for parlour, window, and table floral ornamention. In the department of bouquets and cut flowers what amazing progress has been made. The finest flowers of the garden and conservatory, arranged in the most artistic styles, with all the most recent accompaniments, as rich and costly holder?, vases, baskets, &e. 1 The hou=os and grounds are generally in excellent order, and the collections embrace everything new as it oomeB out in every department of floriculture, whether iu Europe or the United States. The displays made at some of our fairs and horticultural exhibitions fail to furnish an adequate idea of the variety or extent of the floral trade of our citv, and this is yet in its infancy. — (Rural World ) ' KENFIELD HALL, AND ITS CONIFERS. In passing by the South-Enstevn Railway through the Weald of Kent the traveller remarks that it is a level tract highly cultivated, plentifully interspersed with woods and coppices, Hop gardens and orchards ; that there are small moadows and equally diminutive corn fields separated by hedges of every conceivable shape, with considerably more than tho usual number of dwelling-houses met with in a purely agricultural district, only it is Beldom these buildings are seen until one is close to tbem, as the woods and orchards conceal the comfort- able farm houses and cosy cottages with which the district is studded. No high embankment gives the traveller a distant view, and only Decisional gaps in the almost continuous line of coppice, trees, orchard, or Hop garden that hems in tho rail v.;v afford glimpses of far-off objects. It is only when the train pulls up at Ashford that another kind of eceuery presents itself, especially if the journey is made iu the direction of tho ancient city of Canterbury. The heavy Wealden clay and com- parative flatness give place to gently rising hills, which by degrees assume greater altitude1, and gradually Hop gardens and orchards give place to corn fields of considerable magni- tude, and should there be any portion of such fields in tiilage, the colour reveals at once that, chalk predominates. Corn and green crop3 are the principal objeats cultivated, the valleys being meadow land, with now and then orchards and Hop gardens, and it is not unusual to see tho crests of the hills clothed with wood. This undulating country bordering the valley of tho Stour between Ashford and Canterbury, along which the lioo of railway runs, is not without its interest. Occasionally mansions are seen, and still more freuqeutly the parks attached to them. The parks of Eastwell, God- mersham, and Chilham Castle form conspicuous objects along the line of route, but it is to one some distance from the railway that I would here more especially call the attention of th.9 reader. About three miles eastward from Chartbam stntion and six from Canterbury is Keufield Hall, one of those commodious brick edifices whose erection might, perhaps, date from the beginning of the last century, The road thither from Cbartham leads over some of those chalky downs which afford such excellent ma- terials for roads ; flints in great quantities were to be seen wherever the surface was not hidden by the crops, for these uplands were invariably aribl6 land, the vallej'3 b6ing generally meadows ; but care had been taken to break the largest of these stones, so that rarely was anything larger than ordinary road metal to be seen, so that the action of the harrow and other agricultural implements should not be impeded. Passing along the crest of one of these ridges some little distance, we at length obtain a glimpse of the residence we are bound for, occupying a position on a sort of natural terrace facing the north, and overlooking the valley which lies be- tween us and the grounds. The house is so well sheltered by timber that only a portion of it can b9 seen at a time until it is nearly reached, when its elevation is found to be more than might be expected, although there is still higher ground to the south of it. The carriage front iB at the north 6ide, the various offices being to the west, while a more spaoious front opens to the south, where there is a neat and well-stocked flower gar- den. The dressed grounds, occupying many acres, surround the whole on all sides but the west, which abuts on the park. The mansion and grounds are in the centre of a well-wooded park of large size, and sufficiently broken by undulations to render it interesting without being romantic. The character of the soil is much superior to that of the downs I have noticed. The soil of the dressed grounds, including the pinetum, is a rather stiff loam, such as one often meets with at tho base of chalky hills, and much deeper than is generally the case. A good-sized flower garden on turf extends some distance southward of the house, ample space being allowed between the beds, which in no case approach each other nearer than 10 feet, while they are each of not less than 6 or 8 square yards. The design of the whole was pleasing, and the beds were all filled with well-selected plants of the usual charac- ter. I r.oticed very good beds of Geraniums Lady Cullnm, Mis. Pollock, Beauty of Ca'.derdale, and other ornamental- leaved varieties, as well as kinds cultivated for their flowers, Lord Palmerston being by no means the least important. The most striking bed was a circular one about 12 feet in diameter, composed entirely of Centaurea endidissima, Colons Vertebaffelti, and Golden Pyrethrnm, the last-named being used as an edging. The rich colouring of the Coleus and Centaurea I have never seen exceeded. Other beds to the east of the house were of a more mixed character. A piece of interesting rockwork, forming a suitable screen between this part of tho garden and tho carriage entrance at the north- eastern corner, was well worthy of iuspecfion, for the frag- ments of stone composing it are said to have been taken from an old religions edifice iu the neighbourhood that had been de- molished. Carved corbels, portions of clustered columns, and capitals with soma foliage in an exceedingly good state of preser- vations attest the quality of the stone, which assuredly was not obtained in the neighbourhood. Relics like these give a charm to rockwork, which mere flints and petrified clay fail to do. There was likewise no lack of plants suitable for such a place. A very fine Samach (Rhus Cotinus), at a short distance, in full flower attracted my attention ; this very handsome shrub is not planted so much as it deserves to be, neither is the common Berberry, which in another port of the grounds was really beautiful. Having desctibed the flower garden and its appendages as adjoining the mansion on its southern, eastern, and north- eastern sides, I shall now proceed eastward, and as there are plenty of walks leading in that direction, I will follow the most southerly one, by which I soon come to the choice Conifers and shrubs for which this place is noted. Broad, well-kept gravel walks in easy graceful curves intersect the grounds in all directions, now and then approaching the boundary fence so as to afford a peep into the park, and at other parts skirting a mass of shrubbery on one side, with a thriving Conifer on the other, the intervening spacss being closely-shaven turf. Some of the shrubbery was necessarily dug ground ; but even the marginal belts of these wore in many places made acces- sible by neatly-formed turf wa!k3 cmving through them. The centre of this extensive area, the ground originally level, had been broken info agreeably-Bhaped mounds in the most natural manner possible, and these, being planted with choice speci- mens, gave an ever-varying character to the scene. The only attempt at formality was a bowling-green or croquet- ground forming a circle upwards of 100 feet in diameter, and suck about 2} foet below the surrounding level. Flights of steps descended to it on opposite sides with fairly-grown speci- mens of Irish Yews flanking the steps, and on one side a pretty summer-house occupied an elevated position overlooking the circle, the other being approached by an important walk. The quality of tho turf forming the bottom and sides of this fine bowling-green showed that pains had been taken to secure a suitable depth of good soil for the grass to grow in, which is not always the case where extensive ground works are carried out. The undulations of the ground are, I believe, wholly arti- ficial, for although a long period of dry weather had preceded my visit (early in Augnst), and many meadows and grass fields had not thrown off their russety garb, there did not appear to be any place in the grounds more burnt up than was common everywhere, while the general aspect of the Pinuses and other shrubs was such as indicated the most robust health, with the exception of those which formed the belt or boundary to the north ; but as these were for the most part common trees and shrubs planted for shelter, and, consequently, exposed to cold blasts, their weather-beaten appearance to windward is not to be wondered at. The valuable trees inside had sustained no 146 JOURNAL OP HOBTICULTOBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 25, 1870. injury, and the past winter had done scarcely any damage to tie collection at Kenfield. I will now describe more particularly some of the contents of the pinetnm. First on the list is the Wellingtonia, which here, as in most places, grows most luxuriantly, the tallest tree being 33 feet high, and the spread of its branches at bottom 26 feet. Here I may remark that the specimens of this tree at Kenfield (and there were many of 31, 28, 26, and 23 feet high and downwards), differed in outline from those met with in most places, where the general outline is a cone with the greatest diameter at 2 or 3 feet from the ground. This is the case with most of the Wellingtonias at Linton, while at Ken- field it was just the reverse ; the trees there resembled a cone placed upon a sort of circular base of 2 feet in height or more, so that although the diameter of the tree above described was 26 feet at the bottom, it would cot be more than 21 feet at 3 feet higher up, but from thence to the apex it formed as true a cone as could be desired. Both it and the ether trees were densely clothed with branches covered with healthy foliage, and promised to vie with any indigenous tree. There was but one exception, a tree whose history I should be anxious to learn, as I expressed my suspicions it might go the Eame way as one at Linton did. However, all the others were pictures of beauty. The Deodar was also well represented, and handsomely- clothed trees met the eye at almost every turning, and what is more, they seemed to relain the Deodar character, which is not the case with all the early-planted specimens of this tree, for many are gradually merging into the Lebanon form, losing alike the glaucous hue and pendant habit of the original Deodar. I believe these trees suffered but little, if any, either in 1860 or 1866, and many of them are assuming the dimen- sions of useful timber trees. A group of Abies Merjzietii, occupying a rather prominent position in the grounds, promises to far eclipse the Common Spruce, which formed part of the outer belt ; for, while the former were healthy and vigorous, and evidently 50 feet high, the latter showed unmistakeable tokens of disease that will carry them off ere long if they be allowed to stand till then; this is the fxte that has-befallen them at Linton. The Spruce seems to luxuriate until about twenty years old, then it comes to a sort of standstill ; a shabby, half- dead appearance carries it on some ten years more, and it then succumbs. Whether Abies Moiinda and A. Menziesii bo destined for a longer existence remains to be proved. Certain it is that A. Menziesii at Kenfield was all that could be wished. A. Morinda, though healthy, was less rapid in its growth ; but there were some fine specimens of Pinus Cerabrs, which, I may remark, is not so much Eought after as it deserves to be. Its upright, almost cvlindrical foim, contrasts strongly with the spreading habit of Pinus excelsa ; there are good specimens of both at Kenfield, but the disinclination of the latter to grow upwards was manifest there, as at other places ; however, the density of the rich glaucous foliage, and its horse-mane-like texture, will ever render this tree a favourite. Pinus ronderosa was not so good as I have seen elsewhere ; in fact, this is seldom met with in good form. The same, however, could not be said of Pinus macrocarpa, which was all that could be desired; and one that I would have called P. Sabiniana was likewise good. Pinus Benthnmiana was promising, but had not had time to attain the dimensions of the others, while, perhaps the prince of all the Pinus family, P. insignis, was unsurpassed in beauty of form and healthiness ; it had, how- ever, suffered in the winter four years ago, but was a fine, hand- some tree. P. radiata was said to have suffered more, and had since been destroyed. Most excellent specimens of P. austriaoa were met with in various directions, some thriving better in the outer belt than the Spruce Firs. P. Jtffreyana and others were also well represented. Of the Picea family there were several good specimens of P. Pinsapo, one large tree growing in the outer belt was fully exposed to the cutting north winds, which are so trying to all kinds of trees, aud which last winter affected our native ever- greens as well. It was, however, satisfactory to observe that this popular species had not suffered more than others, and cer- tainly not so much as the Spruce ; most of the specimens, however, showed a tendency to be dumpy, unwilling to grow upwards, which is a fault with some others of the Pinus tribe. Picea cephalonica was better, but this also has in most, cases a disposition to spread laterally, still its beautiful green tint will always entitle it to a place. The prince of this section, how- ever, is undoubtedly P. Nordmanniana, of which a fine specimen 26 feet high, and of symmetrical growth, occupied a prominent position, and well deserved it. Picea nobilis was also a fine tree, but less fortunate in its site ; it had, like others of its clas3 elsewhere, borne fruit a year or two previously, but its upright growth gave promise of maintaining that superiority amongst its brethren which its name implies. Of the SBrae glaucous hue was a remarkably fine tree of P. maguifica, the height of which I unfortunately omitted to ascertain. Promising speci- mens of Picea Lowii, lasiocarpa, and Parsonsii, perhaps all the same species, were also noticeable. P. lasiocarpa has, perhaps, the longest foliage, which is also awl-shaped, and at Kenfield it promised to become a tree of 6ome magnitude, its growth being rapid, and its form good. I found here, as at many other places, that P. Webbiana bad succumbed to some of the hard winters of late years. P. amabilis and grandis, also thought to be synonymous, were likewise good, and a very promising plant of P. bracteata appears likely to be amongst the first of its series in this country, and to all appearance will become a favourite. I believe it has not been long introduced, but still sufficiently so to establish its hardiness. Near some of the Conifers just named were excellent speci- mens of Cryptomeria japoniea and I.obbii, the former being about 30 feet high. C. elegans was also in a promising con- dition, being upwards of 7 feet in height, while C. Lobbii rivalled C. japoniea in height, and still more in luxuriance, but as the difference between it and C. japoniea is so slight, perhaps both may merge in one hereafter. C. elegans, however, is one of the handsomest Conifers of recent introduction. Of Cepha- lotaxus Fortunei there were both male and female plants, the two differing widely in appearance, but they may only be re- garded as shrubs of moderate growth, or even lower than that. Not so, however, the Japan Betinospora, of which good speci- mens of squarrosa, obtusn, and pieifern, stood out conspicuously, the last named promising to become a good-sized tree, while the silvery graceful appearance of R. squarrosa contrasted well with plants of a deeper hue. R leptoclada also promises to rival the Irish Yew iu form and size, although diffaring widely from it in foliage. Some variegated forms of Betinospora were also pointed out, but their liability to return to the original condition impairs their interest. I believe all the dwarf forms of the Pinus family were well represented. By far the fines" specimen I have seen of Scia- dopitys verticillata, the Umbrella Pine, was shown me, as well as Abies Ka>mpferi. The specimens of Abies clanbrasiliana, Pinus pygmrea, and others, contrasted strongly with the up- right form of Thuja Lobbii and Menziesii, each of which was upwards of 20 feet high. Thuja gigautea was here, as else- where, less robust, and somehow is hardly deserving the name it bears, as its growth is slower, its form cylindrical, and the head rounded rather than conical. Thujopsis borealis, how- ever, was flourishing, and equalled T. Lobbii in stuidiness of growth. One or two good plants of T. doiabraia were also pointed out, as well as the more recently-introduced T. laite- virens, but it was hardly large enough to give an opinion upon, as were also some other varieties or species of Thuja, and possibly several of those which now present a marked difference may in time merge into oihers, and the same with Juniperus and Cupressns. Conspicuous amongst the latter were C. ma- crocarpa, 30 feet high ; C. funebris, more inclined to spread than grow upwards ; and C. Lswsoniana, by no means so satis- factory here as I have met with it elsewhere, although plenti- fully planted. Other species, as Cupressus McNabiana, and majestica, were good. Tbe Juniper family were also in force, and, as I have noticed elsewhere, their inclination to frnit seemed to check their growth, but I confess my recollection of this interesting section is not sufficiently clear to deserve recording. One or two ex- cellent plants of Taxodium sempervirens ought not to be passed over, as I do not think better specimens can be found. One of these in the interior of the grounds had not received any injury during tbe past winter, yet anoiher exposed to the north winds hadsuffsred; both were high fiae timber-looking trees. Araucaria imbricata was hardly so much at home, but it wes, nevertheless, upwards of 30 feet high. Libocedrus chiliensis was as good and as promising as it usually is, while one of the most con- spicuous of all Pines in many places, Abies Douglasii, fell short of what might be expected of if. Although there was a good full-sized tree of it, yet the proper robust character and dense deep green hue wero wanting, proving that the soil did not exactly suit it. The too great abundance of calcareous matter, however useful it may be for tbe welfare of a number of plants, is inimical to the well-being of the Douglas Fir. There was, however, a very fair specimen of the deciduous Cypress ; and though the equally interesting Salisburiaadiantifolia was much AaguBt 25, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 117 smaller, it was a good specimen of its kind. The more recent introductions were also duly represented, for Mr. Thomson, the proprietor, who for thirty years and more has been an ardent admirer of Conifers, and haB daring that time added to hi3 col- lection all that were worth having, still secures anything new that may appear, and the collection la 'ks but little to make it unique. Other shrubs also were not forgotten, for I noticed a border containing an excellent collection of Hollies, and now and then the whole was enlivened by the beautiful bloom of AltLa-i frutex, Yirgiuian Sumach, and other gems of the shrubbery. I have said the pinetum, or pleasure-ground enclosure, was surrounded by the park ; it ought also to be mentioned that the former is so large a3 also to enclose within it — nay, almost conceal from view, the kitchen garden, where some good vege- tables are growing in spite of the dry weather, and the Teach trees on the walls were loaded almost too heavily. Outside the kitchen garden, but still within the dressed grounds, there was a group of plant houses and pits, the latter partly hidden from the pleasure grounds by a fernery. They were all in excellent order, but the space already occupied by the description of the pinetum forbids my entering into details here. I must not, however, omit to mention a very promising young orchard two or three acres in extent, where there was as fine a lot of Plum, Apple, and Fear trees well loaded with fruit as can be met with anywhore. The Pear and Apple trees were mostly pyramid-trained, and planted about 8 feet apart. The Plum trees were grown as standards, and were heavily laden with fruit. This plantation is outside of the park, and on the way to it I passed a Horse Chestnut trea in which one branch was growing into another, forming a natural graft in a manner I had never before seen. The tree was of good size, and at 12 feet or so from the ground a limb, about as thick as a man's body, extended from the trunk in a diagonal direction at an angle of upwards of 40°, and about 3 feet higher up the bole another limb, much smaller than the last, projected at an angle of about 25° or less, so that at some 10 feet or so from the bole the two limbs crossed and united, the junction presenting none of the swellings or excrescences so common in grafting, the bark being as smooth and uniform as on any part of the tree. A short distance from the junction the limb broke out into branches. The appearance was that of a well-oonstructed brace, and no doubt the graft acted S3 such ; but although I have often enough seen natural grafting in Beech and other trees, I never saw anything to equal this, and Mr. Thomson, who takes especial notice of trees and their various peculiarities, pointed it out to me as deserving of notice. The park is well studded over with groups of trees and single specimens, especially Horse Chestnuts and Thorns, with some good Oaks and Ashes. Mr. Thomson, who is also a great admirer of the common Yew and Sjotch Fir, pointed out a piece of woodland on the crest of one of the distant hills in which were some good specimens of the English Yew that he made an especial point of preserving. The wild Cherry, or Gasooign, he also admired, as well for its beauty in autumn when its foliage dies off crimson, as in spring when its snow- white blossoms give such a charm to woodlaud soenery. I believe he has planted this tree extensively in places where its beauties will be seen to advantage ; and in a district where cultivators, as a rule, have denuded it of all its beauiies, an admirer of Nature's noblest productions like Mr. Thomson must be looked on as a benefactor. — J. Eobson. [Our readers will remember that some time ago Mr. Coveuey, at Kenfield, replied through our columns to au inquiry made about the height of Welliugtonias, and we hope others having fine trees of this species will also favour us with the dimensions, as well the soil and situation in which the trees are growing ; for although the Wellingtonia seems to accommodate itself to almost every place, there is no doubt certain soils suit it better than others. — Eds.] ORCHARD-HOUSE PRODUCE. I send an account of this year's produce. I have gathered and sent to table 850 Peaches and Nectarines, and 100 really good well- finished bunches of Grapes out of the orchard house, of which I wrote some time ago. The Peaches averaged 9 inches in circumference, and the Nectarines 8 iuches. The largest Peach measured 11} inches in circumference, and weighed llj ozs. I think even the most sceptical (no one can be more so than I was three years ago), must own that orchard houses are really useful, profitable, and highly ornamental. They are more especially adapted for the villa residences near London, where a Peach wall is out of the question, but orchard houses might easily be erected, and with them the crop is almost a certainty, at least with anything like good management. I find the syringe my most useful friend, having had no symptoms of insects, and the trees rejoice in frequent appli- cations of house sewage made lukewarm by dilating it with hot water. — J. H. Davi3, llazelwood, Upper Norwood. NEW VERBENAS AND GOLDEN FEATHER PYRETHRUM FOR BEDDING. " Ayrshire Gardener " condemns the new and improved Verbenas as being utterly incapable of enduring any hardship. I do not know any of the old sorts of Verbenas which will endure hardships such as the Zonal Geraniums have to undergo. If a Verbena will not stand dryness at the root, and cold and want of light daring the winter, it is condemned. Small half-rooted plants are pricked out from cnttiDg pots into beds in May and June, and expected to grow and flourish. Daily waterings are as sure to iujure these plants as dry-and- dust treatment. A watering once or twice a- week, with a little liquid manure each time, is enough for any Verbena ; and every plant ought to be well rooted and established in 4-inch pots before bedding-out, and the foliage healthy, free of thrips, red spider, and green fly. If only a little more pain3 were devoted to Verbenas there would not be such au outory against tbem. Contrary, again, to " Ayrshire Gardener's " experience, I can see Golden Feather Pyrethrnm as good now as ever. Instead of waiting for the flowers to open and cover the plants, if the flower-spikes are cut closely down at the first appearance of a head of bloom, the plants will continue dwarf and bushy to the last. Though the heat blanches the colour, it is, how- ever, quite as golden now, where this treatment is pursued, as Crystal Palace Gem or Cloth of Gold ( 1 iranium, — An Amateur. In "Ayrshire Gardener's" interesting notos on bedding plants in your last issue, I was sorry to learn of his failure with, and "condemnation of the above Bubjeot as a summer beddiDg- out plant, inasmuch as here it has proved all that could be desired. If I may judge by last season's experience of its attributes, I will venture to say it will continue so until the end of the season, with no more trouble bestowed upon it than is aceordud to the various other occupants of the parterre, with their peggings-down, picking off of seed heads, &c, the only attention required by the Golden Feather being by occasional picking off of the fiower3 as they appear. I may add, we have Gulden Feath6r Pyrethrnm here doing duty in charmiu; contrast with Hrgo beds of Stella Nosegay Geranium, to which it affords an effective margin, the greenish yellow of the latter afi irding a pleasing harmony with the scarlet crimson inflorescence of the latter. And as an edging to such as Colens Verschaffelti, Iresine Horbstii, Csntaurea ragusina, blue Lobelia, Verbena Turple King, &c, I have also found it to be most effective, proviug in some instances more satisfactory than Cloth of Gold. Geraniums will only flourish in a comparatively lich and moist soil, whereas the Golden Feather is not so particular as to the condition of the .medium in which it grows, unless dust dry. I trust, with due respect to " Ayrshire Gardener's" opinion, that your readers who have not as yet patronised the Golden Feather Pyrethrum as a summer bedding plant may not be deterred from giving it a trial next season, as I am confident that with due attention to picking off the flower heads as they appear, and to keeping the roots in a growing state by an ordinary amount of moisture, success will be thereby insured. — William Gardiner, Gardener, Lower Eatington Park, Stratford-on-Avon. BEDDING PLANTS IN 1870. (Continued from page 130.) In continuing my remarks on bedding plants this season I will now proceed to the Zonal Pelargoniums, and will take the flowering section first — th*t is to say, those grown for the beauty of their flowers, and not of their foliage, aad in which us JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. [ August 25, 1870. the foliage is only a secondary consideration, though it must be always borne in mind that coarse large leaves, or straggling footstalks to the leaves, are a great drawback to the merit of a Geranium, however good the flowers may be. It is_ difficult to classify Geraniums now by their colours, as theie is almost every gradation of shade in reds, from a dark orimeon to an orange scarlet, and so on ; but I will endeavour to take the different colours in order as nearly as I can, begin- ning with the crimsons and crimson soarlets. Of these, the best two with me have been Waltham Seedling and Bayard. The first is a trifle the darker, and the latter the brighter ; they are quite distinot in habit, and ought both to be grown. Bayard, now that I have given it a soason's trial, is certainly the best crimson scarlet I have grown in beds, and I must confess myself mistaken as to the size of the truss, which in some notes I sent you in the spring I said I thought Would not be so large as Waltham Seedling, but it is, on the contrary, larger. It is very free-blooroiug, and the trusses last well ; its only fault is that the stalks are hardly strong enough for the heads and fall about, and in this respect Waltham Seedling is better, as the flower stalks are short and Stiff, and show every head. Good as Bayard is, Mr. Pearson has better varieties in store, which he has not yet S6nt out, especially some seedlings of this year, which I have twico care- fully looked over, and of which I will send some notes at a future time. I think, also, Douglas Pearson, Thomas Speed, Duke of Devonshire, William Thomson, and some others he 3ent out this spring, are quite as good, if not better. Other crimsons I have tried this year have been International, Eclat, Lord Palmerston, end Lo Grand. International does not flower freely enough. Eclat, though it has a very fine truss, is too long in the flower stalk, and too coarse in the foliage. Le Grand is at times very good, but the flowers do not stand sun well, and it runs to seed. A very promising variety which I had in a trial bed ie Stanstead Bival (Downie, Laird, &Laing) ; it is a brighter and lighter-coloured crimson than those before mentioned, a very fine truss, and free-blooming. Two other very good sorts of dark crimson I have not grown myself, but sec-n elsewhere, are Vesta and Glory of Waltham. The first was highly spoken of at Chiswick last year, and I have seen it very good this; very dwarf and compact. The latter I saw very good at Studley Eoyal (Earl de Grey and Bipon's), under the care of Mr. Clark, the rich dark green of the foliage harmonising very well with the colour of the flower. Lord Palmerston is so well known 1 need not make any re- marks on it. It is an old favourite, and I do not like to dis- card it ; it is exceedingly good as a late bloomer. It is, how- ever, far surpassed by Duchess of Sutherland, though they are not of exactly the same shade of colour, as Duchess of Suther- land is brighter, and it 13 a first-class dry-weather plant. It has been in full beauty now with me over Bince I came back (21st of June), and is as full of fresh flower stems now as ever. Some- thing of the fame shade of colour is Lady Iurkland, another of Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing's seedlings, and which was kindly sent me on trial by Mr. Charles Turner. It has the largest head of bloom I have almost ever seen on a Nosegay Geranium. I will take the scarlet and orange scarlet sections next, as Cybister, Lady C. Grosvenor, Multiflora, Grand Duke, William Underwood, and Bival. Cybister has again been very good, but rather too leggy in habit ; it, however, does not run to seed in dry weather. Lady Constance Grosvenor has been far better with me this year than last, and has bloomed much more freely ; the colour is nndemably good, brighter than Cybister, and the habit more dwarf and spreading ; its only fault is that tho flower stalks are not strong enough for the truss, and it is, consequently, much better in dry weather than wet. Multiflora has not been so good as I expected ; it has, however, a very nice dwarf habit, but the flower trusses are not large enough individuallv, though they are very freely produced ; but it is of a very rich colour, and the individual blooms are large. Grand Duke is an orange scarlet, with an immense truss, good footstalk, and vigorous habit ; of tho same sort of growth as Le Grand, but a freer bloomer, and would be a splendid sort for a large bed or a ribbon border. It might be coarse in wet, weather, but is cer- tainly very good in dry. William Underwood is the beet red Zonal with me, but like all of the Zonals I have ever tried, it does not branch freely. I am gradually discarding all the Zonals (as I said in the spring), for this reason. I have tried a great many, as Clipper, Dr. Liudley, Herald of Spring, Mies Martin, &c, and always find, that though by pinching-in closely in the spring, and putting them out as bushy plants, they make good beds at first, yet unless planted very thinly they never branch, and the same number of stems almost will be found on them at the end of nine or ten weeks as they had when planted out ; moreover, although the individual flowers are more circular and of a better form, yet it is seldom they make a very large truss, and now that the Nosegay section are so much improved by crossing, some of the blooms of the Nosegays are almost as gond in shape as the old Zonals with double, or, I might say, three or four times the amount of truss. Of all the Zonals, Bival has, to my mind, tho finest-shaped flower, but though I shall try it another year, I do not think it will stand wind or rain. Glow is another very fine scarlet, but the centre of tho truss is too crowded, o^ing to the stalk of the individual fbwers being too short. Among the orange scarlets of the Hybrid Nosegay section, two that were sent out this year by Downin, Laird, & Laing are very good, Lady Hawley and Sunlight. Of the two, I prefer Lady Hawley ; it has ah immense truss with a good stiff footstalk, which hold3 the truss erect, the habit is also good, and I shall be much mistaken if it do not prove a great acquisition. Kentish Fire and Masterpiece were planted out too late in my trial beds this year to give them a fair trial, as they bad been too long in small pots ; both, however, I think are good varieties. I hardly know whether to class Godfrey among the orange scarlets or the next class I shall name, the Beds. It is very free-flowering, but the footstalks are too long ; still, it is a good variety. I will defer my remarks on the ether colours till another week. I only wish, in conclusion, to ask some of those who are now cutting their beds of Geraniums to pieces to get cuttings to try the plan of striking them later, whin they finally have to pull the garden to pieces in the autumn, putting them in small pots, five or six outtings in a 4 ioch pot, and placing them on shelves close to the glass iu vineries or elsewhere. It is a great mistake to think that plants are hardened by being kept cold during the winter ; and. cuttings struck in this way, and kept growing all the winter through, soon overtake cuttings that are taken off now, struck in the open border, and then potted off for winter ; and still more will they surpass those that are pricked close together in boxes or pons to be struck in the open air now, and stored in these pans all the winter in cold frames. Warmth during winter will not make Gera- niums tender, so long as they have plenty of iight and are near the glass. The earliest and best Geraniums I had this year were some I put into the stove in November to grow on for cuttings ; and the cuttings I struck in the stove in January and forced on were more forward and better plants than those struck in the open air in August, were earlier in bloom, and have lasted quite as long — in fact, I cannot in any one instanes see that they have less bloom now than those which were more backward in coming into flower. They were removed from the stove into a light donble-span house the third week in March, and were not moved out of this house till they were taken out to be planted iu May. I tried this with several sorts — B »yard, Grand Duke, Eclat, Godfrey, Bluo Bell, Lady Coustanoe Grosvenor, Violet Hill, Ne Plus Ultra, &c. Of course it would not do in stoves where climbers were growing over the roof, or where shade is used for ornamental-foliaged plants, but where Gera- niums can have plenty of light and are not too far from the glass there need be no fear of making them tender from too much warmth during the winter. Tbe best use for cold frames is not to winter plants in, but to put them into in spring, using vineries and other houses during winter — 0. P. Peach, Applf- ton-le- Street. (To be continued.) Expohting Cuttings or Fruit Tbees to Australia. — In the form of cuttings, all the new varieties of fruit tieen may be introduced with the certainty of success. The importance of this will strike all who have experienced the losses and disap- pointment attending tho importation of the trees. The intro- duction of new varieties is by this means rendered a very simple and inexpensive matter. A ease of G cubic feet capacity will contain some thousands of cuttings, the trees of which i would require a space equal to many hundreds of tuns measure- j ment. Another advantage with the cuttings is, that the case j may bo hermetically sealed and stowed away like ordinary merchandise ; whereas, special instructions as to care (whioh. Angnat 25, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 149 is seldom exercised) have to be given as to the stowage of the cases containing trues. — (Report of the Horticultural Society of Victoria ) NOTES AND GLK ANINGS. International Exhibition op 1871. — We aro requested by Her Majesty's Commissioners to state that there is no founda- tion for the rumonr that the International Exhibition appointed for 1871 is to be postponed by reason <.f iho war. The first of the series of Annual International Exhibitions of selected works of fine and iudustiial art and scientific inventions will take jilace next year, as already announced. Mr W. Taylor, pardoner to J. Yates, Esq., Lauderdale House, Higbgate, informs us there is a fine specimen of the Litt-ea jdncba no,v in flower at that place. The spike is 15 feet in height. We aro requested by the Council of (he Royal Hor- ticultural Sooiety to state, tbat in consequence of the works now in program for the Annual International Exhibitions of next an 1 following voir-, the R >yal Horticultural Society's Gardens at South Kensington, will not be, open free to the publio on t lie '2t> li of August, the auniversary of the late Prince Consort's birthday. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Every attention should at ibis period bo given to the high cultivation of winter crops. Where sufficient labourist provided at all times, not a weed should be allowed to show its head. When, unfortunately, weeds have done so, the use of the spade is recommeudad isibtead of the hoe. Besides, it is as economi- cal in the first instance, excepting in very hot aud dry weather like the piesent, for, unless 'he hoeing be succeeded by a raking, the hoeing will in general have little effect. Moreover, the benefits of exposing the soil to the air are very considerable, especially in effete s-oiN, such as those of most of our kitchen gardens. Ail (be Cabbage iiioe, from the Early York Cabbage up to the Cauliflower, should be soiled up the stem as high as possible. When such crops are on poor land a dressing of guano or fowls' dung at this period would be of eminent service. It might be introduced as in South America in the cultivation of Tobacco, Inriinn Com, &e. — viz., by hand around the stems of the plants. It is advisable to mix it with four times its bulk of dry old tan, sawdust, charcoal dust, or aDj thing which will duly separate its pajtioles. This process should, of course, precede the soiling. Where plants of this family are liable to " club " this course will be found of much service, as they fre- quently depend for their existence on a few late-made roots. Let a good breadth of Coleworts be planted out in well-prepared ground; as before observed, the Onion beds will ho available. Let the winter Cuulirhm-ers be sown directly. Late plantings of Endive must be mode forthwith. The plants will be eligible to move with balls of earth iuto frames iu November. The soil must be very rich. This is an excellent time to make a sowing of the Brown or Bath Cos and Hammersmith Lettuces to re- main where sown through the winter. The beds should be elevated considerably, the higher the better, and the seed scat- tered broadcast rather thinly. A rich border should now be pre- pared, and planted with the Bath or Brown Cos Lettuce ; these will oarry on a supply from the open ground until Christmas, if protected. Leeks are most useful in a variety of ways, and should now be soiled up after the manner of Broccoli ; a dress- ing of guano may be introduced previously, if the soil is not sufficiently rich. The old Strawberry rows should now have attention. Toe leaves of the runners will shade the principal leaves of the mother plant, and therefore some gardeners mow down the runners in ovder to throw sunlight on the leaves left. Mowing down the old plants is an absurd process which some still adhere to. If the Tomatoes are over-luxuriant, cutaway a portion of their roots. TKCIT GARDEN. _ Go over the fruit trees aud stop about half tbe shoots, be- ginning, of course, with the strongest, for a general stopping at this time would probably he oi little further service than to in- duce the production of a mass of useless spray ; whereas stop- ping the stronger thoots, or those which incline to grossness, will divert the sap into the weaker ones, which Trill be strength- ened, while the buds ou the shoots that have been stopped will become full and plump without starting iuto growth. The only effectual method, however, of curing a gross habit of growth, when it occurs in ordinary seasons, is root-prnn- ing, or keeping the roots within proper limits by means of shallow well-drained borders ; and should it be found that the shoots after stopping incline to start into growth, it will be advisable as Boon as the fruit is gathered to open a trench at a moderate distance from the stem of the tree, and to cut the Btronger roots. This will be of the greatest service in checking growth, and will probably do more towards securing ripe wood than anything else that could be adopted. FLOWER GARDEN. In many neighbourhoods bedding plants are only just coming into full beauty. Go over them frequently, and without loss of time remedy any defects that may be perceptible, for the flower garden this year will bo enjoyed but for a comparatively short season ; and now that the plants are in beauty every means should be used to render them as enjoyable as possible, by maintaining the most perfect order and neatness. Where the stock is clean and grosiug vigorously this will involve con- siderable labour, and it will be necessary to look over the beds frequently, pegging down where necessary, removing decayed flowers, and cu'ting back such of the shoots as may incline to encroach upon the edging of the beds. Keep herbaceous -plants neatly tied up, aud cut off the flower-stems of any that are be- coming unsightly. Take advantage of every leisure hour to put iu cuttings, and use every possible dispatch with this work until there be iu a fair way for rooting a good stock of such plants as are kuowu to be difficult to winter except as well- established plants. Make gravel walks perfectly clean and smooth by weeding, sweeping, and rolling, as msy be necessary, and keep climbers on walls within due limits. Propagate Hollyhocks by cuttings. Mark good seedlings, digging up all single and semi-double varieties. Take off the tops of seed- ling spikes, if not already done ; it throws strength into the re- maining flowers, and encourages the formation aud growth of the seed. A few Crocuses, Snowdrops, &c, may be planted soon to obtain an early bloom. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. Continue to look over climbers, borders, &o. Large speci- mens which had been removed out of doors to give room, will soon require to be replaced in these structures ; indeed, the whole of September will occasionally call for business of this kiDd. The earth worm is a greater enemy to pot plants in general than low temperature. Look well after late-floweiing plants. The late Heliotropes, Scarlet Pelargoniums, Petunias, &c, if proceeded with as recommended weeks since, will now be somewhat potbound, and will in that state, with the appli- cation of weak liquid manure, produce abundance of blossom on a light shelf until the beginning of December. Lichen alias should be instantly repotted, and the Persian Cyclamens, if planted out in spring, will now be fine bushy plants full of young leaves. They must be taken up forthwith with all the soil possible, potted carefully, and placed in a cold frame or propagating house ; a bottom heat of 75° would be an advan- tage, with a very moderate atmospheric temperature. After three weeks of this treatment they may be introduced to the greenhouse, where they will produce their fragrant blossoms in abundance from November until April. STOVE. Many of the earliest growths of Orchids showing signs of ripeness in the leaf and plump pseudo-bulbs, may be removed forthwith from the excitement of the growing house. Any situation in the light where a temperature averaging 60° night and day can be guaranteed, will suit them well. A very moderate amount of atmospheric moisture will suffice. COLD PITS. Young stock in eold pits intended to flower next season, should be exposed to the midday sun, in order to ripen the wood, taking care not to do this .so rashly as to injure the foliage. This, however, will only be proper in the case of such things as have already made plenty of young wood, but it is ad- visable after this season to be anticipating the approach of winter, and to use every means to forward the growth of vain- able hardwooded plants in order to have it somewhat firm and able to resist damp, and that as soon as possible. — W. Keane. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. kitchen garden. Owing to the dryness most work was held over, except a free hoeing of the surface, and digging and trenching all vacant 150 JOURNAL OP HOBTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ Angust 25, 1870. ground, to be ready for planting when rain comes, or we can obtain water. Frequent hoeing, even though there be few or no weeds, greatly helps to prevent the escape of what moisture is left in the soil. In ground which had been rather heavily cropped, we found scarcely a trace of moisture at the depth of 18 inches. Planting, without being able to water, was out of the question. We find all round here that Potatoes are beginning to grow again ; the sooner they are taken up the better, as the tubers become hard and stringy when fresh ones are allowed to come from them. FRUIT GARDEN. Many trees, as Peaches on walls, are so suffering from these dry bright days that we would have soaked the roots if we could have done so. We may have to resort to some mode of shading to preserve the crop, but unless a change come Boon all fruit will be smaller than usual. Trees in houses, whether in pots or otherwise, have been greatly assisted by slightly shading the glass with whitened water. We have been forced to apply it to almost every house, to enable us to do with as little moiBture as possible. We have used gauze netting for ven- tilators, in some cases removing the ventilators— to keep wasps and flies out, but now, after doing this, few wasps are to be seen again, though for three or four days they were in myriads. Melons, as a rule, have been good this season, being none the worse, perhaps, of having had less of the syringe than usual. It must be pretty well put aside when water has to be carried from three to four miles. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. With a little picking flower beds and borders still look very well in places where Peas have been burnt up as if with a hot blast from a furnace, and even Cabbages blue-coloured and hard. With rain to refresh the grass, the flower garden will stand out the season. We are doubtful as to the results with another ten days of this weather. The lawns have neither been mown nor machined for a long time, except in the ease of little pieces here and there, that were too long for the daisy knife to manage. It was altogether too dry for Daisies to show themselves, but Bents, Plantains, and the pretty yellow Lotus corniculatus would appear, and the knife soon settled them. Walks. — These have needed little care this season, but we were apprehensive that they might trouble us in the autumn if it should prove damp and drizzly, and then walks are diffi- cult to clean. We have had them all put in good order, whioh we generally do rather earlier in the season. The sides were neatly cut, the walks hard-swept, and then a slight sprinkling of salt was thrown all over them, followed by enough of fine sandy gravel passed through a half-inch sieve ; the back of a rake was passed over this, and then they were rolled when dry. As soon as rain enough comes to wet the walks they will be swept to take out all inequalities, and when well rolled will give little more trouble through the autumn and winter. By adopting this plan we rarely break the surface of these walks, and in general they are dry, smooth, and pleasant to walk on in all weathers. The slight sprinkling of hard sandy gravel causes them to look bright and fresh, especially after they have been rolled when damp. But for that sprinkling we would not salt walks so late, as they would be apt to be damp, and even to adhere to the feet in winter. The slight sprinkling of sand above the salt neutralises that tendency, whilst it also insures the salt being equally absorbed instead of being washed to the sides. Salt when merely scattered over the surface acts most effectually when so soattered in dry weather. It is also the easiest way to apply it, and the salt is quite as effectual as when presented in a strong solution of hot or cold water, which we could not contemplate. Even in dry weather the salt will disappear in a few days. It is no orna- ment to the walks, however, so long as it remains white, and it does not do to traverse walks and lawns alternately. The slight covering of sand remedies both inconveniences; it also ensures a dry surface instead of a clammy one in winter. Now is a good time to sow Mignonette for winter and spring blooming, Stocks for spring blooming, and many hardy annuals, Use., to be protected a little in winter. Such as Sohizanthus, Collinsia, Clarkia, Nemophila, as well as Wallflowers, potted, oome in useful for cut flowers in spring, and good pots of them in full bloom look very well. A fine specimen of Collinsia bicolor might grace any drawing-room. Pinks, Cloves, Carnations, and Picotees. — We are rather late with cuttings of these this season. The better kinds of Car- nations and Picotees do best layered if suitable "grass" can be had, but they strike freely enough as cuttings, and a cutting can often be obtained when a layer could not be made without some trouble. Pinks and Cloves of all kinds may be struck now, either under hand-lights or in a frame, if just a little mild bottom heat be given them. They will do planted out in fresh sandy soil, with a little sand at the top. If at all doubtful, the best Cloves and Carnations might as well be put round the sides of a small well-drained pot, and the pot be plunged, for then there is the advantage that you can renew the mild heat if it be wanted. Where space in a frame can be spared, thiB plan involves far less trouble on the whole than layering. No kind of cuttings can bo more quiokly made. It is seldom that a knife need touch them. We think that years ago we detailed the simple process, which also has the advantage of mutilating to the least possible extent the old plant. Proceed thus : — Take hold of the ehoot that you are to take the cutting from in your left hand, to keep it firm and steady, and take the point of the shoot in your right hand near to the second joint, give a sharp pull, and out it comes at the joint cleaner and more neatly than ever you could cut it with a knife after much stripping of leaves. Sometimes a little film may be left at one side, and that Bhould be removed with a olean knife. In general nothing whatever is wanted, but the cutting or piping will be in the best possible condition for planting. A clever lad will slip out these cuttings as quickly as one can write a letter in one of these words. Propagating Bedding Plants. — This must often depend on oircumstancea. Where there are reserve gardens for cut flowers, it may be done early. We have not such a garden, and there is always a little reluctance to spoil the contour of a bed or border, which taking many cuttings from a small place is sure to do. On the same principle the question may be settled as to the advisability of taking large or small cuttings. Had we plenty of room for wintering, and other matters suitable, we would take oil strong cuttings of Scarlet Geraniums, insert them at once in small pots, and winter them in these pots. We might save time at first by planting the cuttings in an open border, and then lifting and potting, but ultimately we should gain but little, and the plants struck in a border are likely to be more succulent than those struck in a pot. One advantage of large cuttings is, that provided some of the larger leaves are removed, they need little or no protection or Bhading, as there will be enough of moisture stored up in the cuttings to enable them to bear sun and air before roots are formed. Even light drooping does them little harm. We Beldom, however, for reasons indicated, take large cuttings, and thus we break as little as possible the outline of the bed, and save a great many in little room in winter, but we give them a little help in spring. Some gentlemen looking at large plants in vigorous growth in beds would scarcely oredit that these plants were cuttings from 11 to 2} inches in length hut September. These we generally place thickly in pots and shallow boxes, preferring the latter, leaving them about 1} inch apart. The cuttings when obtainable are chiefly short, stubby side shoots slipped off close to the stouter stems, and most of these cuttings, therefore, will have the point or axis of growth. With such small cuttings, especially of the variegated Geraniums, it is well to protect them at first with old sashes, mats, or calico, the last the best, until the base of the cuttings swell so as to be ready to protrude roots. With such plants as Verbenas, Heliotropes, Pentstemons, Salvias, Iresines, Colons, &c, we prefer the small side shoots as cuttings, and such plants as Verbenas we put in more closely than Geraniums, seldom giving them more room until spring, when they are cropped for more cuttings, and encouraged with weak manure-waterings. The most of these plants are the better of being placed under glass, kept close during sunshine, and, if near the glass, shaded. If from 20 to 24 inches from the glass they will not need Bhading if given a skiff from the syringe about midday. We like to get these at least partly in before we begin with Geraniums, as they always succeed best when struck cool — that is, in a cold pit or frame without any artificial heat. The heat of the sun during the day we neu- tralise by keeping them cool at night — by giving air then, the best of all securities against damping. From G or 7 p.m. to 7 or 8 a.m. the young cuttings will bear a little air well, and be all the more robust in consequence. We frequently use small pots, as 60's and 48's, for Verbenas, and sometimes shift into larger pots when the cuttings are well Btruck, but we prefer wooden boxes averaging 3 inches deep for our main stores, and just of the size we can find wood to suit, but averaging a foot in width and 2J to 3 feet in length. The pots are generally filled from a fourth to a third with drainage, August 25, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 151 then rough nodules of fresh loam over the drainage, then finer light soil, followed by a surfacing of lighter still, with more sand. The boxes need no drainage. They are chiefly made in rough weather from rough packing boxes, or boards which have been merely sawn, not planed. The extra waterings, therefore, can escape quite fast enough at the sides. These boxes, if old, are well cleaned before being used, and old and new alike are well painted with fresh limewash. This is a great preservative against fungi, which otherwise are apt to attack rough wood in damp places. These boxes are easily moved from place to plaoe, a matter of importance where muoh moviDg is to be done. A thin layer of rough nodules of the turfy soil is spread over the bottom of the box, very likely with the addition of a little charcoal, then a finer layer of sandy loam, followed by one finer still, with more sand in it, and a little charcoal dust at the surface, the whole pressed down moderately firm. If at all moist, we put in the cuttings before watering, and then the watering settles the soil firmly about them. From years of experience and observation we can safely state that the health and robustness of the cuttings and young plants depend more on the freshness of the soil than on its richness. It is safer to aid the roots with weak manure-waterings than by mixing crude manure with the soil. We have Been tine heaps for euoh cuttings made from old Cuoumberbeds, decayed leaves, dung, and plenty of sand, but the cuttings often turned out very unsatisfactorily. We prefer sweet fresh sandy loam, and made so if it cannot be found naturally. This we pass through sieves to obtain the requisite qualities — rough, but not in pieces much larger than beans for the bottom, lighter and finer above, and the top layer finest of all. This takes very little more time. All half- rotten leaves or dung for the bottom we discard, as they are the fruitful source of fungi and deoay at the roots. We do not object to a little sweet, thoroughly decayed, well-aired leaf mould, finely sifted, mixed with the upper layers, along with a little fine charcoal duet, but if the leaf mould be not sweet and well aired beforehand, we would rather be without it altogether. We have known hundreds and thousands of struck cuttings mined, because the propagator placed a good handful of half- decayed tree leaves over the drainage. Of course, they would often do no harm, but very frequently they become dangerous as a regular feeding ground for fungi. — R. F. TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. F. and A. Dickson & Sons, 106, Eastgate Street, and Upton Nur- series, CheBter. — Catalogue of Dutch F'tnoer Hoots, &c. W. Catbash & Son, Highgate. — Bulb Catalogue for 1870. H. Curtis & Co., Devon Rosery, Torquay. — Descriptive Catalogue of Selected Hoses. Dick RadclyffeA; Co., 129, High Holborn, London, W.C.— Autumn Catalogue of Dutch Bulbs, tic. Downie, Laird, & Laing, Stanstead Park, Forest Hill, London, and 17, Sonth Frederick Street, Edinburgh. — Descriptive Catalogue of Dutch Flower Roots. TO CORRESPONDENTS. * » * We request that no one will write privately to any of the correspondents of the " Journal of Horticulture, Cottage Gardener, and Country Gentleman." By doing so they are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All communications should therefore he addressed solely to The Editors of the Journal of Horticulture, (6c, 171, Fleet Street, London, E.C. We also request that correspondents will not mix up on the same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them an- swered promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate communications. Also never to send more than two or three questions at once. N.B. — Many questions must remain unanswered until next week. Books [Constant Reader). — There is no snch book. If you read what Mr. Moore said at Oxford, which is reported in last week's Journal, and Dr. Hogg's address, which you will find at page 84, you will meet with all you require to know. {Henry). — A new and very much enlarged edition of the " Fruit Minual " is now in preparation, but it will not be published until a few months hence. .Double Geranium Crows Prince. — Mr. Cannell, of Woolwich, has sent us blooms! of his new double Geranium Crown Prince, which was awarded a first-class certificate at the last meeting of the Floral Com- mittee, showing that the colour is much more intense than that of Madame Lemoine, while the plant has the advantage of not being so gross In habit as most of the double varieties. Abnormal Carnation (A. B. A.).— The structure of your Carnation is much the same as that of the Wheat-ear Carnation, wherein all the floral organs assume the form of bracts. The difference between yours and the Wheat-ear is, in the latter the spike is elongated like an ear of Whoat, whereas in yours it is contracted in the form of that of the Canary-grass. You will find all these curious vegetable forms very ably treated on in Dr. Masters's " Vegetable Teratology," a work which every gardeuor ought to possess, and which we shall take an early opportunity of describing. Grapes Shanking (G. Musk).— The Grapes are what are called shanked, a disease generally attributable to bad Boil, overcropping, and other conditions, but of which we believe the cause is little understood. Vie have seen Vines grown in pots and not overcropped, but well treated, produce Bhanked fruit. Grahs Lawn (H. A. B.). — If you break np your present lawn and sow it down now, it will not be sufficiently solid and thick for you to play croquet on it next summer. The best way will be to take up the wholo, select the best turf for relaying, and procure good new turf to make up the quantity required. When your turf is up proenro some heavier soil to mix with the staple, and add also a liberal dressing of cow manure, potash salts, and bones. Next season you will have a good turf. This should be done after this dry weather has gone. {Grain Plot). — As you object to returf your lawn, you had better clear out all those patches where the grass has failed, and bow tbem with a mixture of lawn grasses, which you can procure from any seedsman. In autumn top-dres3 the whole with well-rotted manure, or in February give a dressing of guano and super- phosphate In equal proportions. Peaches not Swelling (Agnes). — It is not from any effect of tho BUl phnr, but from the dry season, that yonr Peaches have not grown so large If you had opened a trench round the roots and given them a good water- ing, in all probability the fruit would navo buou much larger than tbey are. Leap-shaped Rose Petal (H. D. Nash).— It is simply a proof of the origin of the petal from a leaf. It is a curious freak. Glass Walls (F. Fane).— Apply to Mr. Beard, Victoria Works, Bury St. Edmunds— that is, if you mean his glass walls, and not those of " Ob- server." Names op Pelargoniums (IV.). — We c*nno*. undertake to name florists' flowers. Tbo French Marigolds are good; we have seen better-marked and larger. The Pelargonium sport is of no value. Crickets Attacking Nectarinbs (G. S.).— The insect gnawing the fruit off Nectarines in your orchard house is tha common house cricket, which often in hot Bummers quits the kitchen hearth and takes up its quarters in congenial situations out of doorfl. — I. O. W. Pyrbthrum Shed Sowing (Subscriber).— The Goldon Pyrethrum seed may now be Bown in a sheltered iituation in light sandy soil, and the plants may be taken up in October, potted, ani wintered in a cold frame or greenhouse. They will be floe for planting out in spring. The Golden Pyrethrum, however, is quite hardy, and the seedlings may be pricked off about 8 inches apart in October, or oven as late as November, on a warm border of sandy Boil, and they will form good plants for planting in April or May. Ferns for Lilt House (An Amateur). — Wo do not understand what you mean by a Lily house, unless it bo a house for aquatic plants, in which case any or all of the exotic Ferus introduced would succeod if it were not that they require Bhade, which aquatics do not. If you can afford shade to the Ferns without making the hons • too gloomy, or can do bo without shading the aquatics, then you may have stove or green- house Ferns, according to the temporatnre of the structure. Double Petunias Losing Colour (H. E). — The double white and pnrple-blotcbed Petunias lose colour through decrease d vigour in the plants. We advise yon to take off cuttings of tho young growths now, and strike them in a cold frame or in a hotbed ; when well rooted pot them off singly In email pots. In spring shift the plants into larger pots as required, using a compost of two parts turfy loam, one part leaf soil, and one part old cow dung, with a froe admixture of sand and charcoal. Keep them in a cool, airy position near the glass, and safe from frost. The flowers will be finer and the foliage larger than on old plants. Pottin3 Show Pelargoniums (Iiltm).— Tho plants should not be rlaced in their blooming pots at tho first potting after being cut down. Shake them out— that is, remove all the soil from their roots, and place them in pots large enough to hold the roots without cramping. When the plants have made freBh roots and need repotting, as they do when the roots are matting round the sldeB, they may be put into their blooming pots. Clematis fob North Wall (Idem).— We have not found the new Clematis Jackmanni, &c, succeeding on a north wall, but C. Vitalba, C. frankfurtensis, and C. Viticella do tolerably well ; the first-named we have seen very fine. Everlasttng Flowebs (Twelve-years Subscriber).— We do not think if the words in which the prize is offered are strictly interpreted, that you could exhibit dried Laguruses and other ornamental Grasses in " 8 collecting of Everlasting Flowers." The heads of such dried Grasses are only a part of tho flowers. Figs (7i. H. W.).— We purpose doing as you suggest, but we must have all that our correspondent has to say on the subject before we decide. Vabious (Kittle),— The common wood Hyacinth is the Scilla non- scripta of botanists, the Harebell of common nomenclature. Very little frost and damp destroy the Gnaphalum lanatum. Your proposed plant- ing will do very well if you have the crimson or red Tom Thumb Tropseolnm. The latter will want picking off superfluous leaves and Beeds as they como. To raise Echeverias for edgings next year, Eow at once, merely covering the seeds, prick off tho seedlings as Eoon as sown, and keep airy and rather dry in winter. Sulphur on Hot-water Pipes (A. B. C.).— If you put the sulphur on the hot-water pipes, either by making n paint with water, or milk, or lime to make it adhere better, tho Grapes will not be injured if the heat of the pipes bo not above 1605, and a little air be given at the top of the house early in the morning. Cucumbers Damping Off (Tilney).— Thrips and neglecting to fertilise the flowers will not cause the fruit to go off at the end. It arises from the growth not being free enough, owing to a deficiency of bottom heat, or a cold and moist atmosphere at top. We think a little more bottom 152 JOURNAL 01? HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 26, 1870. heat with a brisk top heat would set all right. Vegetable Marrows are indifferent bearers this year, owing to the dry weather. Wood-lice is Ccccmekk Frame lit. J>J)ry).— Place a. bailed potato wrapped up in a little hay in a small flower-pot, and lay the pot on its side near the baunts of the woodlice. A number of such baits put down at night, and tbe contents emptied in the morning into a bucket of boiling water, will considerably thin tbe woodlice. _ Peaches Diseased (Mrs. W. F. Kria.tchbull,.—Tha Peaches are suffer- ing from sum, and probably the trees are also. The cause of this is the roots of the trees having got into an nngenial soil. In autumn let tbe roots_ be uncovered and examined, una as some of them will in all pro- bability have thrown down tap roots into tbe subsoil, let these be cut off, and all the remaining roots encouraged near ti;e surface. Mesehbkyanthemcm Culture (H. T.I.— The culture of these plants is not difficult. They require to be grown in a compost of equal parts of light turfy loam, sandy peat, lime i ubbish, charcoal or broken pots, and silver sand. If Ihe loam is pr or, one part of old cow dung may be ad- vantageously added. Mix the whole well. The pots must be well drained. Small potB onry are necessary, er rather they should be small compared with the plants. Pot in spring, or when the plants begin to grow. Propa- gate by cuttings laid on a shelf in the sun a few davs to dry at the base, and then insert them in the above compost, with "an equal quantity of sand added to it. In summer they succeed out-doors en rcckwork in an open, very sunny situation, and are very suitable ps wineiow plnnts for warm south aspects. In winter they nee"d to be kept secure from frost, and ought to have no more water than will prevent the stems and leaves from shrivelling. When growing they require a plentiful supply of water, at other times dryness. Some of Ibo best are M. densum, dtltoideum, strictum, conspicuum, falcatum, nJamentosttm, relnxatum, spectabile, cordifolium variegatum, coccineunr, uncinatum, falcatum. echinatum album, cvliudricum, bicolorum prt'ulum, Ifeve, aurnnrium, spinosnm, aureurn, bsrbatuin, polyantbon. tuberosum, incurvum, denticulatuur, blandurn, difforme, heteropetalum, elolabriforme, and inclaudens. If planted out in Eummcr they will need to he taken up in autumn, potted, and wintered in a house with a temperature not below 35°, nor higher from fire heat than 45°, keeping them near the glass and dry. Theyaro not Everlastings. Peaches (V. W. Pojiliam).— We do not know the Dymond Peach, and never heard of the name. Tbe nurseryman who sold it to you ought to be able to give some account of it. The variety which he supplied you wrth for Eoyal George, may probably be Early Victoria, as thai is a dark- coloured Peach, and with glaudless leaTts. _ Shoots op Vine Dying (IT. C. ill.).— This decay arid the Grapes shank- ing, indicate that the roots of the Vint- do not supply a sufficiency of sop. They have either descended into a bad subsoil, or tboy have not a good supply of moisture and nourishment. Give an abundant watering once a-week with tepid weak liquid manure, and mulch the surface of the border. Names of Plants (Julia].— Achilla?a Millefolium. (D. B ).— Cuscuta Trifolii. (M. ClutterbucK).— Catalpu syringssfoiia. It does not bloom until of a large size. (J. S).— l. Aspleieium bulbiferum ; 2, Nephrosis exaltala ; 8, Kttris cretica albo-lineata ; 4, Platyloma rotuudife.lia ; 5, Ha- brothamnus elegnns ; 6, Asclepias curassavica." (Milj'ord).— Atriplcx por- tnlacoides of Linnteus, now frequently referred to tbe genus Gbione ; O. portubscoides of Moquin. (31. .4.).— V ithout seeing the flowers of your scenttd-leaved Pelargonium it is imposi-ibJe to say if it is tetter than existing named varieties. The leaf you sent will be that of Achi- menes Ghiesbrecbtii. A piece of a Fern frond enclosed with your letter is Adiantum bispiduhim. (J. G. S ).— So. 4 is Lysimachia Nu'mmularia, and 5 Itarmica vulgaris fl. pi. ; No. 3, Gnapbuliiim margarituceum. The rest in a future issue. ID. A.).— j, Some Labiate, apparently a Melissa; specimen in this and the next far too imperfect ; 2, a Habreithamnus or Cestrum ; B, Cassia lsevigata. Send better specimens when you make inquiry again (£.'. P.).— Pelitea adiantitulia. (S. W.).— 1, Lastrea dila- tata ; 5, L. ipinulosa ; 2, Lomaria spicant ; 4, 8, and 10, all forms of Athy- rium Filix-fcemina ; 3, Lastrea Fiiix-mas; l:, Polypodium calcareum ; 9, Polystichum Lonchites. (A Suktcriber).— 1, Uigginsia (or Campjlo- bolrys) refulgems; 2, Eranthemum leuconeurum. POULTRY, BSE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. A TRIP INTO GLOUCESTERSHIRE AFTER POULTRY.— No. 1. Theee are many charming bits of scenery in England which are, a*, yet, fi m ljiug away from railway stations, scarcely fcnov>u eo ranch as they deserve to be. Or, if they have a railway, it is •! at unsatisfactory thing, a Bingle line, which in slowness, perbapB, is meant to be a pleasing reminder of old coaching limes; sometimes, too, it comes to an end at ap- parently nowhere particular, and, perhaps, at a very small station, where tv>o men are yawning, thus making a pretence of doing something, or a lively boy, the only vigorous inhabitant of the district, is whistling a tune which was a popular one ten years ago. But there are often chaiming bits of scenery close by ; one such it was my happy lot to see last week in the district lying near Dursley, in Gloucestershire. Although the Romaus left their mark about I'ursley, yet something more ubiquitous even than that conquering power gave many of the names to tbe places around — namely, pasturage and a shepherd's life. Thus in Dursley we have deers-lie ; the next palish is Uley— i e., Ewes-lie ; the next Owlpen, from old-pen ; and Lampeii. Hill from lombe-pen. Doubtless, the shepherds gave the names, and all, save the first, tell of their quiet pasture life. The valley of Uley is, indeed, a choice piece of scenery — high hills covered with beech trees, there a natural growth ; then in contrast to the thick woods, one bare long hill, Uleybury, so unlike its well-clothed brothers, and a valley with wood — perhapB too much — and, marvellous this dry season, a glimmer of water and perfectly green grass. Place in this scenery a couple of Gothic churches, a picturesque mansion or two, one smaller, yet its ivy, and its stone tiles, and its air of comfort and refinement, make each traveller instinctively say, "What a nice old place ! Who lives there?" I check rein before that house, where lives and has long lived a, brother cleric, a brother poultry fancier, and a brother rosarian — a threefold binding-chord. Mine is a second visit, so I know what to i xpect and whom to look for — the kindly parson himself, his wife, and oh, marvellous ! bis small family. Then there will be his man Hosea (a parson's man should have an Old Testa- ment name). Then there will be the garden, apparently given- up entirely to roses, though there is a cabbtge here and there ; tlieie will be the Dorkings, and the Game Eintams ; there will be the selecting and packing-off the poultry for the coming show ; there will be the master taking a last loving peep and saying, " I wonder what prizes I shall get — perhaps none at all, for those wretched judges may not- see tae beauties of my beauties, and yet (bere hope sparkles in his eye), I think, that Doikiug cockerel will do something." (N.B., He did.) There will he Hosea, gravely and cautiously putting the show roses in their case, dipping tbe moss in the water, filling the glasses, sorting the roses, and thinking they will get a prize. Hosea was right, they did. Wednesday morning we start from tho valley of Uley for Sttoud, driving— that pleasante3t way of getting through a short journey in fine and warm weather. Soon v^e emerge from the lovely valley and begin to climb that long steep hill, Lampern Hill, with a forest of beech trees on our right, and a dip of many hundred feet on our left. Pity we cannot, as far as locomotion is concerned, do away with all hills. Look at the wise Londoners, they only had one hill, Holborn Hill, and they have done away with that. Railways also know no hills ; in fact, hills, except to look at, are sad nuisances. The late Mr. Cobden once talked of crumpling-up Russia as he could, suiting the action to the word, crumple up a newspaper, which, perhaps, contained an atticle against him. I wished he had lived to lower all the hills by filling up the valleys in the roads. Having at long-last climbed that tedious hill, we come into tbe stone-wall country, leaving a little on cur right Eingscote Park, which has been in the hands of the EiDgscotes for nearly a thousand years. A Nigel de Eingscote came over with the Conqueror, and Colonel Nigel Eingscote now represents, as his forefathers did in many generations, a division of Gloucester- shire. Further on, the country improved until we get among de- cidedly pretty scenery. At Horsley, there stands an empty unused jail, which ugly building though it be, we may look at with pleasure, as it is a happy indication of improved morals. But we get on to Nailsworth, and still the scenery improves, passing Amberley, which gives a title to Earl Russell's eldest son. heaching soon Woodchester, we are, I suppose, in the golden valley of Stroud, and beautiful it is ; not a close-shut-in valley as some of our North Wilts combes are, nor yet a wide valley with hills so far off as scarcely to come into the land- scape— wide, and not too wide, with hills well-shaped and well-wooded, iodeed the whole of the golden valley has a paik-like appearance, so well-grown is the timber. Among the scattered hamlets one caught sight now and then of a fine gable, or oinate house of the Queen Anne date, but factories are also in the valley, which, though indicating wealth and a comfoitable livelihood to many.add.no beauty to the scene. Art put alemgside of Nature must not only, in order to add to the beauty of tbe landscape, be high art, but must be altered and improved by the hand of Nature, an alteration and im- provement stretching over many years before it harmonises with Nature. Thus, how a new monument, or a new church smites the eye ; but let the church tower or spire meet the winds of Heaven for years and years and get well weather- stained, how (as witness hundreds of old churches) it adds to the beauty of the view ; but new factories can never be im- proved. This train of thought reminds me of Shakspeare'S words in the Winter Tale — " Yet nature is made better by no mean, But nature makes that mean : so o'er that art Which, you say, adds to nature, is an art That nature makes, the art iteelf is nature.'' August 25, 1870. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 153 Bat Stroud is now near, bo let me think over its history. Stroud or Stroudwater was so named from being on the Slade or Stroud. vater, and is situated in the beautiful golden valley. It was once but a long street up the hill, crossed by another at its base. Stroud is the centre of the woollen manufactures of Gloucestershire. The Stroud water is said to be admirably adapted for dying scarlet colour, hence clothiers and dyers at an early period gathered near its banks. John Canton, a cele- brated natural philosopher, who discovered the means of making artificial magnets, for which the Royal Society gave its gold medal, was born here, as was Jo;c-ph White, a Professor of Arabic at Oxford — both mm sons of Stroud weavers, and both, too, specimens of what Englishmen may rise to and from. Once a youth applied to me to help him to the office of letter-carrier. I asked him why, as I knew he earned a good living. He said " he wa3 a weaver, and nobody thought any- thing of a weaver." It was not a wise speech, for every man, whatever his calling, is respected because of his character, and not because of his calling. Weaving has made Stroud famous, and no man, so that he weaves* well, and is an honest man, bnt may bo proud of his weaving ; and in free, fair, open-to-com- petition England, his sous may, if they have the brain power, be equal to a John Canton or a Joseph White. — Wiltshire Rector. ALDBOROUGH AND BOROUGHBRIDGE POULTRY SHOW. This Show was held on the 12th inst. in the grounds of Aldborough Manor. The day was line and hot, but tho birds were well supplied with water. The entries were more nnmerons than last year, and some of the birds were exceedingly fine. The adult Dorkings were good, and in excellent feather for the season, and the winning Spanish and Cochins also noteworthy. The Game were not quite so good as we have seen them at this place, bnt the Polantls made amends, having well-developed crests, and being good in colour and marking. Tho Hamhurghs were not good, but the Turkeys and Qeese were very large and well matched. The adult and young classes of Ducks were among the best in the Show ; in fact, the Rouens were quite equal, if not superior, to any we have seen during the present season. In the Pigeon classes most of the winners were first-rate The Pouters in the first-prize pen were Red, and the first-prize Carriers Dun, and fine in eye and beak. The Trumpeters were Mottles in good bloom, but the Jacobins not of the best. In Tumblers a neat- headed pair of Ked Baldpates were first, and in Turbits the first were Yellows, and the second Silver Dun?. The winning Antwerps were all that could bo desired in qnality and colour. In the class for English Owls there were only three entries, but the birds were capital in skull. In the " Variety " class the first-pri^o went to Black Swallows, and the second to Black Magpies. Dorkings.— I. A. Thompson, Kirby Hall. 2, J. & P. Potter, Whixley. he, A. Thompson ; H. R. Farrar. Green Hammerton. Spanish. — 1, F. Horsman, Boroughbridge. 2, A. ThompBOn. Game.— 1, J. Watson, Knaresborongu. 2, J. Watson. Jan.. Knaresborough. Ii.\ W. Scott. Cochin-China. — 1, Mrs- T. S. Turner, Borooghbridge. 2. W. Barnes, Thirsk. he. Mrs. J. W. Green, Boroughbridge; H. R. Farrar. Brahma Pootras.— 1, A. Thompson. 2 and he, F. Horsman. Chickens of the foregoing classes.— 1.3. Robshaw, Whixlcv. 2, H. R. Farrar. S, A. Thompson, he, Mis. J. W. Green; A.Thompson; J. Watson ; R. Sowerby. H&HBUBOHB. — Go'alcnspanaled. — I, F. Carver. 2. Miss Mawtus, Minskip. Golden-pencilled.— 1 and 2, F. Horsman. Silrer-spanaled. —1, J. Best. Boroughbridge. 2. A. Thompson. Poland.— 1 and 2. T. S. Turner, Boroughbridge. he, C. Walker ; W. Lonsdale. Chickens of the I classes.— 1. J. Best. Bantams.— Game.— 1, W. J, Stewart, Darlington. Any varittt/.—l, 3. Watson. 2, Mrs. Croft, Aldborough. Ant other Variety.— 1,M. Dickson, Little Ouseburn (Houdans). 2, Miss Woodward. Turkeys.— 1, 1. Moorey, Mulwith, Ripon. 2, F. Parker. Roeeliffe Grange. Poults.— 1 and 2, 1. Moorey. he. W. Bickerdike, Brampton Hall : F. Parker (2). Geese.— 1, Mrs. Smith, Humburton. 2. S. Renton, Ripon. he. W. Bickerdike (2). Goslings. — 1, S. Renton. 2. Mrs. Smith, he, I. Moorev : W. Bickerdike. Docks. — Ai/les- burij.—l, A. Thompson. 2. J.Mason, he, 3. Cuthbertson, Aldborough; W. Pipes, Tholthorpe. Ducklings.— 1, C. Graham, Aldborough. 2. A. Thompson. he, A. Thompson; J. Handley, Skelton : J. Mason. Rouen.— 1 and 2, C.Graham. he, J. Handley; J. King, Boroughbridge. Ducklings.— 1, C. Graham. 2, J. Handley. lie, J. King. Any other variety.— 1, R. Wilson, Tbirsk. Guinea Fowls— 1, S. Renton. Selling Class.— 1, H. R. Farrar. 2, J. Watson, he, A. Thompson. PIGEONS. Pouters.— 1, G. Sadler. 2, W. Bearpark, Ainderby Steeple, he, R. Wilson, Thirsk. Carriers.— 1 and 2, G. Sadler, lie, W. Bearpark. Trumpeters.— 1, J. Condale, Copt Hewick. 2, R.Wilson, he. F. Horsman. Jacobins— 1, R. Wilson. 2, W. Bearpark. Fantails.— 1, W. Bearpark. 2. G. Sadler, he, R. Wilson. Tumblers.— 1, G. Stutter. 2, E. Wilson, lie, F. Hor>man. Barbs — 1. R.Wilson. Nuns.— 1, R.Wilson. 2, W. Bearpark. Turbits.— 1. G. Sadler. 2, R.Wilson, he, J. W. Smith, Ripon (2). Antwerps.— 1, . I. Cundale. 2, G. Sadler. English Owls.— 1, R. Wilson. 2, G. Sadler. lie, W. Bearpark. in other Variety.— 1 and he, W. Bearpark. 2. J. Cundale. Selling Class.— 1, J. Hardcastle, jun , Skelton. 2, W. Bearpark. he, J. Cundale ; W. Scott ; R. Wilson. ■- — Rabbits.— Any Breed.— Buck.—l, J. Mason. 2, W. W. Garwood.' 'Doe.—l, A.S. Lawson. 2, J. Mason. lie, J. Benson. Judge. — Mr. E. Hutton, Pudsey. Long Sutton Poultry Show. — Eight silver cups of the value of five guineas each are this year offered for poultry, and three of three guineas for Pigeons, with one of like valu9 for Rabbits. In addition to the usual Pigeon premiums prizes are offered for the competition of Carriers and Barbs bred in 1870. The middle of October is a time when it can be readily ascertained whether the competitive birds are of the season's produce or not. These classes will be most attractive. GREETLAND poultry show. The following awards were made at this Show, beldon the 13th inst : — Brahma Pootras. — Chickens.— 1, Dr. J. Holmes. Whi'icoats, Chesterfield. 2, J. Bailey. Cochin-China— 1. J. E. Eastwood, West Vale. 2, M. B. Riley, niingworth. Spanish (Blank).— 1, K. Holrovd. Barkisland. 2, T. Dyson, West Vale. Chickens.— 1. J. W.Cannan, Bradford. Hahbubohs.— 1, S Smith, North- owraru. 2, D. Garside, Greetland. Chickens.— 1, S. Smi h. 2, S. Hirst, Stain- land. Game. — 1. C w. Eastwood, West Vale. 9. •'. GledhilL Rastrick. Chickens— 1, 0. W. Eastwood. 2. E. Holland. Grasshill, Chesterfield. Game Pantams.-I and 2, F. Steel, Halifax. I 1. F. Steel. 2, T. S.Dyson, Halifax. Any Breed— 1, J. W. Cannon. 2, M. B. Riley. Chickens.— 1, O. W. Eastwood. Duces.— I, T. Parr, Oreetland. 2. J. Taylor, Rippenden. Duck- ling*.—1, S. Briggs. Greetland. 2, B. Day, Wakefield. Geese— 1, T. Parr, id. 2, G. Betlison. Soholea, Greetland. Goslings.— 1, T. Parr. 2, G. Bettison. Turkeys.— 1. J. >^t:. s, Halifax. Extra Prizes— Sam,'.— Cuck.—\, 0. W. Eastwood. 2, \. Stott. Hen.— I, J. Shaw. 8, C. W. Eastwood. Any oilier Variety.— 1, W. BirBt, Stainland. 2. C. W. Eastwood. Rabbits.— 1, T. Lumb, Barkisland. 2, J. Dixon, North Dean. Judges.— Mr. M. Smith, Leeds, and Mr. JameB Thompson, Southowram. HUNSLET poultry show. The ninth Show at Hunslet took place on the 15th inst., and was the most successful one held there. The day being fire the number of visitors was very large. The entries in the poultry classes were not so numerous as tbc prizes would have led ns to expect, but the qnality of most of the fowls was all that could be desired. Many of the Pie/eons were of great merit, particularly the prize pens. Dorkings— 1, E. Maul. Middleton. 2, J. Britton. Leeda. Spanish.— 1. F. Pickard, Thorner. 2, H. Pellon.B ngiey. Cochin-China.— 1. F. Pickard. 2, J. White. Wakefield. Game.— Black-breasted and other Beds—1. H. Beldon. 2. W. Fell, Adwalton. White or Piles — 1 and 2, H. C Ma Mmgton. Any other colour.— 1, H. c. Mason. 2. W. Fell. Hakbukohs.— Gal I pencilled. — 1, H. Beldon. 2. Hainswortb ft Fail-bank. silvcr-pencilUd.— 1 and 2, H. Beldon. Gold-spangled.— 1, H. Beldon. J, — Nichols, N w Wortley. Silrer- spangled.—\ and 2. H ' ''' QgWOrfh, Idle. 2. H." Beldon. Poland (Any variety).— 1 and in. Bastams.— Black or White— % H. Beldon. Game.— I, — Fatithoirc. P 2, T Marsden, Cleckheaton. Any other variety.— 1, H. Beldon. Bbahma Pootras— 1, H. Beldon. Selling' Ci.a-s.— ). W. Fell. Turkeys— 1. J. B. Britton. Seese (Anv colour).- 1. J. White, Wakefield, 2, W. Taylor. Oswoldthorpe Ducks.— .■■v.— 1, T. Pull in, '. 2, G. Saynor. Allwoodley. Rouen.— 1, J. J, J. Ward, Drlghlington. Guinea Fowl.— 1, T. Pulum. 2, J. B. Britton. PIGEONS. Carriers.— 1 and 2, E. Horner. Hnrewood. Antwerps —1, E. Horner. Owxs.— 1. E. Homer. 2. A. Britton. tt/rbits.— 1 and 2, E. Homer. Barbs.— 1, E.Horner. 2, W. Hughes, Leeds. Tumblers. B .Leeds. 2, C. Gravel, Thome. F..ni.ails.— 1, E. Honur. v. J. Pollard, Sew Wortley. a.— 1, E. Horner. 2. W. Hughes. Nuns— 1. C. Gravil. Jacobins.— ]. E. Homer. 2, W. Hughes. Any other Variety. -1, W. Hughes. 2, E. Horner. Rabbits.— Long-eared.— 1, C Gravil. 2, R. Calvert, Hunslet. Any other de -1, C. Burton. Mr. James Dixon, of Bradford, was the Judge. WARRINGTON POULTRY SHOW. This was held on the 16th and 17tb. and was well attended, the entries amounting to 394 pens, and the qnality generally very good. Mr. Hewitt, who was to have been one of the Judges, was unable to attend owing to his being unwell. Dorkings.— Coloured.— 1 and Cap, Admiral W. Hornby. Knowsley. 2, J. Robinson, Garstang. he. J. K. Fowler, Aylesbary; J. White, Warlaby; G. Andrews, Tnxford. c. J. Watts, Birmingham Chicken-..— 1, T. E Kell, Wetherby. 2, T. Briden, Earbv. he, J. Lewrv, Bolney Cucknela; J. Copple, Eccleston, Prescot ; Hiss Faii-hurst, Otniskirk. Any other vansUh—1, 3. Robinson. 2, Miss Foirhnrst. Chickens.— 1, 3. Robinson. J. P. McDonald, Sale Moor. Spanish— 1 and Cur. F. & C. Haworth. Haslmgden. 2, C. W. BrierlCY, middleton. he. F. .i C. Hawortb ; J. F. Dixon Cotgrave ; T. C. and E. Newbitt, Epworth : W. Green, Warrington, c, W. R Bull, Newport Pag- nell. Chickens— 1. C. W. Biieriey. 1, G. Winteibottom. AO.ton-under-Lyne. he, E. Brown, Sheffield. Cochtss.— Buff and Cinnamon.- 1 an 1 2. W . A.. Taylor, Manchester, he, J. Cattail, Birmingham, c, T. Stretch. Onm-kirk ; G. R. DartnaU, Henley-in-Arden. Chickens.— 1 end Cup, Hon Mrs. Biiriell, Ipswich. 2 W A. Taylor, he, C. Sedgwick; T. Stretch ; W. A Taylor; \\ . P. Kylanci, Eardington." Partridge or any other variety.— I, E. Tudman, Whitchurch. 2. J. Sichel, Timpcrlev. he, 1. Stretch: W. A. Taylor, e. W. A. Taylor. Chickens.— 1,W. A Tartor. 2. A. J. E. Swindell. Stourbridge. If. C. Sedgwick. Keighley. BRAHUAS.-Korf:.— 1. J. Pick'es. Earby. 2. J. Stalker. West Sleek- burn. )ir\ Hon. Miss • onglas Pennant, Penrhyn Castle. Bangor; H. Lacy, Hebden bridge: W. Hargreaves, Bacup. c. Rev. E. Alder. Eiwall Vicarage. Chickens.— 1 and Cup. Hon. Mrs Burrcll. 2 W. A. Taylor, he, E. Pntchard, Tettenhall: W A.Taylor; Hon. Mrs Burrell : L.Wright, KlMSdown, Bristol ; J. H. Pickles. Stockport ; W. Ha.rgrea.ves. c, H. Dowsett. Pleshey. Chelmsford. Light.— 1 and Cop. H. Dowsett. 2, A. O. Wortbinet.m, Barton-on-Trent he, J. Pares, Postfoid. Guildford. Chickens.— 1. A. O. Worthington 2. H. Dowsett. lie. Mrs. A. Williamson, Leicester. Game— .■lay variety.— Cocks- 1 and cup^j. Laming. Cowhum. Spalding. 2. J. Halsall. Eccleston. hc.C. Chalonex, vyhit- w. 11, Chesteifield. Black-breasted and other Iteds.-l and Cvj, J. Wood. 2, G. Bagnall. Drarcott. lie, W. C. Oakley. Albert .n : J. Fnth, thatsworth. Chickc„s.-1, J. Caili»le. Earby. 2,C. Cbaloner. Ire S. Matthew, stowmarket. J. Laming, c, R. Asldey. Nantwich. Anyotlrr 1 arirtu.—\, C. Cbaloner. 2, J. Laming. )ic, H. M. Julian, Hull. Chickens.— 1. S. Matttew. 2 A. G. Wild, iig, Bsrnlev. c, C. Cbaloner, WbitweU. Chesterfield : J. Frith. Chatsworth. Polanls (Auvvariety).— land ge.— Mr. R. Teebay, Fulwood, Preston. KEIGHLEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S POULTRY SHOW. This was held cm the 19tb inst. The following are the awards : — CocHTN-CniNA.. Buff.— 1 and 2. W. A. Taylor, Manchester. 3, T. Stretch, Ormekirk. Chickens.— 1 ami 2. W. A. Taylor. 8, C. Sidprwick, Keighley. he, C. Sidtrwick; T. Stretch. Any Colour.— 1 and 3, W. A. Tavlor. 2, H. Beldon, Goitstock. he, T. Stretch. Chickens.— 1, W. A. Taylor. 2 and 3, C. Sidcwict. c, J. H. Dawes, Birmingham. Spanish (Black) — 1, C. W. Brierley, Middleton. 2, H. Wilkinson, F-arby. 3, H. Beldon. Chickens.- 1, C. W. Brierley. 2, H. Beldon. 3, J. W. Cannon, he, J. I, Booth. Hamburghs.— Silver-pen- lilled.— 1, H. Beldon. 2 and 8. H. Pickles, iun., Earby. Chickens— 1 and 8, H. Beldon. 2, H. Pickles, jun. Silver-spangled,— 1 and Cup, H. Beldon. 2. H. Pickles, jun. Chickens.— 1, H. Beldon. 2, U. Pickles, jnn. 3, T. FawceU, sen., BaiUlon. Gohie n-sjmn aled— 1. .7. Newton. 2, H. Pickles, jnn. 3, H. Beldon. he, W. Driver, Keighley. Chickens.— 1, W. Driver. 2, T. & W. Walker. Denton. 3, c. E. Palmer. High thorn, Warwick, e, H. Pickles, jun. Golden-peneiUed.—l, II. Beldon. 2, H. Pickles, jun. 8, S. Smith. Northowram. Chickens.— 1, H. Pickles, jun. 2, H. Beldon. s, T. Kinder, Mieklcthwaite. Black.— 1, H. Beldon. 2, T. & W. Walker. 9. II. W. It'.inpworth, Idle. Chickens —Cup and 3, C. Sidfrwiek. 2. S Hallidav. he. J. Cockcroft, Hawkeliffe, Keighlev. Polish. —1, 2, and 3. H. Beldon. Chickens.— 1 and he, II. Pickles, jun. 2, H. Beldon. 8, J. Bowk or, Keighley. Dorking.— I and 3, T. Briden, Earbv. 2, W. A. Taylor. Chickens.— 1, T. E. Kc-N. Wetherby. 2, T. Briden. 3, J. J. Waller, Kendal. Game .— R- >.d .— Cup. C. W. Brierley. 2, T. & J. Robson. Bishon Auck- land. 8, W. Spencer, Haworth. Chicken--.— I and 2, J. Carlisle. S. H. Jen- nings. AUeitou. Any other Vari-tu.—l. C. W. Brierlev. 2. H. M. Julian, Hull. 3, T. & J. Robson. he, J. & T. Sunderland, Hali'ax. Chickens.— 1, J. Fortune and Co., Keighley. 2, M Jbwett, Clayton. 3, Green & Sutcliffe, Queeneburv. Any other Distinct Brekd.— 1, J. H. Pielilea, Birkdale, Soutbport. 2, H. Beldon. 3, E. Leech. Rochdale, he, W. Wildcv. Cosham. Chickens.— 1, E. Leech. 2, W. O. Quibell, Newark. 3. W. A. Taylor. Bantam.— Game— 7, O. Anderton, Acerincrtim. 2, W. F. Entwisle, Cleckheaton. 3, T. Dyson, he, F. Steel, Halifax. Chiikena.—l, G. Noble. 2, W F. Entwisle. 3, Horewood and Bucklev, Accrington. he, F. Steel ; W. F. Entwisle. Any other Distinct Breed. — 1. J. W. Cannon, 2, S. & R. Ashton, Mottram. 8, H. Beldon. Chickens.— 1, H. Beldon. 2. T. C. Harrison, Hull. 8, W. H. Robinson, Loncr-Iee. Ducks.— 1, E. Leech. 2, J. Clayton. Aylesbury.— 1 ond 2, E. Leech. 3. T. Wilson. Farn- hill. Any other Variety.— If J. Dixon, Bradford. 2, 0. W_ Brierley. 3, T. C. Harrison, he, S. & R. Ashton; J. Dixon. Geesf.— 1 and 2, E. Leech. 3, Rev. G. Hustler, Stillingfleet. Silling Class.— Cocfc.—l, H. Pickles, jun. 2. J. Berry, Silsden. fi. H. Beldon. Bens,— 1, J. I. Booth. 2, H. Wilkinson. 3, J. Berry, he. H. Pickles, jun. PIGEONS. Cup for best pen, E. Horner, Hardwood. Pouter on Cropper. — Cock. — 1 and 2, E. Horner. », J. Hawley, Binglev. Ren.— 1, W. Harvev, Sheffield. 2 and c, J. Hawley. 8, E. Horner. CABBIBR.-Cocfc.-l, 2, and 3, E. Horner. Ben.—l. 2, and 8, F. Horner. Tumblers.— Almond.—}. E. Homer. 2. J. Field- ing, jun., Rochdale. 3, W. Harvey, Sheffield. Mottled— I, J. Hawley. 2. J. Fielding, jun. S, H. Yardley. Balds or Beards.— 1, 2, and 3. J. Fielding, jnn. Owls.— 1, W. Harvey. 2. J. Fielding, jun. Tuhbits.— 2. R. D. Borne, Boston. Extra 2, E. Horner. 3, H. Yardley. Jacobins.— 1 and 2, J. Thompson. 3, E. Homer. Fantails.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, J. Thompson. 3,'F. Horner. Barbs.— 1 and 3, E. Homer. 2. J. Fioblintr, jun. e, II. Yardlep : J. W. Cannan. Dragoons.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, J.Mitchell, Moseley. 3. F. Graham, c. J. Jowett, Idle; W. Luud, Shipley. Trumpeters.— 1, J. Hawley. 2, W. Harvey. 3, F. Horner. Magpies.— 1, 2, and 3, E. Horner. Archangels. — 1, E. Horner. 2, J. Thompson. 3, H. Yardley. Anv other Breed.— 1. W. Lund, Shipley. 2, E. Horner. 3, J. Fielding, jun. c. H. Yardley; W. Harvey. Selling Class.— 1, W. Lnnd. 2, A, H. Easten, Hull. 8, J. Thompson. Rabbits.— Loni-cared.—Buck.—l, A. H. Easten. 2, G. Johnson, Kettering. he, C. Gravil, jiiu., Thorne. Doc— 1, G. Johnson. 2, A. H. Easten. he. C Gravil.jun. Ann other Description. — Buck. — 1, A. II. Easten. 2, F. Moulson, Little Horton. Doe.—l, A. H. Easten. 2, F. Moulson. he, Wood &, Poole, Bradford. Judges. — Poultry: Mr. E. Hewitt, Eden Cottage, Sparkbrook, Birmingham ; Mr. R. Teebay, Fulwood, Preston. Pigeons : Mr. W. Smith, Halifax. WHITBY POULTRY SHOW. We published last week the awards made to the poultry mid Pigeons at the Whitby Agricultural Society's thirty-sixth annual Show. *" The weather being extremely fino and the visitors very numerous, Ihe receipts at the gates were much greater than at any former Show. The arrangements were everything that could bo desired. The Dorkings did not form a large class ; the prize chickens were very good. Many of the Spanish were in deepmonlt; the first-prize chickens, however, were good. Iu the class for Red Game, Mr. Julian was first with a very good peu of Black Reds ; and Mr. Robson, of Bishop Auckland, second with an excellent pair of Browu Reds. The two pens of Duckwings belonging to the same gentleman were also first-rate. Of Brahmas there was a large entry, but many of them were much out of condition. Some of the chickens were of great merit. The French fowls were tolerably numerous, and the two prize pens of great merit. Most of the Hamburgh classes contained Borne good birds, but the entries were not so numerous as we should have wished. The Ducks and Geese were well represented ; and all the classes of Pigeons con- tained many first-class specimens. The local cups for the best pen of chickens, of the large breeds, was awarded to Mr. Readman, for Cochins ; that forG-amo orHamburgbs, to Mr. Webster ; and for Ducks, to Mr. Burn, for a good peu of Black East Indian. PENISTONE POULTRY SHOW. The seventeenth annual Show of poultry took place at Penistone on Thursday last, upon the admirably adapted grounds belonging to Mr. Unwin There may have been years when the number of entries have been larger, but the different classes have never been better represented. The poultry included some of the finest birds in the kingdom. The prize for DorHngs wa<* carried off by a very fine pen. Spanish were well represented. The Polands shown were remarkable for their excellent quality. Of Hamburahs there was a large display, and finer birds could not be found. The Game classes caused some excitement, the several kinds shown beiug admirable. The competi- tion between Mr. C. Chaloner and Mr. F. Sales was exceedingly keen. The Cochin- Chinas were poorly represented, owing to most of this class of birds being out of feather. However, Mr. Harvey showed one excellent pen. DoxtElNGB- — 1, Hon. H. W. Fitzwilliam, Wentworth Woodhouse. 2. W. Harvev, Sheffield. Chickens.— I, W. Parkin. Spanish (Black).— 1 and 2, Burch and Boulter. Sheffield, Chickens.— 1, E. Brown. 2, Burch A Boulter. Cochin- Chinas.— 1, W. Harvev. 2, W. Topham, Sheffield. Chickens.— 1, Burch and Boulter. 2. W. Whiteley, Sheffield. Polands.— 1, W. Harvev. 2, J. Batty. Hambtjrohs. — SUner-spangled.— 1, W. Harvey, Sheffield. Chickens.— 1, W. McMcllon, Gloseop. Golden-pencilled.— 1, W. Harvey. 2, Burch & Boulter. Chickens.— 1, Burch & Boulter. Silver-pencilled. — 1. W. Harvev. Game.— Black-breasted and other Reds— I, C. Chaloner. "Whitwell. 2 F. Sale?, Crowle. he. W. -T. Cope, Barnsley. Cockerel and one Hen — 1, B. Burton. Thurgoland. 2. C. Chaloner. he, F. Sales. Duckwings and other Greys and Blues. — 1, C. Chaloner. 2, F. Sales (Duckwings). he. W. J. Cope, Barnslev. Chickens.— 1. J. B. Ep worth. 2, C. Chaloner. he. F. Sn!es (DuckwingB). Whites and Piles.— 1. F. Sales. 2, C. Chaloner. Chicken.-..— 1, F. Sales. 2, C Chaloner. Any Breed. — 1, Hon. H. W. Fitzwilliam (Creve-Cceur). 2, W. Whiteley (Brahmas). Chickens.— 1, "W. Harvey. 2,W. Whitelev. Bantams.— 1, C. Chaloner. 2. J. North, New Mill. Turkeys.— 1, J. Thickett, Penistone. 2. E. Booth. Wharnrlifffl Side. Geese.— 1. C. Chaloner. DuCKB.™ White Aylesbury.— I and 2, Shillito, Pitsmoor. Other Colour.— 1, J. Flood, Penistone. 2, C. Chaloner. Judges.— Mr. William Wood, Sheffield, and Mr. Thomas Wilkin- son. Holmfirth. DEANE AND BOLTON POULTRY SHOW. This was held on the 18th inst., at Beane, near Bolton, in connec- tion with the Agricultural and Horticultural Show, and the day heing fine there was a large attendance of visitors. The following are the awards : — Spanish.— 1, F. & C. Howarth, Newfield, HaRlincden. 2. C. W. Brierley, Mtddleton. rxinKiN<;s.-l, C. W. Brierlev. 2, J. Watts, King's Heath. Bir mincham. he, .T. Stott. Game.— 1 and 2, C. AY. Brierlev. c. J. Wallas. Cock.— 1 and 2. C W. Brierlev. he. J.TVallan, Heaton. Cochin-China.— 1, J. Siohel. Timporiev. 2, C. w. Brierlev. c, G. Anderton, Accrinffton. Brahmas. —I and 2. .1. H. Pickles, Birkdale. Kouthnort, llAXnvr.Giis.-Gohlcn pencilled. — 1. T. Wrigley, jnn., Tonee Hall, Mifldlr-ton. Silver-pencilled.— 1 and 2. J. Piatt. Dean--. Qolden.8pangled.-i. T. Bolton, Handtbrd. Silpcr-tpangled.— 1 and 2, J. Fieldinir, Newchurch. Polands — 1 nnri 2. P. Uns worth, Law ton, Newton-le-Willows. Any other Variety. — 1, C. W. Brierley. 2. S. H. Stott. Bantams.— Game.—\. T. Sharpies. Forest Bank. Rawtenstall. 2. G. Anderton. he, T. Sharpies; J. Wall-is. c. N. Cook. Chow bent; J. Howarth. Holeombe Harriers, Tottington. Any other Variety.— !, N.Cook 2. S. & E. Ashton, Roecross, Mottram. Tie, N. Piatt, Denne. Ducks — Aylesbury.— 1, E. Leeeh, Rochdale. 2, S. H. Stott. Rouen.—!, T. Wakefield, Golborne. 2. S. H. Stott. he, -T. Scotson, Litt'e Byrom (2). Ann other Varietu — 1. C. W- Brierlev. 2, S. & R Ashton, Mottram. Geese.— 1, E. Leech. 2, S. H. Stott. he, W. Raby, Bolton, Turkeys.— 1, E. Leech. PIGEONS. Carriers. — 1. D. Bromiley, Over Hulton. 2, W. Marklan-l, Deane. Tumblers. — 1, F. Moore. Burnley. 2, H. Yardlcv, Birmingham. ENGLISH Owls.— 1, A. Jackson, The Whins, Heaton. 2, D. Bromiley. he, J. Watts, Binninsham. CRoppHiis.— 1, H. Yardley. Faktails.— 1, J. F. Loversidge, Ncwark-on-Trent. 2, J. Kemp, Haslintnlen. Dragoons.— 1, P. Untiworth. 2, J. Wa'ts. hc,D. Bromiley. Antwerps.— 1, H. Yardley. 2, W. Markhm-l. Barbs.— 1, II. Yardley. 2 andc. D. Bromiley. Any other Variety.— 1, D. Bromiley. i, P. Unsworth. he, F. Moore. Extra Class.— 1, Withheld. 2, D. Bromiley (Blue Carriers). Judges.— Mr. S. Fielding, Trentham, and Mr. T. S. Ridpcth, Out- wood Hull, Hanforth. WOODSOME POULTRY SHOW. The Woodsorae Society's fifteenth Show wn3 held on the 17th inst. The arrangements were good, the birds well attendod to, and the ex- hibitor ■* treated with the utmost courtesy. Dorkings are neglected in this part, and there were no entries, and of Spanish and Cochins there were very few specimens. Game were r.dnlt birds, and not in the finest bloom, though good iu hand. Of Brahmas thero were some good specimens, the first-prize pen beiug in excellent order. The second-prize birds were better in marking, but out of feather. The Kamhurglis were all good. In the Game Bantam class the competition was very close; the awards were made to Black Reds. In the class for any other variety of Bantams, Blacks were first, and Japanese second. The Rouen Duchs were largo, and the winners correct in points, though some of the rest were bad in beak. August 25, 1870. ] JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 155 Of Pigeone, tho best Carriers were a good pair of Dims, and the winning Pouters were good in limb and feather. Fantails were of but moderate quality, as also the Barbs, but the Trumpeters were good. The Rahl'tt classes contained some good specimens, notably the Lop-ears, and a handsome Silver-Grey Buclr. Spanish.— 1, H. Beldon. Goitstoek. 2. H. Sngden, Woodsome Lees. Cochin- CHINA. — Cinnamon or Uuft.—l, H. I! Mon. Anil other Variety — 1, J. White, Whitley Netherton. 2, II. Beldon. Game (Black-breasted or Brown lied).— 1, E. Aykroyd, EeoleBhiU. 2, W. J. Cope, Barnsley. he, J. Smith. Kirkburlon. Polands.— 1, II. Beldon, Br.vhmas.—1, E. Leech, Rochdale. 2, H. Beldou ; H. Lacy. Hebdeii Bridge, c, J. Brooke, Huddersfield. Haxburghs. — Gold- prncithd.-i, H. Beldon. Oold«pangled.—l, H. Beldon. 2.. I. White. Silver- pencilled —1. H. Beldon. Sileer-spanoled. — 1, H. Beldon. Bantaus.— Qanu .— 1 and he, G. Noble. Staincliffe. 2, F. Steel. Halifax (21. Ann other Variety.— 1. T. Dvson. Halifax. 2, H. Beldon. Ducks— Aylesbury— \, E. Leech. 2.' H. Sugdnn. Rouen.— US. Leech. 2, J. White; J. Crosland, Huddersfield. )ir, F. Brooke; J. Crosland. Ttrkevs.— 1, E. Leech. Any Breed.— Cklckeui.—l, F. Steel. 2, J. Bradbury, Bradshaw, Austonley. c, J. Clcgg, Dalton. PIGEONS. Carriers.— 1. H. Yardley, Birmingham. Pouters.— 1 and 2, J. Hawlev, Bingley. Tcmhlers.— 1, J. Hawley. 2. H. Yardley. c. .1. Hawley; .T. H. Sykes, Hudderstield. Fantails.— 1, J. Hawley. 2, H. Yardley. Jacoiiins.— 1 and 2, J. Hawley. he. H. Yardlev. c, C. Gravel, jnn. Tin mpeters.- 1 and 2. J. Hawley. Extra 2 and he, T. Kaye, HoDley. c. J. H Sykes (2). Barbs.— 1. H. Yardley. 2, J. Hawley. c, T. Kaye; J. H. Sykes. Dovecote (Common). —1, A. Roberts. 2. J. Hawley. he. J. Hawley ; J. Svkes, Almondbr.rv ; H. Sugden. Extra Stock.— 1 and 2, T. Kaye (Blue Dragoons and Turbita). Rabbits.— Iluck. — 1, C. Gravil, Thorne. 2, Robinson & Glew, Wakefield. he, J. Armitagr, Almondbury Bank, c, E. Butterworlh, Rochdale. Doc— 1, C. liravil. 2,A.Broughton, Dalton. he, J. Armitage ; J.OldGeld ; E..Butter\vorth Judge. — Mr. E. Hutton, Pudsey, Leeds. Whitby Canary Show.— Was it not Dickens who, at the close of a preface, said with reference to the familiar cover ia which tho monthly parts of Lis works appeared, that he would someday put forth his " two green leaves" again? Whitby, the first Show of the season, has put forth its two green leaves, and I hope it is iu the hands of all fanciers. It is an excellent schedule eonta ioing nineteen classes of Canaries, three of Mules, and two of foreign birds, for open competition, exclusive of dis- trict pi izes. The Show is advertised for September 13th— rather early it is true, but it is held in connection with the flower show ; and I can assure exhibitors that, apart from the great care and attention bestowed on the birds (which of itself is one distinctive feature of the Whitby executive), they will be seen by a concourse of visitors such as they will not, probably, greet again on this tide of the Palace Show. Now, sire, what kind of a s?ason have you had ? Who is to the front this year? Let us see what you have moulted through for Whitby, and may the best man win.— W. A. B. A HUNGARIAN METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE FERTILISATION OF THE QUEEN BEE. The following artiole from the pen of Mr. A. Semlitsch is translated from a recent number of the German "Bee Journal :" — " Some time ago I was informed by the Chevalier de Azula that Mr. Johann Dax, of Giins, Hungary, had a method of in- suring tho fertilisation of a queen bee by any drone which he chose to select, and under his own immediate supervision. He stated that Mr. Dax excised a royal cell the day before its oc- cupant would hatch out, and placing it in a cage permitted the young queen to emerge therein. She was afterwards trans- ferred with a few workers to a suitable receptacle, and a selected drone being introduced, fertilisation was speedily ac- complished. 'Following these instructions I performed several experi- ments last spring, but was ia every case unsuccessful. Having occasion early in the autumn to proceed to Penkafeld, in Hun- gary, I resolved to extend my journey to Giins. Here I found Mr. Dax, who received me cordially and imparted much in- teresting information collected by him in the course of forty years' practical experience in bee-culture, besides allowing me to peruse a manuscript treatise embracing his observations and opinions, under the head of 136 questions and answers, forming literally a bee-keeper's catechism. " It follows that the pure fertilisation of queen bees, and the best means of securing it, soon became the subject of con- versation, and he unreservedly described his mode of accom- plishing that object. As he generously allows me to make this information public, I now do so for the benefit of bee-keepers generally. The importance cf the dis-.overy, if it should prove reliable, induces me to publish it at once, although I should have preferred testing it first more thoroughly myself. The few experiments which I have been able to make failed, as it seems to me, only because the weather was so cold that I could not prevent the embryo queens from becoming chilled in their cells ; but that it is possible, by using the requisite precautions to procure the fertilisation of queens in the manner described by Mr. Dax, I consider unquestionably true. I now proceed to details. " We require for our purpose in tho first place, an ordinary pipe-cover made of very fine wire. This is fastened t* a small piece of wood less than a quarter of an inch thick, and thus be- comes a regular queen-cage. The wood must, however, be sufficiently large to entirely cover the feeding-hole at the top of the hive, and must also have a circular aperture which will permit a queen cell to pass easily. Auother thin bit of wood ia also required, to which a royal cell is fastened by means of melted wax, and this, being laid on the queen cage with the royal cell passing through its central aperture, closes it entirely. Wo next require a piece of perforated zinc 6 or 7 inches square, and lastly a glass box G inches square by 7 inches high. This is entirely open at the bottom, and has small openings at the top for ventilation, as in a lantern. . Through one side of the frame of this glass case ia passed a pointed wooden skewer, on which we can easily hang a bit of honeycomb. These are all the materials required. " If a hive contain many royal cells we must note tho date on which each becomes sealed over, and on the seventh day a queen cell must be cut out and fastenod with a little wax to the covering board, which must be put over the opening of the queen-cage with the cell prrjecting inside, takiug care that suf- ficient space is left to permit the queen to crawl out. We then open the feeding-hole at the top of the hive from which the cell has been taken, and put the queen-cage over it, allowing it to project into the hive as far as the wood to which it is fastened will permit. A piece of paper should then be pasted over all, so that no heat may escape, and a blanket may be laid upon this. By raising this blanket and the bit of wood to which the cell is attached we can readily ascertain whether the queen has emerged from it or not. We then wait until the fourth or fifth day, or, in short, the first fine day after the third, which is the day on which queens usually take their wedding-flight. The little cage is now raised with all the bees which adhere to it, the feeding-hole covered with the perforated zinc, and the glazed box, which must be furnished with a bit of honeycomb, placed on the top. The bees and queen are then introduced through the ventilator at the top into the box to the number of at least one hundred, and if those adhering to the cage are not sufficient the perforated zinc must be slightly drawn back until enough have ascended. The glazed box is then darkened, and between the hours of eleven and three a drone is added, when you may watch their intercourse. If this does not occur on the first day, which, however, is generally the case, before three o'clock, it will take place the next day about the same time. " Mr. Dax assures me that having tried this process many times, he has almost always succeeded with the first drone, but that the second never failed. " In addition to the undoubted veracity of Mr. Dax himself there are other good reasons for presuming that a properly con- ducted experiment would ensure a successful result. Why should not fertilisation occur within the hive itself? Because in the crowded condition of the colony it evidently could not be effected without a disturbance and commotion endangering the life of the queen, and under these circumstances it has been provided that natural instinct should compel the queen to leave her hive for this purpose. Even if the bee-kesper should inter- fere by catching, confining, and removirg the queen, she would still be in a state of alarm and endeavour to effect her escape and return to the hive — excitement and distress subduing every other passion or natural impulse. Whether a queen thu3 removed be liberated in a roomy chamber and permitted to fly amidst workers and selected drones, or allowed to take wing in the open air, restrained only by a silken filament, the desired result will rarely be attained ; but under the treatment pre- scribed by Mr. Dax she becomes neither alarmed nor excited, being born in a state of confinement, and when permitted to mingle with a few workers she feels free and at her ease, and readily yields to her natural impulse to provide for the increase of the little colony. If then a mature drone be introduced, fertilisation is almost certain to follow, because from the small number of workers present (clustered also for the most part on the inserted honeycomb), no interference or commotion need be apprehended. These are the reasons which induce me to look with confidence for a successful result." The above process certainly appears by far the most likely of any that have yet been devised to secure the desired end, and I 156 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAOE GARDENER. [ August 25, 1870. much regret that it is now too late in the season for me to sub- mit it immediately to the test of experiment. — A Devonshire Bee-keeper. The Biggest Pie on Record was made at Lowther Castle, in Westmoreland, in the year 1762, and was sent up as a present to the King. It contained 2 geeBe, 4 ducks, 2 turkeys, 4 wild- fowls, 1 wild goose, 6 wild ducks, 3 teal, 2 starlings, 12 partridges, 15 woodcocks, 2 guinea-fowls, 3 snipes, 6 plovers, 3 water-hens, 6 widgeons, 1 cuilew, 46 yellow-hammers, 15 sparrows, 2 chaf- finches, 2 larks, 3 thrushes, 1 field-fare, 6 pigeons, 4 blackbirds, 20 rabbits, 1 leg of veal, half a ham, 3 bushels of flour, 2 stone of butter. The whole pie weighed 22 stone. This muBt have been the original pie commemorated in the nursery rhyme — " When the pie was opened The guestB began to sing 'Is not this a dainty dish To set before the king ? ' " — (Food Journal ) OUR LETTER BOX. Breeding Turkeys and Geese (A Comtant Subscriber).— Most breed- ers prefer early-hatched young hen Turki>ys, and seldom keep them after the second or third year. Young cock Turkeys are preferred, especially if the hens are old ones, but there is little objection to using a three-year- old bird ; we do not advise an older. You may use very old Geese, but you want fresh and young ganders. We have known a Goose doing good duty at eight years old, and we have been told of some that were posi- tively patriarchal. We do not advise you to keep Aylesbury Ducks after the second year—that is, after breeding from them two seasons. None of the non-sitters will last so long as those that become broody. We advise the TouloUBe as the best breeding Geese ; but as they do not sit we say of them, and of AyleBbury Ducks, Kenew your stock frequently. Legs of Pile Game Fowls (H.L. C.).— There is no fixed colour for the legs of Game fowls, but in almost every instance willow are preferred. Some, however, like yellow for Piles, especially in the Worcestershire diBtrict. Of late years willow and lead-coloured seem almost to have monopolised the strains. White, yellow, and carp are seldom seen. There was a time when yellow were thought almost indispensable to Duckwings, but now they have nearly disappeared. Of course every bird in the pen must have the same shade, but if that were accomplished we should look only to the more important points of the birds. Breeding Pheasants {Pheasant).— We know no other. Lengthy trea- tises on these subjects are made up of non-essentials. Young hen Phea- sants lay the earliest eggs. Two-year-old birds lay the largest number. The old hens require to be put to young cocks, and they will then go on well for years. It is well, however, and nothing is easier in a well- managed preserve, to turn out the hens after they have bred the second time, and put others in their places. The number of pens you have for adult birds must depend on the number of birds you wish to keep up. Your old birds arenow,of course, out of tholaying pen, andinthe winter pen. Let thoBO that have already bred two seasons grow their wings and fly away. Replace them with young birds from which you have bred this year for the first time, and in the pen they vacate put this year's poults. By doing this you will always have a succession of two-year birds, and at no extra expense. These young hens that are to lay next season, and afterwards be your two-year-olds, should have their wings cut now, and be penned. A Pheasant that has had its liberty, although tame-bred, never, if caught again, becomes a tame bird to 'be depended upon for breeding in pens. Game Chickens— Dubbing (Pile).— It is very rare to find chickens that are deserted by the hen at a month do any good ; but they should never be allowed to perch, as the breast bone must thereby become crooked. There is no cure for it, and it is a disqualification everywhere. Chickens that are deserted by their mother, should for some weeks be allowed to roost in their rip. They huddle together, and keep themselves warm, and it is better for them, while their bones are forming ; whereas if they perch while they have cartilage instead of bone, their legs cannot support them, and their breasts rest on the perch. The bone is soft, and takes the impress of it. They may be dubbed at six or seven months old, but care must be tnken not to perform the operation while feathers are form- ing. They are then in cockers' parlance in " bloody stub," and cannot bear the operation. Scissors used by grooms in clipping horses are good for dubbing. They are curved. The gills are taken off close, and the deaf-ears. The cuts are black the next day, and they soon cicatrise. The birds suffer so little, that if all that is removed be chopped up, they will eat it directly. It takes two persons to perform the operation properly. Fattening Decks (J. H.).— With Ducks as with human beings, exercise is not favourable to fattening. Shut them in a small pigstye if you have one ; if not, in some place of the same character. Feed them on oats bran, and oatmeal, pnt in a shallow vessel— sav from 1J to 2 inches deep add a little gravel, and cover the whole with water. CoLODR of the Eves of Archangel Pigeons (S. Smith).— We never impugn the judgment of judges, for their decision is, as to any certain show, a final decision. However, we think that orange eyeR suit best with the plumage of the Archangel, and prefer them decidedly to pearl colour. Rabbits— Lop-eared, Spanish, Andalusian, and Patagonian {In- quirer).—The Lop-eared Rabbit is the variety, the point of which is length of ears, and the longer the better. A specimen with ears 22 inches long is good. The colour is of no importance if rightly dis- tributed over the body. The Andalusian is a native of Spain of large size, weighing from 12 to 18 lbs., colour grey, hair glossy and smooth. The ears are generally long and dangling, as if inclined to be half lop, at least, longer than in all the other varieties, Lop-eared excepted. This is at times also designated the Ram Rabbit. The Patagonian is another large variety more frequently found in France, and the sort seeming to be the greatest favourite here is of a light yellow, or almoBt cream shade, so called; weight about from 12 to 15 lbs. Ears shorter and more erect than those of the Andalusian. The last two varieties are scarce, but they are valuable for the table. Canary (Bird Fancier).— Write to W. A. Blakston, Esq., 22, Norfolk Street, Suuderland. Goldfish (H. £.).— Mr. G.H. King, 190, Great Portland Street, London. Oats Grodnd, &c. {Inquirer).— Crushed oats are oatB crushed between two flutod rollers. Ground oats are the whole grain, including the husk, ground to a course flour, and oatmeal is the kernel of the grain only ground to a coarse or a finer meal. Canvas Hive Cover (M. J. P.).— We are unable to say where this can be obtained. Mouse and Beetle Traps {Perplexed).— For information respecting the prices of the inventions to which you refer apply at 10, Essex Street, Strand, London. METEOROLOGICAL, OBSERVATIONS In the Suburbs of London for the week ending August 23rd. thermometer. Wind. Date. barometer. Air. Earth. Rain. Max. Min. Max. Min. 1 ft. 2 ft. Wed... 17 Thurs.. 18 Fri 19 Sat. ... 20 Sun. . . 21 Mon. . . 22 Tues. . 23 29.977 29.886 29 910 30.041 30.103 30 021 29.805 29 971 29.708 29.756 29.968 30.076 29 685 29.735 74 83 69 74 71 69 70 40 49 S3 32 33 46 42 64 64 66 63 60 61 59 61 61 61 61 eo 59 68 N. W. N. W. N. S.W. N.W. .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 •78 .00 M9an.. 29.963 29.843 72.86 39.S8 62.43 60.14 •• 0.78 17.— Overcast, fine; densely overcast ; clear and fine. 18.— Very fine; exceedingly fine ; clear and fine. 19.— Very fine ; cloudy, but fine ; clear and tine. 20.— Exceedingly fine; very fine ; cloudv, but fine. 21.— Very fine; cloudy but fine; overcast, beavy clouds. 22.— Very fine ; overcast, fine ; beavy rain. 23.— Overcast, damp; cloudy, but fine; clear and fine. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— August 24. Ocr chief demand is now among the rougher descriptions of goods ■which are supplied in very large quantities, and, consequently, the sale must be forced at a low price to dispose of it. Continental supplies are also heavy, notwithstanding the interruption caused by the war. Potatoes are good and a fair steady trade is doing. s. .1. . Apples iBieve 1 0 to 2 Apricots doz. 1 Cherries lb. 0 Chestnuts bushel 0 Currants j sieve 2 Black do. 0 Figs doz. 1 Filberts lb. 0 Cobs lb. 0 Gooseberries quart 0 Grapes, Hothouse.... lb. 2 Lemons ^-100 10 Melons each 1 Mulberries lb. 0 Nectarines doz. 8 Oranges $»• 100 0 PeacbeB doz. 6 Pears, kitchen doz. 0 dessert doz. 1 Pine Apples lb. 2 Plums i sieve 2 Quinces doz. 0 Raspberries lb. 0 Strawberries lb. 0 Walnuts bushel 10 do ^-100 1 9 toO 0 8 6 14 10 0 3 5 VEGETABLES. S. d. s. d Artichokes doz. 0 0 to 0 0 ABparagus a&'lOO 0 0 0 0 Beans, Kidney ..i sieve. 4 Broad bushel 0 Beet, Red doz. 2 Broccoli bundle 0 Brussels Sprouts . . J Bieve 0 Cabbage doz. l Capsicums ^ 100 0 Carrots bunch 0 Cauliflower doz. 2 Celery bundle 1 Coleworts..doz. buuehes 3 Cucumbers each 0 pickling doz. 2 Endive doz. 2 Fennel bunch 0 Garlic lb. 0 Herbs bunch 0 _ Horseradish .... bundle 8 0 6 0 3 0 0 Leeks bunch Lettuce doz. Mushrooms pottle Mustard & Cress. . punnet Onions bushel pickling quart Parsley sieve Parsnips doz. Peas quart Potatoes bushel Kidney do. Radishes .. doz. bunches Rhubarb bundle Savoys doz. Sea-kale basket Shallots lb, Spinach bushel Tomatoes... doz. Turnips bunch Vegetable MarrowB . . doz. s. d. s. 0 4 to 0 3 0 1 6 POULTRY MARKET.— August 24. There is a good supply of poultry and an average trade, unusually plentiful. d. s. d. Oto 8 6 Grouse are Large Fowls 8 Smaller ditto 2 6 8 0 Chickens 1 9 2 0 DuckB 2 0 2 6 Geese 5 6 6 0 Turkeys 0 0 0 0 s. d. s. d. Grouse (young) 1 9 to 2 0 Pigeons 0 8 0 9 Rabbits 14 15 Wild ditto 0 8 0 9 Hares 0 0 0 0 Partridges 0 0 0 0 September 1, 1870. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 157 • WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day of Month Day of Week. SEPTEMBER 1—7, 1870. Average Tempera- tore near London. Rain in last 43 years. San Rises. San Sets. Moon Rises. Moon Sets. Moon's Age. Clook after Son. Day of Year. 1 2 8 4 6 6 7 Th F S Scs M To W Kidderminster Horticultural 8how. 12 Sunday after Trinity. Crystal Palace Florists' Flower Show opens. Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit, Floral, [and General Meeting. Day. 71.1 71.0 718 71.0 70.4 70.2 70.3 Night. 47.5 47.6 47.7 46.7 47.1 46.8 47.5 Mean. 50.3 69.3 59.2 68 9 58.8 68.5 68.9 Days. 21 19 19 19 18 20 19 m. h. 13af5 15 5 16 5 18 5 20 5 21 5 23 5 m. b. 46af6 44 6 42 6 40 6 37 G 35 6 32 6 in. b. after. 32 1 46 2 50 8 45 4 27 5 0 6 m. h. 43 af 9 18 10 1 11 54 11 morn . 55 0 3 2 Days. 6 3> 8 9 10 11 12 m. s. 0 6 0 25 0 44 1 4 1 23 1 43 2 4 244 245 246 247 248 249 260 From observations taken near London daring the last forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 70.8\ and its night temperature 47.3^. The greatest heat was 91 ;i, on the 7th, 1868; and the lowest cold 28:', on the 7th, 1856. The greatest fall of rain was 1.50 inch. THE GENUS SAMBUCUS, OR ELDER. C!y F&reSft VERYONE is acquainted with the common AS l?X%> Elder, Elder berry, or Boortree. Although berry, a native of this country, it is but little valued, but some cultivate it in gardens or shrubbe- ries for ornament, as well for its flowers and berries. The former yield by distilla- tion Elder-flower water, and from the ber- ries Elder wine is made. The flowers are white and yellow, in very large heads, and agreeably fragrant ; and they are succeeded by purple or black berries in autumn. The foliage is little different from that of the Ash, but wanting its light shining green, otherwise the tree might be taken for a low- growing bold-foliaged Ash. It grows anywhere. From old associations, or some such cause, it is allowed a place near almost every homestead, particularly those with any pre- tension to age, but it is seldom planted, or if so only to a very limited extent. To the gardener, however, the Elder, though common, is one of the most valuable of trees ; I regret its valuable properties are not more appreciated. In the first place, it acts as a preventive and destroyer of insects. If a quantity of the leaves be put into as much water as will cover them, and boiled until it becomes quite black, the liquor, after having been strained and cooled, may be applied through a fine-rosed watering pot to trees or bushes infested with caterpillars. Poured over the nests of ants it will drive them away ; and the fresh leaves put in the runs of moles will soon cause them to disappear. The Elder is also valuable on account of its succeeding where few other trees will grow. In the smoky atmosphere of towns it thrives admirably : it succeeds as well in a confined as in an open space; and near the sea, in places where there are no trees, it attains in a short time a degree of vigour which is quite surprising. In towns and near the sea, great difficulty is experienced in getting anything to grow to afford shelter for more tender subjects. I was much struck with the screens of Elder which I recently saw near Sunderland. The points most exposed were sheltered by hedges or screens of Elder, and it was remarkable what growths they had made, and what a fine shelter they formed to the plants they enclosed. Rough-looking though these hedges were, yet where the growth of more trim hedge plants is very slow, and in many cases impracticable without some protection, the value of the Elder is considerable ; for, besides growing better than anything else, it effects in two or three years all we look for from a hedge. Some fine screens 5 and 6_ feet high had been formed in three years from the cut- tings. The cuttings are put in after the leaves fall in autumn, the ripened wood of one or more years' growth being cut into lengths of about a foot, and inserted to within an inch or two of the top, the uppermost joint only being left above ground. From 9 inches to a foot is the distance they are put in at, and all the attention they require is to be kept clear of weeds. If watered a few times in summer with sewage, the growth the first year is wonder- No, 4W.-V01. xrx., N»w Sum. ful. In fact, three years only are required for a screen of Elder 6 feet high and as much through, where the Thorn and Privet in that time can hardly make headway, and do not grow more inches than the Elder does feet. Useful as the Elder is in smoky town gardens and posi- tions near the sea, it is as useful in shrubberies in more favourable situations, being one of the few low trees or shrubs that succeed under the shade and drip of large trees, so that it ought to be in every pleasure ground. There are varieties of it which cannot fail to please, and which are deserving of more extended cultivation. The moat beautiful variety is, I think, the cut or Parsley-leaved Elder (Sambucus nigra laciniata), the foliage being finely divided, and the plant not so strong as the common Elder. It has a very elegant appearance ; it is also of very free growth. There is a sub- variety of this with yellow- striped leaves, which is far more ornamental than many vaunted novelties. It is, however, more tender than the preceding, and does not do well in exposed positions. The white- variegated form of the species (S. nigra foliis-.argenteis) is a good distinct variegated shrub, not so vigorous as the parent, nor so capable of enduring exposure, and the same remarks apply to the yellow- variegated kind, which, though very ornamental, has the disadvantage of not succeeding in cold situations, though the Elders thrive in all but very bleak positions. Ornamental as all the preceding are by their foliage, flowers, and fruit, none of them can compare with the red-berried Elder, wliich I think is Sambucus raoemosa, though I am not sure of the proper name of this species, but it is one of the finest of all flowering deciduous shrubs. In May it is one sheet of white, every shoot bearing large heads of bloom, at a distance not unlike those of the Snow- ball (Viburnum Opulusl, but which, if more closely exa- mined, are found to be of a greenish yellow, and they continue long in beauty. The flowers, however, constitute but a small part of the plant's attractions, for the berries are of the finest coral red, rendering the plant so conspicuous at a distance as to be quite a feature. So bright are the berries in colour that those of the Mountain Ash are dull beside them. The berries are produced in clusters or heads, like the flowers, and are of the brightest red or scarlet of any berry I know. Their full colour is attained about the middle of July, but at the beginning of August they are highly ornamental, and they continue so until late in the year. In the beauty of its berries it eclipses every shrub that I know, and here it is growing in a variety of posi- tions— beside the rich purple of the Berberis, both sheltered and exposed, and under the shade of large Sycamore trees — in all of which it shows advantageously. To see it in perfection it should be grown in a mass in an open situa- tion, but protected from northerly and easterly winds ; but even where exposed to these winds it maintains its ground, where Cupressus Lawsoniana, Portugal Laurels, and Rho- dodendrons are severely injured, and it survives under trees where the Yew, the common Laurel, and the Portugal Laurel have failed. In appearance it much resembles the common Elder, but is more shrubby and compact. In smoky towns and No. 1144.— Tol. XLTV., Oid Series. 158 JOURNAL OF HOBTIOCLTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENEB. [ September 1, 1870. near the sea it is quite at home, and mast prove invaluable in such localities. There is a variety with white and another with purple berries. I believe it is a native of several parts of the south of Europe. Those who do not already possess it should next autumn add a mass of it to their shrubberies. It is not particular in regard to soil and situation, and is easy of propagation by cuttings of the ripe shoots and by seeds. — G. Abbey. POT VINES. The economical value of pot Vines has often been called in question ; indeed. I have often heard people say, " Grapes produced on pot Vines are never worth eating." It is quite true they are often very inferior, nor is it surprising that such should be the case. Badly grown and badly ripened canes are often fruited in pots ; and frequently where no fault can be found with the Vines they are expected to bear far too many bunches, and are not half fed nor attended to during their growth. Gardening must generally be considered a luxury except in the case of the commonest vegetables. Supposing the problem to solve be how to get Grapes when they are worth, say, from 7s. to 10s. a-pound in the market, I think it is a great question whether this cannot be done more cheaply by growing pot Vines than by forcing permanent ones; besides which, nothing is more beautiful than a pot Vine loaded with well-ripened fruit. Having seen at Chatsworth last spring the best house of pot Vines I ever saw grown, I asked Mr. Speed to tell me how they had been managed. They were standing on a shelf covered with white spar, such as is brought out of the Derbyshire lead mines, consequently not a root had grown out of the pots. Every eye had been allowed to break and produce a shoot, and each shoot had made six leives before being stopped. From the time leaves were produced, till the fruit began to colour, the Vines had never had water without guano in it, the plan being to give very weak doses constantly in place of stronger ones at longer intervals. A quantity of Peruvian guano broken small and passed through a fine sieve stood in a large pot, and the foreman put as much as his closed hand grasped into a large watering-pan each time he filled it. I have never weighed this quantity, but it must be a Bmall amount to the gallon. One thing struck me — that was the very careful way the watering was performed. The man had in his left hand a small wooden hammer with which each pot was struck, and if the sound produced did not indicate a want of water the plant was passed by. During the hot weather the pots were examined twice a-day, so that no plant could suffer from want of water, or reoeive it before it was required. I should think the Vines carried on an average 8 lbs. of Grapes, and yet many of them had only four bunches, and none more than five, and they were as well coloured as one would wish to see. As the Vines were trained to meet in the centre of a narrow double-roofed house, and the leaves of the Vines just met all the way up, the whole roof was covered by foliage, and the crop looked a very heavy one. It was one of the pret- tiest sightB I ever saw. Where less skill and attention can be bestowed on pot Vines, it is a question if they had not better be placed on a rich bed of soil and be allowed to root through ; but as I never before saw so good a lot of pot Vines as these were, I thought some of your readers might like to know how they were cultivated. — J. E. Pearson, Chilwell. A FEW SUPERIOR BEDDING PLANTS. I have read with interest what your correspondent, Mr. Peach, and others have lately written in the Journal on bed- ding plants, especially Geraniums, and I have a wish to recom- mend to your readers two which are by far the best that I have ever tried or seen — namely, Vesuvius and Glorious, raised and sent out by the Messrs. Smith, of Dulwich. I have tried all the most highly commended varielies sent out during the last twelve years, and these two are the most effective bedders that have ever come under my notice. Taking into consideration habit and wonderful productiveness of bloom, in combination with substance of pftal as points of merit, they have no eqmls that I know of. For distant effect, VeBnviuB in particular, from its lively shade of scarlet, is most valuable. Conlraiy to the habit of most Gerariums, the more they grow the more productive are they of their fine trusses of bloom, borne on stiff stalks. When forced in moist stoves in vaster their blooming powers are nwst conspicuous, as thgy throw np a trnsB from nearly every leaf. Glow, raised by the same firm, is aho % gool bedder, bat compared to the two referred to only second-rate. Imperial Blue Ageratum sent ont this year I regard as one of the finest bedding plants introduced for many years. There are four beds of it here, and they are a perfeot sheet of beau- tiful lavender, while its habit is all that can be wished. In the distance it is much more effective than Viola cornuta or Lobelia speciosa, while its habit is preferable to either of these. Tro- p